Ape2Zebra Blogging about Toys. Natural, Eco-friendly, Educational Toys for Children

Darla Porcupine's Paramount Pick:
Haba's Pocket Magnifying Glass - Top Toy 5 star review
Sale Offer Expires Tuesday, November 2, 2010!

We’re Going on a Nature Hunt By Darla Porcupine
(sung to the tune of Going on a Bear Hunt)

Chorus: We’re going on a nature hunt We’re going on a nature hunt, To see the sights of fall To see the sights of fall.

Oh look
Fall leaves!
Red, yellow, orange, brown (echo)
There’s a big pile on the ground (echo).
We’ve gotta walk through it (echo)
Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch (x2).

Chorus

Oh look Brown acorns!
They’ve fallen from oak trees (echo),
And the squirrels sure are pleased (echo). They’re digging holes to store them (echo) Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch(x2) .

Chorus

Oh look Canada Geese!
They’re off for warmer weather (echo).
But they’ve left behind a feather (echo).
Let’s listen to them calling(echo)
Honk Honk Honk Honk (x2)

Fill up your Klean Kanteens, and take advantage the beautiful weather while it lasts by heading out on a fall scavenger hunt this week. From a simple stroll in the neighbourhood park nearby to a longer walk in a forest, kids will love searching for the sights and sounds of the season’s changing.

Before you leave, create a list (pictures can be used for younger children) of the “signs of fall” to find, and print a copy for each child so he or she can check off items as they are found.
Some ideas for your list include:

* a pine cone,
* a red leaf,
* a yellow leaf,
* an acorn,
* a squirrel,
* a flock of birds flying in a “V”,
* the sound of a bird calling,
* and a seed pod.

A nature themed scavenger hunt is a fun and inexpensive way to exercise and spend time together as a family, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity to slip in “teachable moments” about nature and the environment. You might, for example, ask your child to describe how the park looks different than it did a month or two ago, or talk about how different animals prepare for the coming winter. While you take a closer look at the various leaves, nuts, and seeds you find along the way, you can introduce concepts such as evergreen versus deciduous plants, the ways different plants disperse their seeds, and the roles that animals such as squirrels and birds play in that process.

Haba Pocket Magnifying Glass To help your budding scientists further explore the fall environment, be sure to bring Haba’s Terra Kids Pocket Magnifying Glass on your walk. From its size to its features, the Pocket Magnifying Glass is designed with the needs of curious and adventurous kids in mind.

The magnifying glass itself consists of two separate lenses, each made of safe, shatterproof plastic, and surrounded by a colourful frame. The more traditional magnifying lens is great for examining what’s in the dirt (or under your finger nails – ewww!), while the “prisma” lens creates a kaleidoscope effect when you look through it. Suddenly, that one pine cone you see with your naked eye turns into a whole bunch of mini pine cones, and it’s even more fun to slowly turn the prism while you look. This has been known to keep even parents occupied for a long time, but it’s all in the name of helping their kids learn of course...

The two lenses of the Pocket Magnifying Glass slip neatly into a protective nylon sleeve, and are strung together on a removable cord. This allows the lenses to be separated so that two kids can explore at once. Also on the cord is an aluminum carabiner (or link clip), which makes the Pocket Magnifying Glass easy to attach to a backpack, belt loop, or even a stroller. The whole package is small enough to easily fit into a child’s pocket, and it’s also durable, and stands up well when accidentally dropped to the ground, or jostled around in a backpack.

The Pocket Magnifying Glass is suggested for use by children five to twelve years old, and is not recommended for children under the age of three.
It retails for $13.95, the perfect price point for a little surprise.

You might also want to consider bringing along Haba’s Terra Kids Pocket box for Collectibles ($19.99) to stash the treasures you find on your nature walk, or Haba’s Terra Kids Binoculars ($55.00) to spot wildlife farther away.

You might even see me...

Have a wonderful and adventurous day outdoors!
Precociously yours,
Darla Porcupine

Get Darla Porcupine's Pick of the week for 15 perfect percentage points less! Usually Terra Kids Pocket Magnifying Glass retails at $16.00. Ape to Zebra's daily low price is $13.95. Until November 2, 2010, you can purchase Haba's Pocket Magnifying Glass at only $13.60!

Hurry, this offer is only valid until November 2, 2010!