Sara

OUTDOORS INSIDE
Essential Oils for Outdoorsy Moms
- November 13, 2017
Today I’m really excited to bring you a beginner’s guide to essential oils. I know next to nothing about essential oils, but I’ve been intrigued about them for years. I know they can help with everything from bug bites to headaches to upset tummies. You can clean with them, cook with them or just use them for making your house smell great. I asked my friend Gale (the “oilest” person I know) to put together this little beginner’s guide for all of you that want to know more, but don’t know where to begin. She’s including a few oil “recipes” for some things us outdoorsy moms (all moms, really) deal with a lot, including an immunity booster, which is perfect for this time of year. As always, if you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Happy oiling!

Beginner’s guide to essential oils

I’m pretty sure you have at least heard the words “Essential Oils” being murmured within the last few years. It is more likely that you have at least one friend or family member who drones on and on about the greatness of those magical little bottles (guilty). But what exactly is an essential oil? In the most basic of terms an essential oil is a highly concentrated plant extract. That extract consists of all the goodness that keeps plants healthy. And lucky for us, those extracts can do much of the same for our bodies. And that, my friends, is super exciting, because it allows us to have some natural alternatives to many everyday needs. There are three main ways to use essential oils; topically, aromatically, and internally.

How to use essential oils:

Internally:

I’m actually not going to discuss internally here because it’s extremely important to use only high grade therapeutic grade oils for this. And since I can’t come into each one of your homes & make sure that’s what you are using, I’ll just leave you with that warning. I also personally believe that essential oils work great without having to use this method. So we will be moving right along, but I did want you to know that with the right essential oils, it is an option.

Topically:

When we apply oils onto our skin, they are absorbed into our bloodstream through our pores and follicles. I advise that this always be done with carrier oil. Especially when applying to children. Essential oils are very concentrated and therefore very strong. Carrier oil will help to protect the skin & slow the absorption rate of the essential oils. Some popular carrier oils are; coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil.

Aromatically:

Inhaling essential oils heightens the senses and can trigger numerous healing responses in the body. Inhaling the fragrance from essential oils triggers our limbic system. This system controls heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance. Therefore essential oils can have some profound physiological and psychological effects. You can simply place a drop or two in the palm of your hand, cup them around your nose and inhale deeply.

Diffusing with a diffuser also falls into the aromatically category. A diffuser disperses the oil in a micro-fine vapor into the air. This allows anyone within the room to benefit from the essential oils.

Essential oil uses:

The second best part of essential oils (the first being that they are chemical free) is how versatile they are. They can be used for everything from stress, bloating, wrinkles, sleep, bruising, colds, to house cleaning and bug repelling. There really is an oil for that!

Essential oil recipes:

We are an essential oil loving family and I try to use them as much as possible in place of store bought products. As a mother and semi health conscious being I love that I can cut some chemicals from our everyday lives. The brand that we use is Young Living. They have proven to work well for us time and time again. I trust the company with the purity and authenticity of their oils. I’ve tested all of these recipes on my family and we approve them all!

Bug repellent:
- 10 drops YL Peppermint
- 12 drops YL Thieves
- 10 drops YL Purification
- ½ cup distilled water
- ½ cup witch hazel
- 10 drops of YL Citronella (this is optional, but I always add for good measure)
Mix together in a spray bottle. Shake before each use. This recipe can be used on dogs as well.

We spend much of our summer touring around to different campgrounds in our trailer and this is our go to bug repellent. It just plain works and smells nice too. I also love that this is another alternative to using Deet.

Owie roller:
- 5 ml roller bottle
- 12 drops YL Frankincense
- 12 drops YL Lavender
- Fill the rest of the bottle with carrier oil of choice
Can be applied to bumps, lumps, scrapes, & bruises. This one is easy to carry and has saved us from many tears on hikes and outdoor explorations. It also increases the healing time of all boo-boos. This clumsy momma gets a lot of use out of this one too.

Immunity booster:
- 5 ml roller bottle
- 15 drops Thieves
- 10 drops Purification
- 10 drops Frankincense
- Fill the rest with carrier oil of choice
This is how we combat all things icky & sickie during the winter months. We simply roll on to the bottoms of our feet first thing in the morning and last thing before we go to bed at night. AS you can see, we love the roll-ons for the convenience factor. Life is busy, but make them ahead of time and use when needed. I mean, truly, it’s so easy that my 4 and 5 year old can apply it themselves. But it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to how often and for how long we are down with some germ. If we DO end up catching a bug, I add 10 drops of Oregano Oil to the above combo to kick that booster into overtime!

Tummy tamer:
- 5 ml roller bottle
- 15 drops Digize
- 10 drops Peppermint
- Fill the rest with carrier oil of choice
This one is to have in case of the ever dreaded stomach flu! It is a life saver for those nauseous moments. But the flu and nausea aren’t the only things this one can tame. It’s also extremely helpful for both diarrhea and constipation. I’m not exactly sure how it’s works out for those two opposite issues; I just know that it does. Like I said, family tested and approved.

The Essential things to remember about Essential oils (see what I did there?) are that they very concentrated, brand and grade of the oil does make a difference, and they are extremely versatile. This makes them a fantastic chemical free option for many daily needs. If you would like some more information you can check out Youngliving.com. My member number is 1597647.

Gale Jenkins is a SAHM to three wonderful, yet exhausting kiddos. Is married to her best friend, who happens to be a ninja disguised as a corporate world MVP. She is an Essential Oil enthusiast. Ok, fine – Essential Oil freak is probably a more accurate description. She is also a wanna be writer, who has all the ideas & wit to be one, but lacks the discipline needed. She spends as much time as possible taking adventures in the family trailer, and when she’s not on the road, she can be found at home, dousing both herself & her children in Essential Oils.
FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE
Gear Review: See Kai Run Boots
- November 7, 2017
This post was sponsored by See Kai Run. The boots were provided as post compensation and for review purposes. All opinions expressed and photos herein belong to the authors and photographers, as noted below. This post may contain affiliate links.

Winter is coming!

Getting your kids outside during the winter months is not only important for their physical health, but for their mental health as well. The winter months provide different ways of moving our bodies, such as sledding, walking up a snowy hill or building a snowman. Children’s larger muscles are put to great use in the winter months due to the challenges that snow provides. This large-muscle use and increase in physical activity support children’s gross motor development and overall health. In addition, getting lots of fresh air and Vitamin D decreases the likelihood of winter colds and illnesses, such as the flu.

If your kids are like mine, they’ve probably outgrown all of last year’s clothing, coats, layers and boots. Which means it’s not only time to size up, but it’s time to reevaluate your needs and check out any new gear on the market. Winter boots are one item that we always need as soon as the weather turns cold. My kids are outside a LOT in various conditions, so we need tough durable, yet comfortable boots. Boots that will hold up to the abuse, allow their feet to grow during the winter and keep them warm and dry. That’s expecting a lot.

Get the right gear

One thing I’ve learned about getting kids outdoors is that having the right gear can make or break your experience. Icy hands and feet are not only uncomfortable, they’re dangerous and easily preventable. And there’s nothing like cold fingers or toes to guarantee whining and complaining about outdoor weather. To ensure that your child has fun in the cold, the most important thing to consider is appropriate clothing, including winter boots.

Over the last few years, we’ve made various mistakes with our winter boot selections and learned many valuable lessons. For example, insulated boots that aren’t waterproof, get wet, soggy and cold after playing in the snow. Waterproof boots that aren’t insulated don’t keep little feet and toes warm enough. The opening of the boot needs to be wide enough to accommodate thick socks and pant legs, but tight enough to keep the boots on in deep snow and keep pant legs secure. Tie boots seem to come untied all the time. Leather boots need treatment and protection. Who knew there were so many considerations when buying kid’s boots?

See Kai Run boots

That’s why I’m really excited to share the newest line of insulated and waterproof boots from See Kai Run, one of our favorite kid’s shoe brands. See Kai Run was started in 2004 by a Seattle mom on a quest to find a shoe that was best in health and design. She ended up launching her own line of shoes that are fun, fashionable and feature the finest in materials and craftsmanship. All See Kai Run shoes are proportionally engineered for a child’s foot and designed to promote healthy foot development. They are flexible, which helps develop proper balance, gait and stride. The broad toe boxes give little toes lots of room to move, which build strength in muscles and tendons. Plus, the wide openings and secure closures provide optimum fit for a shoe that’s easy to get on and actually stays on.

We had the opportunity to test out a couple pairs of boots from the new line of See Kai Run insulated and waterproof boots. My kids each put a pair of boots to the test as we hiked on a chilly Midwest morning. We also sent a couple pairs out to Salt Lake City, Utah, to make sure they could also withstand the cold and snow of the mountains. I’m happy to report that each pair was a big hit from both kid and parent perspective. Here’s what we thought of them and all our favorite features.

Waterproof and insulated

The first thing I noticed when unpacking these boots was how thick and durable they were. They are not only insulated with a 3M Thinsulate™ thermal lining that is good to -35°, but the insulation is soft and fuzzy (not hard or scratchy). Plus, the bottoms of the boots are made with a thick, seam-sealed, waterproof membrane that keeps water and debris out and increases durability. The rubber traction outsoles are perfect for wet surfaces and aren’t slick or slippery. Both kids said the boots were really comfortable, roomy and sturdy. My son loved jumping around in them and smashing pinecones and acorns. Not once did we receive a complaint about the boots on our hike — complaints about the weather, the distance and the lack of snacks was abundant, but not about the boots! We can’t win them all, right?!

