Play Ideas

Play doesn’t happen without boredom. Think back to your own childhood. When did the really fun stuff happen? I bet it was when you were bored. I remember one particularly …

Have you ever felt the thrill of whale watching from a boat? You have the advantage of a captain who knows the local waters and regular locations of the whales. But …

My mom is so wise . . .  Sssshhhh! Don’t tell her I said that. My mom is so wise . . . that if you’ve known me for any …

Hello, I’m Michele and I’m a parent. As a group, parents get blamed for overprotecting our children or hovering or helicoptering — all of which prevent our children from experiencing …

Oh, how the blossoms are blooming in our school garden! The brilliance is astounding! The peach tree pushed out the single blossom (above) a few weeks ago and now every …

When kids are around 9 or 10 years old is when parents start feeling comfortable in giving their kids a little more freedom. That’s the age when I was outside …

Books bring me closer to nature. Reading library books to my kids is a shared experience that creates a bond through laughter and giggles or a lesson learned. Fables and …

The moment when I witness the moon disappearing behind silhouetted mountains and the Milky Way shows its ethereal shape is enough. Feeling the rain soak my clothes and chill my …

Outdoor presents are the best. But how can you wrap up play days and deliver them to your family or friends? Experiences are what it’s all about when it comes to the …

When friends and family come to visit from far-off places, I’m always looking for memorable places to show off our beautiful Orange County and really feel like California. A Robber …