Month: September 2020

  • GOOD FOR NATURE, HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Ways to Reconnect With Nature as a Family

    This year has tested and challenged us in more ways than we ever could have imagined. There’s been so much uncertainty, stress, and exhaustion over the last six months and that’s taken a toll on our physical and mental health. As parents, we tend to feel the effects more deeply and have experienced more unprecedented change and pressure than ever before. Today, we have a beautiful story about what happens when a mom in healthcare experiences burnout. Amber of @PlayLiveBe and her kids dive into the science of nature where they find renewal and healing. In these wild spaces, they reconnect with nature as a family, create food memories, and tap into an overflowing wellspring of life. Here’s how they’re doing it and how you can reconnect with nature as a family. 

    the importance of reconnecting with nature for families in uncertain times 1

    Adjusting to a new normal

    This year has been so unique and challenging in ways we ever anticipated. Every day is the same and also completely different and unique. Yet, I am aware of one consistent thread woven throughout 2020…the anticipation of change. Change comes in the form of news updates, illness, and job revision. It can be a family reorganization, new budget constraints, modified educational delivery, and more. For someone like me, change can be unpredictable and unsettling.

    I am every bit a Type-A planner who schedules time for “exploration and adventure”. While I appreciate spontaneity and last-minute adventures, that’s not usually the way we head out the door.  However, thanks to some awesome nature research, the last decade has helped me regain my life balance. Translated, this means I can now hike without planning too far ahead.

    I am also an Emergency Medicine Provider on the frontlines. While I am accustomed to the usual stress of my job, nothing could have prepared me for this year and the changes and challenges 2020’s brought with it. In fact, these last 6 months have been a blur. While the world has shut down in many ways, health care has not and we are busier than ever.

    Some days I work a “normal” shift. Other days I work in a parking lot. By noon, temps on the asphalt are nearly 140°F and the gauges inside our PPE suits read 20° higher. Today, I lose 10 pounds of sweat and am thankful for a short, 8-hour shift.

    I survive the initial pandemic waves on pure adrenalin, coffee, and dark chocolate. But it isn’t long before sleep deprivation and exhaustion set in…and that is when my emotional state deteriorates. My organized, well-planned life is unraveling.

    reconnecting with nature to overcome stress

    The healing power of nature

    Disappointment, sadness, anxiety, anger and stress begin to predominate my mental state. And then I feel nothing at all.

    After weeks, why can’t I remember how to rescue myself and reach for a sense of calm?

    I don’t know, but I can say this: nature’s infinite beauty calls me. The power in her waterfalls, the melody of her twilight crickets, and the hum of her honeybees. Nature’s unparalleled ability to persevere is astounding.

    So I do what speaks to my soul: I reach out to the natural world and find myself embraced by her seasonal rhythms. I reconnect with nature to heal and soothe.

    The moon continues to scroll through phases, wildflowers bloom on cue, fruit hangs low on the vine, and rivers flow. It is how it always has been…recurring, stunningly beautiful, and healing.

    ways to help your family reconnect with nature and heal

    Ways to reconnect with nature and heal as a family

    Now, reconnected to something greater than myself, I feel my perception of the world begin to shift. I begin to experience positive emotions in abundance: calm, peace, focus, happiness, optimism, motivation and inspiration. This is what it feels like to come alive!

    Time outside is sooo good for our brain. Not surprisingly, it also improves our physical health. A staggering amount of research supports the following:

    • Time spent surrounded by nature improves vitamin D levels and reduces obesity.
    • It lowers cholesterol and decreases our lifelong risk of heart disease.
    • Nature calms ADHD and anxiety; it alleviates depression and makes us more creative.

    As a mom, we know internal journeys are rarely afforded personal space in which to grow. 😊 So, let me tell you about some of the family-friendly nature adventures that helped pull me…and all of us…back to center. Here are a few ways you can reconnect with nature as a family and help heal your spirit, minds, and bodies. 

    reconnect with nature to heal as a family

    Daily interaction with green spaces

    I love the Scandinavian phrase “there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing”. It’s an expression I quote as my kids complain of being sent outside in the rain or heat. The same phrase we say before hiking…we walk through the woods in all kinds of weather; except of course during lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes. (10 out of 10 do NOT recommend.) 

    In her book, The Nature Fix, Florence Williams promotes a concept called the nature pyramid as a recommended guide for ensuring adequate doses of nature to all humankind. It is comprised of gradually increasing time in nature…and it works along a dose curve. Meaning, the more time we spend in nature the more beneficial returns we are afforded. 

    Williams says daily interaction with green spaces in the form of a park bench or water fountain “help us destress, find focus and lighten our mental fatigue.” This has been our daily routine for the last 7 years: breakfast followed by outside free play. It is during this time when my kids make mud pies, dig trenches and collect acorns. This is so beneficial but according to the nature dose curve, we can do better.

    The next level of the pyramid is similar to the Finnish model of weekly, hour-long outings in quieter spaces. This is when we visit a regional park with a natural water source. We pack lunch, sit by the river and enjoy time away from responsibility. By frequenting the same natural space we are able to observe seasonal rhythms in the plants and animals where we play.

    Moving further up the nature pyramid we find monthly excursions to natural areas, time here is measured in hours. Scientists who study interactions between our immune system and forest immersions like this are completely inundated by positive research. The results are astounding and cannot be replicated by streaming a babbling brook on your big screen TV.

    the benefits of spending time outdoors in naturethe importance of getting outside with your kids during stressful times

    Hike near water

    At the very top of Williams’ research-based nature pyramid are the rare but essential multi-day bursts of wildness we need once a year. Intense bursts of immersion in nature, near a natural water source, will “rearrange our very core, catalyze our hopes and dreams, fill us with awe and offer reassurance of our place in the universe.”

    This is our brain on nature and it’s breathtakingly amazing.

    As scientists quantify nature’s effects on our mood, well-being, and ability to think we are reminded of the numerous aspects of life a hefty dose of nature can help. These include memory, planning, ability to create, daydream, and focus.

    It is no surprise that my self-prescribed intense nature therapy is transformational to my outlook on life. I have been pulled to a happier, healthier, more content mental space after spending time outdoors. 

    Of all the places my family wanders, acorn collecting and backyard mud pits are the most common. However, hikes near water remain our favorite! Hiking is so incredibly beneficial to your physical and mental well-being. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in your environment and reconnect with nature. Add some water, whether it’s a babbling brook, a little pond, a beautiful lake or a river and it elevates the experience for you and the kids.

    Slippery rocks and uneven surfaces provide massive stimuli to a growing brain while the sound of running water soothes us all. Throwing rocks is a blast for the kids and can provide endless fun. Plants and animals that live in and near the water add to the excitement and provide opportunities to learn. 

    how nature heals and the benefits of spending time outsidereconnect with nature through food and outdoor dining

    Connect outside with food

    Some of my most compelling childhood memories exist at the intersection of food and emotion. These moments of consciousness are packed with incredible detail. Each given $1 a week, my brother and I bought chocolate coins and bubblegum cigars; very rarely, we saved the money. Sometimes we were able to snag our favorite treats…those sold in frozen form.

    My memory of the Pink Panther ice cream is inexplicably linked to grass-stained feet and mosquito-bitten legs. We chased the unforgettable sound of an ice cream truck, muddy arms waving enthusiastically over our heads, a wrinkled dollar bill clutched in our fist.

    That incredibly delicious frozen bar tasted more like cough syrup than cherry, but it was all I ever wanted. Round ears set atop a light pink face with not one, BUT TWO gumball eyes. I tried in vain to make that purchase last all night; I even licked the drips running down my arm.

    This is the junction of food and emotion; it is what scientists refer to as “the strongest associative memories you can make”. These food memories are not just an illustration of intersectionality they represent a critical juncture that invokes powerful memories of lived experience.

    It is my hope that some of our outdoor family adventures will converge with our time in the kitchen to create some of the most intense memories my children’s subconscious will ever establish. One way we help our kids understand seasonality is with a backyard garden. Growing your own food in an incredibly powerful way to reconnect with nature. 

    reconnect with nature through outdoor food experiences

    Though small, we care for this space with great responsibility. We tend the soil, plant the seeds and all the tiny sprouts then we wait with great anticipation for harvest to begin. We reconnect with nature through growing a garden and caring for the earth. It is here we find that kids are more willing to try new fruits and veggies if they have established a connection before it lands on their plate.

