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GOOD FOR NATURE

ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, BEACH, BOOKS, GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Tips for Fossil Hunting with Kids
- August 24, 2021
Are your kids dinosaur-obsessed? Do they love treasure hunts? Do they enjoy using tools? Then this outdoor activity is going to blow you away! Today, teacher and UK mom, Hannah Martin, is sharing all the best tips and advice on how to go fossil hunting with kids. Fossil hunting is a fun, exciting, and educational activity for the entire family! You can do it nearly anywhere and it doesn’t take a lot of fancy gear or equipment. Just a love of learning and exploring. Let’s go fossil hunting!

The case for dinosaur-obsessed kids

Before I had a child, I didn’t have a clue about dinosaurs or fossil hunting. Another confession, despite hours upon hours of reading dinosaur books and taking all things dinosaur, I am still no dinosaur expert. However, I admit that I have enjoyed learning all about them with my son. From the armored Ankylosaurus to the sea-dwelling Plesiosaurus, we have played, watched, and read about what feels like every dinosaur possible.

Interest in dinosaurs not only evokes questions and learning about history, geography and nature: a study by the University of Indiana and the University of Wisconsin reported that interest in dinosaurs as a child, leads to enhanced perseverance (definitely a skill needed when fossil hunting!), improved attention and “enhanced skills of complex thinking, such as processing information.” Turns out that your child’s dino-obsession just might be good for them!

Benefits of fossil hunting with kids

While I’m not expecting my son’s interest in dinosaurs to turn him into an archeologist or paleontologist, I like that it’s made him curious about the world around him (and what came before us). Fossil hunting is an activity that we use to connect the past (and his interest in dinosaurs) to the present (and our interest in nature and outdoor activities).

Fossil hunting takes patience and perseverance. This is an activity that definitely suits his characteristics; he’s calm and always interested in facts. Fossil hunting is a fun outdoor family activity with many benefits for children: improving their fine-motor skills when selecting small treasures amongst pebbles, risk management when working with tools along the coastline and under cliffs, sorting and ordering, encouraging reading about and researching what you collect, and best of all, it seems to have a positive effect on mental well-being.

In my son’s own words “Fossil hunting makes me feel calm.”

Where and when to go fossil hunting with kids?

We are very lucky to live near the Jurassic Coast in the UK. It’s a coastline where thousands of sea-dwelling creatures and dinosaur fossils have been discovered over the years. It is a UNESCO site for its outstanding value of rocks, fossils, and land formations.

But don’t worry! You don’t have to live in a UNESCO site to enjoy fossil hunting and find fossils. Every continent on earth has many fossils. And new species are yet to be discovered in all areas. So, no matter where you live, you can go fossil hunting.

From research (but sadly not personal experience), I learned that there are tons of amazing fossil hunting locations across the US. There have been hundreds of great dinosaur and ancient discoveries from Texas to Montana, Alaska to Hawaii. The Morrison Formation in the Western part of the US is a great place to be inspired, with Aptasaurus, Allosaurus and Stegosaurus fossils on display.

There are many other amazing places across the US where you can actually fossil yourself, check out this website for an array of destinations.

Fossil hunting can be done at any time of year but in the UK, the best months are between November and April. This is due to the rough seas churning up the beach and revealing more fossils. In the US, more fossils are found inland so, lucky for you, it can be an all-year-round activity!

How to get started fossil hunting with kids

Fossil hunting books for kids

The only thing you really need to get started fossil hunting with kids is an interest in the activity! If you have a dino-loving kid, the interest has already been ignited. In order to help your kids make the connection between dinosaurs of the past and the rocks they can find today, check out Fossils for Kids or Dino Dana Both will help your child identify and understand dinosaurs and how they’re still relevant (and being discovered) today.

We set the scene for our first fossil hunting day out by using a story by Linda Skeers titled Dinosaur Lady. It’s about the historical figure, Mary Annings, who is now known as one of the most successful palaeontologists in UK history. What excited our son was that the story was based in the place we were planning to visit so he was expecting to find a whole dinosaur, just like Annings did!

Fossil hunting songs, games, and activities

On the journey to our destination, we carry on the fossil theme and, as a family, we sing along to “I’m a Palaeontologist” by They Might Be Giants. It’s a fun and catchy tune that will get kids excited about fossil hunting and the fun things they can potentially find.

We also play a game where we named a dinosaur for every letter of the alphabet. I warn you this gets pretty tricky at N and O but we had help from our 199 Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals book.

Dinosaur museums

In order to give your child a better understanding of what they are looking for and how cool fossil hunting is, consider taking them to a local, child-friendly dinosaur museum. We are lucky since where we fossil hunt, there is a small museum set up by a local man who started fossil hunting at the age of 6 and now, 50 years on, he has a great collection of fossils including a whole Pliosaur and an Ichthyosaur. Our son was very inspired by The Etches Museum and was definitely in the mood to find his own fossils once we left.

There are loads of museums around the world with great collections of fossils and dinosaur bones. If you’re lucky enough to be near any of these places, they were listed as the 10 best Dinosaur Museums in the world by http://www.thetravel.com:
1. Zigong Dinosaur Museum (Zigong, China)
2. Natural History Museum (Paris, France)
3. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (Brussels, Belgium)
4. Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology (Alberta, Canada)
5. Natural History Museum (London, England)
6. The Field Museum (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
7. Fukui Dinosaur Museum (Katsuyama, Japan)
8. Badlands Dinosaur Museum (Dickinson, North Dakota, USA)
9. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (Washington D.C, USA)
10. National Dinosaur Museum (Canberra, Australia)
Fossil hunting gear and equipment

There’s really not a lot of gear or equipment you need when fossil hunting with kids. There are a few things that help make the experience safer and feel more legitimate for kids, though. I’ve included a list of optional fossil hunting gear below.

Fossil Hammer – While not essential, a fossil hammer will make the fossil hunting experience more of an adventure for your child and give him/her more independence and responsibility. Our son was very excited that he had his own fossil hammer, but of course, always make sure you talk through safety with them and supervise them while using it.

Eye Protection – If you’ll be using a hammer and smashing rocks and chipping away at stone and dirt, safety goggles are a good idea to protect their eyes from flying stone and debris. Nothing spoils fossil hunting like a piece of stone in a little eye.

Collection Tools – Another great thing to have is a little tin or a small collection bag so the children can collect and look after their own treasures. Our son also enjoyed using a small brush to clear away the dust (a paintbrush will work just fine), and a magnifying glass to inspect his findings.

What else to bring on a fossil hunting outing

That’s all the essentials tools you’ll need for fossil hunting; however, there are a few other things you should bring along on your outing. Make sure to pack and dress for the weather. A spare change of clothes is always useful whenever you’re out near the water We’ve learned this lesson the hard way – once we fossil hunted around rock pools and it was a rather soggy affair. We now take our lightweight waterproof suit whenever we’re out and about. Then again, we do live in England!

Shoes with a good grip are also recommended as some areas can be slippery under cliffs. Also, don’t forget lots of snacks and a picnic for a day trip. In the winter we always take our Kelly kettle so we can have a hot chocolate to warm up and refuel.

Where and how to look for fossils

The most important tool you need for fossil hunting is your eyes! While you can find lots of tips on where to look for fossils, fossil hunting success is largely down to luck. The longer you spend on the activity, the more chance you have of spotting some cool finds. Here are a few of the places we tend to find the most and best fossils.

Look for fossils in and at the bottom of cliffs

Look for sedimentary rock in the cliffs, so anything from sandstone to limestone or shale. On our last fossil-hunting expedition, there was slate which is composed of volcanic ash and clay. It is soft and can be flaked apart or gently tapped with the hammer, which was ideal for fossil hunting with kids. The main fossil you want to look out for in the cliffs are ammonites. But, also look out for Coprolites (dino poop) and leaf imprints. We discovered lots of imprints when splitting rocks apart and along the coastline on large rocks. Sadly, many of these rocks were way too big to take home!

Make sure that you do not hammer the cliffs, as this can cause landslides and displace large amounts of earth. Just hammer the rocks that have already fallen from the cliffs on the beach. Sometimes, when you look along the side of a rock you can see different layers of earth. This is a good sign that there might be a fossil inside. We didn’t spend too much time under the cliffs as they were constantly falling around us as we had rain the night before.

Fossil hunting in shingle and sand

When fossil hunting, we enjoy sitting down amongst the shingle and just gently moving the sand and pebbles back. This is usually when some chill-out time is needed. Some of our most successful finds have been here!

Keep a lookout for “precious jewels”, or sea glass gemstones (small pieces of different colored glass). Occasionally, you can find semi-precious gemstones such as Rhodonite. All of these treasures have history and we enjoy looking in our rocks and fossils book to see what they are and learning about them.

Shoreline fossil hunting adventures

During our shoreline fossil hunt, we play a game we call ‘dinosaur footprints.’ We follow behind our son, walking like dinosaurs, and whenever he turns around we have to freeze. While you’re playing, keep your eyes down and look out for black or white stone-looking objects. You will probably need to pick in the sand with your hands to find them.

When you’re at the shore, it’s also worth looking for sea snails, echinoids (fossilized sea urchins – they are quite rare), Belemnites (sea creatures similar to modern-day squids), and Crinoid stems (ancient animals related to sea urchins and starfish).