Wide openings

I loved that these boots all had really wide openings, large enough to fit my kid’s wool-sock-clad feet. The double-velcro straps on my son’s boots (Charlie) actually made the opening incredibly wide, allowing me to stuff the bottom of his pant leg into the boot opening no problem. Then I could secure the boot around the pants with the velcro. Genius. The tongue on that boot is attached on both sides, so no issue with it moving around, making it easy for him to put his own boots on. The openings on my daughter’s boots (Abby) were not quite as wide, but still gave her plenty of room to get her feet into. The laces on the Abby boots are stretchy, allowing the tongue to fold down for easy access. Both boots had wide enough openings for the kids to get them on by themselves, but the velcro straps made them tight enough that they won’t slip off while trudging through heavy snow.

Stylish

While function definitely outweighs fashion when it comes to buying quality outdoor kid gear, this is one of those times that you don’t have to sacrifice cuteness in your quest for quality. The entire line of See Kai boots are absolutely adorable. I had the hardest time deciding which boots to choose because there were so many great styles and color combos. We chose the girls Abby (brown) and boys Charlie (navy) styles and the kids loved them both. The colors and tweeds are perfect for fall. They’re not obnoxious or super bright or gaudy. Most of the styles come in both toddler and big kid sizes. There are tall boots and ankle boots in the new line. Whatever your style is, there’s sure to be a boot that you love.

Shop the line

The new line of See Kai Run boots are available nationwide in stores such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Ave, REI, Zappos and Amazon! Basically, they’re everywhere! Most pairs are priced between $60 – $75, which I think is very reasonable for such a durable, quality boot. These will definitely last all season, get tons of use/wear and can probably even be passed down to the next kid when they’re ready to size up. Well-made, comfortable, quality gear is something that you’ll never regret purchasing and will make your time outdoors that much more enjoyable!

See Kai Run

If you’re in the market for a great, quality kids boot this season, check out the entire line of waterproof and insulated boots from See Kai Run. I have a feeling you’ll be just as impressed as I was! You can find them online in the following locations: Website // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram

What’s your favorite outdoor (boot-friendly) winter activity?
BIKE, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Gear Review: Schwinn Amplify & Circuit Bicycles
- November 1, 2017
This post was sponsored by Schwinn Bicycles. Bikes were provided as post compensation and for review purposes. All opinions expressed and photos herein belong to the author.

This has been a year of big changes at our house, especially for my son, Mac (5). Not only did he start kindergarten, but he got rid of his bicycle training wheels, learned to swim without floaties, bait his own hook and got to go hunting with daddy for the first time. Of all of these milestones, learning to ride a bike on his own has probably made the biggest day-to-day difference for us. Suddenly, he wants to ride his bike everywhere!

Getting those training wheels off has given Mac a newfound sense of independence, adventure and confidence. My husband loves riding with him around our neighborhood and local park. After a while I started to get frustrated being stuck at home with no bike, unable to join them on their adventures. It had been years since I did any riding, but I had to admit that it was finally time for me to get a bike, too.

With new bikes needed for us both, Mac and I were really excited to have the opportunity to each review a Schwinn bike. Schwinn is a tried and true company that’s been around for ages. It is associated with high-quality, affordable, durable bikes. From “walk ‘n’ roll” kids bikes to the Le Tour Legacy, they offer a comprehensive line of bikes that suit the needs of any rider, young to old. Their bikes are built to the Schwinn Quality standard, with over 100 years of cycling heritage, passion and expertise. With a quality brand selected, all we had to do was pick out the perfect bike best suited for each of our needs.

Choosing the right size bike for kids

Schwinn believes a well-fitted bike makes the child more comfortable; and being comfortable inspires confidence and the motivation to learn. However, figuring out children’s bicycle sizing can be tough and overwhelming. Kids bicycle sizes are determined by the wheel size of the bicycle (12″, 16″, 18″, 20″, 24″). The wheel size of children’s bicycles directly correlates with the frame size of the bicycle. Oftentimes you can make a good estimate for what size bike your child will need based upon their age. However, with children going through growth spurts and varying in height, it is always better to measure your child’s height to find the right bike for them. Of course you should have them test ride the bike as well!

Finding a bike that fits is crucial to your child’s safety, especially since both oversized and undersized bikes can prove hazardous. Bikes that are too large can prevent a child’s feet from touching the ground and keep hands from reaching the hand brakes. Bikes that are too small, on the other hand, force a child to pedal awkwardly with substantially bent knees, which can cause knee pain and make a child’s legs tire quickly. When fitting a bike, make sure your child, while seated, can touch the ground easily with both feet when the seat is in its lowest position. (The seat can be raised gradually as your child grows.) Adjust the seat so that your child’s legs bend slightly at the bottom of each revolution when pedaling.

For more info on kids bike sizing, see the Schwinn website here.

Schwinn SmartStart bikes

Parents are often concerned that their child will grow out of a bicycle to quickly. That’s why the Schwinn SmartStart is a great solution to help your child’s bike “grow” with them. Schwinn SmartStart bikes are built with a child’s proportions in mind. The grips are smaller, the pedals are closer together, and the seat is angled in a way that will make the body angle needed to pedal less stressful. Raising the saddle of a Schwinn SmartStart bicycle raises the angle of the seat and the distance from the seat to the handlebars and pedals. This means that as your child grows, the bike evolves and fits your child longer.

If your child is more comfortable, then they will want to ride, and learning will be less frustrating for everyone involved. Plus, you can’t loose with the Schwinn name, since it is backed with a limited lifetime warranty for as long as you own the bike, and has been building great kids bikes since 1895.

Schwinn Amplify

We ended up choosing the 18″ Schwinn Amplify SmartStart bike for Mac and it was a great choice to get him started on his cycling journey. The bike is black and blue (two of his favorites) and designed specifically for kids (as opposed to a shrunken version of an adult bike). Like all the Schwinn SmartStart bikes, the grips are sized for smaller hands for easy steering, and the pedals are positioned closer together, so picking up speed is a snap. It’s fast enough to give him the thrill he desires, but can stop on a dime. It has back-pedal coaster and hand brakes, both of which he utilizes. He couldn’t love this bike any more. It’s been so much fun watching him gain power, strength and confidence as he rides. And while we’ve only had it for a few months, it’s already survived multiple crashes and wipeouts. It has proven to be durable and tough.

Amplify stats and features:

Model & Size: Schwinn SmartStart 18″ Amplify
Color: Sidewalk Bike
Fits heights: 42-52″
Age: 6 years – 10 years
Retail price: $119.99
- Rigid high-tensile steel child frame
- Coaster and front and rear hand brake
- Single speed
- Rigid frame and fork
- SmartStart design features smaller grips and pedals that are closer together to promote a comfortable fit
- Training wheels included
Picking the right Schwinn bike for adults

With so many different types of bikes to choose from it can be hard to determine which bicycle is best suited for you. However, if you know a few basics about each type of bike it will be easier to zero in on a bicycle that fits your lifestyle.
- Cruiser Bicycles: These retro looking bikes have wide balloon tires, wide saddles, and keep you in an upright seated position. These bikes have a simple mechanical design and a single-speed drive-train. They are incredibly durable, which makes them very easy to maintain. A cruiser is a great choice for the casual and stylish cyclist who is looking for a stable bike. This cyclist is not concerned about how fast they get from point A to B, and will primarily be biking on flat terrain.
- Mountain Bicycles: These durable bikes typically have wide knobby tires, a stout frame and shock-absorbers. They have straight handlebars with a raised seat that keeps you in a more upright seated position than a road bike. With stable wheels, these bikes can handle the dirt, potholes, and gravel of off-roading. While the sturdy features make this bicycle excellent for rough terrain, they can also make a ride on the road heavy and slow.
- Hybrid Bicycles: This bike combines features of both the road and mountain bike styles to create a perfect compromise. The Hybrid has skinnier tires and a lighter frame, which allows it to go faster than the mountain bike. It’s ideal for the cyclist who wants a general-purpose bike that can handle multiple terrains and riding conditions. This bicycle is not only durable and comfortable, but is also fast. Ideally suited for beginning cyclist or commuters who want a quick, comfortable ride.
- Urban Bicycles: These bikes are durable with strong frames to handle any possible hazards of the city road. This type of bike comes with fenders to keep the rider free from mud and water kicked up. The handlebars allow you to sit upright for a comfortable ride. Urban bikes are ideal for practical city dwellers who want to use their bike for running errands or commuting to work.
- Bike Path Bicycles: These bikes keep riding simple and smooth. Wide plush saddles, upright seating, plush suspension, and tires similar to those found on mountain bikes (but smoother) make riding a Bike Path bike extremely comfortable, although less efficient then a Hybrid. The Bike Path bike is ideal for a casual cyclist who desires comfort and leisurely rides.
- Road Bicycles: These bikes have skinny tires, light frames, and a forward leaning riding position that allows a cyclist to go fast on pavement. The road bike has two types of handlebars for the road cyclist various needs. Drop-bar handlebars are for the cyclist who wants to go faster. They are lightweight and create a more aerodynamic riding position, while also allowing you to better transfer your energy to moving the bike. However they may also put more strain on your back. The flat-bar handlebars allow you to sit up in a more upright position to reduce strain on your back, wrist and shoulders, but they are less efficient in speed.
For more information on choosing the right Schwinn bike, visit their website here.

Schwinn Circuit

Choosing the right bike for me was a bit tougher. While I’m no longer growing (at least not up…out is a different story!), I wasn’t sure exactly how/where I’d be riding the most. I wanted a model that I could ride on the paved streets of our neighborhood and the gravel trails at local parks. I ended up choosing a Schwinn Hybrid Bike called the Circuit. As mentioned above, the hybrid combines features of both road and mountain bike styles. The Circuit has skinnier tires and a lighter frame than a mountain bike. It’s a great general-purpose bike that can handle multiple terrains and riding conditions. While I’ve known how to ride a bike forever, I still consider myself a beginner, so this bike is a good one to start with.

