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Author: pmorris1620@gmail.com

  • Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers: Simple Backyard Ideas That Actually Get Used

    Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers: Simple Backyard Ideas That Actually Get Used

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you’ve ever stood in Target staring at a wall of plastic outdoor toys wondering which ones will actually get played with (and which will end up collecting spiders in the garage), you’re in good company. I’ve been there. Multiple times.

    Here’s what I’ve learned after years of backyard play with little ones in the Florida heat: the best outdoor toys for toddlers aren’t the flashiest ones. They’re the simple, open-ended ones that let kids do what they naturally want to do — dig, pour, splash, run, and discover. The ones that don’t need batteries. The ones that grow with them.

    Our backyard isn’t fancy. We’ve got a patch of grass, some trees, a chicken coop, and a lot of sandy dirt. But my kids have logged more happy hours out there than I can count, and most of it happened with pretty basic equipment.

    Why Simple Outdoor Toys Work Best for Toddlers

    Toddlers don’t need complicated. They need possible. They need toys that respond to their actions — water that pours, sand that molds, balls that roll. This is how they learn cause and effect, develop motor skills, and build the kind of focus that Charlotte Mason called “the habit of attention.”

    When a toy does all the work (lights up, makes sounds, moves on its own), there’s nothing left for the child to do but watch. But when a toddler has a bucket, a shovel, and some dirt? That’s an hour of engineering, imagination, and sensory input all wrapped into one muddy package.

    This is the 1990s childhood I’m trying to recreate for my kids — not because I’m nostalgic (okay, maybe a little), but because it worked. We played outside until the streetlights came on. We made mud pies. We caught bugs. And we didn’t need a lot of stuff to do it.

    Our Favorite Backyard Toys for Toddlers

    Water Play Essentials

    In Florida, water play isn’t optional — it’s survival. From about March through October, we’re outside with water in some form almost every day.

    A simple water table is worth its weight in gold. But honestly? A big plastic tub works just as well. Add some cups, funnels, and a few dollar store basters, and you’ve got endless entertainment.

    We also keep a small splash pad that hooks up to the hose. On those brutal July afternoons, it’s the only way anyone wants to be outside. Just don’t forget the non-toxic sunscreen — we go through bottles of it during summer.

    Sand and Dirt Play

    If you have space for a sandbox, get one. If you don’t, a large plastic bin filled with play sand works beautifully on a patio. My toddler spent actual hours this week just transferring sand from one container to another. That’s it. That was the whole game. And it was perfect.

    Good quality sand toys matter more than quantity. We have a few sturdy metal shovels and buckets that have lasted years, while the cheap plastic ones cracked within weeks.

    Bug Catching and Nature Discovery

    Even tiny toddlers can start learning to observe the world around them. A simple bug catcher kit with a magnifying container is one of our most-used outdoor toys. We catch roly-polies, watch them for a bit, and let them go. It’s early nature study, and it builds such gentle curiosity.

    As they get a little older (closer to 3), a pocket microscope becomes the coolest thing ever. Leaves, feathers, chicken feathers (we have plenty of those), flower petals — suddenly everything is worth examining up close.

    Balls, Balls, and More Balls

    I cannot overstate how much mileage we’ve gotten out of a simple collection of balls in various sizes. Toddlers will kick, throw, chase, and roll balls for ages. A few good rubber balls and a beach ball are backyard essentials.

    Ride-On Toys

    A low-to-the-ground ride-on toy or balance bike is wonderful for this age. We started with a simple plastic push car that my kids scooted around the patio for years. It built leg strength, coordination, and independence — and gave me a few minutes to drink my coffee while they zoomed around.

    Classic Lawn Games

    For families with mixed ages (or patient toddlers), some outdoor lawn games can work surprisingly well. We have a ring toss set that even my youngest can attempt. Is he good at it? No. Does he love trying? Absolutely.

    Gear That Makes Outdoor Play Easier

    Rain Boots Are Non-Negotiable

    If you want toddlers outside more, remove the barriers. A good pair of kids’ rain boots means puddles become playgrounds instead of problems. We keep ours by the back door year-round. Florida afternoon storms mean mud puddles are basically a daily occurrence from June through September.

    Bug Protection the Safer Way

    Speaking of Florida — the mosquitoes here are aggressive. We use Wondercide on the kids and around the yard. It’s plant-based, smells good, and actually works. It’s also safe to use around our chickens and our labradoodle, which matters when everyone’s sharing the same backyard space.

    What About the Chickens?

    I have to mention — our backyard chickens are genuinely one of the best “toys” for our toddler. Obviously they’re not toys, but watching the hens, helping scatter scratch grains, and collecting eggs has been incredible for building responsibility and animal empathy from such a young age.

    We don’t let the little one in the run unsupervised yet (toddlers and chicken poop don’t mix well), but even observing from outside the fence is a daily activity. There’s something magical about a two-year-old yelling “HI CHICKENS” every single morning like it’s brand new information.

    A Note on Rotating Toys

    One thing that’s helped us get more play out of fewer toys: rotation. I don’t put everything out at once. The bubble machine lives in the garage until it’s “new” again. The bug nets come out seasonally. This keeps things fresh without buying more stuff.

    What We Skip

    We’ve tried the battery-operated ride-on cars, the elaborate playsets, the toys that promise to “engage” kids with lights and sounds. They always end up being more interesting to adults than to the actual toddlers. My kids go back to the water table, the dirt pile, and the bucket of balls every single time.

    I’m not saying never buy the fancy stuff — you know your kid best. But if you’re starting out or trying to simplify, know that the basics really do work.

    The Real Goal

    At the end of the day, the best outdoor toy is time. Time outside. Time in the dirt. Time watching ants and picking dandelions and splashing in puddles.

    The toys are just tools to help that happen. And honestly? Half the time my toddler would rather play with sticks and acorns than anything we bought. Which feels exactly right.

    So grab some sunscreen, fill up the water table, and let them get dirty. That’s the whole secret.

    Happy playing, friends. 🌿

  • How to Build a Cheap Chicken Run That Works (What We Actually Did)

    How to Build a Cheap Chicken Run That Works (What We Actually Did)

    If you’re staring at your backyard right now, doing mental math on lumber prices and wondering if keeping backyard chickens is actually going to cost you more than a year’s worth of grocery store eggs — I’ve been there. When we first decided to add chickens to our little Florida homestead, I was determined to build a cheap chicken run that actually worked, not just something that looked Pinterest-perfect for about two weeks before falling apart in our humid, predator-heavy environment.

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Here’s the thing: you don’t need to spend a fortune to keep your flock safe and happy. But you do need to be smart about where you save and where you spend. After a few trial-and-error seasons — and one memorable night involving a possum and some very stressed hens — I’ve figured out what actually matters.

    Why Your Chickens Need a Run (Not Just a Coop)

    Let me back up for anyone who’s still in the dreaming phase. A chicken coop is where your birds sleep and lay eggs. A chicken run is the enclosed outdoor space where they spend their days scratching, dust bathing, and doing all the chicken-y things that make them healthy and entertaining to watch.

    If you’re like us and can’t free-range all day (hello, hawks and neighborhood dogs), a good run is essential. It gives your flock fresh air, sunshine, and room to move without you worrying every time you step inside for five minutes.

    And honestly? Watching the chickens from our kitchen window while the kids do their morning math has become one of my favorite parts of homeschool life. There’s something grounding about it.

    Our Budget-Friendly Approach: What We Actually Spent

    I’m not going to give you a number and pretend it’s universal, because lumber and hardware cloth prices change constantly. But I can tell you the principles that kept our costs low.

