I had an epiphany. Where I hate cleaning (scrubbing, mopping, wiping-anything that involves spraying cleaning products) I have a probably slightly OCD enjoyment when it comes to organizing. I find that in organizing there is a certain amount of creativity involved. It can be an art form. Like designing a room. Its the control of the environment. How an architect might design a house for a certain family. I can design a room, or portions of it, for my children. I strive to do this in a way that provides them with what I think are the most important tools (toys) that they might choose to interact with throughout their day.
The first project was the Nature Bin.
It was an old plastic bin passed down from my sisters. Where I don't usually enjoy having plastic furniture, it works perfectly for toddlers, who will abuse it and who will find enjoyment in opening and shutting the drawers just for fun.
I have always been a picker upper and collector of bones, fur, teeth, seed pods and the such. My kids acquired the hobby, or curiosity, or the curse of the full pockets. My toddlers are getting old enough to be able to be careful with delicate specimens, too. I am able to bring down my collections to intermingle with theirs. The best part is, the Nature Bin is always evolving!
How to create your own Nature Bin:
• Find a bin no taller than your smallest child
• Go for a walk. Hit the forest, the neighborhood, the backyard.
• Collect! Give the kid a bucket, a bag, an apron to make a pocket with.
• Once you get your findings home, start with placing the heaviest objects in the lowest drawer.
Why? Small people can't lift heavy things high, or maybe there is more risk in trying, so they just shouldn't drop a cow bone on their heads/feet/fingers.
In this picture you can see two dinosaur bones. And no, they aren't confirmed dinosaur bones. Probably buffalo or cow bones or both. We let Arthur think they are dinosaur bones as that is what he determined that they were when we dug them out of the river bank.
No one said things had to be exact, it's the curiosity that counts!
• Put books in there with your specimens.
I found most of these books at our local thrift stores but got one in the bargain bin at Barnes and Noble. Notice the different kind of interactions that readers can have with each book, yet same subject matter. Some are stories, some are pictures, some are pop-up books. Allow kids to be able to make connections between the objects in the drawers.
The next drawer up we find a bit lighter of objects. An antler, some twine, a notebook and pencils. Our Christmas tree stump from three years ago. Books on nature, the sky, insects. Also included are local maps (which Arthur absolutely loves to use) to find somewhere to experience any of these things first hand! Invest in small notebooks. Let them take them everywhere. Carry one in your own bag, diaper bag, glove box. You never know when they might be interested in being creative.
The top drawer is featured as the first picture in this post. In it you find a variation of books and small hand holdable objects collected in clear containers and on their own. Welcoming little hands is petrified wood, geodes, red rocks, and bark.
I wanted to provide the kids with tools to use to look at their specimens. I re-used a bag from baby shoes that came with a zipper and a handle, which worked perfectly for binoculars and a magnifying glass. All ready to grab and take on an adventure. Use what you have around you.
Also featured is a small animal's skull with a couple teeth still intact. Imagine what kind of lesson will come when those teeth fall out?!
On top of the bin is a metal tray, at eye level for a toddler. It can easily be taken down to dump shells or rocks on. 3 dinosaurs hang out on in, ready to be relocated on a whim.
On the ledge behind the shelf are two vintage books on wildflowers and plants. I believe even old items should be exposed to the curiosities of toddlers. A page might fall out but a child might learn to be gentle.
Caddy corner to where I have this nature bin is a whole gaggle of bins full of toys that my kids could choose to play with. I can guarantee you that I pick up more bones and shells than I do those toys. Perhaps eventually they will be phased out.
One last recommendation:
• visit your local library and borrow books that can fill in the spaces when your kids come back at you with questions. It is OKAY to not know the answers, and it makes for a fun adventure for everyone if you get to learn along with them.