The Circuit is agile and responsive, yet seriously durable and tough. It comes with 21-speed Shimano EZ-Fire shifters, which were very easy for me to learn and pick up on quickly. I’ve never owned a bike with gears before! It has powerful mechanical disc brakes for fast and efficient stopping. Trust me, they’ve been tested and work great! Riding behind my impulsive (and easily distracted) 5 year-old has made me quick on the breaks! The ride is smooth and comfortable, even when four + months pregnant!

Circuit stats and features

Model & Size: Schwinn Women’s Circuit 28″ Hybrid Bike
Color: Teal Blue
Gear Speeds: 21
Bicycle Frame Height: 15″
Bicycle Frame Material: Aluminum
Wheel Height: 28″
Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
Dimensions: 58 inches L x 35 inches H
Weight: 35 pounds
Retail price: $289.99

Add a Schwinn to the family

Riding a bike is a rite of passage for a kid; a passport to worlds beyond the front lawn. Bikes represent fun, freedom, and fresh air – everything that’s good about childhood. Moreover, biking is a healthy pastime that kids will never outgrow. One that encourages them to be active, safe and aware of their surroundings. And once you have a bike, it’s fun, free and easy to do with the entire family. Biking with kids and as a family has never been easier. If you’re looking to add a bike to your fleet, I highly recommend Schwinn’s line-up of kids and adult bikes.

You can find more information on Schwinn Bicycles in the following locations:

Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

And don’t miss the next post in this series – Tips & Advice for Biking with Kids (coming soon!).

What kind of bike do you and your kids ride?
BOOKS, NATURE SCHOOL
Beautiful Children’s Picture Books About Nature
- October 24, 2017
If your kids are anything like mine, they devour books. Rarely do we read a book just once. We read them over and over again until the words are memorized and the pictures are etched in our minds. My son loves silly books that make him laugh. My daughter loves sing-songy books that rhyme. And I love nature books that teach the kids about the wonder and beauty of the outdoors. One thing we all agree on, the more beautiful illustrations, the better. That’s why we’ve put together this giant comprehensive list of the most beautiful books about nature for kids. These are some of the best children’s books about nature out there and we can’t wait for you to fall in love with them, like we have!

(This post contains affiliate links. We make a small commission on each purchase made using our links. Thank you for supporting a small business.)
{PIN IT}

Nature books for kids

We’ve put together a list of more than thirty of the most beautiful children’s picture books about nature. This list was curated from our personal favorite nature books for kids and recommendations from a number of families, friends, and fellow nature-loving mamas. These nature books will inspire, educate and help your children develop a deep sense of love for nature and the outdoors. They have beautiful pictures and beautiful words. They teach lessons about nurturing, love and compassion. This list of nature books is perfect if you’re looking to add some beautiful books to your shelves at home, give them as a gift or add them to your library wishlist.

Most beautiful nature books for kids
The importance of nature books

We all want to raise kids that love being outside and love nature. Reading about nature is a great way to encourage kids to love and respect the great outdoors. One of the most important things that we can teach kids is how to care for our planet and protect it. The care of our planet, its land, minerals, animals, and their habitats is of the utmost importance. Kids need to understand that what we do today affects tomorrow and how they can make a difference. Reading gives kids this opportunity and helps them make these connections. Books about nature foster a love of learning and give kids knowledge and appreciation of the planet we live on. Use books about nature to explore how our planet works and what we can do to help preserve it.

Encouraging young readers

Raising kids that love to read as much as they love to be outside can be a challenge. I find that my super active kids sometimes find it hard to settle down long enough to read. There’s nothing wrong with kids on-the-go, but I also want to be sure they develop a love of reading in a way that’s natural and not forced. Here are a few things you can do at home to encourage your young ones to develop strong reading habits.
1. Model the behavior – Let your kids see YOU reading at home and enjoying it. Kids learn so much through modeling. If they see you reading in your free time, they’ll be more likely to give it a try when they have downtime.
2. Read together every day – Read to your children for around 30 minutes a day. Young readers are made on the lap of their parents during storytime. Read your kids’ favorites to them, try new books, make up your own story in a picture book, or read them a favorite of yours from childhood.
3. Practice makes perfect – Let your early readers read familiar books they’ve read dozens of times. Re-reading the same books can help build speed and accuracy and help with confidence.
4. Make reading real through connections – Help your child make connections between what they’re reading in books and what’s happening in real life. Nature books are a great way to do this. You can read about nature, bugs, weather, animals, etc. in a nature book and then make observations in real life outside that ties the experiences together.
Additional nature books

We have compiled a few other posts filled with our favorite nature books for kids (and we’re adding more all the time). If you’re on the hunt for the perfect book, check out some of these posts for more inspiration!
What’s your favorite children’s book about nature?
PHOTOGRAPHY
Big Fun with FamilyFun Magazine
- October 17, 2017
I’m thrilled to announce that Run Wild My Child is teaming up with FamilyFun magazine to bring you a new feature in their magazine called “Big Fun.” Big Fun is all about real kids and families having outdoor adventures, big and small.

FamilyFun magazine

FamilyFun magazine (a division of Parents magazine) is the ultimate guide to creating experiences parents and kids will remember forever. For parents of children ages 3 to 12, FamilyFun magazine is the go-to source for kids’ crafts, treats, fresh ideas,laughs, and more. Each issue of FamilyFun is filled with playful ideas for creating, cooking, and learning. They want to make parties, holidays, travel, and the little moments in life…special.

Perfect collaboration

Our mission to get kids (and parents) outdoors and into nature, one adventure at a time aligns well with FamilyFun’s goal of giving parents the ideas and inspiration they need to create unforgettable family moments. We’re both committed to encouraging parents to celebrate the innocence of childhood and giving them memories that last a lifetime.

Big Fun feature

The Big Fun feature is all about showcasing real kids and families having outdoor adventures, big and small. Each issue of Family Fun magazine will have a 2-page photo spread of an image from our gorgeous Instagram feed. Images in the magazine will be mutually selected by yours truly and the FamilyFun editorial team from those tagged with our #runwildmychild hashtag.

The images chosen to be featured in the magazine are from everyday parents (just like you!). They feature kids enjoying the beauty and wonder of the outdoors. Whether it’s hiking a mountain or exploring a local park, we’re looking for photos that capture kids having fun outside! Our first feature image (shown above) was taken by the incredibly talented Anna Aromin-Papaia (@seldabelda). This shot perfectly captures a beautiful moment from a fun outdoor adventure with her daughter.

For a chance to be featured

For a chance to be featured on the @RunWild.MyChild and @FamilyFunMag Instagram feeds, all you have to do is:
1. Tag us both on your Instagram photos (either directly on the photos or in the caption);
2. Use the #HowWeFun hashtag.
Once a month we’ll both dedicate an entire day to showcasing our favorite images from those tagged on our feeds. We’ll also be doing some takeovers of each other’s accounts, so stay tuned for behind-the-scenes fun and beautiful images galore!

The fall (October/November) issue of FamilyFun magazine is available now!
Pick up a copy today and make sure to tag your images!
LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Urban Farm & Feed – Sandy, Utah
- October 10, 2017
Today I’m really excited to bring you a full review and fall family fun guide to one of the coolest little locations in the Salt Lake City area, Urban Farm & Feed. We’ve got new local mom, blogger and professional photographer, Cara Mathis of Catcher in the Rye Photography here to give you all the details about this super cute local gem of a market. They’ve got everything from locally-grown fruits and vegetable to homemade pies and sweets. There’s pumpkin picking and animals to feed in the fall, as well as a year-round farm school for kids. If you’re in the Salt Lake Area (living there or just passing through), add this place to your “must see” list.

My family and I moved to Utah from D.C. last Thanksgiving. Needless to say, it’s been a bit of a culture shock — in the best way possible. One of the things we’ve noticed most about this state is the sheer volume of farmers markets and outdoor activities it offers.

It feels like we discover a new market every week, each one teeming with even more artisan crafts and fresh produce than the last.

One of my all-time favorites is Urban Farm & Feed in Sandy, Utah.

About Urban Farm & Feed
Since 2012, Urban Farm & Feed has been giving back to its community with farm fresh produce, treats, and activities. Owners Marty and Maryann are first generation farmers who turned their love of the land into 40+ acres of farm fresh offerings. Scattered across Utah, Urban Farm & Feed provides fruits and vegetables, as well as free-roaming chickens, lambs, and cows to Utahns.

Urban Farm & Feed cultivates the land according to strict sustainable farming methods, wherein farms rotate crops and re-nourish the soil they farm. Marty and Maryann are also committed to providing the community with fresh produce and food items free of chemical treatment.
And the coolest thing about Marty and Maryann? They turned their love of farming into the Wasatch Front Farmers Market.

That’s right! One of the most well-known farmers markets in the valley was created – and now hosted – by the owners of Urban Farm & Feed! If you haven’t visited Gardner Village on Saturdays or Wheeler Farm on Sundays, you need to make that a priority this month! The markets run through the end of October, so find the Urban Farm & Feed booth while you’re there and meet the faces behind the farms!

Fall Fun at Urban Farm & Feed

Open Tuesday through Saturday and offering everything from fresh produce to farm fresh Fall decor to homemade pies and ice cream, you won’t find a one-stop shop like Urban Farm & Feed anywhere else in the area.

Especially for Fall.

I mean, just listen to the one-of-a-kind food and activities Urban Farm & Feed is offering this season!