    Start With What You Have

    Before we bought anything, we scrounged. We had some leftover fence posts from a previous project, a roll of chicken wire from a neighbor who was moving, and a pile of wooden pallets from my husband’s work. Could we have built something prettier with all-new materials? Sure. But our chickens don’t care about aesthetics, and neither do I — not when that money could go toward curriculum or watercolor pencils for nature journaling.

    Prioritize Predator Protection

    Here’s where I’ll tell you NOT to go cheap: hardware cloth. Regular chicken wire keeps chickens in, but it won’t keep determined predators out. Raccoons, possums, and even neighborhood cats can tear through flimsy wire. In Florida, we also deal with snakes — and while a black racer isn’t going to eat your hens, a rat snake will absolutely go for eggs and chicks.

    We used half-inch hardware cloth on the bottom three feet of our run and buried it about six inches into the ground with an L-shaped apron extending outward. This was our biggest expense, but it’s the reason we haven’t lost a single bird to predators since we upgraded.

    Use T-Posts and Wood Strategically

    We framed the corners and door with wood for stability, but used metal T-posts for the long stretches in between. T-posts are cheaper, easier to install (especially in our sandy Florida soil), and they don’t rot. We just zip-tied the hardware cloth to them. Not fancy, but rock solid.

    The Simple Design That Works for Us

    Our run is about 10×12 feet, attached directly to the coop. Here’s the basic structure:

    Frame

    • 4×4 wooden posts at each corner, sunk about 18 inches deep
    • Metal T-posts every 4 feet along the sides
    • 2×4 boards along the top to create a frame for the roof covering

    Walls

    • Hardware cloth on the bottom half
    • Regular chicken wire on the top half (this saved us probably $100)
    • Hardware cloth buried in an L-shape around the entire perimeter

    Roof

    • We did a partial roof using corrugated plastic panels over about a third of the run — enough for shade and rain shelter, but not so much that it turns into an oven in summer
    • The rest is covered with bird netting to keep hawks out

    Door

    • Just a simple wooden frame with hardware cloth, hinges, and a latch that requires opposable thumbs (important!)

    The whole thing took us two weekends and cost us around $200 in new materials, plus what we already had on hand.

    Upgrades Worth Every Penny

    Once your basic run is in place, there are a few additions that make chicken-keeping so much easier:

    A good waterer. We switched to a nipple-style chicken waterer and it was a game-changer. No more algae, no more daily scrubbing, no more chickens standing in their water. If you’re in Florida, you know how fast water gets gross in this heat.

    An automatic coop door. This one took us a while to invest in, but an automatic chicken coop door means we don’t have to rush home before dark or wake up at dawn every single day. Freedom, friends.

    Diatomaceous earth. We sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in the run and dust bathing areas to help control mites and other pests naturally. It fits with our non-toxic approach to pretty much everything.

    What I Wish I’d Known Before We Started

    Make it bigger than you think you need. Chicken math is real, and you will want more birds eventually.

    Plan for Florida weather. Shade is non-negotiable. Our girls pant like dogs in July if they don’t have somewhere cool to retreat.

    Don’t skip the predator-proofing. I know it’s tempting to save money on hardware cloth. Don’t. Losing a bird to a raccoon is heartbreaking, and it’s also expensive when you factor in how much you’ve invested in raising her.

    If you want to go deeper on chicken care — and especially if your kids are helping — Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens is the reference book we keep on our shelf. For the kids, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens has been wonderful for giving them ownership and understanding of their chores.

    Chickens, Kids, and the Slower Life

    I’ll be honest — our chicken run isn’t going to win any design awards. But every morning, my kids pull on their rain boots, head outside, and check on the flock before we start our school day. They collect eggs. They notice when someone’s acting off. They’re learning responsibility and animal husbandry in the most natural way possible — by doing it.

    That’s what this whole backyard chicken thing is really about for us. Not perfect Instagram coops, but real life. Dirt under fingernails. Eggs that taste different because you know the hens who laid them.

    If you’re on the fence about building your own run, just start. Use what you have. Make it safe. You can always improve it later — we certainly have. But getting those chickens into your backyard, into your kids’ daily rhythm? That’s the part that matters.

    And if you’re in the Pensacola area and see a slightly chaotic run held together with zip ties and determination — wave. It’s probably us.

  • Non-Toxic Baby Formula Alternatives Research: What This Science-Minded Mama Learned

    Non-Toxic Baby Formula Alternatives Research: What This Science-Minded Mama Learned

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you’re up at 2 AM scrolling through ingredient lists and PubMed articles trying to figure out the safest way to feed your baby, I see you. I’ve been there — sitting in the glow of my phone screen while a baby slept on my chest, wondering why something as fundamental as infant nutrition had to feel so complicated.

    Whether you’re supplementing, exclusively formula feeding, or just trying to have a backup plan, the research rabbit hole around non-toxic baby formula alternatives is deep. And honestly? A lot of what’s out there is either fear-mongering or oversimplified. So let me share what I actually learned when I put my science background to work on this question.

    Why Parents Are Researching Formula Alternatives

    Let’s be honest about why we’re even having this conversation. The formula shortages of recent years rattled a lot of us. But beyond availability, many parents are increasingly concerned about:

    • Heavy metals found in some formulas
    • Synthetic additives and preservatives
    • Corn syrup solids as a primary carbohydrate
    • Pesticide residues in conventional dairy-based formulas
    • The sourcing and processing of ingredients

    These aren’t fringe concerns. When you’re trying to raise kids with intention — the same way we approach everything from our non-toxic sunscreen choices to the cleaning products under our sink — it makes sense to ask questions about what goes into those tiny bodies.

    What the Research Actually Shows

    European Formulas: Are They Really Better?

    You’ve probably heard whispers about European formulas being “cleaner” or “more regulated.” Here’s the nuanced truth: European Union standards do prohibit certain ingredients that are allowed in American formulas, like some synthetic preservatives and corn syrup solids in first-stage formulas.

    However, importing formula comes with real risks. Temperature control during shipping, expiration date confusion, and the inability to verify authentic products are all legitimate concerns. The FDA doesn’t regulate these products, so you’re essentially on your own if something goes wrong.

    That said, some American-made formulas now meet or exceed European standards. Brands like Bobbie, Kendamil (now available domestically), and ByHeart were developed specifically to address these parental concerns.

    Goat Milk Formula: A Viable Option?

    Goat milk-based formulas have gained popularity, and there’s some interesting research behind them. Goat milk proteins may be easier to digest for some babies, and the fat globule structure is closer to human milk than cow’s milk.

    Kabrita and Holle both offer goat milk options. If your baby struggles with cow’s milk-based formula, this might be worth discussing with your pediatrician.

    Homemade Formula: The Honest Truth

    I know some of you came here wondering about the Weston A. Price Foundation recipes or other homemade alternatives. Here’s where I have to be straight with you, mama to mama: the research does not support homemade formula as safe for primary infant nutrition.

    Infant nutritional needs are incredibly precise. Too much of certain minerals can damage kidneys. Too little of specific nutrients can cause developmental problems. Even with the best intentions and highest-quality ingredients, getting this balance right at home is extremely difficult.

    I say this as someone who makes our bone broth from scratch, keeps backyard chickens for eggs, and questions pretty much everything conventional. Some things require the precision that home kitchens can’t reliably provide.

    What You Can Control

    Here’s where I like to focus my energy — the areas where we actually have good options:

    Choose Cleaner Formulas When Possible

    Look for formulas that:

    • Use lactose as the primary carbohydrate (closest to breast milk)
    • Avoid corn syrup solids and palm oil
    • Source organic dairy when possible
    • Skip artificial DHA/ARA extraction methods (look for water-extracted)

    Prioritize Overall Home Environment

    One thing I’ve learned in all my non-toxic research? We can drive ourselves crazy trying to control one variable while ignoring others. The formula is one input — but so is the water you mix it with, the bottles you use, and the overall environment your baby lives in.

