Monday, November 23, 2009

Nature Circle Cards Review and Giveaway


We all want the kids to go outside and build sandcastles, make mud pies, catch bugs, and play tag. The problem is that many of us are out out of the habit of just hanging out outside, and our kids, well, many of them never were in the habit...


I was recently introduced to a neat little product called Nature Circles, which were developed by Hooked on Nature. Nature circles are little round cards with conversation and activity prompts, that you can clip to your backpack, or diaper bag or purse. The activities and discussion prompts don't require any preplanning or extra materials. The cards are meant to be used with youngish children, to get them thinking about, and appreciating nature.They're basically just to get the conversations started, and you and the kiddos can take it from there. Each card set includes 15 questions, and 15 experiences, and they cost $5 a set. They'd make a nice stocking stuffer. (I'll be putting my set in my son's stocking.)I give them a thumbs up.

The Hooked on Nature site has a wealth of information about sharing nature with children, as well as links to other resources. It's definitely worth your time to check it out.

The nice folks at http://www.naturecircles.org/ are allowing me to giveaway 1 set of cards each to 3 readers, for a total of 3 winners.

For your first mandatory entry, go to http://www.hookedonnature.org/, look under the resources tab, and download the Nature Clubs for Families Toolkit. It's an awesome resource, and I'm sure it will get you thinking about new ways to get kids thinking about nature. Leave me a comment about who you'd invite to join your nature club, or an activity you'd like to do in one.

For additional, optional entries, you may:
Subscribe to my blog.
Follow me on Twitter. I'm 27lisa27. (Please leave your Twitter ID.)
Tweet about the giveaway. (Please leave a link.)
Blog about the giveaway. (Please leave a link.)

This giveaway will end 12/7/09, at midnight central time, and is open to U.S. addresses, please. Don't forget a way to be contacted if you win. Thanks!

(disclosure: I was given a set of cards to review, as well as the opportunity to give away 3 sets of cards. No other compensation was provided, and my opinions were honestly stated.)

9 comments:

  1. I'd invite my high school friend who has slightly older kids than mine. We'd both have fun wandering around.

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  2. I subscribe to your blog. These are so cool! I'm going to buy at least one of these... especially if I don't win!

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  3. I downloaded the Nature Guide... what a terrific idea!

    I'll look for ways to incorporate it into our daily walks. They are the BEST!

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  4. I'm a new follower (great giveaways by the way! Glad you posted them at MamaBuzz!)

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  5. I would invite the other moms on my block who have kids similar ages so we could all play and learn together!

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  6. Following you on twitter! @mamasmoney

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  7. I'd invite my friend Mary and her son Dean and we'd go identify flowers and other plants (something my three children) always seem interested in.

    Sarah
    SeekingHim@ gmail dot com
    homeschoolblogger.com/OhioSarah
    quivermom.blogspot.com

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  8. I tried to download the nature kit, but I don't think it worked. I'll try again shortly. I would invite my friends and neighbors. We live right near a nature trail and take walks daily.

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  9. I'd invite the kids from our playgroup. What a neat product!

    stephenie.sue@gmail.com

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