By Marci Seither, Contributing Writer

Help your kids stay curious one color at a time.

ob·ser·va·tion (n)   the action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information.

I remember my parents loading up the old green Suburban with musty smelling canvas tents, a wood box filled with pots and pans, and enough food to feed a Boy Scout Troupe for a week.

Summer was a time for camp-outs, day trips, and exploring new things. While the 8 track tape player amused us with music, my dad would point to mountain slopes, occasionally narrating about the scenery as we passed it. “Look kids, those are alluvial fans!”

Mom was in charge of snacks.

We had comic books to read but that was about it. We talked, listened, and learned. We collected rocks, pressed flowers between the covers of thick books, and learned how to use a pocket knife to whittle thin shavings off the end of sticks so we could roast marshmallows.

Times are different. The change happened quickly.

Technology has made huge advances that we benefit from, but it has also caused a lot of distraction from experiencing the world we live in.

Today’s parents have to make the conscience effort on how much screen time they allow themselves as well as their kids.

Why catch pollywogs in a jar and watch them grow when you can use as APP without getting shoes muddy?

The other day I passed a minivan with the top carrier loaded with camping gear. Instead of seeing kids peering, wide-eyed, out the window, their little faces were tilted down, eyes glued to a screen as they frantically tapped the flat surface. They were so mesmerized by the one dimensional images that they missed everything around them.

I totally get that car time with kids can be tiring, but how will they know about alluvial fans and the difference between a low cloud and dense fog? What questions will be asked if they are engaged, or more importantly, what questions will be missed if they are not?

Being observant and curious is something that is innate and something that can be nurtured from a young age. Have you ever seen a toddler dump out the contents of a purse and scavenge through it like a hyena looking for a small treat? They just want to know everything!

But, curiosity can be overshadowed by the continual quest to be entertained. Parents need to take a proactive stand on when, where, and how devices will be used.

Part of that proactive stand is having a few creative things up your sleeve.

Whether you are getting ready for a big adventure, or just a walk around the neighborhood, this is a fun and easy way to creatively encourage your kids to look at the world around them.

Thankfully, 8 track tapes are no longer part of the journey.

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. ~ Walt Disney

I SPY COLOR GAME

WHAT YOU NEED:

Go to the local building store like a Home Depot or Lowes and pick up about 20 – 24 paint chip samples. Pick a wide variety.

Clear contact paper.

Rings to put the color charts on. I made two so that kids could carry them easier and have to work together.

You can also make it a fun game to see how many things you can find. Think about it. If every color sample has three shades the kids are really looking for 60 different colors. Plus, since it is laminated, even sticky fingerprints can be easily wiped off..again..and again..and again!

Supplies:

Scissors

Hole punch

 

STEPS:

Cover the paint chip samples with contact paper and cut apart.

Pinch hole and put on a ring or a lanyard.

Observe~ Discover ~ Explore