    This is actually why our family uses Grove Collaborative for cleaning supplies. When you’re already researching formula ingredients at the molecular level, it helps to have one less thing to worry about in the rest of your home.

    Work With a Knowledgeable Provider

    Find a pediatrician or family doctor who doesn’t dismiss your concerns. A good provider will help you weigh the actual risks versus perceived risks and make informed decisions for your specific baby.

    The Bigger Picture

    Here in Florida, I’m fortunate to have access to great farmers markets and local food sources. As my babies grew into the wild little people currently chasing our chickens around the backyard, I found that my anxiety about those early feeding decisions faded.

    The truth is, however you feed your baby during that first year is just one chapter. What comes next — the outdoor play, the real foods, the dirt under their fingernails, the slower pace of childhood — that matters too.

    We use resources like Rainbow Resource now for our homeschool curriculum, but I remember when my biggest research project was just figuring out what to feed a newborn. Both seasons required the same thing: doing the best we could with the information available.

    A Word on Perspective

    I want to gently say this: if you’re formula feeding — by choice or by necessity — you’re doing a good job. The fact that you’re researching non-toxic options means you care deeply. That care will carry through into every other decision you make for this child.

    My kids are now old enough to help collect eggs, splash in mud puddles, and spend hours examining bugs with their pocket microscope. One was exclusively breastfed. One was supplemented with formula. Both are healthy, curious, and completely obsessed with our dog.

    Formula — even the “cleanest” kind — is just one piece of the puzzle. Keep researching. Keep asking questions. But also? Give yourself permission to make a decision and move forward. Your baby needs you present more than they need you perfect.

    Practical Next Steps

    1. Make a short list of 2-3 formulas that meet your criteria

    2. Talk to your pediatrician about your specific concerns and your baby’s needs

    3. Check your water quality — consider a filter if you’re mixing with tap water

    4. Choose glass or stainless bottles when possible

    5. Let go of the guilt — seriously, this one’s the most important

    You’re doing hard work, researching and questioning and trying to get it right. That’s exactly what good mamas do. Trust yourself. You’ve got this.

    —

    Have questions about non-toxic living with babies and little ones? I’m always happy to share what’s worked for our family here in Northwest Florida. Drop a comment or send me a message — we’re all figuring this out together.

  • Chicken Illnesses Symptoms and Natural Remedies: A Backyard Keeper’s Guide

    Chicken Illnesses Symptoms and Natural Remedies: A Backyard Keeper’s Guide

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    There’s nothing quite like that sinking feeling when you walk out to the coop and notice one of your hens isn’t acting right. She’s off by herself, feathers puffed up, eyes half-closed. Your stomach drops because you’ve grown attached to these funny little birds — and honestly, so have your kids.

    We’ve been keeping backyard chickens here in Northwest Florida for a few years now, and I’ve learned that being a chicken keeper means becoming a bit of a detective. You have to notice the small things before they become big things. And while I’m all for calling in a vet when needed, I’ve also found that many common chicken ailments respond beautifully to simple, natural remedies — the kind our great-grandmothers would have used without a second thought.

    Let me share what I’ve learned from experience, late-night research sessions, and yes, a few losses along the way.

    Learning to Read Your Flock

    Before we talk about specific illnesses, let’s talk about observation. This is honestly where my Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling has shaped me as a chicken keeper too. We spend so much time teaching our kids to notice — the way a bird tilts its head, how leaves change color, the patterns in spider webs. That same habit of attention serves us well with our backyard flock.

    Healthy chickens are active, curious, and have bright eyes. They scratch around, dust bathe, and come running when they hear you. When something’s off, you’ll often notice behavioral changes before physical symptoms appear.

    I keep a simple nature journal in our mudroom where I jot down anything unusual — not just for school nature study, but for chicken notes too. It’s helped me catch patterns I would have missed otherwise.

    Common Chicken Illness Symptoms to Watch For

    Respiratory Issues

    Florida’s humidity can be tough on chickens, especially in summer. If you notice sneezing, wheezing, nasal discharge, or bubbly eyes, you’re likely dealing with a respiratory issue. These can range from mild irritation (dusty coop, poor ventilation) to more serious infections.

    Natural approach: First, check your coop ventilation. Then try adding a few drops of oregano oil to their water — it has natural antibacterial properties. Apple cider vinegar (raw, with the mother) added to their water a few times a week also supports respiratory health. I use about a tablespoon per gallon.

    Lethargy and Isolation

    A hen sitting alone with fluffed feathers is almost always telling you something. This could indicate anything from egg-binding to internal parasites to infection.

    Natural approach: Bring her inside to a quiet spot where you can observe closely. Check her vent area for signs of egg-binding or prolapse. Offer electrolytes in her water (you can make your own with water, salt, baking soda, and honey). Sometimes a warm Epsom salt bath helps with egg-binding.

    Pale Comb and Wattles

    A healthy chicken has a bright red comb. Pale, shriveled, or discolored combs often indicate parasites (internal or external), anemia, or general poor health.

    Natural approach: Check thoroughly for mites and lice — they love to hide under wings and around the vent. Food-grade diatomaceous earth sprinkled in their dust bathing areas and coop bedding helps control external parasites naturally. For internal parasites, raw pumpkin seeds and garlic added to feed can help.

    Digestive Issues

    Diarrhea, crop issues, or changes in droppings are common concerns. An impacted or sour crop (feels hard or squishy and smells bad) needs attention quickly.

    Natural approach: For sour crop, withhold food for 12-24 hours, offer plain water with apple cider vinegar, and massage the crop gently. Probiotics — either chicken-specific or plain yogurt — help restore gut balance. For general digestive support, I ferment our flock’s feed a few days a week.

    Our Favorite Natural Remedies for Chicken Health

    Apple Cider Vinegar

    This is my go-to. Raw ACV with the mother supports digestive health, helps prevent algae in waterers, and creates an environment less hospitable to harmful bacteria. I add it to their water a couple times a week, especially during our hot, humid Florida summers.

    Herbs in the Coop

    I tuck fresh or dried herbs into nesting boxes regularly — lavender, mint, oregano, thyme. They smell wonderful, deter pests, and have natural antibacterial properties. The kids love helping harvest them from our little herb garden, which honestly makes it a whole homeschool moment.

    Garlic

    Crushed garlic in their water a few times a month supports immune health and helps with internal parasites. Some folks worry about garlic affecting egg flavor, but we’ve never noticed a difference.

    Diatomaceous Earth

    I mentioned this above, but it deserves its own callout. Food-grade DE is a must-have for natural parasite control. I mix it into their dust bathing area and sprinkle it in bedding. Just be careful not to breathe it in yourself — wear a mask when applying.

    Electrolytes

    During Florida’s brutal summers, heat stress is real. I keep homemade electrolyte solution on hand (or store-bought in a pinch) for especially hot days or any time a hen seems under the weather.

    Prevention: The Best Medicine

    Honestly, most chicken illness comes back to management. Clean water daily (we love using a nipple waterer system to keep it cleaner), good ventilation in the coop, quality feed, and regular observation go a long way.

    I also invested in an automatic coop door last year, and it’s been wonderful for keeping the flock on a consistent schedule and protected from predators — which reduces stress-related illness too.

    If you’re newer to chicken keeping and want a solid reference, Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens is excellent for the science-minded keeper. And for getting your kids involved, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens has been a hit in our homeschool — it’s practical and written at a level elementary kids can really understand.