    We watch cucumber plants unfurl their vines and attach tendrils for support. We celebrate the first yellow flower and pollinator arrival. Because of this connection, my kids now love cucumbers in all shapes and forms…munching them fresh off the vine, as an acidic pickle or sprinkled with sea salt and eaten as a snack.

    Our nature walks remind us that the first honeysuckle drenched breeze of early summer means blackberry vines are flowering too. It won’t be long before we will walk, buckets in hand, along a path covered in wild berries. We taste as we go and learn to look for ripe fruit that has turned from tart red to sweet purple.

    Through berry stuffed mouths I hear my Little People ask: “Mama, can we make kid-sized pies with some of these?”

    Yes, we certainly can! Back in the kitchen, we work together. As flour and butter combine, somehow ingredients find themselves everywhere. How does that even happen?! Again, we taste as we go and talk about the importance of keeping this dough cold…heat from the oven hits ice-cold pockets of butter and creates steam.

    This is the science that magically creates flaky layers in our pie crust. Before long we pull delectable little pockets of summertime goodness out of the oven. Handpicked blackberries tucked inside crisp little shells. These hand pies practically dance on the pan…glittered with demerara sugar you might start dancing too!

    Perhaps one day when my kids are fully grown they will pick fresh berries alongside honeysuckle flowers, bite into a crisp pastry shell, taste blueberry cheesecake or drink sumac-ade and acquire some serious gastronomic déjà vu.

    homemade blackberry hand pies for kids

    Remember your why

    It’s easy to feel overwhelmed as the world gets busy again. In those weeks where I existed mainly in the blue, the pressure was mounting and I had to withdraw from nonessential tasks. What started as an innocent attempt to learn from groups with great ideas quickly became something larger than myself.

    I was no longer forming my own thoughts so I hit pause and removed social media platforms from my phone. During my social media fast, I worked on listening to myself think and on cultivating real relationships. What a wild thought!

    These incredible people supported me, held me accountable, felt my loss, and celebrated victories. Rather than stare at a screen, I strengthened bonds with my family. We immersed ourselves in nature, became allies with the land and the food it provides.

    We visited farmers’ markets, walked in rivers, danced in the rain, enjoyed an isolated beach, picked tomatoes, read tons of books and we played. Golly jeepers, we played; never before has fun been so important. We reconnected to nature and the physical beautiful world around us. The best part…I began to feel again.

    Throughout this time of reflection, I was able to sort through my emotions and remember my why, my raison d’être, my reason for existence.

    As it turns out my heart was there all along; but as I increased the noise in my life I lost touch with her voice.

    I returned to the world of social media, not surprisingly my first action was to delete anything toxic: people, groups, organizations. I even deleted entire social platforms. But I added so much more.

    The people, food, locations and ideas on my feed are more colorful now than ever before. I follow more National Parks and organizations committed to preserving these incredible spaces. I follow mamas who are getting it right: those who share real stories…real images…demonstrate life balance…and immerse their families in nature. 

    Importantly, I share an authentic version of myself. 

    All of these changes have given me a new way to reconnect with nature in a way that feels genuine and refreshing.

    how to reconnect with nature on social media

    The beginning of a new opportunity

    Just as the moon moves across the sky in phases, so too was this walk with emotions in my life. Tonight is a New Moon; a dark sky, perhaps symbolic of the season from which I just emerged.

    But this is a sky filled with incredible promise. Tonight will be dark but the stars will shine brightly in celebration of a full moon to come. My family and I have been given a new beginning; an opportunity to reimagine the framework of our life. A chance to reconnect with nature in new ways and fully appreciate and understand the significance of the world around us.

    The future will have uncertainties but one thing is sure: we will remain connected to nature and each other. These wild spaces and the food memories it provides deliver energy to our soul; for that wellspring of life, we are incredibly thankful.

    These are the elements that sustain us, maintain our focus, and fill our hearts with contentment.

    healing power of nature and benefits to kids

    So now the real questions…

    How are YOU doing this year?
    Are you and your family reconnecting with nature?
    How can we help?

    About the author

    Amber is a seeker of moments and a dream chaser. She is a lover of wild spaces, good food, red wine, and dark chocolate. She worldschools her two kids (2nd and K), volunteers a bit too much, and is an Emergency Medicine Provider working with the Southeast Region’s largest COVID-19 response team. For more real-life adventures you can follow Amber and her family on Instagram @PlayLiveBe or check out their website at http://www.playlivebe.com.

  • CRAFTS, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Wildflower Hike and Homemade Bookmarks

    Have you ever gone on a wildflower hike with your kids? Not only is a fun way to get outside and explore, but wildflowers can also be used in so many fun crafts and projects! Today, we have Robin Lloyd, Colorado mom of three, here sharing tips on how to make the most of your wildflower hike and how to turn your wildflower treasures into beautiful bookmarks with your kids. Enjoy! 

    wildflower hike with kids + DIY wax paper wildflower bookmarks

    Wildflower hike expectations

    One of the most important lessons I am learning as a parent is that we can do great things on a small scale. For so long I’ve been wanting to take my children on a wildflower hike and collect wildflowers to make beautiful bookmarks. However, I wanted our experience to be just right; the perfect winding path chock-full of vibrant wildflowers set against stunning mountain views and dappled golden light. I didn’t want to go until I had researched exactly what types of wildflowers we’d find so I could amaze my children with my wildcrafting knowledge. I wanted to be able to name and teach them about each unique bloom was as we placed them carefully in our beautiful handmade flower press. In my mind, I could picture it so vividly and wanted desperately our adventure to look just like that. 

    But, the reality was that these ideals of a perfect moment were holding us back from having the actual experience. We’re all busy and sometimes it’s more important to have any experience rather than wait for the perfect one. I realized I didn’t want my perfect vision of our outing to keep us from having fun and creating memories. 

    wildflower hike with kidsplanning a wildflower hike with kids

    Have the adventure anyway!

    Finally, I was tired of waiting for the time to make our wildflower hike perfect. One evening I did some quick research on my AllTrails app, and found a nearby trail that mentioned wildflowers. The next morning I threw prepackaged snacks into our backpacks and a cooler pack for the flowers and we took off. (I will say that I highly recommend doing a little trail research as there are unforeseen closures during this time due to COVID!)

    The next day, we went on our wildflower hike and had a wonderful time! No, I didn’t know all the flower names, but that was ok! We looked them up later (which was really fun for all of us). I believe it’s important to also do the big adventures, but don’t let the fear of an adventure not being perfect hold you back from enjoying all the little ones! We opted for action over perfection and now we go on intentional wildflower hikes quite regularly. Sometimes every couple of weeks! Once wildflowers are no longer in season, we collect leaves and grasses. I have found a few things that help us make these hikes fun and easy and I’m excited to share them with you today.

    collecting wildflowers with kids for craftswildflower picking with kidspicking wildflowers with kids

    Wildflower hike tips for parents

    Cooler – Bring a soft cooler pack or reusable silicone bag for the flowers you collect on your wildflower hike. If you have young children as I do, your flowers are going to get squished. It’s ok, it doesn’t affect the outcome of the bookmark keepsakes. 

    Photos – Take pictures as you collect your blooms! I am learning wildflower knowledge right along with my kids, and it’s much easier to look up and identify pictures of intact blooms than the “well-loved” specimens we take home with us.

    Press – Use a flower press or book to place flowers into upon returning to the car. I use our giant Webster’s dictionary. Every time I go to order a flower press, I decide to wait. Maybe one day I will order one (or make one), but for now, our Webster’s has never let me down. A handy tip is to keep it in the car, ready for spontaneous pressing of treasured finds! In complete honesty, I have often forgotten to place our flowers in the book before driving home and ended up digging them out of various backpacks upon our return. They still turned out fine. Fair warning, you might find some crawling friends in there as well.

    identifying wildflowers with kidswildflower hike with kidscollecting wildflowers with kids

    Scissors – Bring small scissors along on your wildflower hike. We don’t always remember these, but occasionally they help when trying to take just a bloom and not the whole plant. A great part of the fun is picking the flowers, and I like to let them do it themselves. I carry these in my personal backpack.

