Welcome to Once Upon a Backyard — a place for small discoveries, shared imagination, and the quiet magic of exploring the outdoors with children.
Here, the simplest moments can turn into something memorable — a backyard walk becomes a story, a stick becomes a wand, and a small discovery becomes an adventure.
And often, the magic begins with a simple request:
If you’re new here, this is a good place to begin.
📖 When a Child Asks for a Story
Every grandparent, parent, or caregiver eventually hears the words:
“Tell me a story.”
That simple request is often the doorway to imagination.
Start here:
What to Do When You Hear, “Tell Me a Story”
If you’re visiting for the first time, here are a few good places to begin.
🌱 Notice the Small Things
One small plant turned a moment of boredom into a backyard adventure.
Start here:
Splendor in the Grass
🪨 Build Something Meaningful
Inspired by an ancient Inuit stone marker, we tried building our own backyard messenger.
Read:
The Little Stone Messenger
🪄 Let Imagination Lead
A dreary afternoon became a wizard’s quest with nothing more than a crooked stick.
Discover:
The Wizard Stick That Saved a Dreary Afternoon
🐉 Search for Dragons
Sometimes dragons leave clues behind if you know where to look.
Go dragon hunting:
The Day We Went Looking for Dragons
Why This Backyard Exists
Children notice things adults often miss.
These stories are reminders that imagination doesn’t require elaborate plans or expensive toys. Sometimes all it takes is stepping outside and letting curiosity lead the way.
So the next time a child asks you to look at something small, strange, or interesting…
pause for a moment.
You might be standing at the beginning of an adventure.
🔍 For Curious Minds
Children have a way of asking the most unexpected questions — the kind that make you pause, wonder, and sometimes laugh.
Over time, I’ve collected some of the strangest and most fascinating little discoveries that children love.
I gathered them into a small 18-page downloadable collection called Freaky Facts — filled with surprising bits of nature and follow-up questions that spark curiosity and conversation (and often a few “Wait… what?” moments).
It’s available for $7 if you’d like to explore it.
I’d love to hear from you. You can reach out through the contact form at the top of the page.