Fun Fall Activities

Committed to teaching adults and children alike to appreciate and cultivate the land, Urban Farm & Feed offer countless opportunities to interact with the earth and learn about farming. Among these are:
Kids crafts and farm activities every Thursday at 11am, capped off by visiting with and feeding the animals in the back (Can you say ‘goats’?!); ages 12 and under

Fresh breakfast from 9am to 11am every other Saturday through the end of October, $6-$10 per plate

U-pick pumpkins

Farm schools held throughout the year to encourage others to live a simple, homemade, and happy life

You could spend every day here and never once get bored! That’s the beauty of farming – There’s never a dull day!
Local Produce and Treats
Our favorite Fall treat this season has been the pies at Urban Farm & Feed. Apple, key lime, and chocolate decorate the tables and refrigerators in the shop. We’ve had a taste of each of them. Not only are they to die for delicious, but they’re small enough to justify getting one for each of you! We treat them as personal-sized. Because pie not?

In addition to fresh pies made daily from scratch in the back kitchen, Urban Farm & Feed offers a huge assortment of other yummies:

Fresh baked apple cider donuts every Saturday through the end of October

Local homemade kombucha, butter, cream, and treats

Squash, gourds, apples, pears, and corn

Local homemade jellies, jams, and condiments

Tomatoes, chilis, meats, dairy, and other fresh produce and staples

Fresh ice cream from the USU Aggie Creamery

Talk about sensory overload! Every bite is even more delicious than the last when you’re eating from Urban Farm & Feed.

Our Family Favorite

Every time we visit Urban Farm & Feed, we have to get the Aggie Blue Mint ice cream, fresh from USU Aggie Creamery. It’s a combination of cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, and, well, blue. And it is Heaven on earth! Even as the temperatures drop to the 40s this month, I have every intention of continuing the ice cream tradition. After all, as Brandon Sanderson said in the Rithmatist, “Everyone knows that ice cream is worth the trouble of being cold. Like all things virtuous, you have to suffer to gain the reward.” And my, can suffering be delicious.

Whereabouts

While we visit the Sandy location at 8767 S 700 East, Urban Farm & Feed is actually a collection of farms, as well as a partnership among farmers. Vegetable farms can be found throughout the Salt Lake county, and Urban Farm & Feed farmers garden plots from 1/4 acre to 9 acres large. In addition to vegetables, some plots maintain animals and poultry for the farm.

Our favorite location is the newest addition to the Urban Farm & Feed family, located at 8767 S 700 East in Sandy, Utah. Here you can find a U-Pick Acre, chickens and lambs, farm-to-table dinners, and an assortment of farm activities. And don’t forget the ice cream!

We’ve been to the shop a few times now – usually on Saturdays – and we’ve never had a problem finding parking and getting in. The owners, Maryann and Marty, and their two boys are always there, chatting with customers, baking in the kitchen, and tending to the gardens around the store.

During our last trip, I bought several bundles of corn stalks to decorate my front porch. I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out. And the best part? My home decor supports local businesses!

Plan your Visit

I’m planning on taking my family to Urban Farm & Feed every weekend until the weather gets so cold we can’t lift the donuts to our mouths anymore. (And let’s be honest – Even that won’t stop me).

Urban Farm & Feed is the perfect local shop to get your kids out and exploring their surroundings. Encourage them to learn about respecting and cultivating the land, all while enjoying the delicious treats that come from hard work and sustainable farming.

Shop local this Fall season, and bring your kiddos on down to Urban Farm & Feed, right off Redwood Drive in Sandy, Utah! You’ll leave happy, full, and ready to plant your own garden and watch it grow!

Cara Mathis is mom to one hysterical little two-year-old and wife to the love of her life. She’s a photographer, blogger and former advocate at the DOJ. She’s passionate about art, music, dance, Kate Spade, cake and interior design She recently moved to Utah after 6 years in Washington DC and Philadelphia, prior to that. Since moving West, their family’s been busy taking advantage of all the activities and outdoor attractions the Beehive State has to offer – mountains and canyons, state fairs and farmers markets, festivals and amusement parks galore.

If you’d like to follow along with their adventures, you can find Cara at the following locations:

Website: Catcher in the Rye Photography
Photography Instagram: Catcher in the Rye Photography
Photography Facebook: Catcher in the Rye Photography
Blog: Catcher in the Rye Photography
Instagram: Catcher in the Rye Photography
Blog Facebook: Catcher in the Rye Photography
FAMILY TRAVEL, FISH, LOCAL GEMS, MCFAMILY, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Fly Fishing with Kids at Dry Run Creek, Arkansas
- October 4, 2017
Dry Run Creek near Mountain Home, Arkansas has been called “the best quarter mile of trout fishing in the world.” However, you won’t find the world’s best fishermen here – you’ll only find kids! A true gem of a fishing location, it only takes one walk along the banks of Dry Run Creek for every fly fishing adult to wish they were a kid again, if only for a day.

Fly fishing with kids at Dry Run Creek, Arkansas

We recently spent three action-packed days fishing with the kids on Dry Run Creek and now consider ourselves totally spoiled. Not only is it an absolutely gorgeous area with lush canopies and easy access to the water, but the fish were giant! My fly fishing obsessed five year-old caught his fill every day, each bigger than the last. Dare I say, he may have even got bored after a while from catching so many fish! Even the three year-old got in on the action and netted a few, although it was hard to pull her away from feeding the fish in the hatchery and chasing butterflies.

About Dry Run Creek

Flowing from Norfork National Fish Hatchery, Dry Run Creek is .75 miles of spring and hatchery effluent fed, ice-cold, highly-oxygenated water (32 million gallons/day) coming up from below the surface of Lake Norfork. Located alongside the hatchery (home to 2.5 million brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout), Dry Run Creek contains significant numbers of large trout trying to migrate from whence they came. Amazingly, despite its proximity to the hatchery, Dry Run Creek is not stocked by Arkansas Game & Fish. Instead, all the fish living in the creek have found their way out of the Norfork River and jumped “the waterfall” to access this trout-nirvana.

Until 1988, Dry Run Creek had been closed for 30 years to all fishing. The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission decided closure of the stream was unnecessary and re-opened it as a catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial-lure fishery for kids under 16 and the handicapped (an Arkansas handicap fishing license is required). Handicap wheelchair-bound individuals may fish from the newly built decks and ramps.

Designed for ultimate fish habitat and growth, Dry Run Creek is open year round to anglers and host to many fishing events and school field trips each year. Children not only have the chance to learn more about trout, but also have a great opportunity to fish for the monsters that lurk in the depths.

Best kids’ fly fishing location

As you can imagine, Dry Run Creek is hog heaven for the fishing-obsessed kid and a great place to get them hooked on fly fishing. The number of trout in the creek is astounding and it’s common to see fish lined up so thick it looks like you could walk across the water using them as stepping stones.

The cold, clear, shallow water allows amazing sight-fishing opportunities, but there are still nooks and crannies to allow the bigger fish to hide. Just because there’s an abundance of fish, doesn’t mean they’re all easy to catch! These fish don’t get this big being careless and fishing here still takes patience and skill.

Trout food sources

The fish in Dry Run Creek thrive on all-natural food sources – sow bugs, scuds, midges, aquatic worms, leaches and an abundance of terrestrial insects. No protein pellets here! Essentially, Dry Run Creek contains everything that you would find in the Norfork River, but more concentrated. Therefore, the fish are well-fed and have very little reason to ever leave! The creek also contains populations of beaver, mink, muskrat, and other animals that use or live in the stream and add to its biodiversity.

Fish for big trout at Dry Run Creek

Because the stream is well-fed and strictly catch and release, the fish have the chance to get massive. There are scores of rainbow and brown trout over five pounds and trophy trout are the norm here. In December 2005, this “little stream that could” gave up a rainbow trout that may have been bigger than the Arkansas state record (estimated somewhere near 25 pounds) to an 11-year-old angler from Kansas!

Kids can fish for the grand slam of trout

The creek has one of the thickest populations of trout in the world and is possibly the best fly fishing stream in the country for young ones learning how to fly fish. Dry Run Creek is absolutely teaming with rainbow and brown trout, but it also has some brook and cutthroat trout. This means your little one could catch a Grand Slam (four different types of trout), all in one location!

Kids only fishing location

Sorry mom and dad, but Dry Run Creek is strictly for kids. All kids must be with a licensed adult and do the fishing themselves. A certain level of parental teaching is permitted, but only in the direct presence of the child.

The kids fishing should be able to cast, hook up and fight the fish on their own, with limited parental guidance and interaction. Parents can rig the rods, coach the youngster and net the fish, but it is really important that the child actually catch the fish. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officers frequent the creek and will issue tickets to adults fishing.

But don’t worry, parents – even though you can’t fish, you won’t get bored. There will be so much action with your kids catching fish that you won’t have time to think about all the fish you could be catching. Non-stop fish after fish (and tangle after tangle) will keep everyone in the family entertained, busy and excited for the next one.

Best fly fishing gear for kids

As for fly fishing equipment, a standard 9-foot, 5-weight rod is the ticket. Light enough to enjoy the pull of the smaller fish and sturdy enough to help control the lunkers when they decide to go for a run. You’ll want to be careful with your leader and tippet size though. When the water is stained, you can get away with heavier leaders and tippet (3X and 4X); however, most days the water is crystal clear so consider using the smallest tippet you can get away with.

(You can find all our favorite fly fishing gear recommendations for kids in this post.)

