Backyard Fun
Composting 101: Let Worms Eat Your Garbage!
April 13, 2009
Do your kids love dirt and worms? Are you looking for an eco-friendly family project to celebrate Earth Day? I have the perfect idea for you. Try vermicomposting with your kids.
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms to eat your kitchen garbage and turn it into nutrient-right compost material for your garden. The traditional composting process can be a bit intimidating, but vermicomposting is an inexpensive, straightforward process that any family can do (no matter how much space you have).
In order to get started vermicomposting, you need three things: red wiggler worms, a home for your new "pets," and the right kind of kitchen scraps. Red wiggler worms are available from a variety of suppliers. Check out the Urban Worm Girl for worms and other supplies. You can buy a "wormerie" or make your own. We use plastic bins with holes drilled in the lid. We added slightly damp, shredded paper and the worms along with some of the dirt they came with. We feed them kitchen waste including coffee grinds, fruit and vegetable scraps and eggshells. In a few months, we will have compost ready to sprinkle on our garden!
If you are looking for help getting your vermicomposting bin started, check out the upcoming "Fabulous Fertilizers" workshop at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on April 18th.
For more details and additional local resources, check out my article in the April issue of Chicago Parent Magazine .
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Leaves, Leaves Everywhere!
November 03, 2008
Fall is in full swing in Chicago now (but only for a short time before winter sets in). In my neighborhood, the fall foliage show is spectacular. Sure you could head outside with the kids to rake all those leaves up into a pile and jump into them, but why not gather up a few interesting finds to incorporate into your kids creative play? Here Read more...
Fabulous Fall Programming at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
September 04, 2008
So I am sure that you have probably taken your little ones to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and done the whole butterfly haven thing and checked out the museum's other exhibits (like the Green House). But, in addition to the regular exhibits, the Nature Museum has so much fantastic special programming coming up this fall. I wanted to make sure that you knew about all of the offerings Read more...
Best Ways to Cool Off in Chicago
August 26, 2008
After all of the running, jumping, climbing and general non-stop activity that my monkeys engage in on a daily basis, we are all looking for ways to cool off especially during the month of August. Here is how we like to take a break from the summer heat. Out and About. In my opinion, the absolute best place in Chicago to cool off is Lake Michigan. We are so fortunate to Read more...
Make Your Own Fun
August 06, 2008
Looking for some new activities for these last few dog days of summer? Make your own bubbles or play dough. The beauty of making your own materials is that you actually get two activities instead of one because the process of creating is as much fun as the playing itself. Make Your Own Bubbles. Here is a simple recipe to make lots and lots of bubbles (because as you know, Read more...
Getting Away Without Going Away
July 16, 2008
Are you vacation-less this summer? Have busy schedules, a tough economy and limited motivation to haul your little ones across country conspired to keep you at home? If so, you are not alone. This trend is so popular that is has earned its own name ?'staycations. If you are bummed about your lack of vacation and feeling like you need an escape from your everyday routine, Read more...
Signs of Summer
July 04, 2008
No doubt about it summer has truly arrived in Chicago . Look around. You will see sure signs of summer everywhere. Don't forget to slow down and show the little people in your life all that summer has to offer. You Can See It. From the tiny green tomatoes appearing in the garden to fireflies flitting around at dusk, the sights of summer are everywhere. Check out some savvy Read more...
Cheap Thrills: Ideas for Summertime Fun in Your Own Backyard
June 05, 2008
Summertime in Chicago means lots and lots and lots of fun stuff to do. But sometimes I like to take it easy and stay home, rather than plan too much. Bumming around the backyard doesn't mean that the kiddos will be saying, I'm bored. Here are few ideas for inexpensive fun on the homefront. Sidewalk Chalk . Invest in a $4.99 container of sidewalk chalk (splurge and get the big Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in chicago
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
The Voice of Being Savvy chicago:
Caitlin Giles
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Favorite chicago Lists
- Books Essential to Chicago Kids
- The Local Lingo
- It Takes Two: Things That Are More Fun With a Friend
- Ice Cream in Chicago
- Dinner Table Destinations: Eat and Learn
- Signs of Summer
- 5 Best Ways to Enjoy Millennium Park
- Ways to Learn About Math in the Windy City
- Hey Kid, You Got the Time?
- 99 Things To Do in Chicago Before Your Child Grows Up
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