If you are unsure what you are looking for, there are loads of websites specific to certain areas that you can look up and research before leaving for your fossil hunting adventure.

The great thing about fossil hunting on the coast is that if you or your kids get bored, impatient, or tired of searching there are rock pools and the sea to splash in and explore, too! Activities on the beach are endless, we love making rock towers (but remember to put rocks back when you leave), and why not have a sandcastle competition or look for wildlife in a rock pool.

Sorting and displaying your treasures

One of our favorite parts of fossil hunting is coming back home and seeing all the treasures we found. We put our fossils into a collection box and have even made a little resin display for them. Hobie loves taking his collection to school for show and tell and even gets them out sometimes when playing with his dinosaurs.

Fossil fun for the whole family

Fossil hunting is a great activity for all the whole family. We always come back from our fossil hunting adventures invigorated by the fresh air, with a good feeling of tiredness from walking and playing. We go home feeling a sense of achievement and with a tin full of historical, educational, free goodies!

I hope this post has inspired you to get outside and see what fossils you can find in your area. We hope to see you out fossil hunting sometime soon!

Are your kids into dinosaurs?
Have you ever gone fossil hunting?

About the author

Hannah Martin has worked as a PE Teacher in the UK for 15 years. She has always loved being active outdoors. However, she discovered a new passion for nature and appreciating the environment when she had her son Hobie (now 5 years old). Hannah and Hobie’s vision is to inspire parents to spend time doing fun, creative, nature activities outdoors with their children; no matter where they live and whatever the weather. They believe spending time together outdoors as a family will encourage future generations to love and care for the world, wildlife, and environment.

Find more from Hannah (and Hobie) in the following locations:
Instagram: @hobies_nature_club
Website: hobiesnatureclub.co.uk
YouTube channel: Hobie’s Nature Club
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FAMILY TRAVEL, GOOD FOR NATURE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WATER
Tips for Whale Watching with Kids
- August 22, 2021
Observing whales in the ocean is a phenomenal experience. Whales are fascinating and breathtaking. They’re one of the most important creatures in the ocean and vital to our planet and ecosystem. Because of their size and importance, the only place you can see a whale is in the wild. Today, Cape Cod mom of 2, Lissy Perna is here sharing her experience whale watching with kids. She’s sharing tips for parents on what to bring, when/how to purchase whale watching tickets, how to spot whales in the ocean, interesting whale facts for kids, the best places to spot whales, favorite whale books for young children and so much more! Ahoy! Let’s get started!

The wonder of whale watching with kids

There’s something truly magical about seeing the world’s largest mammals up-close and personal, right before your eyes, in their natural habitat. Sharing that miracle with your child and watching their eyes widen when a 40-ton cetacean vaults itself clear out of the ocean is something you both won’t soon forget.

That’s the kind of wonder that a whale watch with your kids provides! It’s truly spectacular in a way that’s hard to describe in words. You just have to experience it to understand how massive and magnificent these creatures are. Whale watching is magical for the whole family, no matter what age, interest or ability. It’s nearly impossible not to be impressed by these amazing animals.

Whale facts for kids
1. Whales are mammals – Whales breathe air (just like we do), so they need to reach the surface of the ocean to breathe. To breathe, whales have a blowhole in the top of their heads. Whales also give birth to live young. Baby whales are nursed and taken care of by their mothers until they reach a certain age.
2. There are two types of whales: baleen whales and toothed whales – Baleen whales feed on krill and plankton. Toothed whales eat several kinds of fish (tuna, cod, and salmon) and some small mammals like seals.
3. The blue whale is the largest animal in the world – It’s also the largest animal that has ever existed! It’s larger than the largest dinosaur ever found.
4. Whale tails are unique – Whale tails have flukes or lobes. Each fluke is unique to that whale. Similar to a person’s fingerprints, whale lobes have distinctive traits and markers that are helpful in identifying specific whales and species.
5. Whales can swim as fast as 30 miles per hour.
6. Some whales hold their breath and can stay underwater for as long as 90 minutes.
7. Whales only half-sleep – In order to keep from drowning, whales do not fully sleep as other mammals do. Whales sleep by shutting down half of their brain. This lets the other half of their brain remain alert to make sure they take breaths when needed.
8. Whales move in groups called pods – Pods can be as small as two whales and be as big as a hundred or more whales. Larger pods are usually formed when embarking on a long migration.
Conservation value of whale watching

Observing whales in the ocean can be an exhilarating experience for kids and adults. While whale watching is an economic activity that can provide an incentive to preserve them in their natural habitat, it also has the potential to negatively affect whale populations that are targeted for tourism. It is important for whale-watching tour companies to be responsible and understand both the benefits and the potential impacts of this activity.

Responsible whale watching benefits everyone: the observers, the tour operators, the local communities, and the whales! Responsible whale watching offers people the opportunity to learn about whales, the threats they face, and what we can do to help. It also provides a research platform to collect data on the behavior and ecology of whales. Whale watching tours can also provide income for coastal communities and gives locals an economic incentive for caring for the animals.

Whale species and where to spot them

Depending on the location where you’re doing your whale watching, you might see one or more species of whales during whale season. Here are the most common types of whales that you’ll see on a whale watch cruise.
- Minke whales (all over)
- Humpback whales (all over)
- Blue whales (Azores, Quebec, Mexico)
- Killer whales / Orca (Norway, Iceland, Canada)
- Sperm whales (Norway, New Zealand, Azores)
- Gray whales (Mexico, Alaska)
- Right whales (Argentina, Australia, South Africa)
- Fin whales (all over)
- Beluga whales (Arctic, Quebec)
Whale watching tips for parents

Have you been on a family whale-watching adventure with your family yet? Preparing for a four-hour tour out on the ocean with your children may seem daunting. It’s easier to do than you think and even more incredible than you can imagine. We’ve gone whale watching as a family multiple times and I’m here to support you with some tried and true tricks to help you have a successful trip. We want to make sure this is a great experience for your kids. Because kids that love animals and wildlife, grow up to be adults that love, appreciate and protect wildlife and their habitats.

Set realistic expectations

In a world where we are accustomed to everything instantaneously and in on-demand form, this type of excursion may need an explanation for your children. For example, heading out on a whale watch is not comparable to going to a zoo. The animals on this adventure are not kept in enclosures, where they’re easily visible and reliably there, day in and day out.

These whales live in their natural habitat, a vast and wide-open ocean with no barriers. And while they are the biggest animals in the ocean, seeking them out takes time, patience, persistence, and a little luck. Since the first whale watches that I’ve brought my sons on, I’ve always said, “We’re going on a boat ride; we might even see a whale!” Under promising (and then hopefully over-delivering) can never hurt in this situation.

Planning ahead – check the weather

When planning a whale watch for your family, try not to book too far in advance if possible. The weather on the coast can be unpredictable and it’s best to pick a day that you know will have good weather. If you can secure tickets the day of or the day before the tour, that would be best.

Sunny days with no fog and calm winds are ideal weather conditions. Where we live on Cape Cod, there tends to be fog in the early mornings, so we usually avoid the day’s first trip and opt for the afternoon or early evening excursion. Get familiar with the weather in the area where you’ll be doing the whale watching tour and ask when the best time of day would be to go. Also, know your kids and their limitations. If you have little ones that nap in the afternoon, a morning trip is probably best so as to not have an overtired and cranky kiddo.

We went out on one particular whale watch where the wind was so breezy and the water was so choppy that it was hard to stand up on the boat without falling. Despite the rough seas, we enjoyed ourselves and still managed to see whales. However, the Captain decided against traveling all the way out to Stellwagen Bank, which is the ultimate destination for whale sightings in our area. Thankfully, my son was just delighted to be on the ocean and in a boat, so he was not disappointed in the least! (Again, set those expectations low.)

Purchasing your tickets

Most whale watching tour companies have websites that allow you purchase your tickets in advance online. They usually post the daily schedule of the outings and set the expectations on what you’ll see, need to bring, and when/where to arrive for the tour. Sometimes whale watching areas and tours can get booked pretty far out in advance, due to the popularity. As I mentioned above, it’s best to book as close as possible to your tour date (so you have a better idea of weather), but that might not always be possible.

Whale watch tickets can be pricey. Whale-watching tours in our area can cost between $40-$80 per person. To keep costs down (especially for large families), it’s wise to spend a few minutes doing some research to possibly save a few dollars. When you’re ready to purchase your tickets, take the time to see if you qualify for any discounts.

For example, the Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch Company out of Provincetown, Massachusetts, grants a discount for veterans, military, first responders, teachers, and front-line workers. Also, children four years old and younger ride the boat for free! While young kids are allowed on the ships and will enjoy themselves, keep in mind that strollers are also allowed on the vessel, but the boat’s top deck may not be accessible.