As for flies, use anything to mimic the trout’s natural diet. We had success with midges, San Juan worms, scuds, and terrestrials, as well as attractor patterns like eggs and stimulators. A strike indicator and split-shot will be necessary when nymphing, and it’s always important to have floatant for your dry flies after they get hammered several times. Make sure you also bring the biggest net you can find. We lost quite a few giant trout at the net because our biggest net wasn’t quite big enough!

What to pack when fly fishing with kids

If your child has waders, bring them. The water is cold and while there are plenty of spots to fish from the bank, with waders they can fish virtually the entire stream. Parents may also want to wear waders and boots in case you need to get in and release hung-up flies and more effectively net the big trout.

Feel free to bring snacks, lunch and a cooler. The stream is less than a mile long, so you’re never too far from your car in the parking lot. There are picnic tables and trash cans scattered along the paths and walkways, so you never have to get off the water.

Tips for photographing catch and release trout

Finally, bring a camera! Dry Run Creek definitely provides opportunities to catch a once-in-a-lifetime fish and you’ll want it documented. Just remember, when you’re taking a picture, handle the fish carefully. Dry Run Creek is a catch-and-release stream and trout must be released immediately after they are caught. Leave the fish in the net, suspended in the water, until you have removed the hook and have the camera ready.

Handle the fish gently and as little as possible when photographing. A quick lift out of the water with a firm (but gentle) grasp is all that’s required. Have your child hold the fish out in front of them so you capture that big giant smile on their face. If it’s super hot out, leave the fish in the water (keep them wet). Be sure to fully revive the fish before release.

When to go fly fishing in Dry Run Creek

Dry Run Creek is open year-round, from sunrise to sunset. There’s never a bad season for fishing and there’s lots to do and explore any time of year you visit. The paths and walkways along the creek were recently remodeled, are well-kept, shaded and a very beautiful in any season. The Mountain Home area is beautiful and filled with all kinds of amazing outdoor activities to partake in with kids: hiking, biking, swimming, boating, kayaking, etc. It’s conveniently located right between Norfork Lake and Bull Shoals, making the fishing and water activities prevalent.

While you’re visiting Dry Run Creek, make sure to check out the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. Feed the trout and take a tour. It is truly a great experience and the kids will love the break in action.

For more information

If you’d like to find more information on Dry Run Creek and the surrounding area, check out the Friends of the Norfolk National Fish Hatchery’s website.

For more info on fly fishing with kids, check out our other posts:
If you’re looking for an awesome place to go fishing with kids,
Dry Run Creek in Mountain Home, Arkansas is definitely worth the trip!
CRAFTS, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Journey Sticks and the Art of Storytelling
- September 28, 2017
I’m really excited to bring you today’s post, all about creating storytelling journey sticks with your kids. The amazing and uber-talented Jessica, from Collect. Make. Explore. is here to show you how to incorporate elements of your hikes, adventures and outings into beautiful physical storytelling devices. I love the lessons this project teaches – from being observant in nature to inspiring creativity in retelling the story of your adventures. This would be a great project to start this fall while the leaves are turning and there’s lot of adventures to be had.

Fleeting anchor

How many times does something beautiful happen in life, be it simple or extraordinary, and you think to yourself, wow I wish I could hold onto this day a little longer? We may rembember the overarching feeling or event, but the little details eventually slip through our hands like tiny grains of sand, getting lost in the crevices of our minds. Wouldn’t you love to have an intuitive way to access all the little details that make a day so magical? Like dew on the morning grass, the everyday moments of our family’s journey shine brightly, but quickly get pulled back into the earth or sky – our natural narrative truly is our fleeting anchor.

Storytelling

The story we tell ourselves shapes who we become. If you want your children to learn to love and respect the natural world and better yet, to understand their part in it, it needs to be an integral part of their story. The lasting memories you create as a family can live on through the art of storytelling. We as humans are more likely to attach importance to a story when we see ourselves as a part of it. And when children are asked to recount the story of their daily adventures and explorations, they become active learners, leaders, and caretakers of their environment. Just like that, they understand in some basic way that their journey is shared with that of the world.

By using verbal and visual maps, we can more easily recount our days, and tap into those individual grains of sand that might otherwise get lost with the passage of time. Creating a journey stick is one way to poetically strengthen our connection to the natural world, as they intertwine person, place, and time. The most amazing thing about this method of remembering is it’s ability to capture individual perspective and personal narratives. Something a standard map can’t touch. When we look at a map we see the lay of the land, yet when we tell our story the land comes alive. I’ve made journey sticks with my little ones, ages two and four, while out on the trail. I’m excited to share our experiences with these storytelling tools with you and get you started making your own memory maps!

History of journey sticks

First, a little background on the journey stick for you. Aboriginal people in Australia used journey sticks to more easily recount their journeys to other people upon their return. They found a large walking stick, collected materials found along the way, and tied them to the stick in chronological order. Native Americans also decorated sticks to recount their journeys and tell about their travels. These sticks can be used as storytelling and navigational tools. The collected materials and markings have various purposes. Some things can be used as markers for natural features in the land, such as tree bark to indicate passing through the woods. While particular symbols carved into or painted onto the stick could show weather patterns, natural features, or events that took place.

Making your own journey stick

To start the process with your family, show your children pictures of journey sticks to familiarize them with the concept. Talk to your kids, show them pictures of journey sticks before setting out on the trail. When you go, be prepared – bring various colored string, scissors, and crayons on your hike. You can either create your journey stick at home after your adventure or while you are out exploring. You can make one journey stick for the entire family or individual sticks for each child, if they’re old enough.

Make it part of the adventure to find the perfect stick. When we began our hike, our perfect journey stick happened to present itself right before the trail began. Once we had that, the kids played while I wrapped various colors of string on the stick to create layered stripes of color. For each part of our adventure that day we tucked little physical reminders of that part of our story under the string, creating a visual narrative. I used thin string, but would recommend yarn because it would be stretchier and easier to manipulate objects through.

You can alter the actual creation of the journey stick to fit the age group. Younger children, such as the toddler age range, may like to have sticky clear contact paper attached to a large piece of bark or cardboard. They can then attach their materials to this as they hike along to make their own version of a journey “stick”. While older children may want to use a pocket knife or other tool to carve simple images into the wood. The most important thing to remember is to not push focus, but instead lead them with a gentle hand. Breaks from the project at hand are fine, come back to it when they are ready. It is a shared journey after all!

Tell your story

Later that night, I helped the kids use the stick to recount their hike to their dad. It was amazing to hear the details come pouring out in order as we touched each object on the stick from top to bottom! The shale from our initial stop at the creek was coated with a thin layer of dried mud. This reminded them to tell their dad about the large patches of cracked dry mud that they peeled apart at the creek.

Another part of our stick held a leaf from the woods where we found a giant toad sitting still as a stone alongside a log. The feather we found led to speculation on the bird it was from and made them remember the sounds we heard in the trees. And on it went until we finished the story of our day. I didn’t write any of this down until writing this post, and looking at the objects, I too can remember the details of our day that happened weeks ago.

Add adventures to your journey

We’ve taken our journey stick to the beach, the forest, the field, and even little trips around the backyard or neighborhood! Each time little reminders stick with us upon our return. Love tracing and tracking the landscape this way. Little bits and pieces of memory are now displayed in the kids “garden” out back. We have a special ceramic vessel that our stick fits perfectly in, so there it lives, tucked within the dirt and leaves for when we need it next. Hope this has woven some inspiration into your day. And that you are moved enough to pick up a stick! Enjoy your journey!

Jessica is a mother of two, a professional artist, former art professor, portrait photographer, author, and writer at “Collect. Make. Explore.”. Her family is on an every evolving journey to develop a more conscious lifestyle, which of course involves natural parenting. Upon having her second child she resigned from teaching to focus on folding together her creative pursuits and nature-led parenting. The outdoors has become both her studio and her classroom. A place to find solace, to learn, to explore, and to just be. All of these local adventures and sweet connections to the outdoors led her to write a small book, sharing the name of her blog,”Collect. Make. Explore.”. If you are interesting in learning more about her book, artwork, blog, or day to day adventures in visual form, she can be found at any of the following social media sites.

instagram: @collectmakeexplore

facebook: collect.make.explore.

web: Collect.Make.Explore.. and www.spiritinthemachine.com

pinterest: @jessicawascak
FAVORITE GEAR
Mongoose Scooters – Force 3.0 Review
- September 26, 2017
This post was sponsored by Mongoose Scooters. A scooter was provided as post compensation and for review purposes. All opinions expressed and photos herein belong to the author.

I’m excited to bring you a really fun review of a new scooter for kids from Mongoose Scooters. Mongoose created their line of Force 3.0 scooters based on feedback from interviews and product testing with a sample group of kids and their parents. They’re durable, safe, stylish and affordable – a great overall combination and perfect for kids ages 7+. We had the awesome Araya Sunshyne (her mom Sarah is one of our fabulous Instagram moderators) test out the Mongoose Force 3.0 and give us her feedback. It was a hit!

