Backyard Adventures with your Every Adventure Cap.

 As a parent or caregiver, finding creative and engaging activities for toddlers can be both exciting and challenging. Luckily, your own backyard can become a treasure trove of adventures waiting to happen - all you need is your Every Adventure Cap!

 Why are Backyard Adventures the perfect choice for Toddlers?

• Safety: Your backyard is a controlled environment, making it a safe space for your little one to explore and play without the worry of traffic or strangers.

• Creativity: Outdoor play encourages creativity, imagination, and sensory exploration. The natural surroundings provide a sensory-rich environment that stimulates a toddler's growing mind.

• Physical Activity: Toddlers have boundless energy, and playing in the backyard is an excellent way to keep them active and healthy.

• Learning Opportunities: Backyard adventures offer countless learning opportunities. Whether it's observing nature, discovering new textures, or counting flowers, the possibilities for educational experiences are endless.

One of our absolute favourite backyard adventures is a Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Who doesn’t get excited by the thought of a picnic and kids of all ages enjoy both the preparation and the execution (we absolutely count ourselves as Big Kids!). 

Here's how to plan a memorable one:

Invitations: Get your toddler involved in making simple invitations for their stuffed animal friends. You can use colourful paper, stickers, and drawings to create personalised invites.

Teddy Bear Selection: Ask your toddler to select their favourite teddy bear or stuffed animal to bring to the picnic. This adds a sense of excitement and ownership to the adventure.

Decorations: Set up a cosy picnic area in your backyard with blankets, pillows, and cushions. Let your toddler assist with decorating by arranging flowers, blowing up balloons, or placing stuffed animals around the picnic spot.

Food: Keep the menu simple and toddler-friendly. Prepare finger foods like fruit slices, and cheese and crackers. For a special treat, get your toddler to help you to make our super simple “Bear Cake” - a cream and berry filled sponge cake. We’ve included our quick and fail safe recipe below.

Activities: Plan some age-appropriate activities for the little ones and their teddy bears. Here are a few ideas:

• Teddy Bear Parade: Have a parade where toddlers and their stuffed animals can march around the backyard together.

• Storytime: Read a teddy bear-themed storybook to the children and their furry friends.

• Go on a Bear Hunt: mimic the actions from the famous Bear Hunt picture book, as you have to go through a series of obstacles and end up running back to the safety of the picnic rug.

• Sing Teddy Bear Songs: Sing the famous "Teddy Bear Picnic" song and others such as “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear turn around” or “Rock-a-bye your Bear”while enjoying snacks. Don't forget to bring a boombox or a portable speaker for added fun.

Serve Cups of Tea: Fill an adult sized teapot with water and let your toddler practise pouring water into a cup and drinking it.

Don’t forget to make sure that your toddler is sun safe, by applying sunscreen and by wearing their Every Adventure Cap. Always check your picnic area for green ants or other potential nasties.

Ensure you remember to capture the smiles and laughter of Every Adventure with photos and videos. These moments will become cherished memories.

“Bear” Cake

Preheat the oven to 180 `C (160` fan forced).

Grease and line 2 x 20cm sandwich tins

Ingredients:

225g Caster Sugar

225g butter or margarine

225g Self Raising Flour 

½ tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Vanilla Essence

4 large eggs (at room temperature)

1-2 tbsp milk 

 Filling:

Whipped Cream (or mascarpone)

Strawberry Conserve

Strawberries 

Blueberries

Method:

Place all ingredients (except milk)  into a food processor and blend until smooth. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until the mixture has a soft dropping consistency. Split the mixture between the 2 tins and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

Cool on a wire rack and sandwich cakes together with a layer of strawberry conserve, sliced strawberries and cream. Spread more cream on the top and decorate with strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.