What to pack for a whale watching tour

So now it’s a picture-perfect weather day, and you’ve purchased your tickets. What should you pack for your whale-watching excursion?
- Sunglasses – Polarized sunglasses are a huge help in letting you see into the water, as they cut down on the glare from the sun on the water.
- Binoculars – Get an even more intimate glimpse of these majestic marine mammals up closer, or help the naturalists on the boat look for whales on the horizon.
- Field guide – There are several educational field guides and books with in-depth information about the whales and other marine life that you might see while aboard the boat. Whale tours usually include “downtime” while waiting for whales to surface or traveling to a particular location, so this is a great time to read up on what you might encounter.
- Snacks – Most whale watch boats have a concession stand or snack bar of some variety, but we always pack our food and plenty of water. Also, keep in mind that many trips are 3-4 hours long, so make sure to bring a meal if necessary.
- Appropriate clothing – Be sure to bring a sweatshirt or waterproof jacket with you, depending on the weather forecast. It can be an additional 10-15 degrees cooler offshore! Flat, rubber-soled shoes are a good idea on a boat in motion, too; not everyone is born with sea legs! Life jackets will be provided by the tour company.
- Reef-safe sunscreen – Whale watching tours are hours long and there’s not always a way to get out of the sun. Bring a hat and use reef-safe sunscreen for protection.
- Sea-sickness remedies – If you’ve ever experienced sea-sickness, you’re already aware that it’s a quick way to ruin your day on the water. One way to avoid this is to take a product like Dramamine before boarding the boat. If you don’t feel comfortable with that, you can bring sea-bands, which push the pressure points on your wrists to reduce sea-sickness symptoms. I’ve also recently discovered ginger lollipops that are super yummy and thought to help with an upset tummy.
- Cash– This can vary by boat, but many ships do not accept credit cards. Also, it’s nice to tip the crew at the end of your trip!
- Something to do – If your kids tend to get bored easily, consider bringing something along to have a few fun ways to keep them entertained. Just hanging out on a boat in the ocean is pretty fun, but when the novelty wears off, it’s a good idea to have a game, book, crayons and coloring book, a puzzle, or a few favorite toys on hand. The naturalists on board do a great job keeping things exciting, but it’s always best to be prepared.
Be prepared to ask questions!

Come on; you didn’t think this would be a leisurely boat ride, did you? No such luck! We’re here to learn, too!

Once settled on the ship, a naturalist will introduce themselves and explain all about the whale’s physical characteristics, what they consume, their behaviors, why and where they migrate, and more. For instance, on the Dolphin Fleet whale watch, they pass around baleen pieces, the bristled plates used to intercept food within the whale’s mouths. Seeing and touching the baleen instigated a question with my 7-year-old son, which prompted questions.

“Do these whales have teeth too, or just baleen?” Our naturalist for the day, Dennis Minsky, was a gracious host and teacher. His career with the Dolphin Fleet began over 25 years ago, and he has been a biologist and educator for 45 years. Dennis’ enthusiasm was apparent while answering the myriad of children’s questions, and he even remembered all of their names for a shout-out at the end of the trip.

Kids are naturally curious and they’re bound to have questions. Help them gain the confidence to speak up and ask their questions. The answers may even prompt foll0w-up questions and lead to a love of learning more about these majestic animals.

Navigating the boat

When the naturalists spot whales, they may use terms like port-side, starboard-side, bow, or stern to describe the whale’s location relative to the boat. So let’s familiarize ourselves with these terms now, and you’ll be expert mariners by the time you board the ship.

The back of the boat is called the stern. The front is called the bow. So if you’re standing at the stern (back), facing the bow (front), the port side is on your left, and the starboard side, your right. A good trick to remember is that port and left both contain 4 letters. The boat crew may also use the hands of the clock to point out a whale. Twelve o’clock would be the bow, and six o’clock would be the stern, and so forth.

Also, if you want to be super mature like me, you can show your kids where the bathrooms are by walking them to the poop deck. Yes, that’s an actual thing.

How to spot a whale

I always assumed the whale watch boats had some sort of super-sonar magnetic-laser-vision on board that could detect the whales and that’s how they found them.

Nope. It turns out that it’s much more straightforward than that. On the Dolphin Fleet boats, the goal is ultimately to get to Stellwagen Bank, which is the premier feeding territory for humpback whales in the North Atlantic. So, while traveling to our destination, the Captain and naturalists simply use their ears and eyes instead of elaborate gadgets to find the whales.

The good news is that you can do the same thing! Keep your eyes peeled and listen. You might just spot a whale first! Want to know what to look for and listen to? Here’s the scoop…

What to look for when whale watching

Breaches, lobtailing, or fin-slapping. Breaching is when a whale’s body fully exits the water and then slams back down, creating a large splash. Lobtailing is when the whale slaps the water with its tail fin repeatedly, and fin-slapping is when the whale uses its pectoral fins to hit the water while laying on its side.

Another lesser-known indicator of a whale’s presence would be the spouts of mist created by the exhalations from the whale’s blowholes when they surface for a breath of air. These spouts are visible for miles on a clear day!

What to listen for when whale watching

When you’re trying to spot a whale in a huge ocean, keep your listening ears on. “PSHHHH!” is the noise that the whale’s exhalation makes when the whale surfaces for a breath. This sound travels for quite a distance, so keep an open ear. Another sound that some whales make is their songs, even with no vocal cords. Did you know that only the male humpback whales sing, and the sound can travel up to 10,000 miles?

What kind of whales do you see?

Since we live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, we use the Dolphin Fleet whale watch service that operates out of Provincetown, located at the most northern point of the Cape and closest to Stellwagen Bank. This location in the North Atlantic Ocean is a feeding ground during the summer months for many whales species and one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world.

Some of the most common species on animals you may encounter while on a whale watch in the Cape Cod area would be:
- Humpback whale
- Minke whale
- Fin whale
- Common dolphin
- Atlantic white-sided dolphin
On this particular trip, the whales we saw were all humpbacks. Our naturalist, Dennis, knew all of them by name. Freckles, Scylla, and Nile, were all seen spouting and diving, feeding and gliding through the cold 60-degree water of the Atlantic. We were most thrilled to spot Nile, seen on whale watches in the past, and highlighted in a book written by a local author. Nile is a female humpback who was born in 1987. “Almost as old as you, mom!” my son shouts. Yes, almost as ancient as me. She’s been swimming the ocean around the same land that I’ve been living on my whole life.

What else can you see on a whale watching tour?

Oftentimes, there’s a lot of other wildlife and aquatic animals that you can see on whale watching tours. Depending on where you are taking your whale watching tour, be on the lookout for some of the following animals: bald eagles, dolphins, sea turtles, seals, sea lions, sardines, albatross, pelicans, sharks, otters, blue herons, and more! Just remember to keep your eyes peeled!

Why go on a whale watch?

Some of my favorite things in life are combined seamlessly when we’re on a whale watch: (1) spending time in nature, (2) connecting with my children, and (3) getting a chance to see marine animals in their natural habitat. A desire to bring others to see and love these creatures grew out of my childhood – I was raised learning about whales, realizing they need our protection, and advocating directly and passionately for them.

Thanks to the Marine Mammals Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, enacted in the 1970s, whale species such as the humpback have made a comeback from near extinction. In addition, whale watches provide a personal experience for the passengers, and are a great way to foster an emotional connection between humans and animals.

We cannot protect something we do not love, we cannot love what we do not know, and we cannot know what we do not see. And touch. And hear.”

-Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods

Best US destinations for a whale watch with your kids

You don’t have to be on Cape Cod to spot whales. In addition to our phenomenal whale watching location, here are a few other places and reputable whale watching tour companies in the US where you can spot whales with your family:
Whale book recommendations

If you want to learn more about whales (either before or after your whale watching adventure), here are some really beautiful and educational books about whales to add to your shelves or check out from your local library. Who knows, maybe these books will help turn your little ones into future marine biologists.
Have you ever gone whale watching with your kids?

About the author

Lissy lives near the ocean on Cape Cod, Massachusetts with her husband, 2 rambunctious boys (aged 4 & 7), and an ever-growing number of pets. She grew up walking nature trails and finding joy in the beauty of nature. She now shares that love for local adventures with her community through her blog, “Get Outside Cape Cod”. Lissy knows that everyone can benefit from spending more time outdoors, and wants to inspire and support families to do just that!

You can find more from Lissy in the following online locations:
Instagram: @getoutsidecapecod
Website: Get Outside Cape Cod
Facebook: @getoutsidecapecod
FARM, GOOD FOR NATURE, SUMMER, URBAN NATURE
Exploring Farmers’ Markets with Kids
- August 11, 2021
A trip to your local farmer’s market is more than just a shopping excursion. Farmers’ markets are thriving locations where communities gather, full of interesting people and educational opportunities. Today, Creative Team member and Nevada mom of 2, Ashley Greenhalgh is highlighting how to explore a farmers’ market with your kids. Farmers’ markets are an important part of communities, where you can shop small, meet your local farmers, reduce your carbon footprint and learn to eat seasonally. There are so many benefits of farmers’ markets, let’s dig in!

Exploring a farmers’ market with kids

Exploring a farmers’ market is an outdoor activity your whole family is sure to enjoy. Exploring farmers’ markets with kids can also help your community in a number of ways! Today, I’m excited to share this fun outing with you and cover the basics of what to expect, as well as some tips to enjoy farmers’ markets like a pro. I hope that this post inspires you to get out with your kids and have some good ol’ family fun at your local farmers’ market (and make healthy food choices and meet new friends along the way!).

What is a farmers’ market?

