Natural Wonders: Water Painting

WATER PAINTING
Ages: 18 months and up

Turn gray skies into rainbows with this colorful rainy-day painting activity. Just put on slickers and boots, drop a few shades of food coloring onto a sturdy, rimmed paper plate, and head outside. (Note: Food coloring can stain hands and clothing.) Have your child hold the plate or lay it down on the lawn.

A torrential downpour will create a moment of bright excitement before washing the plate clean, while a light shower will leave you with a vivid keepsake -- and an early lesson in color mixing.

Sunny skies alternative: Is there a dry spell where you live? Swap the rain gear for a swimsuit and use your hose or sprinkler, set to a heavy mist setting, instead.

MINI EXPLORER'S KIT
Jazz up your tot's investigation of the flora, fauna, and footprints in your area with a cool naturalist's tool kit. To make one, choose a small basket or bucket with a handle, then add the following:

A small plastic shovel or spoon for digging

A magnifying glass for peering up close (adult supervision is recommended for kids under age 3)

Homemade binoculars for pretending to spy up high (we made our own by taping together a pair of toilet paper tubes)

A small field guide for knowing what's what in the natural world (see "Bird Books for Beginners")