Part of living a more eco-friendly lifestyle is to appreciate and take advantage of what is local and seasonal.  That holds true for more than just your food.  Try an eco-friendly approach to your child's birthday party by including some of these eco-friendly outdoor party activities.  Take advantage of the seasons and your town.  Explore what your area has to offer. Check your newspaper and local television station website for current

Take a walk in the forest (or park, beach or nature preserve)

• Give each child a bag and have them collect whatever interests them:  leaves, stones, seeds, twigs, etc.  At the end of the walk (after a picnic or upon returning home) have each child empty his bag for a "show & tell" about his objects:  where he found them, were they once alive or non-living, how did they get there.  Encourage them to learn about what they have discovered.
• Outside or when you return home, have each child draw pictures of what they saw:  trees, animals, birds, flowers, etc.  Take pictures during the walk and share them to show the children what you found interesting.
• Make a list of fun things to do and suggest  the children do them as a group.  Here are some ideas:    

                        Follow a squirrel or a butterfly

                        Look for wild berries

                        Collect seeds (or shells or rocks or leaves)

                        Sit very still and listen to the birds.  Can you identify them?

                        Look for wildflowers (but no picking!) 

                        Build a sand castle

                        Lie on your back and look at the clouds..what do  you see?  

                        Learn how to fish

                        Clean up a trail

                        Select a bike path and ride to a picnic

                         Fly kites

Activities for your own yard

                         Build a snow fort

                         Build a snowman family

                         Rake leaves into a pile; jump in and roll in them 

                         Make a scarecrow

                         Plant seeds in small pots to take home   

                         Have a sidewalk or driveway chalk art contest

                         Set up a bike skills course:  Put out obstacles for the kids to maneuver around, have races

                         Have the kids bring their favorite trucks and tractors and create a construction site

                         Have a costume parade.  Great around Halloween or anytime you have a group of  superheroes, princesses or fairies.

                          Have a treasure hunt.  Read the clues to the younger chldren to send them off to the next spot until they find the treasure.  Hide clues for older children to find themselves.

                          Have a scavenger hunt.  Read items one at a time for the younger children to find; give older children their own lists.  List items found in nature or add some from the house.  Scatter items around so they must discover everything on their own.