A farmers’ market is an open area where local farmers, makers, bakers, artists, and even musicians set up displays to sell their local goods and share their passions with the community. Each booth space at a local farmers’ market offers something a little different than the rest, making each market a totally unique experience. When you think of farmers’ markets, you may only think of rows upon rows of fruits and vegetables. And while that is definitely a highlight of any good farmers’ market, there is so much more than fruits and veggies to enjoy and explore!

Farmer’s markets are made up of people who passionately grow their fruits and vegetables, bake their bread and pastries, paint their canvases, set up amazing displays, create their own products and work tirelessly to provide local healthy, delicious, beautiful options for you to purchase.

There are usually free samples, free music, and other free or inexpensive options for you to enjoy, making farmers’ markets a fun (and inexpensive) place to hang out, make friends, discover new foods, and meet your community.

Farmers’ markets are good for you (and everyone else)

Did you know that farmer’s markets are GREAT for our local economies, our health, and the environment?!

Purchasing local food is good for the environment. For example, consider the difference between buying peaches from a farm 20 miles from your home versus a farm 400 miles away. Think of the labor, drive time, packaging, processing, and emissions that are saved when the transportation time is reduced. Now multiply that by say 40 vendors at a local farmers market. It is pretty easy to see that shopping local is a great way to help the environment.

Shopping local is also beneficial to your own community and neighborhood. When you purchase food, goods, or services from a local vendor, more of that money stays in your community and area. Your local economy can flourish if everyone seeks out more local options and shops small.

Making connections at the market

The farmers, artists, master gardeners, makers, craftsmen, and entertainers at local farmer’s markets are some of the most hardworking, kind people you will meet. A farmers’ market is a great place to meet genuine and interesting people. The vendors are usually very passionate about the products they produce and the food they grow/harvest. You’ll find that they’re often very willing to talk to you (and especially your kids) about their processes, experiences, and backgrounds. They may even offer you a tour of their farm, a demonstration, or a free sample. The setting is perfect for children to meet and interact with a wide variety of interesting and passionate adults, as well as others their age. Exploring farmer’s markets with your kids is a simple and fun way for them to make community connections and meet new friends.

For more information on how to meet farmers and/or get information on local farms in your area, check out this post on teaching kids about where food comes from.

New foods, new recipes

Farmers’ markets are some of the best places to take your kids to get them more interested in new foods and recipes. There’s such a huge variety of foods at local farmers’ markets, in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables. There are usually meats and cheeses, sausages and eggs, local honey (great for allergies) and salsa, baked goods and jams (and so much more). If your kids are not familiar with the fruits/vegetables available, purchase a few different options to take home and try. Chances are, even if they weren’t huge fans of the vegetable before (or didn’t know anything about it), they will be once they taste fresh produce they picked out and learned about.

Including kids in the act of choosing new vegetables, new fruits, or a new herb can get them excited to try something different! Let your child pick out a seasonal fruit or an exotic fruit to try when you get home. It’s like a treat or a reward that they helped pick out. And there are so many different colors and textures of foods for them to experience at a farmer’s market. You’re sure to find something delicious even for the pickiest of eaters. You might even discover something delicious enough that you choose to plant it in your own vegetable garden next year!

Most of the vendors at our local farmers’ market have free samples to try, as well. It is so much fun for kids to try yellow watermelon, pluots, and lemon cucumbers to name a few. Many vendors also will suggest a simple recipe for a vegetable, herb, or fruit that isn’t well known. Your children will love choosing something new to try at home!

Healthy options for less

Since local produce doesn’t have the high transportation costs that are associated with lots of big-box grocery store chains, many of the healthy foods you will find are less expensive than at a grocery store. Not to mention food that hasn’t been shipped hundreds of miles, is fresher (so it tastes better), and has way less plastic wrapping and packaging! These are all benefits of shopping local and small, which also help reduce your carbon footprint.

Did you know that most of the fruits and vegetables you’ll find at grocery stores are picked prior to being ripe so that they are hard and don’t get damaged during transport? The local fruits and vegetables at a farmer’s market are often picked within 24 hours of you seeing them! They’re fresh, delicious, and more nutritious than what you’ll usually find at a big grocery store.

Farmers’ markets affordably

The SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides monthly benefits to millions of low-income families across the country to purchase food and beverages. Starting in 2017, families have been able to use their EBT cards to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from their local farmer’s markets. Click the link to learn about SNAP at farmers’ markets.

Another amazing program increasing accessibility to low-income seniors is the SFMNP (Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program). This program is “designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs.” Click the link to learn more about the SFMNP program.

Availability of farmers’ markets

Depending on the weather in your area, markets may be open year-round or seasonally. Some markets are open once or twice per week, or a couple of times per month. There are daily markets and weekly markets. There are morning, afternoon, or evening markets. Be sure to check out the hours, days, and seasons your local farmers’ market is open.

We have found that evening markets many times have food trucks and music, so it makes for a fun, easy evening outdoors where we can enjoy someone else’s cooking! Morning markets are filled with fresh produce and baked goods. This makes an enjoyable morning tasting fresh fruits, enjoying breakfast, buying local produce, and connecting with our community members. Honestly, there’s no bad time of day to visit the farmers’ market.

To find local farmers’ markets, a simple internet search with your area and the words “farmers’ markets.” (Northern California farmers’ markets or St. Louis farmers’ markets, for example). This will provide a local website or list of options in your area.

Many of the farmers’ markets that operate twice per week, for example, do so for variety. A market may feature fruits and vegetables on a weekday, and arts/ crafts on a Saturday. This provides variety for customers and keeps things interesting.

Power of Produce

The Power of Produce (POP) Club is an organization for kids hosted by the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) which provides a set of over 50 tools, guides and templates to help communities engage younger customers in the farmers market experience through POP Club. The club provides a fun opportunity for children to engage in the local food system through conversations directly with farmers, educational games and demonstrations, and exposure to new fruits and vegetables. In addition to participating in educational activities, POP Club kids receive vouchers to spend at the market, allowing them to make their own shopping decisions at the market. For more information, check out their website.

Other benefits of farmers’ markets

Besides being great for your community, environment, and health there are a few other benefits to exploring farmers’ markets with kids!

Farmers’ markets are a great low-stress environment for them to learn about money and work on social/communication skills. If your kids have some money saved, they can work on talking with vendors, asking questions, adding up items, weighing/measuring, counting money, and calculating change. There are so many great skills that kids can develop from the simple act of shopping! It is a fun, interactive way for them to learn some math and money skills!

More than just food

There are so many other fun, outdoor activities you can find at many farmers’ markets, in addition to fresh produce. We’ve experienced everything from live music at open-air concerts, to cooking demonstrations, a petting zoo, plant displays, pumpkin patches, fresh-cut flowers (make your own bouquet stations), yoga classes, story time (from local authors), and art demonstrations. Many of these activities are free, inexpensive, or merely ask for a small donation. We once found an art bus where the girls could tie-dye a small reusable bag for $5. They had a blast interacting with the small business owner and making something they can use again and again.

Bring your furry friends!

A fun added bonus: you can usually bring your furry friends to the farmers’ market! Since most farmers’ markets are outdoors, many allow dogs on leashes. Kids and dogs are a great combination and can be an icebreaker for your children to meet and interact with others. Exploring farmers’ markets with kids is a great way to bond with them and others, get some exercise, support your community, and help the environment. Is there anything better than that?

Helpful tips for visiting a farmers’ market with kids
- Think ahead of time what you’re looking for at a farmers’ market. If you’re looking for the freshest produce, fruits and vegetables, hitting up the farmers’ markets early in the morning is your best chance of getting the most variety.
- If you’re going to an evening market where there are food trucks and music, it is nice to have a blanket to sit on the grass.
- Bring a basket or reusable bags to carry your produce. Most places do not have bags or boxes, so try to remember to bring your own. This also cuts down on plastic waste.
- Carry some cash. While many vendors accept cards, some may not. Plus, it makes it faster and easier to pay with cash when you’re browsing and trying to purchase a few small things from various vendors.
- Bring a reusable water bottle ~ many markets will have refilling stations for bottles, but not cups. In addition, many markets are during the heat of a sunny day so it is nice to have some cold water on hand.
Have you ever explored a farmers’ market with your kids?

About the author

Ashley is a nature-loving mother of two who is passionate about outdoor education for parents and their children. Ashley grew up in Alaska, where her family spent most of their time outdoors fishing, camping, skiing, and hiking. She currently lives with her husband and children near the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe, where they can be found outdoors year-round; hiking, backpacking, biking, skiing, and camping. She is also very passionate about photography and owns a small photography business.

You can find more from Ashley in the following online locations:
Instagram: @sage.and.summit
Website: Sage & Summit Photography
RWMC posts: Ashley Greenhalgh
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, GARDENING, GOOD FOR NATURE, NATURE SCHOOL, SUMMER
Gardening with Ladybugs
- July 2, 2021
Gardening with kids is such a wonderful and educational way to get kids outside and in touch with nature. There are so many amazing benefits of gardening with kids. Gardening has brought our family so much joy (and so many tomatoes), but it can also bring unwanted guests. Enter the dreaded aphid. To keep our plants healthy and aphid-free, we recently released 1,500 ladybugs into our garden and it was such a fun experience. My kids loved it and if you garden, I’m hoping this is something you can experience with your kids, too. Today, we’re sharing all kinds of fun ladybug facts for kids below, plus tips on how to gently and effectively release ladybugs into your garden for pest control and how to get started gardening with ladybugs.