    When to Call a Vet

    I want to be clear: natural remedies have their place, but they have limits. If your chicken has severe symptoms, isn’t improving within a day or two, or you suspect something like Marek’s disease or avian flu, please consult a veterinarian. Here in Florida, the UF/IFAS extension office can be a great resource for poultry questions too.

    Trust your gut. You know your birds.

    It’s All Part of the Journey

    Keeping chickens has taught our family so much — about responsibility, about the rhythm of life and death, about paying attention. My kids have helped nurse hens back to health and, harder still, have said goodbye to ones we couldn’t save. It’s not always easy, but it’s real. And I’d rather raise kids who understand where their food comes from and have held a warm egg in their hands than ones who think chickens are just something at the grocery store.

    If you’re out there tonight, checking on a sick hen and feeling a little worried — I’ve been there, friend. Keep observing. Keep learning. Keep trying. That’s all any of us can do.

    Here’s to healthy flocks and muddy boots.

  • The Best Nature Craft Supplies for Kids Homeschool (From Our Tried-and-True Stash)

    The Best Nature Craft Supplies for Kids Homeschool (From Our Tried-and-True Stash)

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you’ve ever found a pinecone collection taking over your kitchen counter or discovered dried leaves pressed between the pages of every book in your house, welcome. You’re in the right place.

    Nature crafts have become one of our family’s favorite ways to slow down, observe, and actually do something with all the treasures my kids haul home from our backyard adventures. Whether it’s a particularly beautiful feather the chickens dropped, a perfect acorn from our morning walk, or a pressed wildflower from our nature study time—having the right supplies on hand turns those moments into something lasting.

    After years of trial and error (and yes, plenty of dried-out paint palettes and broken crayons), I’ve finally landed on the best nature craft supplies for kids homeschool that actually get used, hold up well, and spark genuine creativity.

    Why Nature Crafts Belong in Your Homeschool

    If you follow the Charlotte Mason approach like we do, you already know that nature study is the backbone of a living education. But here’s what I’ve learned: observation without expression can feel incomplete for kids. They want to do something with what they’ve seen.

    Nature crafts give kids a way to process what they’re learning—whether that’s sketching the lifecycle of the butterfly they’ve been watching or painting the exact shade of orange on a Gulf Fritillary’s wings. It’s not busywork. It’s integration.

    And honestly? On those Florida summer days when it’s just too hot and humid to stay outside past 10 AM, pulling out nature craft supplies is a beautiful way to continue the learning indoors.

    Our Favorite Nature Craft Supplies (The Ones That Actually Get Used)

    Quality Watercolors That Don’t Frustrate Little Artists

    I’ll be honest—we went through a lot of cheap watercolor sets before I finally invested in something better. Those dollar store palettes with the tiny, rock-hard pans? My kids would get frustrated, the colors were muddy, and everything ended up in the trash.

    Now we use Faber-Castell watercolors, and the difference is night and day. The colors are vibrant, they blend beautifully, and even my kindergartener can get gorgeous results without getting discouraged. Worth every penny for nature journaling and botanical paintings.

    A Nature Journal They’ll Actually Want to Fill

    We’ve tried fancy bound journals. We’ve tried loose paper in a binder. But what works best for us is a simple, unlined nature journal with quality paper that can handle watercolors, pressed flowers, and all the glue-stick action that comes with nature crafting.

    I keep one for each child, and they’ve become these beautiful records of our homeschool years—full of sketches, observations, and the occasional chicken feather taped to a page.

    A Good Field Guide for Inspiration

    This might not seem like a “craft supply,” but hear me out. Half of what makes a good nature craft is knowing what you’re looking at. When my kids can flip through our Sibley Birds field guide and match the bird they just saw to a picture, suddenly they want to draw it, paint it, and add it to their journal.

    It bridges the gap between observation and creation. And living in Northwest Florida, we get such incredible variety—migratory birds stopping through in fall, shorebirds when we visit the Gulf, backyard cardinals year-round. A good field guide makes all of that accessible.

    A Pocket Microscope for Up-Close Wonder

    One of the best investments we’ve made for nature crafts is a simple pocket microscope. Now, I know what you’re thinking—how is a microscope a craft supply?

    But when my kids can see the actual structure of a leaf vein, or the tiny scales on a butterfly wing, or the patterns on a chicken feather—their drawings become so much richer. They’re not just making something up; they’re recreating what they’ve truly observed. That’s Charlotte Mason’s whole philosophy in action.

    Essential Supplies for Collecting Nature Treasures

    Bug Catchers and Collection Kits

    You cannot do nature crafts without nature finds. And you cannot collect nature finds without the right tools (unless you want everything stuffed in pockets, which—been there).

    We keep a bug catcher kit by the back door, ready to grab whenever we head outside. My kids have caught dragonflies, beetles, caterpillars, and once a very confused gecko. We observe, sketch, and release—usually within the hour.

    For longer-term collections (think: shells, feathers, interesting rocks), a bug collection kit with compartments and labels helps keep everything organized rather than scattered across the school room.

    Rain Boots for Every Season

    Okay, this one might seem like a stretch, but stick with me. Half of nature crafting is finding the materials. And in Florida, that often means puddles, mud, and wet grass from afternoon thunderstorms.

    Good rain boots for kids mean we can head outside right after a summer rain—when the bugs are active, the air smells incredible, and there are treasures everywhere. Wet feet equal cranky kids, and cranky kids don’t want to paint wildflowers later.

    Organizing Your Nature Craft Station

    Here’s what’s worked for us: I keep all our nature craft supplies in one cabinet in our homeschool room. Watercolors, journals, colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors, and a basket of collected treasures are always accessible.

    The key is making it easy for kids to grab what they need without asking. When supplies are available, nature crafts happen spontaneously—which is exactly what you want.

    I also keep a shallow basket where we store our current collection of found items—the feathers the chickens drop (our Buff Orpingtons have the prettiest ones), seedpods from our morning walks, pressed flowers, interesting bark. It’s like a little inventory of recent adventures, waiting to become art.

    A Few Tips From Our Nature Craft Experiments

    Don’t overcomplicate it. The best nature crafts are often the simplest—leaf rubbings, pressed flower bookmarks, sketching what you see. You don’t need Pinterest-perfect projects.

    Let kids lead. My daughter once spent forty-five minutes painting a single blade of grass because she was fascinated by the way the light hit it. That’s not a waste of time. That’s attention and wonder.

    Embrace the mess. Watercolors drip. Glue oozes. Flower petals crumble. This is the stuff of real childhood, not the curated kind.

    Connect it to what you’re learning. If you’re studying birds, do a bird sketch. If you’re learning about trees, do bark rubbings and leaf pressings. Let the crafts serve the learning, not the other way around.

    Final Thoughts From Our Nature Table

    The best nature craft supplies for kids homeschool aren’t fancy or expensive—they’re just quality tools that let children express what they’ve observed. A good watercolor set, a blank journal, a way to look closely at the small things—that’s really all you need to get started.

    I love that our homeschool room is filled with paintings of backyard birds, journals thick with pressed leaves, and crafts made from chicken feathers and acorn caps. It feels like childhood the way I remember it—hands-on, messy, wonder-filled.

    If you’re just building your nature craft stash, start small. Grab a journal and some watercolors, head outside with your kids, and see what catches their attention. The supplies don’t create the magic—the observation does. The supplies just give it somewhere to go.

    Happy crafting, friends. 🌿

  • How to Teach Kids Responsibility with Backyard Chickens (Real-Life Lessons from Our Flock)

    How to Teach Kids Responsibility with Backyard Chickens (Real-Life Lessons from Our Flock)

    If you’ve ever wondered whether backyard chickens are worth the work — especially with kids underfoot — let me just say: yes. A thousand times yes. Not because it’s easy every single day (it’s not), but because the lessons our kids are learning from those fluffy butts in the backyard are the kind you simply cannot teach from a textbook.

