Fiona Danks - The Wild Weather Book: Loads of things to do outdoors in rain, wind and snow

THE wild weather book

loads of things to do outdoors in rain, wind and snow

fiona danks and jo schofield

contents

index

activity code

adventure

animal

hunt

bad weather adventure bag

balloon ice baubles

bath toys

birds, feeding

blindfold barefoot trail

blowing bubbles in the wind

boats

bubbles

Capture the Flag

castle

ice

mud

stone

chalk

painting

curling

dam a puddle or stream

dancing

and singing in the rain

in the wind

dragon

ducks

emergency natural shelter

feather

kite

sticks

feeding the birds

feeling the wild wind

fire

in the rain

pan

safety

steel

first aid kit

floating and sinking

flying a kite

flying creatures

Fox and Hounds tracking game

great snail hunt

hand and foot

casts

prints

henna-style body paint

hoar frost

ice

arch

baubles

blocks

bunting

castles

cups

decorations

games

hockey

lanterns

mobiles

pictures

sculptures

skittles

stack

tobogganing

tower

windows

icicles

icy days

icy scavenger hunt

igloo

Kelly kettle

kite

diamond

feather

lantern

leaf

boat

hat

patterns

prints

umbrella

light holes

listen to the wind

messing about with boats

mobile

monsters

tree

mud

and stick man

balls

body paint

cake

castles

decorations

faces

lark

painting

pictures

pies

pit

pots

sculptures

slide

stencils

musical instruments

natural paints

newt

Noahs Ark

picnic

night

pinch pots

plaster casts

play barefoot

puddle

hunt

jump

obstacle course

paddling

reflections

rain

catcher

dancing

doesnt stop play

drops

music and drums

painting

recording

shadows

stencils

rainbow hunting

rainy days

reflections

ribbons

safety guidelines

sailing boat

shelters

singing in the rain

slug

snail

snailery

snow

angels

bowling

coat racing

collages

creatures

games

golf

mazes

pictures and patterns

shadows

slushies

stencils

sundial

snowball

lights

rounders

sculptures

snowy days

snowy nights and lights

soggy worlds

storyboards

streamers

Stuck in the Mud

swimming in the rain

tarpaulin

shelter

tasting raindrops

toffee ice sculptures

tool safety

track

trap

tracking

wildlife

tree monsters

umbrella

den ,

leaf

water

detective

droplet scavenger hunt

pistol

run

wet days after the rain

white wonderland

wildlife ,

wind

chimes

dancing

flags

music

sock

wishes

windy days

worm

rescue squad

wormery

acknowledgments

Many thanks to the following for help and advice: Jane and Bob White; Roger Harrington (www.bisonbushcraft.co.uk); Rod Anderson-Boyle; Ben Haydon; Jenny Hanwell; James and Helen Jackson; Andy Rowett; Polly Scott and her reception class; Hereward Corbett and everyone who made boats at the 2010 Yellow Lighted Book Festival; Caroline, Colin, Clifford, Frankie and Anya Carr; and the many other families and friends who have supported us in so many ways.

A big thank you to all the young people who took part in activities: Anya, Clifford and Frankie C; Lily, Charlie and Toby R; Louie C; Carolyn S; Anna, Tim, Nicholas and Ella V; Johnny F; Freddy L; Rebecca and Edward W; Natasha and Adam H; Sophie T; Isabella G; Helena and Lucian S; David C; Milly H; Danny, Jess and Natalie K; Kate W; Tsering L; Kerry W; Libby and George W; Hamish, Isobel and Oliver M; Alexander and Mimi D; Josh G; Tristan L; Milissa D; Yanni K; Tallula, Noah and Poppy C; Hollie P; Ayrton and Edward K; Daisy and Monty S; Amy, Annabel and Matilda S; Megan S; Scott M; Daniel W; Rosie-May J; Tiggy and Woody W, Robi, Eduardo and Alberto MS; Christian L; Felix N; Jonathan A; Tom U; Joe B; Bradley R; Tristan S; Isla K.

Many thanks to our husbands, Ben and Peter, and our children, Jake, Dan, Connie, Hannah and Edward, for all their support.

And finally, thanks to everyone at Frances Lincoln.

rainy days

after the rain

windy days

snowy days

icy days

rain doesnt stop play

Imagine jumping in the biggest puddle you can find, or playing barefoot and feeling squidgy mud ooze up between your toes. How about letting the wind push you along or building your own igloo in the snow? Theres no need to stay cooped up when its wet, windy or cold. Wild weathers a great opportunity to get wrapped up in warm clothes and waterproofs and rush outside for some fun.

Give your bath toys an outdoor adventure; make streamers and go wind dancing, with the streamers whirling around you; make snow mazes or ice toffee; create a glistening ice castle: these are just a few of the exciting, funny and creative adventures you can get up to in the natural world on bad weather days. So dont wait for the sunshine: put this book in your pocket and run outside for a wild weather adventure. The trick to enjoying playing/being outside in bad weather is to be fully prepared, with:

The right clothes keep warm and dry with:

Waterproof jacket and trousers, or an all-in-one waterproof suit. Always wear the bottoms of your waterproof trousers outside your boots so that water doesnt drip down on to your socks. Choose a rain jacket with a hood.

Several layers of clothes rather than one thick layer: if you get too warm you can just remove a layer. Keep your neck warm with a polo neck and a scarf.

Old clothes: remember that its fine to get dirty and have fun!

Wellies or sturdy boots, and long warm socks that make your toes feel cosy and dont slip down inside your wellies. Two pairs of socks are better than one.

A good hat: one thats warm and weatherproof, and wont blow off in the wind.

Waterproof gloves: essential to enjoy playing with snow and ice. Take along a few extra pairs, just in case.

Bad weather adventure bag