Benefits of ladybugs in a garden

Ladybugs are considered one of the most beneficial insects in your garden. Ladybugs are wonderful for gardens because they’re capable of consuming up to 50 to 60 aphids per day! Aphids feed on plant tissues and can also transmit viruses to plants, so the fewer aphids, the healthier your garden. Ladybugs don’t just stop there, though. They will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae including scales, mealy bugs, moth eggs, leafhoppers, mites, asparagus beetle larvae, whitefly, and various types of soft-bodied insects. All of these insects can be harmful to your plants, flowers, and vegetables. Encouraging ladybugs to take residence in your garden may mean less work for you as well as less need for chemical pesticides.

Bringing ladybugs to your garden

If you have a garden with aphids, ladybugs will naturally come to your garden on their own. They also seek out pollen for food, so if you grow pollen-laden flowers and herbs, your garden will naturally will attract ladybugs. These include, but aren’t limited to: angelica, calendula, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, marigolds, nasturtium, scented geraniums, and yarrow. You’ll also want to limit the use of insecticides, which will help ensure a healthy population of ladybugs in your garden.

However, if you don’t have the patience to wait for the ladybugs to find your garden and want to hurry the process along (or give your kids a chance to really get up close and personal with some ladybugs), you can purchase a bag of hundreds of these little garden soldiers. When considering this, it’s very important to buy native species of ladybugs. Releasing ladybugs into your garden is a really fun way to get kids interested in gardening and teach them about this amazing insect.

Fun ladybug facts for kids
- Ladybugs are also called ladybirds or ladybeetles.
- To help defend themselves, ladybugs play dead.
- They also can release a foul-smelling yellow fluid from their knees that other bugs find stinky.
- During winter ladybugs hibernate together to stay warm, usually, in plant refuse and crevices.
- Ladybugs have two sets of wings – the outer set is the hard shell for protection and the inner set is what it uses to fly.
- The ladybug larvae resemble tiny black alligators.
- Ladybugs taste and smell with their antennae.
- Ladybugs come in many colors, most commonly red, orange, yellow, or scarlet with black dots on them.
- Within a year, there can be as many as 5-6 generations of ladybugs as the average time from egg to adult only takes about 3-4 weeks.
- They are found worldwide (except in cold places like the Arctic and Antarctica).
- Some ladybugs have white spots and some even have stripes.
- In the spring, female ladybugs lay anywhere from 50-300 eggs, which are yellow & oval-shaped and are usually found in clusters of 10-50
- The most known ladybug is the red one with 7 black spots however other species can have different numbers of spots.
- Ladybugs are omnivores – they eat other small insects, fruit, aphids.
- Ladybugs live from 2 to 3 years.
How to release ladybugs in your garden

We recently noticed that our tomatoes were being attacked by some tiny predators. I’m pretty proud of my tomatoes and fiercely protective of them! While I wanted to desperately save them, I didn’t want to use any chemicals on the plants. My kids help water the garden, they play near it and we have a dog, so pesticides weren’t an option. Instead, we decided to give ladybugs a try.

We ordered 1,500 live ladybugs from Amazon, which arrived a few days after placing our order. I made sure to check that we ordered a species that was native to our location, so as to not introduce any invasive species. The kids were so excited when they arrived and wanted to release them right away. However, there are a few things you need to do when releasing ladybugs to ensure they stick around to help out your garden, so we had some prep work to do.

Prepping your ladybugs for release

As soon as the ladybugs arrive, put the bag in a cool place (refrigerator) until late in the day. This will slow their metabolism and place them in a slightly dormant state until the time that you want to release them.

Release ladybugs in the evening

Make sure that the ladybugs are released in the evening into a soaking wet garden that has some aphids. If you release them into a dry garden or during the day, they will likely fly away. Release them in the evening hours and they’ll immediately find a place to sleep and settle in for the night. Ladybugs won’t fly in the dark, so releasing them just after sunset ensures they’ll stay the night. In the morning, they’ll be hungry and start looking for some delicious plant pests to much on.

You could also try releasing your ladybugs in small batches over a day or two. This ups your chances of keeping some around.

Tips to ensure the ladybugs stay in your garden

There are a couple of ways to encourage your new friends to hang around your place and not go skipping off to the neighbor’s house. After their long journey, they are usually dehydrated when they arrive, so a soaked garden will provide opportunities for them to quench their thirst. When releasing, gently scatter or spread them out so each ladybug can find food and water immediately. And if they encounter aphids as they’re drinking, many of the ladybugs will decide that this garden is a good place to stay.

Get the kids involved in your ladybug release

While I was really excited about the ladybugs, the kids absolutely loved being a part of the release. My fearless 5-year-old couldn’t get enough of them. He’s been known to befriend bugs, crickets, worms, and spiders, so his fascination with the ladybugs came as no surprise.

I was excited to see him embrace the ladybugs and let them crawl all over him. I’m not sure this is typical kid behavior (my 2-year-old was not this enthusiastic about them), so don’t be worried if your child isn’t quite as into it! If you’re not squeamish about it, let them crawl on your hands too! Show your kids how to be gentle with them. Ladybugs don’t sting or bite, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Check out this post for more tips on how to help kids get over their fear of bugs and creepy crawlies.

Do you garden with ladybugs?
Is this something your kids would like?

Also, be sure to check out these related posts:
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FARM, GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, URBAN NATURE
Raising Chickens with Kids
- May 25, 2021
Have you ever dreamed of raising your own chickens, but weren’t sure how to get started? Do you want to know if chickens are the right pet for you? Are you wondering if chickens are safe to raise around kids? Today, Leslie Alvis, our resident crazy chicken lady, Creative Team member, and homeschooling and homesteading mom of four is sharing her love of chickens with you. Leslie grew up raising chickens, had a long chicken drought during college and early motherhood years, but has started up a backyard flock again with her own children. This makes her the perfect person to share, tips, essentials, and all the ins and outs of raising chickens with kids.

The beginnings of a chicken mama

I was seven or eight years old when the first chicken arrived in my life. My parents were both veterinarians and our farm was often the rehoming site for a variety of animals. Pecky, a stately Light Brahma Rooster, came to us because his elderly owner couldn’t keep up with his antics. I fell in love.

I loved his silky feathers, his majestic red comb and dangling wattles, his audacious crow, his feathered feet. It wasn’t long before I decided he needed a family, and so it began. We bought some hens from the little lady who sold eggs just down the road. Soon I was showing chickens in 4-H and selling eggs.

My little flock grew quickly and I loved every member of it. All my chickens had names and personalities. They roamed our barn and yard, providing us with multi-colored and multi-sized eggs and endless entertainment. At one point, my mom clipped an article from a local titled, “Chickens: Better than Television,” and stuck it on the refrigerator. It was true for our family. The chickens were my responsibility, but they entertained us all.

Raising chickens with kids

After years of living in a town where we weren’t allowed to raise chickens, we now live in the country and my children are helping me build a flock again. We started with 11 chicks last spring, and just added 13 more. My daughter gleefully announced recently that right now we have three separate flocks: the grown hens, the adolescent chicks, and the newly hatched Ameraucana chicks I couldn’t leave the feed store without last week.

I’m a firm believer in the benefits of kids raising kids with animals. Taking care of animals helps children learn responsibility, gentleness, and the importance of looking after other living things. They learn empathy and compassion. They also get to experience the joy of friendship with those animals. So, although my older kids have their own pets they’re responsible for and I’m the person primarily responsible for the chickens, I make sure all my kids are involved in our chicken raising adventure.

The joys of chickens

If you’re looking for a pet that’s both productive and personable, you really don’t need to look any farther than a chicken. These feathered friends are relatively simple to care for, make enjoyable pets, and a good laying hen will reward you with up to 300 eggs a year! They’re also pets that children of every age will enjoy.

Our children (ranging in ages 3-13) all help me with different parts of the chickens’ care on a daily basis. While they may grumble sometimes about chasing the chickens out of the neighbors’ yard again or running out to lock up the coop at dark, they truly enjoy these quirky birds. Everyone loves how the hens come running when we bring them food scraps. We’re mesmerized by the soft fluff of the baby chicks. And the daily wonder of finding fresh brown, green, and blue eggs never wears off.

A family affair

Our teenage son might complain that chickens aren’t very smart, but he’s the first person to help me solve a problem with laying boxes or roosts or leaking waterers. And even our three year can march out in the yard and catch a chicken, which delights her endlessly. My husband recently asked if he had to start cheeping to get any attention around here. And if you come visit our house, consider yourself forewarned: at least one, and possibly several, of my children will surely thrust a chick in your face, and expect you to be as delighted with it as they are. A full-grown hen may quite possibly appear also. In the house. Just so you know. Welcome to our zoo.

Getting started raising chickens

If you’ve never raised livestock, getting started raising chickens might feel intimidating. Chickens aren’t terribly hard, but there are a few details to consider first. As with any pet, you need to make sure you can provide what chickens need.

The first thing you should do is make sure chickens are allowed where you live. Many towns and cities have allowances for small backyard flocks, but it’s always a good idea to check your local ordinances if you live in a suburban area.