    More – Collect just a few more flowers than you think you’ll need (but please don’t take them all). See above about flowers being well-loved! Not all flowers will make it home, and that’s ok. Petals will fall off, and stems will get crushed. This does not always render them unusable! We typically use our “leftover” bits and pieces to make collage bookmarks. Make sure that you’re allowed to collect/pick/keep wildflowers in the area that you’re visiting (not all parks or nature preserves allow you to pick or take anything). And be sure to leave plenty of flowers for the birds, bees, and butterflies (and other people to enjoy). 

    Anything! – You don’t have to only use wildflowers. We collect and make bookmarks with all kinds of things we find on hikes, like leaves and feathers. You can find all kinds of different items and objects on your hikes any time of year. Anything remotely flat will work!

    wildflower hike and diy wildflower bookmarkswildflower picking while hiking with kidspicking wildflowers on hikes with kidshow to find wildflowers when hiking with kids

    Let the flowers dry out first

    If you want to turn your wildflower hike treasures into bookmarks, the first thing to do is to let the flowers dry out. If possible, let them sit for a couple of weeks to remove all moisture. Sometimes the colors will fade a bit. That’s to be expected. I’ve heard of people microwaving their flowers to dry them out and preserve the colors, but we haven’t tried that yet.

    While the flowers are drying, we use our photos from our wildflower hike to identify which species we found. It’s a lot of fun to see the kids learn new things about the plants and flowers in their area. A lot of times they remember a flower name from our last outing. Sometimes we will write the names of each flower on the bookmarks, sometimes little quotes, and sometimes nothing at all!

    pressing wildflowers drying out wildflowers for craft projects

    Making wildflower bookmarks with a laminator

    When we first started making wildflower bookmarks, I used my laminator for this process. However, after a while, it resulted in a ton of plastic waste. Since we do this activity frequently, I wanted an option that was less wasteful. So, I started using the wax paper method. Using a laminator is easy, however. And you’ll get no judgment from me if you choose to use that method. It is far less messy and results in a much “tidier” finished product.

    If you do choose to laminate, simply have your kiddos arrange the flowers on construction paper. Slip each flower-covered piece carefully into laminating sheets and run them through the laminator. Have the kiddos cut out when cooled!

    I will say, if I am sending bookmarks to distant friends or family we will still use our laminator as it makes for a sturdier bookmark. The wax paper laminating method does eventually fall apart, but in my house, that’s a good thing. We would have far too many treasures if everything we collected lasted forever!

    Making wildflower bookmarks with kidsDIY Wildflower Bookmarkshow to make wildflower bookmarks

    Waxed paper wildflower bookmarks

    Now, instead of using the laminator, we make our wildflower bookmarks using wax paper and glue. They’re not quite as study, but they do just fine and the kids get to be very hands-on throughout the process.  Here’s what you’ll need:

    • wildflowers
    • clear waxed paper (I have used the brown natural kind too, it makes for a vintage-looking bookmark!)
    • plain paper (we love using colored construction paper so everyone can personalize their own)
    • washable glue
    • kid-safe scissors

    wildflower nature crafts for kidsDIY wildflower bookmarkwax paper diy wildflower bookmark

    How to make wax paper wildflower bookmarks

    Have each child arrange their flowers on a piece of construction paper. I have them cut out the flowers AFTER laminating. You can draw outlines on the paper first, but I prefer to let them just have at it! We end up with very interestingly shaped bookmarks, and that is part of the fun!

    Drizzle glue* over the flowers on the paper and then place waxed paper under each piece of flower-covered construction paper.Place another piece on top, (right on top of the glued flowers) and then set the entire thing on an iron safe surface covered with a thin towel (I like using tea towels).

    *We did try it without the glue, and it didn’t work as nearly as well. The waxed paper does melt to the flowers and paper, but without fail it falls apart when little hands try to cut out the flowers.

    Place another tea towel on top. Iron the flower-covered side of the paper first. Iron on medium to high heat for a few minutes until the wax has adhered to the paper, checking periodically to make sure it’s not burning. Flip over and repeat the process. A delightful smell of wildflowers will waft from the papers!

    Once the glue has dried to clear and the papers have cooled, let the children cut out their wildflower bookmarks! We usually let them dry overnight, or place them in the sun to speed the drying process.

    Now, if you’re like me and somehow always manage to leave them out in the rain, just hang the flower papers up overnight and they’ll be fine in the morning.

    DIY laminated wildflower bookmarks how to make diy wildflower wax paper bookmarks diy wax paper bookmarks nature craft for kidsfun nature crafts for kids

    The beauty of a bookmark

    These lovely little bookmarks are so fun to make and have so many great uses. They are easy to slip into envelopes and mail as surprises. They make wonderful gifts for grandparents, relatives, teachers and friends! You can hang them on walls as decoration. My kids love having them over their beds where they can see them every day. Hang them on windows and let the light shine through them like stained-glass. And of course, they’re perfect for using as bookmarks in your favorite nightly read! The flowers and the bookmarks stimulate exciting “remember when” conversations about our adventures every time we look at them. 

    nature craft bookmarks diy wildflower bookmarks with kidspreserving wildflowers

    Have you gone on a wildflower hike with your kids?
    Are wildflower bookmarks in your future?

    About the author

    Robin Lloyd is a Colorado mama of four year-old boy-girl twins and a one and a half year-old boy. Her family are second-generation homeschoolers and strive to spend every moment possible outdoors!

    You can find more from Robin in the following locations:
    Pinterest: @ThisLittleMustardSeed
    Website: The Mama Playbook
    Facebook: @thislittlemustardseed

  • BEACH, BIKE, CAMP, FISH, HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    9 Character-Building Outdoor Activities For Kids

    Technology is everywhere these days. Our children are growing up as digital natives in an era where screens are pervasive and they’re plugged-in to multiple devices throughout the day. It’s no wonder why kids today are so adept at technology. However, the last thing parents want is for their kids to be screen-addicted or penned inside. Now, more than ever, it is important for families to make spending time outdoors and off-screens a priority. There’s no better way for kids to build character, confidence, and improve their physical and mental health than being outside. Today, we have Creative Team member Michelle Garrett, California mom, and creator of Wonder Club Explorers here sharing nine character-building outdoor activities to get your kids outside and having fun in the sun. 

    character building outdoor activities for kids

    Overcoming the challenge of getting kids outside

    2020 has been a hard year in so many ways. The challenge of spending time outdoors right now is compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, pervasive wildfires, diminished air quality, and more. With education shifting towards an online and virtual format, kids are spending their days inside and in front of a screen. Plenty of education and mental health professionals (and parents) are concerned about the long-term effects of remote learning environments. Now more than ever, it’s important to ensure that children have opportunities to spend time playing outside and in the fresh air.

    Being cooped up and inside the house has the opposite effect of being outdoors. Between obesity and Vitamin D deficiency, not to mention higher stress levels, spending too much time indoors is detrimental to a child’s physical and mental well-being. If society’s goal is to raise healthy and happy kids, then it’s time to unplug, power down devices, and head outside. We owe it to our kids to give them the benefits of nature and outdoor play time.

    kids-exploring-outdoors

    Character-building benefits of being outdoors

    So what’s a parent to do right now? In the era of virtual learning, the lure of electronics is strong. Screens provide kids constant new information, a changing view, and countless things to do. But guess what…so does being outside! As parents, it’s our job to take the lead and demonstrate that outdoor activity is a non-negotiable, essential activity.

    Start small, but make outdoor time a priority. Don’t give up after a few minutes or the first time your child says they’re bored. Boredom means that they’re going to have to get creative! After a while, kids will begin to develop new habits, start thinking outside the box and reap all of the benefits that come from playing outside. Benefits include physical exercise, lower stress levels, better temperaments, better sleep habits and lower anxiety.

