The next time you are looking for a nature scavenger hunt activity with your children – try this weave activity using embroidery hoops. We love to spend many hours outdoors; the children love scavenger-hunting for bugs, leaves, twigs, and branches and looking under rocks and tree stumps. Vintage embroidery hoops purchased at my local thrift shop for 99cents each are usually on hand. Save yourself the stress by making the wrapped hoops before the invitation – children do not like to wait. The night before, I added jute rope by wrapping the jute around the inner circle; I then placed the outer ring over the rope-covered circle, then tightened the screw.
I placed the hoops on the stairs, added one leaf to the pile of embroideries, then left and waited for the children’s reaction. Many times, it only takes one child to show interest, and then others follow.
The children saw the pile. Here is their process.
We are located in Illinois, USA, and there are days when the air is brisk, cold, or snowy – it was freezing this day. 
Very soon, one child needed to use the potty; we headed indoors, disrobed many of the layers of the child, then they all wanted to potty. Now, if you work alone, you know how challenging it can be to disrobe Autumn / Winter gears off the children. After helping the children, it got late. I decided to gather some nature bits and the hoops from outdoors – I added them to the table for their completion before lunch. Getting children outdoors during the cold seasons takes a lot of work, but I must get outdoors. It helps me be the best educator – I must feel the breeze on my face, and fill my lungs with fresh air, and the children’s behaviors improve when we get outdoors.
This activity helps to strengthen their fingers, as you can see with their finger placements – fine motor development is necessary for eating, writing, performing bodily functions, and many more life skills. The weaving activity also helps with the mental process of problem-solving hand and eye coordination; bonus, it boosts creativity.
The hoop includes tree bark, aster flowers from the dry creek garden, leaves, and hydrangeas.
The children finished their hoops, and it is hanging in the daycare.
Here is a snippet of our activity.
PS – can’t get outdoors – bring the outdoors in – xoxo Suzette Salmon – Miss Sue
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