Chickens also need some yard space, whether you intend to let them free-range around your yard, or keep them in an enclosure. You can also do a hybrid of the two: we have an enclosed run to keep the chickens contained when we’re not around. Usually, in the afternoons and evenings, we let them free-range around the yard. They carry a special affinity for the neighbor’s yard, however, so we have to keep an eye on them. When we finish building our homestead, they will have plenty of space to roam freely.

Coop details

Next, you need a secure, draft-free coop for your birds. A general guideline is to allow 2-3 square feet of coop space per chicken. You can buy really cute little coops for a small flock, like this one. If you or someone in your family is up for a bit of a project, check out these great chicken coop plans! My skilled carpenter husband built us a coop out of scrap and repurposed materials. We use a movable dog kennel for our run enclosure.

What you need for baby chicks

But before you get overwhelmed by coop details, take a deep breath. If you’re planning to start with baby chicks, all you need to get started is a deep cardboard box for a brooder. Baby chicks need a cozy, draft-free environment and not too much space to start off with. For the first two weeks of their life, baby chicks only need 6 square inches of space per chick. (But don’t put off the coop plans—these little chicks grow fast!)

In all honesty, we’ve kept baby chicks in roomy boxes in our laundry room, basement, garage…even in the living room. Yes, I’m really that crazy chicken lady. I always prefer to keep the tiny peeps close for a while. Besides, we all just want to hold those little fluffballs every chance we get.

Chicken brooder set up

Getting your brooder set up isn’t hard. Get a nice-sized, sturdy box or build your own, line it with newspaper and pine chips, and hang a heat lamp overhead. A red bulb for your heat lamp helps keep chicks from pecking at one another. The heat lamp should be 18-24 inches away from the chicks. Initially, the ideal brooder temperature is between 90-95 degrees (think body temperature–a mother hen spends most of her time keeping her chicks at her own body temperature).

I always count on the chicks to let me know where it needs to be: when they are cold, they huddle together directly under the heat source. If they’re too hot, they pant and try to get away from it. I watch them very carefully the first few hours after adjusting the heat lamp, to make sure they are comfortable. Although chicks are surprisingly tough and resilient, the wrong temperatures can cause stress and illness. I also arrange the brooder so there is a warm side and a cool side, keeping the food and water on the cooler side.

Additional chicken accessories

If you’re raising chickens, you’ll also need a chick feeder, a waterer, and chick starter feed, which has a higher protein level than adult chicken feed, along with other essential nutrients for healthy chicks. Although you can purchase everything online, I highly recommend using your local farm or garden supply store as much as possible. Not only are you supporting a local business, but you are also tapping into a valuable resource.

A local feed store has knowledgeable employees who can often answer questions for you, as well as competitive prices on everything you need. You’re going to need a regular supply of feed. And if you should ever need medication or supplement for your chickens, you’ll already know right where to find it.

Getting your chicks

Now comes one of the most fun parts of raising chickens: getting your chicks! Once again, you can order chicks online from a hatchery, but you usually have to order at least 25 chicks so they can keep each other warm during shipping. And in my mind, nothing beats picking out those chicks in person. For years, we passed by the chicks at our local feed store on our way to the dog food aisle. We looked longingly into each brooder and told our children, “Someday we’ll live in a place where we can have chickens.”

Last year, just a couple of weeks after moving to our country home, we marched our whole family into the feed store and hand-picked our chicks. It was addictively fun. So fun, in fact, that we couldn’t wait to do it again this year. We talked about it for months, even as we enjoyed raising our bigger chickens. There’s just nothing like getting baby chicks.

Chicken breeds

What breed of chicken you choose really depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want lots of eggs? Brown eggs? Blue and green ones? All pullets (young females), or straight run (a random mixture of males and females)? Docile chickens? Just bantam chickens who look cute? The options are endless, even at a feed store.

If you look in a hatchery catalog, there are more breeds than you can ever imagine. This article has quite a bit of helpful information about the best laying hens, while this one highlights some of the most kid-friendly chicken breeds. And if you’re interested in different breeds based on the different colors of eggs they might lay, check out this article.

How to pick your chicks

When picking out chicks, we’ve used several different criteria. First, my husband’s vote was that he wanted to see lots of variety in our flock. So we’ve picked several different feather colors. I wanted different shades of eggs, so I picked out brown, green, and blue egg-laying chickens. I also selected some breeds because of their reputation as docile and family-friendly birds.

So our entire family trooped around the chick display, saying, “We want some of those, and a couple of those, and a couple of those…” And we love what we’ve ended up with. Our current laying flock has 3 Ameraucanas, 1 Black Australorp, 2 Light Brahmas, and 3 Rhode Island Reds (we actually got the Reds by accident—they were mixed in with some other chicks. I wouldn’t have necessarily picked them, but they are excellent layers and have also become great pets). This year we picked up some Barred Rocks, ISA Browns, more Ameraucanas, and some bantams for the pure fun of their personalities and plumage.

Caring for your chicks

After you get your chicks set up in their brooder, they need what any other animal needs: freshwater, food, and clean bedding. Chicks are messy little critters who love to scratch around. They will kick food and chips into their water, so I try to hang waterers when I can, or at least set the waterer up on a wooden block so it’s slightly elevated. You want to make sure they can still reach it, though! The kids love helping me make sure the chicks have plenty of food.

If your chicks are cheeping loudly, they are probably hungry, thirsty, or too hot or cold. Noisy chicks need attention. The conversational chirping of contented chicks is very different from the yelping cheeps of uncomfortable ones. I can tell as soon as I walk into the room if my chicks are uncomfortable or upset.

Chick maintenance

Sadly, once in a while a baby chick will get sick or simply fail to thrive. Many times, if you are vigilant in checking your chicks often for problems such as lethargy or pasty vents, you can address these issues and resolve them, saving your chick. This article helps outline basic chick problems and how you can identify and treat them.

Every day or two, I get a couple of helpers and we clean out the whole brooder. The kids hold the chicks (I mean, I can put them in a small box if I need to. But the kids love helping by holding the chicks!) while I take everything out of the brooder, roll up the soiled bedding into the papers on the bottom, and put out fresh papers and chips. This is also a good time to clean the waterer thoroughly with soap and water to prevent bacteria build-up.

Growing chicks

After a couple of weeks, those tiny fluffballs get a surprising amount of feathers. It doesn’t take long for chicks to hit what we call the “ugly” stage. They get a little gawky and awkward, no longer cute balls of fuzz but far from the lovely plumage of adult birds. At this stage, I put my son in charge of some exercise equipment for the chicks. They love to hop and perch. You can use a dowel rod or even just a straight stick for a roost, and a small cardboard box gives them something to jump on.

Your chicks are also old enough to start feeding some small treats now. Chickens love all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and even table scraps. However, there are a few foods are bad or even toxic to chickens, so be sure to check a list like this one before you start feeding them everything from your fridge!

When you start feeding your chicks treats, make sure you also include a bit of chick grit in their food. Chickens need grit (crushed up bits of rock) to help them digest their food by grinding it up in their crop. Chick starter feed is very digestible, so I don’t add grit until they start foraging for food or getting supplemental treats. Free-range chickens usually find the bits of rock they need for grit in their natural foraging, but I like to toss a bit of grit in their food to just be sure they have what they need.

Chicken treats

Our favorite part of feeding treats to the chickens is how much they love it—and consequently, how much they love us. When we step out the back door and call, “Here, chick-chick-chick!” the hens come running from every corner of the yard to see what we have for them. They’ll come up and eat out of our hands and follow us around looking for handouts.

In fact, the other day my daughter was holding a chicken under one arm and eating a cookie (don’t judge! We do try to keep the livestock and the eating separate!), and her siblings say the chicken was taking bites out of one side of her cookie while she ate off the other. I didn’t see it, but I fully believe it. We have more than one hen who will sneak up and take a bite off an unattended plate when we eat outside.

Transitioning chicks outside

I like to start transitioning 4-week-old chicks to outdoor life a little at a time on warm days. They still don’t have enough feathers or mass to maintain their body temperature in cool or windy conditions, but they can handle short visits to the great outdoors. We keep them close to us at first. Usually, the kids sit in the grass and let the chicks peck around in the space between two kids’ outstretched legs. When the chicks start hopping away too quickly, we move them to a portable pet enclosure where they have some freedom.

At first, even just a few minutes outside will wear them out completely. But soon they’re able to spend hours outside when our unpredictable Ohio spring weather permits. We give them a windbreak, their food and water, and watch them carefully. Sometimes one child just gets assigned to chick-watching detail, making sure they are handling the outdoor experience okay and aren’t acting chilled.

Outdoor chickens

When all the chicks are fully feathered, they are ready to live outside the brooder. You should begin that transition a few weeks before by moving the heat lamp up an inch each week or reducing your brooder temperature by about 5 degrees. This helps them adjust to living without an extra heat source. I’ve noticed that even my biggest chicks love to bask right under the heat lamp whenever they get a chance, even after they no longer need the extra warmth. (Currently I have some standard-sized chicks in with my smaller bantams, so I’ve had to keep the heat lamp available for the little ones. My kids have accused the big chicks of roosting so close to the heat lamp that they’re going to fry their combs!) Moving that heat lamp away slowly toughens them up for outdoor life.