    Playing outdoors also helps to build character. Certain intangible qualities can be fostered thru particular character-building outdoor activities. From confidence and resilience to respect and kindness towards others, these are things that children can develop by playing outside. 

    character-building-outdoor-activity

    We are builders of our own characters. We have different positions, spheres, capacities, privileges, different work to do in the world, different temporal fabrics to raise; but we are all alike in this, — all are architects of fate.”
    John Fothergill Waterhouse Ware

    Exploring, bouldering & climbing trees

    During a child’s formative years, they learn about their relationship to their physical environment. They learn about their limits and how to push past them. Kids learn how to take risks, problem-solve, compromise and overcome obstacles. Character-building outdoor activities such as exploring, bouldering, and climbing trees are a few easy ways to get children moving and taking healthy risks. Other than a good pair of shoes, water, and sun protection, these activities do not require much equipment and don’t need a lot of planning. They just need a parent willing to get them outside and let them play!

    When kids explore, they are fueling their curiosity about new places and things. Exploring allows kids the opportunity to build confidence and courage as they work through frustrations and challenges. Figuring things out builds problem-solving skills and promotes independence. This teaches kids that they can tackle bigger challenges the next time they encounter them.

    character-building-outdoor-activities-kidsfishing

    Hiking, backpacking & fishing

    Fostering a love and appreciation for nature is just one of the benefits of being outside. Hiking, backpacking, and fishing are three activities that require minimal equipment and can lead to lifelong loves of these activities and the outdoors. Each activity helps to teach survival skills. They also bring real-life science and ecology lessons to life so kids can learn about ecosystems and where their food comes from. They turn kids into tiny naturalists that instinctively want to protect their planet and the nature around them. 

    But beyond these practical skills, activities like hiking, backpacking, and fishing are character-building outdoor activities as well. Through these activities, kids learn patience, perseverance, diligence, and resilience. To land a fish, kids have to wait and be patient until they get a bite. To go the distance on a trail, kids have to put in the effort step-by-step and be tenacious. With each activity, there are sure to be challenges; overcoming adversity and doing hard things helps to develop resilience and grit. 

    character-building-outdoor-activities-youth-sports

    Youth sports, water sports & bike riding

    There are plenty of benefits of playing sports that are reason enough to encourage kids to run, jump, and play outside. Physical benefits include reducing the risk of obesity, increased cardiovascular fitness, and the healthy development of bones and muscles. But outdoor activities like youth sports, water sports, and riding a bike have character-building benefits as well. 

    Kids who are drawn to the camaraderie or competition of sports will cultivate certain character-building traits. When children participate in sports they learn social skills like sharing, respect for others, communication, teamwork, and self-advocacy. Youth sports expose children to situations that help foster these important social skills. 

    While swimming is regarded as a life skill, it has character-building benefits, too. The adage sink or swim helps to illustrate that a person must succeed by their efforts or fail. Waterborne kids learn to be attentive and hardworking if they want to stay afloat, both in the water and in life.

    Cycling is another great character-building outdoor activity for kids to engage in to reap all of the physical, mental and emotional benefits of being outdoors. Developing proficiency in bike riding is not only a rite of passage but a way for kids to be independent. For kids to take their two-wheel adventures away from home, they have to prove their trustworthiness and demonstrate responsibility. They also learn skills such as navigation, awareness, and observation.

    character-building-activities-kids-scouting-program

    Programs that encourage outdoor time

    It’s never too early to encourage children to reap the character-building benefits of being outdoors. If you’re looking for a program that encourages outdoor adventures and character-building activities, check out Wonder Club Explorers. I created Wonder Club Explores a few years ago to encourage my child to explore outdoors. It’s an independent scouting program for young children where they earn merit patches by completing nature-inspired activities.  We’ve found that kids are delighted to get outdoors and love the bonus of earning a patch that they can proudly display. Parents love that we help facilitate activities and give them a reason to get outside and play.

    Older kids looking to socially distance and be physical at the same time might consider forming an outdoor physical education pod to stay active once “virtual school” lets out. Outdoor playdates and scheduled activities give parents some help and accountability in prioritizing outdoor time for their kids. Find a few families with children your kids’ ages and schedule a meet-up! Make it a weekly (daily?) thing and watch as your kids gain independence and confidence week after week by playing outside.  

    kids bodyboarding

    Build character through outdoor activities

    There are any number of ways to encourage the fun of outdoors without making it seem like it’s a chore or something kids ought to do. Whether you’re doing any of the character-building outdoor activities mentioned above or simply letting your kid run around outside and be free, the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of outdoor activity are clear.  They far outweigh any obstacles, difficulties and drawbacks, especially when outside play is approached with the happiness and spirit that comes with being a kid. Now more than ever, we hope you’ll find ways to encourage your kids to get outside and play. 

    About the author

    Michelle spends her days working on projects to improve the quality of life for the citizens of her community and her nights reading books to her 6 year-old about every kind of dinosaur there ever was (there are 900 validated species, in case you’re wondering). Together with her son, Michelle created Wonder Club Explorers, a company to inspire wonder and curiosity in kids. She carves out time for herself on the weekends as an early morning exerciser and metalsmith of fine jewelry. She resides in Altadena with her husband and son amongst California Oak trees and a stone’s throw of the San Gabriel Mountains.

    You can find Michelle online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @wonderclubexplorers
    Website: http://www.wonderclubexplorers.co

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FARM, INFORMATION, SUMMER

    Summer On the Farm with Animals

    Everyone loves springtime on the farm – baby animals everywhere and they’re so cute and cuddly! (Even baby vegetables are adorable!) By fall, many farm animals are fully grown – or at least close. What you may not realize is that there is a magical time between spring and fall which seems like animal childhood. Summer! This is when the animals develop their distinct personalities, find their tribe, and learn whatever it is they are supposed to learn. Just like children, animals often learn through play. Today, we have Ginny Yurich, founder of the 1000 Hours Outside challenge, here to walk us through the growing up months of farm animals! As a first-year farmer, she’s been fascinated to learn so many new things she was never expecting to learn. Are you curious about summer on the farm with animals is like? Read on!

    Summer on the farm - raising and learning about animals with kids

    Little farm animals have big personalities

    Springtime on a farm is so exciting, everything is bursting forth with new life. It can also be a challenging time as new farm babies don’t always make it. There are high highs and there are very low lows. However, once springtime passes into the summer months, there are a lot of new little animals to take care of and I was surprised to see all sorts of individual characteristics emerge. Summer on the farm with animals is a really magical time of year – particularly if you get to experience it with your kids.

    Prior to living on a farm and being around farm animals, I would’ve thought there wasn’t much distinction from one goat to the next. Who knew chickens had such distinct personalities? Turns out, farm animals have all sorts of personalities and unique characteristics. Summertime is when those personalities start to emerge and you get the opportunity to meet your new crew and learn all about them.

    summertime animals on the farm with kidsChickens and Turkeys

    Birds of a feather flock together

    Fun fact: There are over 20 billion chickens in the world. Beyond chickens, there are other birds in the same animal order (technically called “Galliformes”) that include turkeys, quail, pheasants, peacocks, guineafowl, and more! Often the chicks can be raised together in the same incubator; a space where they are kept warm for the first several weeks of life.

    As they grow older, even though they don’t know what they look like, they gravitate to the birds of their own kind. It’s incredible. The turkeys hang out with the turkeys. The guineafowl run with the other guineafowl. And the chickens all roost together at night. Sometimes, a few chickens may team up with a guinea or two, or any other combination of these chicken-like birds. But by the end of the summer, they all have separated on their own to be with birds who have the same characteristics. Summer on the farm is when important decisions are made in the life of a bird. 

    summertime on the farm - learning about animals

    Learning about chickens, turkeys and guineafowl

    We’ve learned so much about our birds this past year and summer on the farm has been a great time to observe them. As chickens, turkeys, and guineafowl grow up they are busy establishing a pecking order. If you have a lot of poultry-type birds you can watch this sophisticated process unfold. The birds start to group together almost like little gangs! There always tends to be one who leads the pack when they run around the chicken run or when they free range. How do they keep this all straight? Well, chickens are able to differentiate between more than 100 chicken faces of their own species! It helps that they can see in full color. It’s remarkable.