Mongoose scooter highlights
- Bike style grips – these hold up better than traditional scooter grips and the kids like the feel more than the cushier fabric grips; we heard that this is something they wanted so we put that on a few of the scooter options
- Max Grip Tape – kids complained about sliding off either the deck or brake as many of the recreational scooters out there now don’t offer the same grippy coverage; we’ve put it across the entire deck and brake of all scooters
- Kickstand – both parents and kids complained of their scooters getting dinged up quickly so we added a kickstand to three of the 5 folding scooters
- Pro-style at an affordable price – we took our pro style scooters to Camp Woodward for the counselors and camp-goers to test out. These are people who follow trick scooter riders and athletes. After testing, they reported back that our scooters stood up to their entry level expert trick scooters but costs much less.
Mongoose Force 3.0
- Portable – easy folding kick scooter for storage and transport
- Protected – kickstand allows you to store the scooter upright to protect frame from damage
- Durable – bike-style grips and heavy duty frame that supports up to 220 pounds
- Smooth ride – wide handlebars offer enhanced steering control and 142 mm wheels provide a smoother ride
- $44.99 (available at Target)
Easy to assemble

My 7 year old daughter was so excited to get her Mongoose Force 3.0 Scooter! We opened it up and I was thrilled that it was so easy to get rolling. I was afraid it was going to be some complicated assembly where I needed tools and directions to put it together. But quite the opposite, it was so easy to put together! You take a bit of wrapping off and the handle bars pop right in. I only had to look at the directions one time to see which button to push to get it to unfold. Other than that, it was completely self-explanatory. Easy to understand directions are included, just in case you need any help.

Taking it for a spin

We folded it back up and headed down to the park to try it out. It was very easy to fold and unfold and it easily fits into the trunk of my car. And as soon as we got to the park, off she went! She rode around and around and loved it. I had a hard time getting her off of it to go home that night. Her little brother (4) wanted to give it a try, and even with his smaller height, he was easily able to ride it with no problems.

Great features

The grip on the board is great for keeping her feet steady on the body of the scooter. No slipping off! The wheels roll smoothly, making it a quick and smooth ride. She could also get some good speed going! The kickstand is also a nice feature. Instead of throwing it down on the ground as most kids do, she can put down the kick stand to keep it up right and help keep it from getting beat up like it might if was just being tossed on the ground every time.

Overall recommendation

Needless to say, we give this Scooter an A++. We have nothing bad to say about it! Easy to assemble, easy to ride, smooth, portable and so far it is holding up beautifully! She loves riding it to the park, around the neighborhood, and even around the house! It is easy to turn and maneuver so she hasn’t taken out any walls or furniture yet. Fingers crossed!

We highly recommend getting a Mongoose Scooter!!!

Sarah Robinson is mom of two, photographer, blogger, model and outdoor adventurist in Arizona. You can find her at any of the following locations:

Sunshyne Life Blog

@Sunshyne.Diaries on Instagram

Sunshyne Pix Photography

@SunshynePix on Instagram

This post was sponsored by Mongoose Scooters. Mongoose Scooters are available at Target. For more information on all Mongoose Scooters, check out their website: http://www.mongoose.com/usa/scooters.
FAVORITE GEAR, FRIDAY FAVORITES
Friday Favorites: Moon Child
- September 22, 2017
This post is a partnered collaboration with Moon Child clothing. The clothing items in the photos were provided for review purposes. All opinions expressed and photos herein belong to the authors and photographers, as noted below.

For today’s Friday Favorites post, I want to take a minute to shine a spotlight on the cutest little online shop for adventurers – Moon Child. Based out of the UK, Moon Child sells awesome and adorable (and durable) ethically produced, organic clothing for free-spirited little ones. Co-owned by two friends, Emma and Sophie, each item in their shop encourages kids to stay wild, never stop exploring, be themselves and howl at the moon – all passions that we at RWMC completely support!

Adventure is out there

We had a chance to receive some items from the Moon Child shop and couldn’t be happier with the quality, colors, style and comfort of the clothes. They’re relaxed and comfortable for kids outdoors exploring in nature. The designs are super cute, from classic basics to trendy tees. The colors are very gender-neutral and not overly girly pink or camo boy. The fabric is soft, thick and durable and has held up after a number of washings. They also sent us the sweetest fabric crowns, stickers and temporary tattoos, all of which my kids love playing with!

We took our Moon Child digs out for a spin in our favorite local creek on a hot late-summer day. Both kids said they loved their outfits and that they were cool and comfortable the whole time we hiked, splashed and explored. Mac’s wearing the classic white “Moon Child” tee and Mim’s in the Tillie set, which might just be the cutest thing ever. Stay on the lookout for the baseball tops on the kids, coming to a post soon about our Arkansas fishing trip.

About Moon Child

Moon Child offers comfortable casual clothes for kids aged 1-⁠6 who love to run around exploring in the wild. With a strong belief that childhood should be about adventuring and being in touch with nature, Moon Child provides clothing to fit in with the ‘running around in mud’ kind of lifestyle, without the compromise of style. Using natural tones with stripes, adventure patches, campfire prints, they aim towards the free-spirited kids who are wild at heart.

With tees ranging from £20 and co-⁠ords up to £45, the range is complemented by quirky prints and stickers for aspiring explorers of the world.

Organic and ethically produced

Moon Child believes with all of the trillions of stars within this little universe, that organic & ethically produced clothing is one of the key ingredients to ensure that our very own planet Earth becomes a sustainable world to live in. Not only that, but zero pesticides means that it’s also great for the development of your little one’s skin.

That is why Moon Child works fairly with each of their suppliers, paying a decent price so that they can in turn, pay decent wages. Moon Child produces their organic cotton in a fair trade workshop in India, not only because it is close to the cotton farms, but also because they are experts in cotton weaving. The pieces are hand made in Harrogate, England, SWEATSHOP-⁠FREE. Moon Child aims to help towards being a part of a fairer world.

Q&A with Emma and Sophie of Moon Child

Tell us a bit about you and your family growing up:

Emma: I spent my younger years growing up with my mum and younger sister. We would spend every day exploring parks and nature reserves near home searching for creepy crawlies + fairies, making mud pies and perfume from flower petals! My mum made every day magical for us and so I think that I have inherited my love of nature and the outdoors from her.

Sophie: My childhood was similar to Emma’s in the way that my two younger sisters and I were always outside playing and exploring (I can definitely relate to the mud pies and petal perfume!). Our Mum would always take us out and about – we looked forward to the summer holidays when she would have plenty of activities planned for us! My Dad used to also take us on a lot of nature walks through forests and exploring different areas around where we lived, so we spent a lot of time outdoors and my love of nature has grown from there.

How did Moon Child get started?

We met in 2015 where we became work colleagues, our friendship grew based around our similar interests and in 2016 we both became Aunties to our awesome little Nieces; Elodie and Tillie. With the little ones on the way, so was our need to spoil them with only the coolest clothing. Having just watched “The True Cost” on Netflix (if you haven’t watched it, do it!) we were bemused with the lack of organic and fair trade cool clothing for little ones. Not only that, but it seemed that the same old ‘pink is for girls’ + ‘blue is for boys’ limited style was still the main offering. Both girls and boys can love dinosaurs and running around in the mud. And in essence, we designed and created clothing with a unisex aimed handwriting and designs.

After a year of research and sourcing the perfect suppliers, Moon Child was born. Our pieces are handmade in England and the US, sweat-shop free, most of our stock is made from organic cotton but it is our aim to one day be fully organic and we will continue to work towards this.

What is your personal favorite product in your shop and why?

Our favourite product(s) in our shop at the moment would have to be our ‘Tillie’ and ‘Elodie’ sets. These were the starting point of our range and so it only felt right to name them after our nieces! The fabric is weaved and hand printed by a wonderful fair-trade workshop in India. They are experts in cotton weaving/printing and the lightweight organic cotton is great on children’s sensitive growing skin. The peplum design and elasticated waist shorts allow for a lot of movement, which is great for adventurous little ones exploring the outdoors!

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

We both have a huge passion for nature and the outdoors which we think shows through our design style. We are very lucky to both live in North Yorkshire, England where there are lots of lovely scenic walks, reservoirs and magical forests! There’s nothing quite like an afternoon spent getting together with family, having a picnic and exploring Brimham Rocks!

Emma: I recently spent a weekend in the Lake District climbing up the hills and mountains – trying (and failing) to get a cuddle from the little lambs. But there’s nothing more I love in the world than a good dog walk with my mum around the lake next to her house.

Sophie: I recently ventured a little further afield and went on a 3-week adventure across Canada, where I spent a lot of time exploring forests and mountains and canoeing on lakes and rivers!

Any advice for parents that want to get their kids outdoors more?

From a young age, encourage green fingers – get them interested in helping and learning about things in the garden. Maybe they could have a patch that they’ve grown (with your help!) and tend to themselves. Connect them to the Earth. Turn every day into an adventure; go on a bear hunt, search for fairies, and embrace the magic of the outdoors!

Pop over to the Moon Child website and check out all their adorable products. From tees to prints to tats, they’ve got everything your wild child needs for an amazing adventure.

Moon Child: Website // Shop // Instagram // Twitter // Facebook
MCFAMILY
A Little Announcement
- September 20, 2017
You may have noticed that it’s been a bit quiet around here over the last few weeks. I promise I’m not abandoning you or this page, it’s just that something else has been occupying all my energy these days. We have a little announcement!

We’re all so excited to have a new member of the clan and we cannot wait to see what kind of adventures come our way. Having a baby, a toddler and a school-age kid is going to be so much fun and we’re already planning trips, outings and activities with all three in tow. Of course, we’ll share all our tips, tricks, fails, advice and stories with you along the way!

If there’s a particular topic you’d like to see us cover related to babies (e.g. baby carriers for hiking, camping with a baby, etc.) or anything else, just leave it in the comments and we’ll get working on it!

Things are about to get crazy! Thanks for being part of the journey!
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Sit Spotting: Nature Meditation with Kids
- September 7, 2017
Today we have a great post for all you busy parents out there that need/want to take some time to slow down and absorb nature vibes. This time of year is always a mad flurry of activities, outings and adventures and it can be very easy to get overwhelmed by your schedule and to do list. However, Brandi Rondinelli of Soulshine Photography is here today to walk us through the benefits of sit spotting in nature, a great way to relax and teach your children about patience, observation and mindfulness.