Life in the coop

Now you’re ready for the next step in chicken raising: moving your chicks to the coop. The coop should be secure against predators and draft-free, bedded down with a generous layer of chips and straw. They need a roost to sleep on and some sort of nesting box. And, of course, a supply of feed and water. If your feeder is outside, make sure it sits out of the rain, or you’ll end up with moldy feed very soon!

Even if you plan to let your chickens free-range, you should keep them locked up in the coop/run area for several days so they learn where their home is. Then start letting them loose for short periods of time, keeping an eye on them to make sure they don’t wander too far. Chickens are generally herd animals who stay together and somewhat close to home. They will instinctively go into their coop to roost at dark.

Chicken herding

But when you want to put your chickens up and it ISN’T dark, it takes a little training! Although it sounds impossible, herding chickens into the coop is doable, if you work with them.

First, get your kids involved! This activity requires some helpers. Next, train your chickens to come when you call. Do this at random intervals throughout the day, and make sure there are always treats involved. The children or I walk out the door and yell, “Here, chick-chick-chick!” whenever we have a bread crust or apple peels or any kind of scraps for the chickens. This teaches them to come running when we call. (As a side note, the dog has learned it’s beneficial to get in on the action when we call the chickens, too. He doesn’t want to miss out on anything good!)

When you want to herd the chickens to the coop, have one person walk toward it, calling the chickens and tossing treats. Have a couple of others walk behind the flock, gently herding them in the right direction. As you practice this, the chickens WILL learn the ropes. They might revolt from time to time, but as a general rule, they’ll go into their coop without too much trouble.

The kids will learn their tricks and how to best herd them along, too. I can send my 6 and 9-year-old girls out to put away the hens at any time of day, and they can do it by themselves. We always put our flock away when we’re leaving, both to protect them against predators and to keep them from roaming into the neighbors’ yard.

A word about roosters

A rooster is a fun addition to a flock. They are full of personality and help protect the hens, but they can also have the potential to be aggressive. We had a rooster with our original flock, and we loved him. He was funny, beautiful, and took excellent care of his hens—but he also became aggressive with our little girls. We worked so hard to try to train him not to be mean, but eventually, we had to rehome him to a family with no small children.

Over the years I’ve had both nice and mean roosters. You can’t write off all roosters because of an experience with a mean one, but you also can’t guarantee that a rooster will be nice, even with lots of love. If you get a male with your flock (and sometimes you will get one even if your chicks are all supposed to be females), just be prepared that you may have to deal with an aggressive one. But don’t assume the worst–treat him with love and respect, and hope he’ll respond well! We currently have two suspected roosters mixed in with our young pullets, and we’re loving them up all we can. We’re all hoping for some nice fellows this year.

How to handle chicken predators

One of the harder parts of raising chickens is the sad reality of predators. Unfortunately, chickens are an easy mark for any number of predators. Even in suburban areas, you may have to watch out for hawks, owls, and even dogs. Out in the country, we also have to worry about raccoons, foxes, and coyotes.

The best way to protect your birds is to make sure their coop is secure from top to bottom. Latch them in every night at dusk to protect again nocturnal invaders. Make sure their fenced area is as secure as you can make it, with sturdy walls and some sort of mesh or wire covering.

But if you let your chickens free-range, you have to realize that they may be exposed to predators. Quite unexpectedly, we had a red-tailed hawk swoop right up to the back edge of our yard and kill a hen last year. It was a heartbreaking experience for all of us. Although it was something of a freak event that we couldn’t have expected or prevented, it also reminded us of the importance of caring well for these somewhat helpless creatures. Our chickens depend on us to look after them and keep them safe–that’s part of the responsibility of pet/livestock ownership.

Sometimes illness or accident will still strike our animals, but I’m trying to teach my children to be good caretakers of our animal friends. We do our best to provide them with a safe, healthy home. In return, they provide us with endless entertainment, fun, and a wonderful supply of delicious eggs.

Have you ever considered raising chickens?
Let us know if you have any questions about chickens and kids.

About the author

Leslie is an Ohio farm girl and chaser of light, children, and sometimes chickens. She’s a lover of Jesus, wife to her high school sweetheart, and a homeschooling mom of four wild rascals who love the great outdoors as much as she does. As a family, they love hiking, camping, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity. She and her husband are just beginning the process of building a homestead from the ground up, doing most of the work themselves. Leslie has a lifelong obsession with writing and capturing everyday life from behind the lens. You can follow along with their homesteading, homeschooling, and everyday adventures on her Instagram account.

You can find more from Leslie in the following locations:
Instagram: @c_l_allofus
Client work: @lalvisphotography
Leslie’s RWMC posts: Owling with Kids, Homemade Apple Butter, Dealing with Poison Ivy, Mosquitoes & Ticks, Creating Nature Fairy Gardens, Eco-Friendly Bird Feeders, Getting Kids Outside During the School Year, Pond Nature Study, Maple Syrup with Kids, Cattle Farm Chores
BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, GOOD FOR NATURE, HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER, WATER
West Coast Road Trip: California to Oregon with Kids
- May 12, 2021
Family road trips are some of my fondest childhood memories and should be experienced by every kid at least once. There’s something extra special about a road trip, where the journey is just as much (if not more) fun and important than the destination. Road trips are wonderful opportunities for families to reconnect and experience new things together. Today, Araceli Gonzalez, a California mom of three, shares her family’s West Coast road trip from Northern California to Oregon. She shares her favorite spots along the way and reminds us just how magical a road trip can be.

West Coast road trip from California to Oregon with kids

I love road trips. And I especially love road tripping with my little people. I’ve spent a significant amount of my life on the West Coast and there’s always more to do, to see, and to explore. Driving the coast is a great way to immerse yourself in all the wonders and adventures this area has to offer.

Last summer, we set out on an EPIC West Coast family road trip. Our seven-day adventure had a jam-packed adventure itinerary, filled with fun outdoor activities for the family. We traveled from California to Oregon and had some amazing adventures along the way, making memories and enjoying our time together. From Northern California, where we paid a visit to the magnificent California Redwoods, on up the Oregon Coast, this road trip was amazing.

Planning your west coast road trip

There was so much to see and do. We could have spent an entire summer exploring this area! We made the most of our road trip by planning each stop and outlining exactly what we wanted to do at each location along the way. Yes, it takes a bit of planning, but it’s worth it. And chances are, if you’re traveling with kids, things won’t always go according to plan and you’ll have to make changes and adjustments along the way. The good news is that no matter where you visit along this part of the West coast, you will be sure to find gorgeous spots to explore, trails to hike, beaches to comb and so many observation points along the way.

My kids described each stop and place we visited as epic! Every hike topped the next. It was definitely a memorable adventure and one that would be fun and easy for other families to do if you’re looking for a fun West Coast road trip with kids.

Exploring the California Redwoods with kids

Our first stop was to see and explore the magnificent California Redwoods in Redwood National Park. We are from California and we love to visit the beautiful redwoods as often as we can. Walking through the redwoods feels like you are walking into an enchanted forest, each hike is better than the next. Each trail more beautiful than the last. Our kids have a rating system for each hike, fun, super fun, epic, and LEGENDARY. This place is LEGENDARY by all standards.

You will find creeks filled with huge redwood tree trunks, making it the most magical playground around. We could spend hours exploring this magnificent place. If you are road tripping and have the chance to drive the length of the park, there are some really great options and things to do to fill an entire fun day (or more). Some do require that you drive on narrow, windy, dirt roads, so just be prepared for that.

Boy Scout Tree Trail

If you’re looking for a moderate hike on the Northside Redwood National Park, try the Boy Scout Tree Trail. This trail is challenging, but so rewarding! It may take you a while to do this one, especially with kids, as it’s a 5.5 mile round trip trail. But if your kids are experienced hikers, they can handle it. The trail goes through fun creeks and falls and you’ll see lots of very big trees!

Each one of our kids is responsible for their own backpack. They carry water, snacks, and often a change of clothes. If you need to know what to pack, here’s a great post on the 10 hiking essentials for families.

Hiking is one of our family’s favorite activities. I enjoy observing their expressions, seeing the magic and the look in their eyes as they find a new cave or a new giant tree trunk to climb. There is nothing like it. Pure joy. Childhood played out in all its glory. It is always worth all the effort.

Trillium Falls Hike

Another favorite hike is the Trillium Falls Hike. This one is located on the Southside of the national park and is really family-friendly. There’s plenty of parking, bathrooms, picnic tables, trash cans, and more. This hike will take you past some gorgeous super huge trees, beautiful flowers and ferns, and even a couple of small waterfalls if you go after a rain. Plus, there’s a chance you may see elk on this trail! They’re definitely around – be sure to look for evidence (have you ever spied elk poop)? The full loop is just under 3 miles, but there are turn-around points at various locations if you don’t want to do the whole thing.

This redwood forest is the perfect combination of everything a kid could possibly dream of; lush jungle-like vegetation, cold crisp creeks, glorious redwoods, vast canyons, and a ton of SLUGS! We love discovering new trails, seeing what is around the corner, and losing ourselves in the magic that the forest offers.