    The personality of chickens

    Some chickens like to stay put near their coop. They are satisfied to have food and water brought to them daily like royalty. Others are foragers, doing what they can to escape their confines to explore nearby property. They look for bugs and dig small holes to sit in to stay cool. At night, some birds will enter the coop like clockwork, ready to roost and rest to prepare for the next day. Others try their best to get into available trees, also roosting but in actual branches instead of on poles in the coop.

    One thing we didn’t know when we first got chicks is that it can take up to six months before they actually begin laying eggs. Some will lay eggs a little earlier depending on breed. Even once they begin laying it takes them a while to get into a groove. The first eggs can be small and may not even have a shell! Where will you find the eggs? Possibly in a nesting box in your coop. But, if your chickens are free-range, there is no end to where they may lay them. In fact, one of our hens was hiding an entire clutch of amongst some long grasses for three entire weeks! We only found them because they hatched and six little chicks were out following their mama around.

    Mama hen and her chicks - learning about baby animals on the farm

    Oh, the life of a pig!

    Summer on the farm with pigs has definitely been interesting! Before we got pigs I had read that they don’t smell all that bad. In my opinion, that turned out to be false. Pigs definitely have a distinct odor and most would find it quite unpleasant. Piglets themselves are very strong. At just 30 pounds they are hard to control, imagine when they grow ten or more times that size! Some pigs can grow to over 700 pounds. 

    During the summer pigs do what you would expect them to do – they eat. And then they wallow in the mud to keep themselves cool. And then they sleep. Oh, the life! Pigs are extremely intelligent animals. Ours have escaped their pen more than once by lifting the gate entirely off its hinges. You’ve gotta be quick with pigs around. If they are out for long, they will root up your entire lawn. You’ve also gotta be quick with pigs because pigs are fast runners! On those short little legs they can run a seven-minute mile!

    Three piglets - summer on the farm with animalsBaby goats

    Raising goats

    There isn’t anything much cuter than a baby goat. Did you know baby goats can be up and walking within minutes of birth? As they grow, goats develop unique and distinct personalities. Some are calm, while others are more active and wily. Some try and escape time and again, while others are fine to stay put. Eventually, if you breed a female goat (also called a doe or a nanny) and she gives birth you may be able to milk her. Certain goats are fine with the milking process while others kick and jump the entire time.

    Just like humans, goats need companionships. Unlike dogs, where a family could own just one, it would be unhealthy to own just one goat. A group of goats is called a herd (ok, not that surprising), but if you’re going to have goats…go with the herd mentality. Get a bunch!

    Baby goats jump and frolic and as they grow they become very good at climbing. Often farms will have small goat playgrounds for the goats to jump around on. Below is a photo of our only goat escapee, Spirit. She is constantly squeezing out of her pen to forage for new weeds while her mama (Willow) and brother (Spark) are fine to stay put. The good thing is that she’s still small enough to be lovingly carried back to the barn.

    Baby goatGoat on farmBarn cats

    The barn cats (and kittens) have been such a delight for us this summer! At birth, kittens weigh about the same as a lemon. For the first one to two weeks of life, they cannot see or even hear! Both their eyes and ear canals are closed when they are born.

    It takes about four weeks for a kitten to begin to play. Just like in children, this play helps them learn the skills they need to learn in order to survive. Kitten play looks like running, climbing, pawing, chasing, and pouncing. They often play with their siblings (some of whom may be half-siblings, see below). Kitten play will help them develop social skills as well as predatory skills, both of which are needed if the kittens remain outdoors.

    One of the most interesting things I’ve ever learned about kittens is that all of the kittens in a litter aren’t necessarily from the same father. Each egg is fertilized by one single sperm. And if there are several male cats (“toms”) around, each egg may be fertilized by a different tomcat. This may account for the variety of colors, patterns, and personalities that emerge from one single litter of kittens. 

    Barn catCat in a basketSummer on the farm

    Summer on the farm is like a sped-up version of childhood. It is such an exciting experience to watch our farm animals grow and observe their personalities and unique characteristics emerge and shine. Those individualities make it a little harder if a particular animal passes, which can be a common experience due to all sorts of factors such as parasites or predators. Still, the animals that do grow up on your farm can become like little family pets. Once the springtime rolls around again, many farm animals will be old enough to reproduce themselves and the beautiful process of life begins all over again! 

    farm kitten

    What is your favorite farm animal?
    Are there farms near you that are open to having visitors?

    About the author

    Ginny is a Michigan homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside. She is a thought-leader in the world of nature-based play and its benefits for children. Her 1000 Hours Outside Challenge spans the globe and many people from all walks of life look to her for inspiration as well as practical tips on how to put down the screens and get outside. Ginny has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Michigan and is also a children’s book author and illustrator. Her book, The Little Farmhouse in West Virginia was published in February 2019.

    You can find more from Ginny in the following locations:
    Website: http://www.1000HoursOutside.com
    Instagram: @1000hoursoutside
    Facebook: @1000hoursoutside
    RWMC posts: Ginny Yurich

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FARM, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    10 Tips for Letting Your Kids Help with Chores

    Getting kids to help out around the house with chores can feel like an overwhelming task at times. Very rarely do kids offer to clean up the playroom, put dishes away or walk the dog. However, kids are naturally curious, want to spend time with their parents, and love helping out in the right circumstances. Today, we have Creative Team member Jake Smith, Washington farmer and dad of four, here sharing 1o tips for letting your kids help with the chores. Whether you’re on a farm, in the city or anywhere in between, these tips are great ways to incorporate fun, learning, and responsibility into your chores and projects. Before you know it, you might even start to like doing chores with your kids! 

    10 Tips for letting your kids help with chores

    10 tips for letting kids help with chores

    Currently, our family lives on a small farm in Washington State where there is an abundance of daily chores. Staying on top of all the chores around a farm is no small task.  Some days when I call on my kids to help out, I’m not exactly met with joyous, excited replies. So, I decided to dig a little deeper to figure out how to make doing something monotonous a little less so.

    I make no claims to be an expert on the subject of getting kids to help with chores. However, I feel like writing these 10 chore tips is as much for myself as it is for the kids because it’s so easy to get impatient and just revert to the classic, “fine, I’ll do it myself!” manta. At the very least I’m here to provide a glimpse of hope that doing chores with your kids can be fun, rewarding, and will set them up to become capable and creative problem solvers.

    You don’t have to live on a farm to teach kids about responsibility and helping out with chores. We haven’t always lived on a farm. Just a few years ago we lived in the suburbs and were able to experiment with and apply many of these same principles successfully. I hope you’ll be able to apply some of these tips to your situation, wherever you live and whatever the chores are. 

    1. Make it fun

    I can’t stress enough how important it is to make helping out with chores fun for the kids. If there’s only one tip you take away from this post and forget the rest, this is that tip. I won’t lie, there are plenty of chores I don’t enjoy doing. Why would I expect my kids would miraculously love doing the things I dislike? They share my DNA after all, chances are we’ve got more than a couple of similarities.

    However, when we need to get some work done, it helps tremendously to find a way to incorporate a little fun into the chore. If we’re dreading the chore or if it’s bordering on the mundane, we pump the jams and do dance silly dances while we work. We sing songs or tell each other jokes. Whatever it takes to get excited that day. And while I’m not saying you should bribe your kids, if you happen to have some popsicles you were planning to dole out later that day anyway, maybe some correlation between work done and a reward isn’t a bad thing. Particularly, when they’re struggling to get excited about cleaning up the living room…

    Tips for getting the kids to help with chores

    2. Offer choices

    When getting kids to help with chores, I’ve learned some days they just need options. Kids like feeling like they have some control and say in the decision-making process. If there are multiple chores that need to be done, I give them a choice. Do you want to help feed the chickens or the cows today? Some days they’ll choose the chickens, some days they’ll choose the cows, others they want to do both and we have to decide which to do first. However, we are all susceptible to choice overload so I try not to offer them more than two or three options at a time.