You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day – unless you’re too busy; then you should sit for an hour.”

― Sukhraj S. Dhillon

What is sit spotting

We’ve all heard of meditation but have you heard of sit spotting? Both are similar in that they involve sitting still and concentrating without any outward activity. However, sit spotting involves the natural world around you and it becomes incorporated into your mindful meditation.

The idea of sit spotting is simple: find a special place in nature and then become comfortable with just being there, still and quiet. In this place, nature will surround you, soothe you, entertain you and seep into you. Sit spotting gives you a personal and intimate place in nature which will soothe, comfort and relax you, as you get to know the location.

Meditating indoors for me was difficult. I find it hard to concentrate, sit still and not let my mind wander when I’m inside my house. Even if my kids are sleeping, there are too many chores and responsibilities on my mind while I’m home. The joys of being an adult…

However, when I started sit spotting outside, I noticed an unfamiliar sense of freedom. Sit spotting stopped my mind’s tendency to wander. The birds chirping in the trees and the wind blowing against my face distracted me from all that was on my mind. It let me focus on the little things like the sounds and the feelings of being out in nature, and less on what was for dinner, when is my next photo shoot and everything in between.

How to get started sit spotting

Find a place in or adjacent to a natural or semi-natural setting where you can sit and observe. Pick a place that’s close. For example, in your backyard, local nature center or neighborhood park, so that it’s easy to get to. Remember the best sit spot is the one you use. We chose our backyard for the convenience. Visit your sit spot regularly, preferably daily or at least several times a week.

Sit quietly there, observing with all of your senses. Listen for birds and other animals. Observe the colors and light. Touch the rocks and moss. Smell the fresh rain or snow. If you want, track your observations with notes and pictures in a nature journal. Visit your location in every season and vary the time of day (morning, noon, night) to see how your spot changes. Eventually, you will know this little corner of the universe better than anyone else.

Benefits of sit spotting

The benefits for meditation and sit spotting are similar as well, and include:
- Increase self-awareness – clarifying your thoughts and allowing you to focus on what’s inside you and/or all around you in a clam positive way
- Becoming grounded and calm – you begin to realize what effect everyday life has on the consciousness and you learn to be more observant and more level headed
- Insomnia – one of the causes of insomnia is the constant stimulation of the brain which is such an issue in today’s society. Winding down becomes harder at the end of the day, but sit spotting can improve the quality of sleep and help sort out the daily mental clutter
- Happiness – if your heart is happy you can be a positive influence on others and become someone other people will want to be around
Sit spotting with kids

Sit spotting is a great way to get kids to sit still and concentrate on their inner self. It encourages them to be observant about what’s going on around them. My son Lorenzo (3) does pretty well sit spotting. He sits quietly, takes deep breaths and just listens. After a minute we talk about what we heard, then we do it again. My daughter Halona (18 months) hasn’t mastered the sitting still part yet, but she watches us will eventually catch on. Monkey see monkey do!

If you’d like to try sit spotting with your kids, there are a few things you can do to get them started and encourage them to be still and observant in nature:
1. Create a fun place to sit. For example, my kids and I built an outdoor teepee for our sit spot. They get excited about sitting in the “cool” teepee they helped build.
2. Practice sitting crisscross-applesauce and ask your child if he or she can listen and tell you what they hear. You start off by listening and saying “I hear birds chirping, what do you hear?” If this is hard for them, try having them close their eyes.
3. Try sitting and talking about your surroundings for 5 minutes. Talk about the plants, colors and shapes they see. Talk about smells and textures. Repeat the next day.
4. Start with short amounts of time. Five minutes is a good place to start. If your kids cannot sit for the 5 minutes, shorten the the time and move it up as they get better/more experienced. This will also be a good learning tool that they can utilize in school.
Sit spotting, just like meditation, is not an overnight exercise. Children won’t feel the benefits immediately, but regular practice (5 minutes a day) can bring positive changes to their life and learning ability. Of course, the best thing to do is be a role model and use sit spotting in your life as well!

Hello! I’m Brandi Rondinelli. I am a stay at home-unschooling mama to my two little adventurers Lorenzo (3) and Halona (19 months) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am a photographer for both my business Soulshine Photography and an official Hike it Baby photographer. My family and I love the great outdoors and we make sure to get outside every single day. Whether that’s in our backyard, going for a walk, park, nature center or state park. We have been to 18 state parks and 25 nature centers/hiking spots in Wisconsin and beyond. Our goal is to explore them all!

Follow Brandi on Instagram: @soulshinephotographer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulshinephotographer
CRAFTS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Making Mandalas in Nature with Kids
- August 31, 2017
I’m so excited to bring you a post today all about making mandalas in nature with kids, submitted by the amazing Doria Lotan. She was born and raised in New York and currently lives in Sweden where she and her husband are “unschooling” their three kids. She has a degree in Philosophy and works as a content writer for a living. You can find her on Instagram (@heartledadventures) and follow along her parenting journey.

Fostering a love for nature

The transition from being a couple with no children to parents of three within four years has had and continues to have a profound impact on our lives. After all, before you become a parent, the idea of having one child is hard enough to fully conceptualize, let alone the idea of suddenly being responsible for three. And while it certainly wasn’t our plan to have this many kids in so short a time, our children motivate us every day to try and be the best people we can be and for that we are eternally grateful.

Since our love for nature, hiking and traveling is what initially brought us together as a couple ten years ago, it makes total sense that those same things continue to shape our lives and approach to parenting today. By being in nature as much as possible, we have found a way to offer our children an authentic, first-hand experience of what it is like to be a kind, respectful and loving human being, all of which nature inspires us to be.

With our children still very young, River 4, India 2.5 and Ocean 9 months old, we feel it is extremely useful to have an activity planned for our outdoor excursions. And while we are still able to take the occasional longer hike in the Swedish wilderness close by, for now, the most important thing isn’t how long we are out but that we get out, get dirty and get wild as often as possible.

Our go to activity for everyday outdoor fun is inspired by the Eastern tradition of creating mandalas. In its simplest form, a mandala is a circular structure with a design that radiates out symmetrically from the center. You can find natural mandalas in flowers, tree rings, the sun, eyes, snowflakes, spider webs, sea shells, seeds, fruits and more. There is no right or wrong way to make one which is why it is such a wonderful way to engage children to make their own mandalas using items they find in nature.

Inspiring creativity and independence

Creatively, mandalas offer children the perfect balance between structure and free play. Interestingly enough, the mandala is usually the first identifiable form that toddlers start drawing as they move from scribbles to more realistic drawing. This first mandala artwork usually progresses to drawings and paintings of faces, suns, people, and animals.

What we love most about making our own mandalas in nature is that it doesn’t require any tools, relies on nature as a source of materials, is appropriate for all ages and is fun, creative and educational. Creating mandalas is a delightful, beautiful and easy activity that you can do almost anywhere and at any time. All you need is a small collection of materials and an imagination.

Collecting natural materials

There are so many items you can use to create mandalas. We love going on adventures to find natural materials to use in our art. Feel free to use whatever natural items are available to you, in your local area, such as:
- sticks
- rocks/pebbles
- shells
- sand
- flowers
- leaves
- driftwood
- pine cones
- seedpods
- sea glass
- clovers
- moss
- berries
- feathers
- pine needles
- acorns
We like to give the kids a basket so they can collect whatever they are looking for and bring it back to the site of their mandala. Handing each child their own basket is a great way to encourage their independence and allow them to become directly engaged with the environment without feeling the need to constantly rely on us to facilitate.

Giving the mandala shape

The easiest way to start this activity is with the outer circle, the main shape of the mandala. There are two ways to do this:
1. You can help your children find circles that already exist in nature, whether it be the surface of a rock that looks circular or a tree stump that has a circular surface.
2. You can ask your children to collect their items (leaves, sticks, rocks, pine cones, shells, or whatever is in your nearby environment) and help them create the first circle from one of those natural materials.
Once the initial outline of the circle is in place they can continue to fill up the space as they desire. Regardless of how old your children are, creating art from the natural raw materials found outside is an amazing way to help establish a healthy and reciprocal relationship between nature and child.

Encourages teamwork

The kids often work as a team and learn to cooperate by searching for whatever they want to include in their mandala together. On today’s excursion, they decide to go for a series of circles within the bigger circle and are independent in choosing the type of material they want to use for each. At this point I take a backseat and really enjoy watching them make decisions and figure things out for themselves.

With small children I periodically check in to see if they are happy to improvise or would prefer more guidance from me. With bigger children I step back and play more of a passive role as they create their own art piece.

There is often an element of time to consider when making mandalas in nature. Unless you are in a place that has absolutely no wind (virtually unheard of here in Sweden), the kids will need to take the elements such as space, time and weather into consideration and be relatively focused as they work if they want to see their mandala take shape.

Non-attachment

Whether you head out and try this activity in a still setting or windy one, the mandala isn’t going to be going home with you once you’ve finished. That to me is a big part of what makes this activity so unique and why it is one of my absolute favorite things to do with the kids.

All people, young and old are attached to things. It is part of life and something we see children dealing with developmentally early on. Out in nature they know that they are entering a different type of environment than the one they have at home and when they ask what happens to their mandala once they leave it’s a great opportunity to have a really interesting discussion with them. With smaller children the conversation will be quite short of course but still, they get to see that there is value in the process of creating even if there is nothing tangible to show for it in the end.

Make a memory

I have taken pictures here in order to share this beautiful, fun and engaging activity with you all. If my children ask me to, I take pictures of their art work for them to print out and keep at home. However, the more mandalas they make, the less preoccupied they are with having a memento to keep and the more they are able to be in the moment and enjoy the process for what it is. This is the true gift of making mandalas in nature. Together as a family we enter the wilderness, share quality time together and become completely engaged in the moment. Who could ask for more?

