We started our morning gathered around a moose antler that my husband brought home from his hunting trip. It was a neat opportunity for the children to get a close look at something we don't often get to see up close!
Afterward, we headed to the park with a mission: make some big leaf piles!
The children got straight to work, using rakes and wagons to gather and transport leaves. Eventually, they changed tactics and decided to move their pile underneath the twisty slide. Some children worked together on this project, while others were busy becoming the "Guardian of the Dawn Mist" or practising their balance along the curb surrounding the playground.
Every so often, leaves would drift down from the trees overhead, and some of the girls began chasing them, trying to catch them before they reached the ground. At one point, they exclaimed, "It's so beautiful!"
I loved that little moment. In the middle of all the activity, they were noticing and appreciating the beauty of autumn, completely on their own.
There was plenty of silliness, too! The children made leaf angels, chased each other with handfuls of leaves, and took turns burying each other in the piles.
Our playground also became quite the little business district. One girl opened a pizza shop, and soon other children were lining up to place their orders. Two other girls established a nature café, using our edible plants field guide and materials from the garden to inspire their creations.
Back at Heron Tree Estates, some of the boys boarded a "boat" and became completely absorbed in their imaginary adventures. Inside the dome, children looked through their nature profiles, played board and card games together, and stopped to marvel at a little roly-poly.
Later, we set out for the Blackfriars Community Gardens, making sure to bring some sticks along for the Stick Library. We were also happy to discover some children's books in the Little Free Library!
At the gazebo, the children coloured, climbed trees, and explored field guides. We also played Outfoxed, a cooperative mystery game that gave us plenty of opportunities to practise counting, taking turns, and using clues to figure out which fox was responsible.
One of my favourite moments of the day came on our walk home.
We spotted a great blue heron fishing down at the river. The children gathered along the railing to watch, and a few began calling out:
"I love you great blue heron!"
"Hi heron! My sister says hi heron!"
It was such a sweet, funny, and genuine interaction. I love seeing the familiarity the children have developed with the wildlife along our regular routes. These aren't just birds we occasionally spot on an outing. They're becoming familiar neighbours that the children are excited to see again.
Our walk also included discoveries of some fuzzy plant material beneath a tree and a stop to count the rings of a stump.
We finished our day with nature journals and a few nursery rhymes before pickup.
From leaf-catching and imaginary restaurants to greeting an old feathered friend, it was a day full of creativity, connection, and appreciation for the world around us.
Thanks for a great day, Sprouts!