    For many of our farm chores, they aren’t big enough yet to do things on their own, so they assist me. It’s not the end of the world if I don’t have helpers. However, it certainly makes it more fun for me when they tag along, carry what they can, and ask a million questions. Before I even realize it, they’re able to do a little more, then a little more. Eventually, they take over a task from me entirely. It’s a beautiful process to observe and bittersweet as they get older. 

    how to make chores fun for kids

    3. Follow their interests

    Following our kids’ interests is more than a small part of why we have our farm. I’m willing to bet our kids were partially influenced by our desire for living the farm life, but regardless, while we were living in the suburbs, farming is what they played, drew, and talked about every day. We worked and sacrificed in other areas of our lives to make finding our farm a priority. A place where the kids could explore their interests and space to develop new ones.

    For you and your kids, it may be something other than farming. Maybe it’s sports, going camping, biking, animals, art, etc. Every one of our kids has slightly different interest areas. Our oldest LOVES her chickens. At eight years old she knows more about birds of every type than I do, no joke. Going and collecting eggs, making sure waterers are filled, and checking to be sure everyone looks healthy isn’t even thought of as a chore to her. She loves it. Our kids don’t think about their interest areas being work, they just wake up and want to go do them. Unfortunately, things like unloading the dishwasher and taking out the trash rarely fall into this category so you may have to rely on one of the other ten tips for those guys. 

    Giving kids chores based on their interests

    4. Create a daily chore routine

    Kids love routine and knowing what to expect. Every day, we try to do roughly the same chores, in the same order, at the same time of day. It gives the kids some consistency and helps with transitions. The kids now know that when I’m finishing up filling waterers for one group of chickens, we will be transitioning to filling buckets of water to pack to another group of chickens further away. They can anticipate the next move, so they run into the barn and argue about whose turn it is to hold the hose to fill the buckets that day. By the time I’ve reached the hydrant, there’s usually one of them holding the other end of the hose ready to fill the water buckets up.

    Some of these chores were never ones that I specifically asked them to do or help out with. I just went about my daily chore routine, they followed along and picked up on it. They saw places where they could jump in and help out, based on our routine. Certainly, our chores don’t all happen this seamlessly, and even this example has breakdowns regularly when they can’t agree on whose turn it is to hold the hose. That’s just life. 

    Chore routines and chore advice for kids

    5. Make it a learning experience

    We homeschool our kids and consider our farm part of the learning experience. Farm life is a natural progression to ask questions and invite curiosity. While we’re doing our chores, we like asking the kids leading questions that get their brains thinking about life on the farm. “Hmm, interesting this chicken egg is green, do you know why that is?” “Why do you think the cows chose to eat this variety of grass but didn’t touch that grass over there?” “Wow, the moon is super orange tonight, what do you think causes that?”

    Chances are, I don’t actually know the answers to most of these wonderings, either. But that’s ok. Because we’ve fostered that childlike wonder about everything, the kids are asking me what seems like a million questions a day about things I’ve never even considered. I’ll ask them to keep that question and we’ll look it up when we get back into the house. Every evening we’re looking up answers and learning together. They’re so excited about the things they’re learning, seeing, and exploring they don’t even notice we’re getting chores done at the same time.

    Getting kids to help out with chores around the house

    6. Lead by example

    Kids are observant. Sometimes, they’re a lot more observant than I want them to be. My attitude about a certain task is almost always replicated in my children. If I’m going to have a bad attitude about going out and shoveling snow in the dark for the fifth time this week, there’s absolutely no chance they’re going to want to join me and help out. They may come out and sled down the hill while I shovel, but there’s no way they’re going to help me shovel because I’ve told them it’s terrible either in my body language or in word. Why would they willingly want to do something they know I don’t enjoy?

    However, if I make it fun (see tip #1) for myself, chances are it’ll make it fun for them too. We’ve had many snow shoveling competitions to see who can clear the most snow the fastest. The clear winner? Me. 😉

    Tips for getting kids to help do chores

    7. Let them take ownership of their areas

    This tip fully belongs to my wife, I can’t take credit for it. We were struggling so much with getting the kids to help out regularly with household chores; unloading the dishwasher, cleaning the bathroom, setting/clearing the table, etc. You know, the ones you just sort of do over and over and over again all the time endlessly? We tried assigning chore charts for these. Then we tried a weekly rotating chore assignment. Then we tried no chore charts. You name it, we tried it. No luck.

    Kicking and screaming fits regularly lasted longer than doing the actual chore would have taken. Finally, in order to get the kids to help with chores, my wife got the idea to try letting each of the kids have “their areas” of ownership. Areas of the house that involved certain tasks they could become experts in and take pride of ownership around. If the bathroom is clean, I know to comment to my oldest about how great it looks. If the front entryway has all the shoes put away and I can actually walk through it without tripping, I know kid #3 has worked her magic and to tell her thank you. 

    How to make chores fun for kids

    8. Include them in whatever you happen to be doing

    Even though I’m a farmer, I still work my normal 8-5, off-farm job just like everyone else. So, when I’m home in the evenings or on the weekends I like to spend time with my family. Shocker, right? Rather than making all the farm work another thing keeping me away from my wife and kids, we’ve worked to turn chore time into family time.

    Kids have a natural curiosity and love for helping out. Just by tagging along in whatever I happen to be doing, they’re observing and learning from me constantly. A lot of the time we gather eggs together, if someone gets a particularly pretty egg they’ll exclaim and show the rest of the family. When we go load haybales for wintertime feed, the whole family comes along. Sure, I do all the work at present while my wife drives the pickup, but they’re observing and learning. In a few years when they’re strong enough to help out, they’ll do so excitedly and the learning curve will be small. 

    Spend more time with you kids while doing chores

    9. Expect them to be beginners

    I know this one sounds pretty straightforward but for some reason, it wasn’t easy for me to realize they have never done…well, anything really. Maybe because they’re kids? Like I said in the beginning, I’m not an expert in this parenting business. Maybe I’m the slow learner? But I had to learn to just let them be terrible and take forever at first. Would it have been easier and quicker to just do some tasks myself? Yes, absolutely. And at first, I would do just that. I would take over and complete it myself.

    However, now I’m slowly learning to just let them be terrible, to let them learn, to figure it out through some guided trial and error. It’s going to be terrible the first time anyone does anything. The tenth time? A little less terrible. The hundredth time? They might have it down pretty good by then. By providing your kids with a safe space to try, fail, and try again, they’ll learn over time they can figure most anything out and won’t be afraid to take the chance to try. This is probably one of the most empowering things I’ve done for my kids. 

    Chore ideas for kids on the farm

    10. Have patience with them

    Having patience with the kids as they figure out how to help with chores goes hand-in-hand with tip #9. Like I said in the beginning, I’m no expert at this. I’m trying to figure it out at the same time. But, I have noticed one thing, if I’m grumpy or short with my kids while they’re doing their best to help me out, you can rest assured they’re not going to enjoy doing that task again the next time. I try to always be conscious of my attitude and my demeanor, especially around them. It may seem like craziness but I find at least 50% of my kids’ attitude around anything in life directly reflects my own attitude. In reality, it’s probably much higher.

    As parents to our precious little children, we’re their whole world. They’re taking in, learning, and figuring out everything through us. It’s all new. They look to us to mimic what to do, how to react, how to feel. So, having patience with them means having patience with myself, and understanding the much greater goal is not to have accomplished my to-do list successfully at the end of the day. The goal is to have lived a life worth living, to have loved my family unconditionally, and to have mattered to those around me.

    How do you get your kids to help with chores?

    About the author

    Jake and his wife Jessica are raising four adorable children on Blackridge Farms in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. Jake enjoys any time spent on the farm taking care of their various animals and seeing how quickly the kids learn to care for and love their animals. He bounces back and forth between the farm and his 9-5 while Jessica shoulders the bulk of responsibility of homeschooling the kids, keeping the house in order, and keeping a watchful eye on the farm in Jake’s absence. While he has one foot dipped in the 1800s, the other foot has danced around the marketing and tech fields where Jake has worked as a Graphic Designer, Digital Designer, and most recently a User Experience Designer. Beyond those pre-packaged titles, Jake is a creative dreamer with an entrepreneurial streak that believes in the power of one’s mindset, time spent with loved ones, and real, healthy food.