Doria is a mother of three, currently living in Sweden and writer at Heart Led Adventures. This fall, she and her husband Toby will be putting their home up for sale and setting out on an adventure to discover what happens when they follow their hearts and leave comfort behind. From the magical to the chaotic and everything in between, they will strive to be as real as possible, showing what it takes to go for your heart’s desire with three little ones in tow. Their goal is to step into the unknown, live a life that is aligned with their core values and enjoy every moment with their wonderful, silly, energetic, sometimes challenging and always awesome three kids.

Have you ever made nature mandalas with your kids?
CRAFTS, SUMMER
Sun Print Paper Nature Art
- August 23, 2017
The great solar eclipse of 2017 has passed (it was really cool, wasn’t it?!), but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have some fun experimenting with the sun and its powers. If your kids had a chance to view the eclipse, hopefully, it sparked a curiosity in them about our solar system, the sun, and science. Making nature art using sun print paper is a great way to teach kids about the sun and shadows. It also encourages them to be observant of shapes, patterns, and sizes of leaves, plants and nature objects. Plus, you get some really gorgeous art prints out of it that would look so pretty framed or turned into wrapping paper or greeting cards. It’s a win/win/win!

Sun print paper

Sun print paper is relatively new to me, but has been around for a long time. Sunprinting, also called cyanotype or “blueprinting,” is the oldest non-silver photographic printing process. The paper is coated with light-sensitive chemicals, which react to light waves and particles when exposed to sunlight. When you place objects on the paper, they block the light (paper remains white), while the areas on the paper around them turn a beautiful Prussian blue (ferric ferrocyanide). Water stops the process and fixes your images on the paper.

You can get sun print paper at many local crafts stores, or order it online. The paper comes in a variety of sizes and can be purchased in a kit with an acrylic sheet included. I bought this kit (affiliate link) – Super Sunprint Kit – from Amazon for about $12, which contains 15 sheets of paper and a heavy acrylic sheet.

Nature items to use for sun print art

Part of the fun of making the sun prints with kids is collecting items from around our neighborhood to use. We chose all leaves this time, but there are so many items you can use, from everyday household things (paperclips, buttons) to all natural items. Here’s a fun list of nature-inspired objects that your kids could collect and use:
- flowers
- flower petals
- feathers
- algea
- moss
- clovers
- leaves
- shells
- starfish
- dead butterfly/moth
- seedpods
Step 1 – What you need
- sun print paper
- an acrylic sheet or frame of glass
- heavy cardboard base (or thick book)
- a sink/tub full of water
- fun and interesting nature objects to print
Step 2 – Arrange your objects

Because the blue molecules embedded in the sun print paper are sensitive to ultra-violet light, it’s best to arrange your objects on the paper in a dark room. Direct sunlight will expose the paper quickly, but even ambient light in the shade, or in a room with a big window will cause slow exposure of the paper. Turn out all the lights and draw the shades, before assembling.

Start with a hard cardboard base layer – we used a thick flat book. Then arrange your items in an interesting pattern on the sun print paper, blue-side up. Try to keep things from overlapping too much and carefully spread out individual leaves or flower petals. You can make shapes, make a landscape, combine patterns and objects or keep it simple. There’s no right or wrong way to set everything up, so let your kids play around with the items until they’re happy.

Step 3 – Place the acrylic sheet on top to flatten

When you’ve got everything arranged on the paper exactly how you want it, place a sheet of thick acrylic or glass on top to hold everything in place. My sun print paper kit came with a heavy sheet of acrylic, but you can also use a piece of glass from a picture frame. Using an acrylic pressing sheet will not only hold flat objects in place, but it also helps sharpen the edges between blue and white in your final print. The ambient sunlight outdoors will find its way underneath the edges of your objects if they are not pressed firmly to the paper, and you will get sun prints with blended contrasts.

Step 4 – Take your sun paper outside

Once you have everything set up (cardboard, sun print paper, nature items, acrylic sheet), then you’re ready for sunlight! Take everything outside and let the sun work it’s magic from 2-5 minutes, depending on the strength of the rays. The areas of the paper exposed to the sun will fade from blue to white. When you see most of the color disappear from the paper, your print has been fully exposed. If no direct sunlight is available, don’t worry–just expose your print a little longer and wait for the same fading effect. Under cloud cover, the process may take 5-20 minutes depending on the thickness of the clouds.

*What is happening in this step? Two crucial molecules in the paper are interacting, forming a new molecule. Their interaction is initiated by specific wavelengths of ultra-violet light. The new molecule is colorless so that as the blue molecules are converted, the white of the paper base begins to show through. Areas of the paper covered by your objects still contain the original blue molecule, so they remain blue.

Step 5 – Rinse your sun print in water

Once your exposed paper has turned almost white, remove the objects and rinse the paper in water to stop the chemical reaction. As the paper is submerged, watch the white turn into blue and the blue turn into white! To get the deepest blue that the paper can give, leave it in the water for 1-5 minutes.

*There are two exciting things happening to the paper while it is underwater. First, the original blue compound is water soluble, so that when you immerse it in the bath, the water carries it away, leaving only the white paper base in those areas. Second, the colorless compound whose formation was caused by the sun’s energy is not water soluble, so it cannot wash away in the water bath. It is sensitive to the water in another way. Just as the sun’s light stimulated a chemical change in the previous step, the water stimulates another chemical change in this one. The water causes an oxidation reaction that turns the colorless compound into the deep blue of a finished sun print.

Step 6 – Lay your sun print flat and allow it to dry

Once rinsed, lay your sun print paper out on something absorbent and allow it to dry. You can use a paper towel or a piece of cardboard. Putting it on something absorbent will help to avoid the formation of water spots by drawing the water away from the paper and keep the paper from curling on the edges. When you take your paper out of the water, the active chemical will not have finished oxidizing. The water remaining in the paper will do the job before it evaporates. By the time it is all gone you will have a beautiful, deep blue sun print!

Put your sun prints to use

Once your paper is dry, there are so many things you can do with it. Frame them and make a gallery of nature art. Fold the paper and turn them into greeting or thank you cards. Use the paper as wrapping paper for small gifts and items. Cover a box with the paper and use it to keep small treasures safe. The possibilities are endless!

Have you ever experimented with sun print paper?

*Information contained in this post found on http://www.sunprints.org/how-it-works
BEACH, PHOTOGRAPHY
5 Must Take Beach Photos
- August 17, 2017
Taking photos of your kids at the beach can be both overwhelming and difficult with all the different variations of shots, light conditions and hazards to your camera (water and sand!). Today we’ve got professional photographer and self-proclaimed beach addict Laura Parker of Laura Parker Photography here to help you capture five incredible photos of your kids on your next beach adventure. She’ll walk you through camera settings, sunlight conditions and show you how to frame the perfect shot.

With summer upon us many of us find ourselves filling our cars to the brim and headed straight to our favorite beaches. As a native Californian my family finds itself escaping for the coast more times than I can count. Even though most of our beaches here in Northern California are not all that warm in the water – they sure are beautiful! And while the thought of bringing a camera down to the beach seems a little nerve wracking (i.e. water!! sand!!), you won’t regret packing it along for the ride when you come home with gorgeous images of your kids. Here is a list of five must take photos to capture on your next beach adventure.

1. Sunrise/Sunset

Depending on what time you arrive at the beach or leave, you can’t beat the scene at these two times of day. In the morning, the sky is pastel and the light is soft and gorgeous. In the evening as the sun is setting, the sky really puts on a show. It’s also a great time to capture reflections in the water. This image was captured right as the sun was setting below the horizon. No wonder these times of day are called “golden hours.”

2. Silhouette

When the sun is getting ready to make a dip below the horizon is a great time for silhouette photos. Beaches at sunset are the perfect place to get that classic simple silhouette framed against a bright background. To achieve this look place your objects in front of or near the setting sun. Force your camera to set its exposure based upon the brightest part of your picture (the background) and not the subject of your image – that way your subject will be under-exposed and very dark (if not black). Our beaches often get socked in with fog so getting a bright silhouette shot is always an added delight on gorgeous clear days!

3. Magnitude

Did you know that ocean covers more than 70% of the earth? No wonder we feel so small when we stand next to it! Using a wide-angle lens is a great way to show the expanse of the sea and the smallness of people in comparison. This is an especially great photo to take if you’ve got a large chunk of the beach all to yourself. For the below image, I used a 35mm lens to really showcase the size of the ocean compared to my husband fishing. Include a bit of foreground and the sky above to maximize your negative space.

Bonus tip: When taking photos with a clear horizon, make sure they are always straight!

4. Details

Don’t focus exclusively on the big picture to the detriment of capturing all those little details. Think about what things catch your eye? Is it the way your children have sand clung to their tiny hands and toes? The sandcastle they have been building? The beachy curls in their hair from the salt water? Make sure you capture some images with just their hands working or their feet crawling. Get up close and focus on the small details. Shoot from up high (your perspective) and down low (theirs). When you make the composition interesting, it tells a story for you. I loved this shot below of my daughters tiny shoes next to my dog’s paw prints in the sand.

5. Joy

If you do nothing else, make sure you capture the joy of the beach and the thrill of going to the ocean. There’s something magical about the beach and children can always feel it. The beach can be and is messy, but it’s an incredible full-body sensory experience. A visit to the ocean can make you feel small, yet very connected to nature and your surrounding. Enjoy it, capture it…but most of all, have fun and run wild!

What are your must-take photos at the beach?