Treasure Hunting at the Park

We like to go on treasure hunts at the park. We'll collect pine cones, feathers, leaves, twigs, bark, seed pods, rocks, and anything else that's natural and beautiful (and already on the ground.) Sometimes we pretend that each item is a part of our theme. If we're pretending to be pirates we might decide tree bark is slats of wood from sunken pirate ships, rocks are gold, twigs are pirate swords, etc.

Yesterday we decided to make a forest home for the girls' horse toys (which came in their kids' meals.) Pieces of bark formed a lake, bridge and wigwam. Berries were horse food. Twigs, leaves, and pine cones provided borders and shade. It was so much fun. Treasure hunting is such a sweet and simple way to spend together.