Rain Races

It is finally starting to feel like spring! The days are getting longer, the temperatures are getting higher, and the weather is getting wetter. We all know the saying “April showers bring May flowers”, and the ‘showers’ have definitely started! Rain helps to start the process of waking up the plants and trees from their winter slumber. The trees can sense the longer daylight hours and increased precipitation. Both of these things are needed for making all the pretty flowers that we will start to see in the next few weeks. However, what do we do until the flowers come?

Well, now is the perfect time to have water races! It is super easy and super fun. Just get a few jars (mason jars are excellent for this) of equal size. Now get your kids to place them in various places outside: under trees, out in the open, beside a building, etc. If possible, you should place them outside right before it rains. Now, you and the kids can make predictions about which jar will have more water in it. This is a great way to introduce  the scientific method to your children by making a hypotheses and analyzing the results. This can not only help your children learn to love the outdoors, but also to start developing a love for science, discovery, and learning.

When the rain is done, check to see which jars are fuller and which jars have less water in them. You can introduce math by trying to figure out how hard it rained. Take the amount of water in the jar and measure it in inches, centimeters, etc. Then take the amount of time it rained and divide it by the amount of water you collected. That will tell you how hard it rained. What about the jars that have less water in them? What can you infer about those jars? Maybe  the places where you put these jars would make great shelters for animals that might not be too fond of the rain.  Next time it rains, check these places to see if they are being occupied by a woodland friend. You never know what or who you might discover!  

Music is in the air!

With spring comes the awakening of the natural world. Lately, I’ve been hearing croaks, ribbits, and peeps at night. The frogs are starting to stir! If you and your younger ones take a moon-lite stroll near a stream, lake, or pond, a choir of upland chorus frogs can be heard. Soon the short high pitched peeps of the spring peeper will join in along with the quick crackling of wood frogs. Maybe you will be able to hear the low trilling of an American toad and the raspy “waaah” of a fowler’s toad. This symphony from nature can be heard on warmer nights this time of year and more will join as the year goes on until it peaks with performers in summer. However, for now we can all enjoy a simpler ensemble. Even as a child, I have found listening to frogs is relaxing especially around a campfire after a fun day of play. But a musical moon-lit stroll after dinner is just as indulging.
All of these different calls serve a purpose, other than for our enjoyment. The males are calling for the females to join them.  Females will move towards the advertisement call they find most attractive.   Watch the joy in your little ones’ eyes as they search for new tadpoles in the pond that you are listening near now. I’m sure they will get just as much enjoyment  out of being able to hear wildlife so close to home, especially since it’s one last chance to go outside before bedtime. So remember, listen but don’t disturb and enjoy your next musical adventure.
Here is a website that is excellent for frog call identification: http://www.leaps.ms/soundpage.htm

Try some of these fun crafts to make your own natural music!
Rain sticks – These music makers mimic the sounds of rain and can be quite mesmerizing. I remember playing with them in The Discovery Store (way back when). They can be quite elaborate and range in all kinds and sizes. Rain sticks have been around for hundreds of years and their origin is still a mystery. What historians do know is that they have been used in South American, Central American, and Mexican natives’ cultures to create music that has a natural sound. Here is how to make your own rain stick to welcome spring.


You’ll need:
1 sturdy paper roll 
Several nails
A hammer
Dried rice
Wax paper
Scissors
2 regular sized rubber bands
Adult supervision

1.       Ask an  adult to use the hammer to secure several nails anywhere and everywhere around the paper roll. How many you use is completely up to you! Historically, this same technique was done using cactus needles or thorns from other plants.
2.       Then, seal off one end by cutting a piece out of the wax paper. The wax paper piece needs to be large enough to cover the tube opening and drape over the sides.
3.       Use the rubber band to secure the wax paper.
4.       Now, pour about a handful of rice into the tube. As the rice hit the nails, the rice will simulate the pitter patter of rain. 
5.       Then cover the other end of the tube with another piece of wax paper repeating steps 2 and 3.
6.       Viola! A completed rain stick. Now, use your imagination and creativity to decorate your rain stick in any way that you want!