Christmas Gifts For Nature Loving Children

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It’s that time of the year, when I get to share some ideas for smashing presents for nature-loving children. I hope it helps to give you some ideas for nature-inspired gifts.

We are a diverse bunch here at Raising Little Shoots, with readers from around the globe. Please note that some of the selections may not be available world-wide.

Home

Fox table lamp from John Lewis

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Perfect for a child’s room, this beautiful Red Fox Wall Hanging is made from reclaimed wood by Pine Needles and Pins.

Be still my beating heart! Fairy House Kit by GypsyRaku

Brittany has very kindly offered a 10% off coupon to you for anything in her Esty shop: GYPSYBLOGGER10

A lovely sandpit, many of which can be purchased with covers to keep the sand in good, clean condition.

A bug hotel from FlotsamJetsamCrafts

A beautiful stocking present, this Allens Hummingbird enamel pin is from The Knothole Tree

Work

Bushcraft Knife Choice for Children and Young People by Barry Smith. This is a smashing article on choosing the correct knife.

Handmade Curly Maple pen or pencil for your child’s nature journal by Exquisite Ink

Their own quality tools encourage children to be diligent in their work. Gardening equipment from Myriad Online

Depending on your climate, you could give your child their very own fruit tree! Here is some information to help you

And perhaps the ultimate gift: Their own greenhouse!

Play

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Woodland Play Set by Happy Nature Kid

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This is a real favourite! The Big Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer

The beautifully illustrated Bug Bingo

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For your wee one who loves to pretend: Giraffe Ears Headband and Giraffe Tail Set by oKidz

Stilts by Myriad Online

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Inspiration for hours of creative play! Tree Blocks Forest Friends by Treemagination

Skipping rope from woodforgeuk

Explore

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Child’s Hiking Pole

A tent and the promise of an adventure! The family tent buying guide.

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2018 Guide to the Night Sky: A month-by-month guide to exploring the skies above Britain and Ireland We have used these books for several years. Highly recommended.

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The 5 Best Telescopes for Kids – super article to help you chose your child’s first telescope.


Bring the night sky into your home by shining a flashlight through these coins towards your walls or ceiling. Wooden Constellation Coins by From Jennifer

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Annual Pass for a local aquarium.

Sea Life UK Annual Pass

Riding lessons. Here is good advice on choosing a place to learn.

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Red light torch for watching wildlife at night time

Audubon Bird Caller Necklace from Lil Bellies

Why not combine the bird caller with this gorgeous book of North American birds? My Book Of Birds

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And perhaps this beautiful birding journal from Tanglewood Hollow

I do hope that this list gives you some inspiration for Christmas gifts for your wee nature sprites.

Happy exploring and a Merry Christmas!

 

We Remember

rememberance

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

~ Laurence Binyon

Our Nature Journals: Week 44

Rosie’s phenology wheel for October:

A tree losing it’s leaves, and Halloween for the Liturgical / special days section.
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My wheel:

A Cherry leaf, and a pumpkin to represent Halloween for the Liturgical / special days section.
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Rosie’s Journal pages for this week: a pumpkin of course!
My Calendar of Firsts: This week we had our first frost, which gave us the most gorgeous sunrise. I also painted my wee pumpkin for Halloween, too.

June Phenology Wheels

Back in January, we began to keep phenology wheels to record not only the changes in the natural world, but also the festivals of the liturgical year that we celebrate.

Here are our entries for June. A in previous months, Rose worked on her entry whilst I read from the June chapter of Roald Dhal My Year.

Rosie’s phenology wheel for June:

Robin’s eggs and the Summer Solstice

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My phenology wheel for June:

Dog roses, the Summer Solstice, and St. John’s Tide
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Our Phenology Wheel posts for the year:

January

February

March

April

May

Candlemas : Exploring Nature With Children

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This week in Exploring Nature With Children is ‘Candlemas Week’.

Candlemas takes its name from the blessing of candles for use in church throughout the coming year, and marks the presentation of the Holy Child in the Temple, where Simeon held Jesus and called him a ‘Light to the World’. In pre-Christian times February 1st was an important festival to celebrate the returning light.

Here are some helpful links to get you going:

Do let me know how you get on.

Happy exploring!

Our Phenology Wheels

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A few years ago, we kept phenology wheels that combined the natural world with the liturgical seasons and festivals. Rose and I have decided to each keep one again for this year.
The larger section for each month is where we will record the natural world, the smaller section is for the festivals; January’s being Epiphany. (We both chose Epiphany to record.)
There really are so many different ways to keep a nature journal!

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