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    When we first got our flock, I’ll be honest — I was mostly thinking about fresh eggs and my dream of a little homestead life here in Northwest Florida. What I didn’t fully anticipate was how much our chickens would become part of our homeschool, our rhythm, and our kids’ character development. Every morning, before math pages or nature journals come out, there are birds that need tending. And that simple, non-negotiable fact has shaped our children in ways I’m genuinely grateful for.

    Why Chickens Are the Perfect First Responsibility for Kids

    Here’s the thing about chickens: they’re forgiving, but they still have real needs. Unlike a stuffed animal or even a goldfish, chickens demand daily attention. They need fresh water, food, clean bedding, and someone to let them out and lock them up safely. For elementary-age kids, this is the sweet spot — enough responsibility to matter, but not so overwhelming that they can’t handle it.

    Chickens also give immediate feedback. Forget to fill the waterer? The hens will let you know. Neglect the coop too long? It smells. Collect eggs faithfully? You get the reward of a full basket. This cause-and-effect loop is something kids understand viscerally, way more than any chore chart with stickers.

    And for those of us raising kids the way we grew up in the ’90s — outside, a little dirty, learning by doing — chickens fit right in. No app required. Just real work with real results.

    Age-Appropriate Chicken Chores for Elementary Kids

    One of the biggest mistakes I see is parents either doing everything themselves or expecting too much too soon. The key is matching tasks to your child’s age and ability, then gradually adding more as they grow.

    Kindergarten and First Grade (Ages 5-7)

    At this age, kids can absolutely help, but they need supervision and simple tasks:

    • Filling the waterer (with help carrying it)
    • Scooping feed into the feeder
    • Collecting eggs with a basket
    • Helping scatter scratch grains as treats
    • “Talking” to the chickens (yes, this counts — it builds connection)

    Our youngest loves being the official egg collector. She takes it so seriously, carefully placing each egg in the basket like it’s treasure. Which, honestly, it kind of is.

    Second Through Fifth Grade (Ages 7-11)

    Older elementary kids can take on more independence:

    • Full morning and evening chicken duties (letting out, locking up)
    • Cleaning and refilling waterers — we use a nipple-style chicken waterer that’s easier to maintain
    • Spot-cleaning the coop and adding fresh bedding
    • Monitoring for signs of illness or injury
    • Keeping a simple log of egg production

    If you’ve invested in an automatic coop door, it takes some pressure off — especially during Florida’s unpredictable summer storms when you might not want to send kids out at dusk. But I still have our older one do a “chicken check” each evening to make sure everyone’s inside and safe.

    Turning Chicken Care into Learning Opportunities

    This is where it gets really good for homeschoolers — especially if you lean Charlotte Mason like we do.

    Chickens are living science lessons. We’ve observed molting cycles, learned about egg formation, discussed predator-prey relationships (unfortunately, from experience), and watched broodiness in action. Our kids keep nature journals, and some of their best entries are sketches of our hens or observations about their behavior. A simple nature journal and some quality watercolor pencils turn chicken-watching into real nature study.

    We also use Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens as a reference when questions come up — and they always do. For younger kids, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens is perfect. It’s written at their level and covers everything from breeds to egg anatomy. My second grader has read hers cover to cover more than once.

    Building Consistency Without Power Struggles

    Let’s be real: kids are not naturally consistent. Neither are adults, honestly. The key is building chicken chores into your daily rhythm so deeply that they become automatic — like brushing teeth.

    In our house, chicken duties happen first thing in the morning, before breakfast and before any schoolwork. It’s non-negotiable, which actually makes it easier. There’s no “can I do it later?” because later isn’t an option. The chickens are hungry now.

    We also rotate who does what, so no one feels stuck with the least favorite job forever. And I’m right out there with them most mornings — not doing the work for them, but alongside them. That presence matters, especially in the early days when habits are forming.

    On particularly hot Florida mornings (you know the ones — 90 degrees by 8 AM with humidity you can swim through), we make sure the chickens have plenty of cold water and shady spots. The kids have learned to check on the flock more often in summer, which teaches them to think beyond the routine and respond to real needs.

    What Chickens Teach That Chore Charts Can’t

    I could give my kids a list of tasks and check them off each day. And we do use some systems like that in our home. But chicken care teaches something deeper:

    Dependability. Those birds rely on us. Every single day. Even when it’s raining. Even when we’re tired. Even on Christmas morning.

    Observation. Kids learn to notice when something’s off — a hen acting lethargic, a change in egg production, a predator threat. This kind of attentiveness is a skill that serves them everywhere.

    Delayed gratification. You don’t get eggs the day you bring home chicks. You feed them, water them, and care for them for months before you see that first egg. And then? Pure magic.

    Stewardship. We talk a lot about how God gave us responsibility over creation. Chickens make that theology tangible. These are living creatures in our care, and that’s a sacred thing.

    A Note on Keeping It Non-Toxic

    Since we’re already intentional about what comes into our home, we extend that to the coop too. For pest control, we use food-grade diatomaceous earth in the nesting boxes and dust bath area. It helps with mites without any harsh chemicals near our eggs or our kids’ hands. It’s one of those simple swaps that just makes sense.

    You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Start

    If you’re thinking about adding chickens to your backyard, or you already have them and want your kids more involved, just start somewhere. One small task. One morning routine. One conversation about why this matters.

    Our flock isn’t fancy. Our coop definitely needs a fresh coat of paint. And some mornings, I’m reminding kids three times to go finish their chicken chores. But every single day, they’re learning what it means to show up for something beyond themselves. And that, more than any curriculum I could buy, is shaping who they’re becoming.

    So grab your boots, head outside, and let the chickens do some of the teaching. They’re surprisingly good at it.

    —

    Have backyard chickens? I’d love to hear how your kids help out — drop a comment below or find me on Instagram!

  • Florida Butterfly Garden Plants That Actually Work (From a Homeschool Mama Who Tried Them All)

    Florida Butterfly Garden Plants That Actually Work (From a Homeschool Mama Who Tried Them All)

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you’ve ever stood in the garden center staring at those little “attracts butterflies!” tags and wondered if they actually work in Florida’s swampy heat — you’re not alone. I’ve killed my fair share of supposedly butterfly-friendly plants that looked great on the tag but melted into sad little stems by mid-July.

    But after three years of trial and error in our Northwest Florida backyard, I’ve finally figured out which plants genuinely bring in the butterflies — and which ones are just wishful thinking for our zone. Our little garden has become one of the best parts of our homeschool day, honestly. There’s nothing quite like calling the kids outside because a Gulf Fritillary is laying eggs on the passionvine, or watching a Zebra Longwing float through while we’re collecting eggs from the coop.

    So let me share what’s actually working for us.

    Why Most Butterfly Garden Advice Fails in Florida

    Here’s the thing — most butterfly garden articles are written for people in, like, Ohio. Nothing against Ohio, but their growing conditions are wildly different from ours. We’re dealing with summer humidity that could drown a plant, sandy soil that drains faster than you can water, and a sun intensity that would make a desert cactus nervous.

    Plus, Florida has its own native butterfly species with specific host plant needs. A Monarch butterfly doesn’t care how pretty your petunias are. She needs milkweed, period. And not just any milkweed — varieties that can handle our climate.

    The Must-Have Host Plants (Where Butterflies Lay Eggs)

    If you want butterflies to actually stick around and not just pass through, you need host plants. These are the specific plants where female butterflies lay their eggs, and where caterpillars munch away until they’re ready to transform.

    Native Milkweed for Monarchs

    Forget tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) — I know it’s everywhere, but there’s growing research that it can actually harm Monarch migration patterns here in Florida. Instead, look for native varieties like Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) or Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa). They’re harder to find, but worth it.