    You can find more from Jake online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @blackridgefarms
    Website: Black Ridge Farms

    You may also like this post on Cattle Farm Chores for Kids.

  • INFORMATION, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS

    Introduction to Outdoor Schools

    Chances are, you’ve probably heard the term “forest school” or “outdoor school” thrown around recently. While the concept is still relatively new in the U.S. and Canada, forest schools and other nature-based outdoor schools are gaining in popularity. But what exactly is a forest school or outdoor school? What makes it different than traditional preschools? And where do you even find one? Well, let’s find out!

    What is an outdoor school or forest school?

    Outdoor or forest schools are a type of early childhood education that takes place outside. The term applies to both the type of learning and the physical location of the school. Commonly referred to as “forest schools,” these schools do not necessarily have to be held in the forest, but they are usually located in a diverse and rich outdoor environment (woodlands, wetlands, farms, zoos, parks or in other outdoor areas). You may also hear them called nature schools, outdoor nursery schools, forest nursery, nature kindergarten, farm school, forest kindergarten or nature preschools.

    What age do kids go to outdoor schools?

    Typically, forest schools and outdoor schools are for preschool-aged children (3-5 years old). Many outdoor schools are just beginning to expand on the traditional nursery school structure by offering kindergarten classes (age 5-6) and nursery school programs for younger children (1-2).

    Where did outdoor schools originate?

    Denmark popularized outdoor forest schools as we know them today in the 1950’s, as the country struggled with a lack of indoor space for preschools and early education centers. The children thrived outside and the outdoor school trend caught on and spread over the next few decades. Now, forest schools are found around the world in countries like Sweden, Germany, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.S. and beyond.

    What’s different about outdoor schools?

    The outdoor school curriculum focuses on learner-led outdoor play that encourages curiosity and exploration. The lessons are all outdoors, usually in wooded areas, and are learner-centric and play-based. Forest schools differ from traditional education in that learning is led by the child’s own curiosity and interests in an unstructured way. Instead of presenting investigative questions, teachers at outdoor schools observe and support children in their chosen activities and forms of play. This allows children to explore their own personal curiosities, develop confidence and independence, as well as fostering an internal motivation to learn.

    Unlike traditional indoor school, forest schools do not have tests or assignments. Students are encouraged to develop skills, socially interact and engage with nature. Teachers use observation and documentation to plan play-based learning programs that encourage active exploration, inquiry, independence, choice, problem solving, wonder and discovery.

    What do outdoor schools teach?

    Outdoor schools focus on hands-on educational and experimental activities individually and within groups. Children build interpersonal skills like teamwork, communication, cooperation, and problem-solving. They also build spatial and motor development, as much of the day is spent in movement with full-body sensory activities.

    Students are also taught to take calculated risks with the support of a teacher, through activities such as climbing trees, exploring creeks, using tools, and lighting fires. Teachers work with the kids to assess risks and benefits so their decisions are informed and calculated. They determine if the risk is safe or not. This aids in the child’s judgment, resilience, and self-esteem so she/he can make better decisions in the future.

    Finally, children learn about nature and the world around them in outdoor schools. They often study and collect items in nature for use in projects, experiments, and crafts. Sometimes they grow their own fruits and vegetables in a community garden and help prepare snacks. They develop a better understanding and appreciation for nature and how we can interact with and take care of our environment.

    Outdoor classrooms

    One of the most important aspects of forest school is that classes are held completely outside. Students attend forest school outdoors in all weather and climates in order to experience different sensations. Ideally, educators conduct lessons outside 100% of the time (unless the weather is deemed too dangerous). Children learn to dress appropriately for all kinds of weather and outdoor activities. They truly learn that there is “no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

    Being outside in an ever-changing environment sparks curiosity in children and offers them new sensory experiences every single day. Children attending outdoor schools develop a bond with nature and a deeper understanding of the environment around them.

    Outdoor school curriculum

    The curriculum at outdoor schools varies just as much as the schools themselves vary. Depending on your location and the focus of the school, curriculums can vastly differ in structure, activities and lessons.  The children at most forest schools learn through many of the traditional preschool and early educational activities (playtime, storytime, learning centers). However, they do so while outside and incorporate nature education into their daily flow.

    Outdoor schools also tend to incorporate outdoor activities into their daily routine. Activities will differ across programs, but a few examples are:

    • Nature arts and crafts
    • Yoga
    • Music
    • Campfire
    • Storytime
    • Hiking
    • Exploration time
    • Fort/shelter building
    • Tool use
    • Climbing

    Why outdoor schools are becoming so popular

    Outdoor schools are growing in popularity across the U.S. and Canada. Parents are starting to realize the focus on test-taking (at the expense of social and emotional development) is detrimental to children. When kindergarten was created in Germany in the 1800s, there was an integrated outdoor play element. This has since been pushed aside in favor of preparing children academically for elementary school.

    Parents are now returning to the roots of early childhood education. They realize children learn better from physical activity, exploration, and hands-on experiences. They’re looking for a more holistic approach that considers not only “academic” knowledge but social skills, emotional intelligence, resilience, and communication as well.

    run wild my child outdoor school directory

    Finding an outdoor school near you

    Outdoor schools are fairly new to the U.S. and Canada. But with the growing demand for kids to spend more time outside and off screens, outdoor schools are popping up in cities and towns across the US. It can be hard to find a great outdoor school in your area (as they usually don’t have a big budget for advertising), but we’re here to help!

    Together with the Swedish kids’ clothing company Polarn O. Pyret, we’ve created a master directory of outdoor schools across the U.S. and Canada. You can search for an outdoor school in your area by entering your city, state or zip code in our Outdoor School Directory.

     

    Would you consider an outdoor school for your child?
    Do you have any outdoor schools near you?

     

    *Our friends at Polarn O. Pyret love supporting outdoor schools and families! Check out their outdoor school partnership and savings program.
    *Special thanks to  Wind Ridge Schoolhouse LLC, a neighborhood nature preschool in Duluth, MN for children ages 3 – 6 for all these great photos.

  • BIKE, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

    10 Ways to Make Summer Last

    Summer’s last weeks are upon us. The shimmering sunlight dancing on water as your children frolic seaside (or lakeside, or creekside) is fading. Soon, the leaves will start changing, the days will get shorter and the temperatures will drop. While fall is my favorite season, I’m certainly not ready to give up summer yet! The last few weeks of summer have the potential to be the best of the season! Today, we have Creative Team member SarahRuth – Georgia teacher and homeschooling mom of two – here with 10 ways you can make summer last and get the most of the final few weeks of this magical time of year. 

    Make Summer Last

    10 ways to enjoy the final weeks of summer

    With officially only a few weeks remaining of summer sunshine and play, we’re determined to make summer last as long as possible!  Grab your children, your sunglasses, and your smile….we won’t let you miss out on those last days of summer. Here are ten ways to make summer last and create memories that will last well beyond the seasons!

    1. Chase a waterfall

    If you are new to this idea, grab hold and run with it! Remember that song, “Don’t go chasing waterfalls….”? Ignore it – that’s terrible advice. You most certainly should chase waterfalls. When dating my husband, he took me to a new waterfall on every date. The sense of wonder and awe as you trek to along a path and hear the rushing water, continuing until it crests into view – it’s priceless.

    Where we live, kid-friendly waterfall hikes are often under one mile. Unless your children are older or more used to hiking for longer periods stick with shorter walks on even terrain. Add some floats and you’ve won summer accolades officially! Buckets, small containers, and scoops are welcomed tools at waterfalls for my sons. Summer will certainly last longer when you and your crew make chasing a waterfall happen!

    Make Summer last by chasing waterfallsWonder of making summer last

    2. Sit in the sunshine

    Yes, just sit. On a blanket, or not. Barefoot, or not. On a sunny day or in a sunshower. The benefits of sunlight and sun exposure are innumerable! The list goes on and on; it eases depression and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, enables the production of vitamin D, and more! Merely basking in the sunlight outdoors is an invaluable experience. You don’t need to do anything more than walk out your door. 

