I was in western Nebraska, keynoting an early learning conference, when I heard about the unexpected birthday wish. During a break, an attendee came to converse:

“I’m kind of upset with you.”

“This is not an uncommon occurrence. What did I do?”

“Because of you, my five-year-old no longer wants a bike for her birthday. She wants a dead baby squirrel in a jar.”

“She can’t have mine.”

“I didn’t think so. We already have the bike. She’s wanted it for the last year. Her birthday is tomorrow. I’m afraid she’s going to be very disappointed when she doesn’t get a dead rodent.”

“I imagine so. I’m sorry. You should be upset with me because this is all my fault.”

And it was.

The night before, the organization hosting the conference had me set up a hands-on play environment and invited a couple of hundred kids and their parents to come and play for a few hours. In addition to the loose parts and sensory concoctions and catapults, I had brought along some jars of dead critters.

The soon-to-be-five-year-old spent most of the evening with my dead baby squirrel. First, observing and asking questions, then pointing out its tiny whiskers and little fingers to other kids and answering their questions. She went from dead baby squirrel novice to expert in 36 minutes.

The next morning at breakfast, she shared her unexpected birthday wish as she shoveled Cap’n Crunch into her mouth: “Mom, guess what? I don’t want a bike for my birthday anymore. I decided I want a dead baby squirrel in a jar like that Jeff guy. Can I pleeeeeeease have a dead baby squirrel?”

Unexpected Birthday Wish Wrap Up

Our human brains crave novelty. Peppering your play environment with novel loose parts kids can engage with is a great way to spark exploration and learning.

She did not get a dead baby squirrel in a jar but ended up very happy with the new bike.

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