    Fair warning: these natives die back in winter and look completely dead. Don’t pull them up! They’ll come back in spring.

    Passionvine for Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra Longwings

    This is my absolute favorite, and it grows like a weed here. Our native Passiflora incarnata (Purple Passionflower) is a powerhouse. The Gulf Fritillary caterpillars will completely strip it — and that’s okay. It grows back fast.

    The kids love checking the vines for the spiky orange caterpillars. We keep a nature journal by the back door, and they sketch the different stages from tiny egg to chrysalis. It’s Charlotte Mason nature study happening right in our own backyard.

    Fennel and Dill for Black Swallowtails

    Plant these in fall here in Florida (not spring like up north). The parsley worms — which are actually Black Swallowtail caterpillars — will find them. We tuck fennel near the chicken run because the girls don’t bother it, and the caterpillars get left alone to do their thing.

    Cassia for Sulphurs

    Those little yellow butterflies fluttering around? They’re likely Cloudless Sulphurs, and they adore Cassia (also called Senna). It’s native, tough as nails, and comes back year after year.

    Nectar Plants That Survive Florida Summers

    Host plants bring butterflies to breed. Nectar plants bring them to eat. You need both.

    Pentas (The Florida Workhorse)

    I genuinely don’t know how anyone gardens in Florida without pentas. They bloom non-stop, handle full sun, and butterflies absolutely swarm them. Red and pink varieties seem to attract the most visitors in our yard.

    Firebush (Native and Tough)

    This native shrub laughs at our summers. It gets big, blooms constantly with tubular red-orange flowers, and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. We planted ours near the fence and it’s become a favorite observation spot.

    Salvia (But Choose Wisely)

    Not all salvias survive here. Skip the fancy annual types. Instead, go for native Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea) or the tried-and-true Mystic Spires. They reseed themselves and come back after looking completely dead in August.

    Porterweed

    Blue porterweed is a butterfly magnet. It’s scraggly-looking, I won’t lie, but the butterflies don’t care about aesthetics. Ours grows along the edge of the garden path, and we see Skippers and Long-tailed Skippers on it constantly.

    Making It a Nature Study Opportunity

    Honestly, our butterfly garden has become the easiest nature study we do. We keep a Sibley bird and nature guide on the shelf (yes, I know it’s birds, but Sibley’s approach to observation has taught us a lot), and the kids have started applying that same careful looking to butterflies and caterpillars.

    We also keep a pocket microscope in our outdoor basket for looking at butterfly wing scales, leaf textures, and whatever else catches their attention. It’s amazing what you can see up close.

    Some of our best school days have been spent sitting on the back porch with watercolor pencils, sketching whatever’s visiting the firebush. No curriculum required — just observation, wonder, and maybe some lemonade.

    A Note About Pesticides (Please Don’t)

    I know this goes without saying for most of y’all reading this, but — if you want butterflies, you cannot spray pesticides. Even the organic ones can harm caterpillars.

    For mosquitoes (because, Florida), we use Wondercide yard spray around the patio and seating areas only, keeping it well away from the butterfly plants. It’s worked well for us without nuking everything beneficial.

    What I’ve Stopped Planting

    A few things I’ve given up on:

    • Butterfly bush (Buddleia): It just doesn’t thrive here in our heat and humidity. It limps along and looks sad.
    • Coneflowers: Same story. They’re miserable in Florida summers.
    • Lantana: I know, I know. It “works.” But it’s invasive here, and I’d rather support native options.
    • Zinnia in summer: Beautiful in fall, but they get powdery mildew the second humidity hits.

    Starting Simple

    If you’re just beginning, start with three plants: one passionvine, a couple of pentas, and a firebush. That’s it. Add more as you see what works in your specific microclimate.

    Gardening in Florida is its own adventure, and what thrives in Pensacola might struggle in Orlando. Give yourself grace to experiment.

    The Real Magic

    Here’s what I’ve learned: the butterflies will come. You don’t need a perfect garden or an elaborate plan. You just need a few of the right plants, a little patience, and kids who are paying attention.

    Yesterday, my youngest came running inside — muddy rain boots, grass-stained knees, completely out of breath — to tell me she found a chrysalis on the passionvine. We dropped everything and went outside to look.

    That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Not a perfect Instagram garden, but real moments of wonder. The kind of childhood where you know what a Gulf Fritillary caterpillar looks like because you watched it grow up in your own backyard.

    That’s the 1990s childhood I’m trying to give my kids. Less screen time, more dirt time. Less scheduled activities, more space to notice things.

    And honestly? The butterflies are helping.

    —

    What’s growing in your Florida butterfly garden? I’d love to hear what’s working for you — drop a comment below or find me on Instagram!

  • Non-Toxic Dryer Sheets Alternatives We Use (And Why We Made the Switch)

    Non-Toxic Dryer Sheets Alternatives We Use (And Why We Made the Switch)

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you’ve ever pulled a warm load of laundry out of the dryer and thought, “Why does this smell like a chemical factory?” — you’re not alone. That was me about three years ago, standing in my laundry room with a box of those blue dryer sheets, wondering what exactly I was putting on the clothes my kids wear every single day.

    The more I learned, the less I wanted those sheets anywhere near our family’s clothes. And honestly? Making the switch was way easier than I expected. Let me share what’s actually working for us.

    Why We Ditched Conventional Dryer Sheets

    Here’s the thing — I’m not trying to be preachy about this. But when I started reading ingredient labels on dryer sheets (spoiler: most don’t even list them because they’re not required to), I went down a rabbit hole I couldn’t ignore.

    Conventional dryer sheets are coated with chemicals that reduce static and add fragrance. The problem? Many of these include:

    • Synthetic fragrances (which can contain hundreds of undisclosed chemicals)
    • Quaternary ammonium compounds
    • Acetaldehyde and benzyl acetate
    • Chloroform (yes, really)

    These chemicals don’t just stay on your clothes — they’re absorbed through your skin, which is your largest organ. And for our little ones whose bodies are still developing? I just couldn’t unknow what I’d learned.

    Plus, living here in Northwest Florida where the humidity is basically a lifestyle, we do a lot of laundry. Between muddy play clothes, chicken coop towels, and whatever the dog decided to roll in this week, our dryer runs almost daily. That’s a lot of chemical exposure if you’re using conventional products.

    The Non-Toxic Alternatives That Actually Work

    I’ve tried a bunch of options over the years, and these are the ones that have stuck around in our laundry room.

    Wool Dryer Balls

    These are the MVPs of our laundry routine, hands down. Wool dryer balls work by bouncing around in the dryer, separating clothes and allowing hot air to circulate more efficiently. This means your clothes dry faster (hello, lower energy bills) and come out softer.

    I bought a set of six about two years ago, and they’re still going strong. No weird residue, no synthetic fragrance, just naturally softer laundry.

    Pro tip for Florida families: In the summer when static isn’t really an issue (thank you, humidity), the dryer balls still help reduce drying time significantly. In the drier winter months, I sometimes add a damp washcloth to the load to help with any static.

    Essential Oils on Dryer Balls

    If you miss having scented laundry, this is an easy fix. I add 3-4 drops of lavender or lemon essential oil to one of the wool dryer balls before tossing them in. The scent is subtle and real — not that aggressive “fresh linen” smell that honestly smells like nothing in nature.

    Just make sure you’re using pure essential oils, not fragrance oils. The whole point is avoiding synthetic chemicals.

    White Vinegar in the Wash

    Okay, this one sounds weird, but hear me out. Adding about half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle works as a natural fabric softener. It helps remove detergent residue, softens clothes, and — I promise — your laundry will NOT smell like a salad.

