Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Discover the Wonder of Nature with Your Kids
Apr 7, 2026
Amanda Dykes, mom of four and award-winning author of A Pocketful of Wonder, shares simple, hands-on ways to help kids notice God’s creation. She talks about mud play, snow poems, wind activities, and using everyday moments to spark awe. Practical ideas for urban and rural families appear throughout.
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Swap Screen Scolding For Small Outdoor Invitations
- Do create small, regular outdoor moments rather than scolding about screen time; invite kids to explore with you.
- Use tiny steps like joint walks or kneeling to inspect ants so children learn discovery and coping skills.
Give Kids A Mud City To Learn Possibility
- Do set up simple play zones like a mud pit to teach possibility through raw materials (dirt + water).
- Amanda's family built a 'Mud City' where kids invent villages, seats, or sandcastles, learning creativity and potential.
Make Snow Paintings And Save The Masterpiece
- Try snow painting using diluted food coloring in squirt bottles to make framed outdoor artwork.
- Snap a photo of the framed piece made with twigs or leaves to preserve the masterpiece and memory.
