I’m always looking for ways to get my kids outside to get in their 60 minutes a day, also known as a “Green Hour” by the National Wildlife Federation.
Last week, I let each kid use a digital camera to photograph signs of spring and get them walking outside and noticing nature. (6 year old, JJ, used a point and shoot while 9 year old, AJ, got to use my old SLR. As I’ve mentioned before, don’t bother with the kid cameras, they’re terrible!)
Teach Kids Photography
I had to laugh because AJ refused to participate saying, “I’m not going, it’s too cold.” When JJ and I left to explore the back yard, AJ followed us and announced, “I’m just going for a minute but only in the back yard. I am not going on the path.” When JJ and I jumped the fence and started exploring the path and surrounding green space, AJ soon followed despite her earlier proclamation. Before long, AJ was running ahead, shouting, “Come on, follow me!”
Truly, kids like AJ require more patience. I always remind myself that I must gently encourage and participate with the girls when we do activities. At least to get them started.
As we walked through the green space, I introduced some new photography concepts like close up, zoom in, and landscape.
Then, for JJ, I tried to make sure she stood still when taking photos. That didn’t always happen but, no biggie since she’s using a digital camera. Delete!
Capturing Signs of Spring With Cameras
We enjoyed our time outside and even got some beautiful photos. Spring is barely here but we found a few little green plants here and there.
I helped the kids look down and look up. Signs of new growth were everywhere.
ADD WRITING: I used iPhoto to make a photo book, saved it as a .pdf, and printed it out on plain paper for the girls to write captions and descriptions for each photo.
We got out side — a green hour — by discovered signs of spring and had a blast!
How do you get outside in the spring?
Here are some activity ideas from the NWF for your Green Hour.
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12 Responses
What a lovely idea!
I am going to go pick up some inexpensive digital cameras and round up the grandkids…
Thanks!!
RMW
An awesome way to spend an hour outdoors! I cannot wait for Henry to be a little older to let him go at it with a camera. I can’t wait to see the world from his point of view. (I agree, I think the kid cameras are a waste… I always have an old camera lying around, just like an old phone… and old… whatever!)
Thanks for linking up both your posts to It’s Playtime this week, I hope to see more of your ideas next Thursday too!
Jamie @ hands on : as we grow
I found you from hands on as we grow link party. I love this idea and did something very similar with my son in the fall. Once our spring things start growing I hope to go out with the camera again. We made a nice collage with our photos for the playroom.
Our twins got a digital camera each for their 7th birthday last year…. since then they have been rampant photographers and always asking me for suggestions of what they can shoot. I LOVE this idea… will be sending them out to photograph ‘signs of autumn’ in our coming school holidays!