    This has been especially helpful for us with the kids’ play clothes and the towels we use for drying off eggs from the coop. Everything comes out clean and soft without any buildup.

    Hanging to Dry When Possible

    I know, I know — this isn’t always realistic. But on those gorgeous Pensacola days when there’s a breeze and the sun is shining, line-drying is honestly the best option. Sun-dried sheets smell incredible (the real “fresh linen” scent), and the UV rays naturally help sanitize fabrics.

    We have a simple clothesline in the backyard, and the kids love helping hang things up. It’s become one of those small life skills we’re building — the kind of thing I remember doing with my grandmother. Very 1990s childhood, if you will.

    Making the Switch: What to Expect

    If you’re used to conventional dryer sheets, here’s what I want you to know: the transition is easy, but there’s a small adjustment period.

    Your first few loads might feel different. That super-slippery feeling from dryer sheets? That’s actually chemical residue coating your fabrics. Once that washes out over a few cycles, your clothes will feel naturally soft in a way that’s hard to describe until you experience it.

    Also, your towels will become more absorbent. All that fabric softener buildup actually reduces how well towels work. Once it’s gone, you’ll notice a real difference.

    Other Non-Toxic Swaps We’ve Made

    Once I started questioning dryer sheets, it opened the door to rethinking a lot of products in our home. We’ve slowly transitioned to cleaner options for most things.

    For household cleaning, we’ve been using Grove Collaborative for a few years now. They make it easy to find non-toxic versions of everyday products, and I love that I can set up recurring shipments for the things we use regularly.

    For anything related to the chickens or the dog, I’m a huge fan of Wondercide. Their pest control products are plant-based, which means I don’t worry when the kids are playing in the same yard where the chickens are scratching around. We use it for flea and tick prevention on our labradoodle and for general pest control around the coop.

    And speaking of the coop — keeping things clean and dry in there is essential, especially in Florida’s humidity. We use food-grade diatomaceous earth in the nesting boxes and dust bathing areas. It’s a natural way to help control mites and keep things fresh without chemicals that could harm the hens or end up in our eggs.

    The Bigger Picture: Intentional Choices

    Here’s what I’ve come to realize about non-toxic living — it’s not about perfection. It’s about making intentional choices where we can, one swap at a time.

    Dryer sheets might seem like a small thing. But when you add up all the small exposures — the laundry products, the cleaning sprays, the pest control, the sunscreens — it matters. Especially for our kids.

    We spend so much time focusing on what our children eat, but what goes ON their bodies matters just as much. Their skin absorbs what we put on it, and those little systems are still developing.

    Switching to wool dryer balls and ditching the chemical sheets? It took maybe five minutes to implement and costs less in the long run. That’s my kind of simple change.

    What Works for Your Family

    I’m not here to tell you that you’re doing it wrong if you’re still using conventional dryer sheets. We all have different priorities and seasons of life. But if you’ve been curious about making a switch, I hope this gives you some practical starting points.

    Start with one thing. Maybe it’s grabbing a set of wool dryer balls. Maybe it’s trying the vinegar trick on your next load. Small changes add up, and before you know it, you’ve quietly transformed your home without it feeling overwhelming.

    If you have questions or want to share what’s working in your laundry room, I’d love to hear from you. We’re all figuring this out together, one load of muddy play clothes at a time.

    Happy laundering, friends. 🌿

  • Best Chicken Supplements for Laying Hens: What Actually Works in Our Backyard Flock

    Best Chicken Supplements for Laying Hens: What Actually Works in Our Backyard Flock

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you’ve noticed your hens slowing down on egg production — or you’re just trying to give your girls the best chance at a long, healthy laying life — you’ve probably wondered about supplements. I get it. When you’re standing in your coop at 7 a.m. with your coffee, watching your favorite Buff Orpington give you that side-eye instead of a nice warm egg, you start Googling things like “why aren’t my chickens laying” at midnight. Been there, friend.

    The good news? Most of the time, a few simple additions to your flock’s routine can make a real difference. Let me walk you through what’s actually worked for us here in Northwest Florida, where our girls deal with everything from brutal summer humidity to the occasional cold snap that has them puffed up like feathered softballs.

    Why Laying Hens Need More Than Just Feed

    Here’s the thing — laying an egg is hard work. Your hen is essentially creating a perfect little package of protein, fat, and calcium every single day (or close to it). Quality layer feed is a great foundation, but it’s not always enough, especially if your hens are older, stressed, molting, or dealing with weather extremes.

    Think of supplements like the multivitamin you might take yourself. They fill in the gaps and support your flock through the seasons. And when you’re raising backyard chickens as part of your family’s life — like we do, with the kids collecting eggs each morning as part of their chores — healthy hens just make everything easier.

    The Essential Supplements We Actually Use

    Calcium: The Non-Negotiable

    If there’s one supplement every laying hen needs access to, it’s calcium. Those eggshells have to come from somewhere, and if hens don’t get enough calcium in their diet, they’ll pull it from their own bones. Not good.

    We keep a small dish of crushed oyster shell in the coop at all times. The hens free-feed on it as needed — they’re surprisingly good at self-regulating. You can also save and crush your own eggshells (bake them first to kill any bacteria), but honestly? Oyster shell is inexpensive and easier.

    If you’re seeing thin, soft, or misshapen eggs, calcium is the first thing to check.

    Grit: For Proper Digestion

    Grit isn’t technically a “nutrient,” but it’s essential for digestion. Chickens don’t have teeth, so they use small rocks and grit in their gizzard to grind up food. If your hens free-range like ours do — pecking around the yard, scratching through the garden beds — they probably pick up enough naturally. But if your girls are mostly confined, offer grit in a separate dish.

    Probiotics and Apple Cider Vinegar

    Gut health matters for chickens just like it does for us. We add a splash of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (the kind with “the mother”) to their waterer a few times a week. It supports digestion and may help prevent some bacterial issues. Just don’t use it in metal waterers — the acidity can cause corrosion. We use a nipple-style chicken waterer that keeps the water cleaner anyway.

    You can also find poultry-specific probiotics to add to feed or water during times of stress — like after a predator scare, a move, or adding new flock members.

    Protein Boost During Molt

    Molting is rough. Your hens look terrible, they stop laying, and they’re using all their energy to grow new feathers. Feathers are about 85% protein, so this is the time to up their protein intake.

    We offer treats like scrambled eggs (yes, chickens can eat eggs — just cook them first so they don’t develop a taste for raw ones), mealworms, or black oil sunflower seeds. Some folks switch to a higher-protein game bird feed during heavy molts. It really does help them bounce back faster.

    Seasonal Considerations for Florida Flocks

    Living in the Pensacola area means our chickens deal with some unique challenges. Summer heat is the big one — when it’s 95 degrees with 80% humidity, egg production naturally drops. Hens pant, they drink more water, and they’re not as interested in eating.

    During hot months, we make sure they always have cool, clean water and access to shade. Electrolytes can help on especially brutal days — you can buy poultry electrolyte powder or make a simple version with a bit of salt, baking soda, and sugar in their water.

    We also use food-grade diatomaceous earth in their dust bathing areas and coop bedding. It helps with external parasites like mites and lice, which can stress hens and tank egg production. Just use it sparingly and avoid creating clouds of dust — you don’t want anyone (including you) breathing it in heavily.

    What About Herbs and “Natural” Supplements?

    You’ll see a lot of talk online about adding herbs to your coop — lavender for calming, oregano for respiratory health, garlic for immune support. Honestly? The science is mixed at best. But I do think there’s value in offering variety. Our hens love picking through garden scraps, including herbs that have bolted or gone past their prime. It enriches their diet and keeps them entertained.

