Spreading Smiles

Gather a group of players and head outdoors to a park, forest, or your backyard.

Collect at least 10 nature items per person. Look for acorns, rocks, wood chips, pine cones, etc. Ensure each player gathers their own set of 10 treasures. Bring a basket or bag to carry the collected items. 

Now it's time to turn the nature items into "friends". Provide each player with a permanent marker. Young kids can use washable markers. Explain the players to draw smiley faces on each nature item. Let the players get creative with their faces. Encourage them to draw different expressions or features.

Now choose a location to hide the "friends". This could be in the backyard, their favourite park, or a wooded area... Explain the concept of "spreading smiles" to the kids. Walk around and find spots to place your nature friends. Look for places where they won’t roll away or get stepped on. Aim for visible spots where others might discover them. 

As you hide your nature friends, engage the players in a discussion. Ask the following questions: 

• Who do you think will find these?
• What do you think they will think when they see them?
• How do you think they will feel when they see them?
• What do you think they will do with them?