Outdoor Winter Projects
This week at Sparkle we're focusing on embracing all the gifts that winter provides us, just like our friends Martin & Sylvia in Martin & Sylvia's Nature School collection. Winter is a beautiful time of year to bundle up, get outside, and PLAY! Whether it's tobogganing, building snowmen, foraging for hidden snowy treasures, or just the slow and simple beauty of watching fresh snow fall, you'll be sure to be invigorated by the chilly adventure. No matter how you slice it, winter is a season that's infused with magic and wonder. So let's get outside and embrace it, shall we?
In this article, we've compiled some of our favorite Sparkly outdoor winter projects (and some nourishing indoor goodies to warm our souls after the outside adventuring). Read on to learn more.
Nature School Project: Raising Kids Who Love Winter
The original audio story "Winter Wonder" is set at Goose Eye Wilderness Camp. Martin sees that his friend Sam is feeling tired of winter and missing her home in Arizona. He hesitates to tell her that there are still several weeks of winter left, but luckily Helmut, the apprentice from Germany, knows exactly how to show Sam the way to appreciate the gifts of winter.
In this Nature School Project article, we are joined by Nicoletta of Wilder Child who shares tips and tricks for how to raise children who love winter!
Read the full article post here.
Arctic Cookout
In the Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures! story "Arctic Explorers," Martin and Sylvia become Arctic explorers and have a real Arctic cookout in their backyard. They face a challenge (lighting a fire) but like real Arctic explorers, they remain undaunted.
Depending where you live in the world, it may feel like you’ve been transplanted to the Arctic right now! Why not follow Martin and Sylvia’s lead and host an Arctic cookout too?
Learn how to host an Arctic cookout of your very own here.
Pocket Hand Warmers
The best way to embrace winter in its entirety is to dress for the climate! Enter our easy-to-make Sparkly Pocket Hand Warmers. With just some scrap fabric, a handy-dandy sewing kit, and either some rice or beans (and a microwave), you'll have toasty warm hands to ensure hours of outdoor fun in the snow!
Learn how to make your own pocket hand warmers here.
Nature School Project: Evergreen Paint Brushes
In this Martin & Sylvia Nature School story "Evergreen Brushes," Daddy realizes that he left the paint brushes in his studio in town and he is not sure how to do his planned lesson for Nature School. Luckily, Sylvia's friend Sofia comes up with an idea — why don't we make some? And what happens next is not only fun, but beautiful.
Just like Sylvia and Sofia, you can get outside and forage for evergreen paintbrushes of your own.
Learn how by reading our full blog post here.
Winter Nature Table Tips
In our story “A Gift from the Nature Table,” Martin and Sylvia need some quiet time but they’re having a hard time settling into it. Whether they are inside or outside, nothing seems to satisfy them. They wish it wasn't so cold and snowy — otherwise, they would enjoy the relaxing gifts of the natural world! Momma points them to the nature table on which treasures from all year round sit. From there, imagination draws them into a delightful afternoon of play.
Get inspired to embrace winter with a nature table of your very own. Learn how to make one here.
Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
We don't know about you, but one of the best parts about playing outside in the snow is when we come back inside and eat (or drink!) something hearty and nourishing to warm us from within. Our Sparkly Roasted Tomato Basil Soup recipe is just the thing — the coziest treat for a cold day. Serve this soup with a stack of grilled cheese sandwiches and you'll be all set to sing winter's praises.
Check-out the full recipe here.
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