    Just be cautious about anything claiming to “cure” diseases or replace veterinary care. Chickens can get seriously ill, and no amount of oregano is going to fix a respiratory infection that needs antibiotics.

    A Word on Quality Feed

    Before you go supplement-crazy, make sure your base layer feed is actually good quality and fresh. Old, stale feed loses nutritional value. Check the mill date if you can, and store feed in a cool, dry place in a sealed container.

    If you’re newer to chicken keeping and want a really solid reference, I can’t recommend Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens enough. It covers nutrition, health, and pretty much everything else you might wonder about. We also have a kid-friendly version — A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens — that my oldest loves to flip through. It’s become part of our homeschool routine, honestly, learning animal husbandry right alongside reading and math.

    Keeping It Simple

    Here’s my honest take after several years of keeping backyard hens: you don’t need a cabinet full of supplements. You need:

    • Good quality layer feed as the foundation
    • Oyster shell available free-choice
    • Grit if they don’t free-range
    • Clean water always
    • Extra protein during molt
    • Electrolytes during heat waves
    • Diatomaceous earth for parasite prevention

    That’s really it. The rest is gravy — or scratch grains, as the case may be.

    It’s All Connected

    One of the things I love about keeping chickens is how it ties into everything else we’re doing — the nature study, the slow homeschool mornings, the kids learning responsibility and where food actually comes from. When my kindergartener checks for eggs and then draws what she found in her nature journal, that’s real learning. When we troubleshoot why the hens aren’t laying and figure out they need more calcium, that’s science and problem-solving wrapped into one.

    These are the little rhythms that make up a rooted family life. Supplements aren’t glamorous, but healthy hens mean happy kids with full egg baskets — and that’s worth a little effort.

    Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go refill the oyster shell dish. Someone’s been hogging it.

  • Raising Free Range Kids in a Screen Obsessed World: A Florida Homeschool Mom’s Guide

    Raising Free Range Kids in a Screen Obsessed World: A Florida Homeschool Mom’s Guide

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    I was standing in the checkout line at Publix last week when I noticed something that made my heart sink a little. Every single kid in that line—every one—was staring at a screen. Toddlers in cart seats, elementary kids waiting with their parents, even a teenager who nearly walked into a display of BOGO chips. And I get it. I really do. Screens are easy. They’re quiet. They buy us ten minutes of peace to actually read the grocery list.

    But somewhere along the way, I think we forgot what childhood is supposed to look like. The kind where you come home with muddy knees and a pocket full of “treasures” that are really just acorns and interesting rocks. The kind where boredom leads to invention, not a YouTube spiral.

    Raising free range kids in a screen obsessed world isn’t about being perfect or preachy. It’s about being intentional. And friend, if you’re here reading this, I already know you’re the kind of mama who wants something different for her kids.

    What Does “Free Range” Even Mean in 2024?

    Let me be clear: I’m not talking about letting your five-year-old wander the neighborhood unsupervised like it’s 1985. Times have changed, and safety still matters. But free range, to me, means raising kids who know how to be without constant entertainment. Kids who can sit with boredom long enough to discover what’s on the other side of it.

    It means giving them the gift of unstructured time outdoors. Of letting them climb trees and catch bugs and figure out that the chicken coop smells worse after it rains (a lesson my kids learned the hard way). It means trusting them with age-appropriate independence and resisting the urge to fill every moment with scheduled activities or screen time.

    Here in Northwest Florida, we’re blessed with year-round outdoor weather—even if summer means slathering on non-toxic sunscreen and filling up water bottles before we head outside. We’ve got state parks, salt marshes, live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, and backyards big enough to actually play in. There’s no reason our kids should be spending more time on tablets than in the trees.

    The 1990s Childhood We’re Trying to Recreate

    I grew up in the era of “be home when the streetlights come on.” We built forts out of fallen branches. We caught fireflies in mason jars. We didn’t have smartphones because they didn’t exist—and honestly? I think we were better for it.

    That’s the childhood I’m trying to give my kids. Not a Pinterest-perfect version of it, but the real, messy, sometimes-boring, completely magical kind.

    Our homeschool days look a lot like this: morning lessons at the table (we love our Charlotte Mason approach and resources from Rainbow Resource), then outside for nature study or free play. The kids might spend an hour examining ant trails with their pocket microscope, or they might chase the dog around the yard until everyone’s exhausted. Both count as education in my book.

    Practical Ways We Limit Screens (Without Losing Our Minds)

    Make Outside the Default

    This is the single biggest shift we made. Instead of screens being the default activity, outside is. When the kids say they’re bored? “Go outside.” When they finish their schoolwork? “Go outside.” When they’re driving each other crazy? You guessed it.

    We keep things simple—a bug catcher kit by the back door, rain boots that are easy to slip on, and a basket of outdoor toys that don’t require batteries. Lawn games have been great for this—bocce ball, ladder toss, and good old-fashioned kickball keep everyone entertained without a single charger in sight.

    Create Screen-Free Zones and Times

    In our house, mornings are completely screen-free. So are mealtimes and the hour before bed. This isn’t because I think screens are evil—it’s because I’ve seen what happens to my kids’ creativity and attention spans when screens become the background noise of life.

    Give Them Real Work

    Kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. Mine help with the chickens every single day—collecting eggs, refreshing water, checking for anything out of the ordinary. My oldest has become genuinely knowledgeable about chicken care thanks to The Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens, which has been worth every penny.

    Real responsibility beats screen time every time. When kids feel needed, they don’t need to be entertained.

    Stock Your Home with Open-Ended Supplies

    We keep art supplies accessible—our Faber-Castell watercolors get used almost daily. Nature journals, field guides, building blocks, and craft supplies invite creativity in ways that apps just can’t replicate.

    Charlotte Mason and the Case for Outdoor Learning

    One of the reasons I fell in love with the Charlotte Mason approach is her emphasis on nature study and outdoor time. She believed children should spend hours outside every day—not as a reward for finishing schoolwork, but as an essential part of their education.

    Our nature walks aren’t fancy. Sometimes we just meander through the backyard, noticing which flowers the bees prefer or watching the chickens do their weird little chicken things. But these moments add up. My kids can identify a dozen birds by sight, they know which plants are native to Florida, and they understand—on a gut level—that they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

    We keep a Sibley bird guide on the back porch for quick reference, and it’s gotten more use than I ever expected. There’s something special about a child flipping through pages to find the bird they just spotted, rather than asking Alexa.

    The Pushback You Might Face

    Let’s be honest: raising free range kids in a screen obsessed world isn’t always easy. Other parents might look at you funny when your kid doesn’t know the latest app or video game character. Family members might question why you don’t just hand over the iPad at restaurants.

    And there will be hard days—days when you’re exhausted and the screen would be so, so easy. I’m not going to pretend we’re perfect. We have movie nights. The kids have watched their fair share of Wild Kratts.

    But the goal isn’t perfection. It’s intention. It’s making sure that screens are a sometimes-thing, not an always-thing. It’s choosing connection over convenience, even when convenience is really tempting.

    The Payoff Is Worth It

    Last weekend, my kids spent three hours building a “fairy village” out of sticks, moss, and rocks they found in the yard. Three hours. No fighting, no whining, no asking for screens. Just pure, imaginative play.

    That’s what we’re after. Those moments where childhood looks the way it’s supposed to look—a little wild, a little dirty, and completely full of wonder.

    You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start with one screen-free morning. Put a bug catcher by the back door. Say yes to the mud puddle. These small choices add up to a childhood worth remembering.

    And mama? If you’re reading this, you’re already doing better than you think. The fact that you’re even asking these questions means you’re the kind of parent your kids are lucky to have.

    Now go outside. The screens will still be there later. But childhood? That’s happening right now.