    But if you’re feeling adventurous, go for a hike. Our family often grabs a favorite book and brings it on hikes. When we arrive at a good resting place, we drop a blanket on the ground, get out a snack, and I read aloud to the kids. Our skin yearns for a good kiss of the sun. Of course, wear a good sunscreen if you intend to show a lot of skin for an extended period. Hammocks also make a great sit spot in the sun. We like to hang some in our yard as well as carry them on hikes. Summer won’t slip away as quickly if you make it sit with you.

    Hammocks make Summer last

    3. Forest bathe

    Not a bath. Well yes, a bath, but a different kind. The bathing that occurs when you let summer linger on your skin and prickle your senses in the woods. Summer will last longer if you dash into the woods headlong and let the greenery embrace you. Believe it or not, forest bathing is a real thing. The term first emerged in Japan and is taking the world by storm.

    Did you know that phytoncides are emitted from plants and trees in the forest to protect them from harmful insects and germs? Some say it is what creates that “forest smell”. When you forest bathe, you literally immerse yourself in nature. But sure to cut off your phone and put down the iPad. Disconnect from the world and reconnect with the natural world.

    Want to forest bath in the deep end? May I suggest a barefoot bath? Encourage your children to join you. Connect your feet to the earth and experience grounding. Breathe deeply. Close your eyes. Feel the warmth and the coolness of the woods. Allow the trees and the forest canopy to offer something nowhere and no one else can.

    Forest bath to make Summer last

    4. Water fight

    A water fight is a great way to make summer last a bit longer! Do you need instructions? 1. Splash in a river. Laugh. 2. Throw a water balloon at your partner. Laugh more. 3. Jump into the pool and soak everyone poolside. Laugh. 4. Let your children use water guns to soak you….then bring out your super soaker and get them back! Keep laughing! 5. Get out the water hose and give everyone a turn chasing and spraying each other. Laughter galore! 

    There really is nothing quite like a water fight to level us onto equal footing with grandparents, babies, and all ages! Whether you do this in the cool of the evening, or in the midday heat, it’s guaranteed to be a favorite! Invite neighbors. Social distancing approved. Everyone wins in a water fight. There is no keeping score, there are no losers. Celebrating with a homemade popsicle is a great finale, by the way. If summer had a magnum opus it would be a great water fight in the back yard, don’t you think?

    5. Watch the sunset

    Most summers, our family rents a condo on Hilton Head Island. While there, my favorite thing to do is see the sunset and sunrise. Pink, orange, and dusky purple swirl at the horizon. Rain or shine, I ride my bike along the pathways and then onto the beach. I often bring my journal and watercolors along. Every poem I have ever memorized erupts to meet the sunrise and sunset as I watch my children play in the sand.

    This year, the current pandemic prevented our summertime escape to the beach. However, our mountains have let us experience new joy. Summer continues to bring us beautiful sunsets as we hike to peaks and watch as another day closes. Not willing that it occur without our happy chatter and watching eyes.

    Don’t live in the mountains? No beach trip for you either? That’s okay! The sun sets in the West everywhere! No matter your location, get outside and experience it with your family. Try out a compass. That is a fun way to practice navigating and essential skills while making summer last. Never once have we regretted watching a sunset. Snacks welcome – our favorite is air-popped popcorn, in case you’re wondering.

    Make Summer last longer at sunset

    6. Dance in the rain

    Wellies or not, dancing in the summertime rain should be on your making summer last list! Wriggling worms, the pitter-patter of drops hitting trees, and the laughter of your kids are worth this little adventure. What might make this most wonderful of all is that it is usually a surprise and can’t be planned! You won’t know exactly the day or hour of this grand ball – you may have an inkling of suspicion around the weather, but the invitation will be random. Also, no need to leave your house or pack bags. This fun summer activity will meet you at your home, at the park, or wherever you happen to be!

    When you hear the drops begin to drip, run outside (sans umbrella) and dance like nobody is watching. Let your inner 5-year-old out! Splash in puddles, let the rain be your music. I can assure you there are nary few children who won’t stop gawking and join you! Also, rainy day hikes are great fun. Don’t let showers deter you from hitting the trail. Instead, pack your gear and plan to enjoy the coolness of a good summer rain. You will make memories that last a lifetime! Plus, this is a grand way to make summer last.

    7. Ride bikes at sunrise

    If you have a bike, plan a biking date with a new day. Grab a light snack and your favorite cold brew. Put those sleepy babes in the bike trailer (yep, in their PJs) and ride out to meet a new day! A little foresight is needed for this one. Ideally, you would know the local sunrise times and also plan for comfortable weather. A rainy day might make seeing the sunrise less brilliant. Be sure and check your tires and bike chains before heading out. A good flag on your bike trailer is also essential.

    Our family loves bike rides because the wind from our speed truly cools us as we pedal. Breakfast picnics are also welcome. Fresh fruit, cream cheese, and good bread taste even better in the summer morning’s first light. Go ahead, ask me how I know!

    Bike rides for making s

    8. Splash in the creek

    Make summer last a little longer by heading creekside. If there isn’t one super close, it is totally worth a day trip. Plan to visit a creek with 2-6 inches of water and not more. A good flow of water is fun, even for littles. So long as the water depth is shallow, the speed of the water is nothing to fear. Lots of small rocks are ideal.

    Be sure and bring some small mason jars or a plastic container. When your children get into the creek, they are sure to find some amazing creatures. Crawdads, crawfish, crayfish….how do you say it? These little fellows are summer’s mascots! Carefully overturning rocks is sure to be a favorite past time once they observe a salamander skittering through the shadows. Parents can enjoy some lounging beside the water, toes in. Although this mama enjoys some splashing and creature hunting as well. Summer will last a smidge longer if you linger creekside.

    Making Summer last at the creek

    Creekside makes Summer last

    9. Eat a meal outside

    In our family, summer is for outdoor eating (well, so are autumn and spring, now that I think of it). Nothing fancy is required for dining al fresco. Your regular food can just happen to make its way to a picnic table in your driveway or a blanket on the lawn. If you aren’t up for a big meal, sandwiches taste better on a blanket in the woods. Promise.

    Does summer last longer if ants are guests during meal times? I’m not sure, but you can be certain these bodybuilders will be visitors if you plan to eat out of doors. Kids love watching ants and it truly is amazing to see them carry crumbs 100 times their weight! Also, eating outside means you beat heating up your home by using the oven. Some family favorites of ours include waffles and bacon in the yard, fire-cooked burgers, and fresh fruit. Meals outside mean less clean up. Dripping popsicles, goopy marshmallows, and melty ice cream don’t require mops when enjoyed outdoors. Standing ovation, please! Of course, you do want to pack in and pack out, like all good visitors. 

    10. Activity of your choice

    My last suggestion on making summer last is to choose your family’s favorite summertime activity and enjoy it together one last time. Whether it’s catching fireflies, enjoying a bonfire, watching a movie outside or something not shared here, the important thing is getting out there and enjoying the last weeks of summer. Together is better. Children thrive when experiences include parents, grandparents, and friends. Stay safe. Use caution and wisdom. Our summer may have looked different this year, but it’s still a beautiful season to embrace and behold!

    So how will you make the most of these final weeks of summer?
    Share your ideas in the comments or tag us in a photo posted on social media with the hashtag #runwildmychild.

    About the author

    SarahRuth is a homeschooling mother of three boys. She was raised in cities across the East coast, but now resides in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia where her husband grew up. Passionate about inspiring others to shift from the status quo of Western indoor life, she launched a local Free Forest School chapter in 2017. Her family clocked over 2k hours outdoors in 2019 and believes that outside time as a family is vital to a joy-filled life. She collects books, stray children, and as much coffee as her body will permit. When not foraging, chasing waterfalls, or camping with her crew, you can find SarahRuth crossing the globe from her laptop, teaching English full time online! She has two bachelor’s degrees in Education and is passionate about teaching children to love learning through outdoor adventures.

    You can find more from SarahRuth in the following online locations:
    Instagram: @mountainpaz