Great Things To Do Outside, edited by Lili Bryant. DK Publishing. Tourmaline Editions, Inc. 2014. $13.99 ages 5 and up

"This book is full of fun and exciting things to do, from building a den to pressing flowers and trapping bugs. Take it with you wherever you go and you'll find an activity that helps you explore the natural world.
It doesn't matter if the book gathers a little dirt along the way -
just don't let it gather dust on your shelf."

And so begins another wonderful book from DK Publishing. Since it's talking about your kids getting outside, I guess you can tell that I have high hopes that spring is really on its way! While we are back in the middle of a cold snap (the wind chill tonight is -32!), I cannot help but feel that the end is in sight. So, get your hands on this book and prepare yourself for some fun in the sun...

There are '365 awesome outdoor activities' described for you and your family. It is perfect for anyone who wants to experience some of the absolute pleasure that can be found in the great outdoors. The suggestions are varied, informative and will keep kids busy for many hours. If you live where days can be mighty cold, and not always conducive to being outdoors, there are many activities that can be done indoors, too. Rather than following the plan day by day, you may have to save some for those days when it's impossible to be outside for any length of time.

Nonetheless, the variety in things to be tried and accomplished is stellar:

"022 Make a Martian landscape

Put sand in an old baking sheet. Snip steel wool over it.
Moisten the sand with salty water and leave for a few days.
As the steel wool rusts, the sand turns red, like the soil on Mars."

A time clock is placed in each idea box. This one tells those interested in trying a Martian landscape that it will take 15 minutes to complete the suggested idea.

As is expected from their exemplary nonfiction titles, each idea is accompanied by a helpful and clear photograph that makes following the instructions uncomplicated. Some methods are numbered for ease of execution. A list of what is needed is included, too.

Some are more ambitious than others; all will hold attention and encourage the target audience to take a step back from the television and video games to find fun in the outdoors!  It's a perfect size for carrying along, and would make a great addition to any outdoor adventure that you have planned with your children.