Southern Oregon coast

After spending some time in Redwood State and National Parks, we made our way up the 101 to the Southern coast of Oregon. This area is full of amazing places to visit and we had a hard time narrowing down what we wanted to do and see. There are so many wonderful lush hiking trails with spectacular views followed by sand dune-like beaches.

If you have the opportunity to travel through this gorgeous state I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It surpassed all our wildest expectations. We have plans to explore other parts of this state and cannot wait to visit again.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

In southern Oregon, there’s an area known for amazing sand dunes and adventure. The Oregon Dune National Recreation Area is a 31,500-acre portion of the Siuslaw National Forest and is one of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world.

Our hikes normally take hours because there are distractions such as these. We pause to roll down sand dunes and it means everything to me to see my kids enjoying the great outdoors. I have seen their love for these places grow a little more with each adventure. This is why we make the effort. My hope is that this will remain in their heart forever, that they will always treasure these places.

Oregon waterfalls

Oregon is full of these grand waterfalls. Millions of years ago, geologic activity created the diverse landscapes of southern Oregon and created some of the most beautiful alpine lakes, rushing streams, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. If you have the opportunity, you must visit the Cascade Mountain Range in southern Oregon. You’ll find some of the most incredible waterfalls, including those in the Umpqua National Forest.

Waterfalls in the Umpqua National Forest

You are almost guaranteed to be mesmerized throughout your time in Oregon, particularly if you’re a waterfall chaser. The waterfalls in Umpqua National Forest have been labeled by my kids as LEGENDARY. Every single one of them. The fascination is like no other. There are so many great hikes within Umpqua National Forest and the prize for getting down them is usually a stunning view of an Umpqua waterfall. Trust me, each one is worth the effort!

Keeping up on hikes is easy for kids when you are greeted by a beautiful waterfall at the end. I find that our little guy is keeping up with the rest of us easier here than anywhere else. He is learning the art of exploration first hand from his sister and brother and I can’t think of a better way to spend our time.

And if you want an even bigger reward at the end of a long day of hiking, be sure to unwind in the revitalizing geothermal hot springs of Umpqua National Forest. The terraced pools of warm water provide a fabulous view overlooking the Umpqua River. It’s an incredible way to relax, rest your legs and reward yourself for a hike well done.

West coast family road trip

A west Coast family road trip is like no other. Along the way, you can explore jungle-like forests, discover historic lighthouses, spot whales and elk, peer into tide pools, find secret sand-dune beaches, and stared up into towering cascading waterfalls. The west coast really is amazing and diverse and beautiful. I hope our adventures have inspired you to plan a trip out west to see what you can discover!

Check out this post for advice on how to road trip safety during the pandemic.

Happy road-tripping from our family to yours.

Is a west coast road trip on your summer bucket list?

About the author

Araceli is a wife and momma to three wild and adventurous littles. She believes that nature and free play are truly the foundation of a beautiful childhood. Araceli and her husband have made it a priority to raise their children with a strong bond to the great outdoors. Araceli is a working mom with an extensive career in Project Management. She’s creative, crafty, and loves collecting houseplants. As a family, they love exploring wild places and she loves documenting their adventures.

Find more from Araceli in the following locations:
Instagram: @roaminggonzalez
All RWMC posts: Vista Verde Ranch (Colorado), Winter Crabbing with Kids, California Tide Pools, Sun River Resort (Oregon)
GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
How to Get Started Volunteering with Kids
- May 10, 2021
Are you looking for ways to give back or get your children more involved in your community? Volunteering is the perfect way to give back, get involved in the community, and can even help you get outside more! Plus, volunteering not only benefits the community and individuals in need, but research shows volunteers see a positive boost in their mental health. The best part…volunteering with kids is fun and easy. Today, Creative Team member Ashley Greenhalgh, Nevada mom of two, is here sharing why volunteering is worthwhile, tips for how to get started volunteering with kids and community service ideas for kids.

Volunteering with kids

Do you worry that your children aren’t aware of others? Or are unaware of their impact on the world or environment? Do you wish there were a way to help them feel confident and important? Volunteering just may be the answer!

Volunteer work can be an amazing tool to help with these issues. Spending time helping your community is an invaluable experience for kids. Volunteering your time and efforts can make your neighbors feel appreciated, your community areas cleaner, and even impact people on a higher level. Getting kids involved early and often can show them firsthand just how much volunteering matters.

Finding volunteer opportunities where kids can be involved can be a little tedious, but definitely worth the time. Today, I’m going to walk you through tips on how to get started volunteering with kids, ideas of ways your kids can give back, and why volunteering is so important.

Volunteering is good for your health

Helping others feels good. Think about a time when someone helped you and how much you appreciated it. Or a time when you helped someone else and how great you felt afterward. Many studies show that small acts of kindness boost happiness. According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering decreases the risk of depression, gives a sense of purpose, teaches valuable skills, decreases stress levels, and may even help you live longer!

Children can also experience these benefits. In fact, spending time volunteering in their communities just by planting trees or helping neighbors can increase their happiness and mental health. Volunteering is a great way to get your children outdoors and helping the earth. It is not necessarily about spending days and days volunteering; which we all know is close to impossible with children. In fact, it is the small acts done repeatedly that really make a big difference.

Volunteering opportunities based on your interests

When you’re just getting started on your volunteering journey, a good place to start is to think about what your children like to do. Do they like walking, hiking, cooking, gardening, playing with animals, visiting with people? There is a good chance an opportunity to volunteer exists that appeals to them and their interests.

Volunteering and community service doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Tailoring your volunteer activities to your kids’ interests will help keep them involved and invested. Look for volunteer opportunities near you that involve your kids’ or family’s interests.

Volunteering outside with kids

Picking up trash

An easy way to help your community and get your children outdoors is to take a trash bag and a pair of gloves on a walk or hike with you. If you want to make it extra fun for the kids, get a reaching tool (to pick up yucky things or hard-to-reach items). As you walk or hike, put the pieces of plastic, snack wrappers, fishing line, or whatever into the bag and dispose of it all at the end of your hike. If you want to tackle a larger area, organize a group clean-up hike or a park or beach clean-up project. Get your friends, family, and neighbors involved.

Clean-up projects are such a great way to instill an appreciation of nature and respect for the planet into children. To leave a place better than you found it. The concept is simple and the results are benefits are amazing. Plus, it’s like a treasure hunt for the kids! Sometimes you can even find fun items to recycle or repurpose.

Community gardening

If gardening appeals to your kids, many towns have community gardens or organizations that teach gardening. Pulling weeds, organizing the plants, watering the gardens are all ways your children can give their time to others. We have been working with a local nonprofit in our community http://www.ourfarmily.org for the past couple of years. It’s an incredible organization that works with school-age children to plant, tend, harvest, and prepare their own organic foods. Our girls pull weeds, plant seeds, wash fruits and vegetables and thoroughly enjoy every minute of it.

Outdoor volunteer activities that can benefit your community

Here are a few more fun ways that your children can volunteer and give back to their community:
- Participating in an organized walk or run that gives the proceeds to a charity (as a runner or a water station volunteer)
- Make and give popsicles to delivery drivers or garbage truck workers
- Volunteer to walk dogs at an animal shelter
- Plant flowers or trees at their school or library (with permission)
- Sit outdoors to write thank-you notes to people who have done something nice for them
- Adopt a local monument or block and keep it clean
- Volunteer at a local nature center, farm, or zoo
- Organize a neighborhood yard sale, bake sale, lemonade stand or car wash and donate the proceeds to charity
Volunteering indoors with kids

Cooking

If your children like cooking, there are lots of fun ways to volunteer their cooking services. Perhaps reach out to an organization in your community that helps provide meals to children. This can give them an idea of the needs in your community that affect children their age. While helping to prepare healthy meals for others, they can learn about what types of foods are healthy to eat and why. They could also organize a local bake sale or set up a lemonade stand to sell baked goods and/or lemonade and donate the proceeds to a charity.

Helping animals

Local animal shelters are always looking for people to walk dogs, socialize kittens, and provide foster care for animals. Another way to help could be for them to earn money to buy pet supplies to give to your local SPCA or organize a fundraiser to help.

Assisting the elderly

Are your children social butterflies? Do they love chatting with anyone and everyone? Likely there is an elderly neighbor that they can visit with and help with tasks. Examples can be bringing in the trash can for a neighbor, running an errand for them, or making a small treat. Shoveling a sidewalk in winter, or bringing in the mail are small acts of kindness that will make both parties feel good.

Our society does not value older people as it should. The wisdom and experience of the elderly is incredible and teaching our children to appreciate people of all ages can make our communities better.

Other ways to volunteer with kids

Virtually

There are even virtual volunteering options! Check out Volunteer Match to find opportunities while Covid is still affecting our lives while waiting for an in-person local opportunity, or indefinitely if virtual volunteering is the best match for your children and family.

Local non-profits

Perhaps you know someone who works at a non-profit? If you do, they can be a great resource to direct you to organizations that can use your help! Through the work, at http://www.ourfarmily.org we have met other amazing people in our area that are involved in even more community projects.

Why volunteering with kids is so important

We’ve all heard the saying “It is better to give than to receive.” Doing something kind for others is the best feeling. Think of the smiles they will receive from others, the empathy that can be built, as well seeing their effect on others is incredible. Volunteering is never a waste of your time.

In addition, hands-on learning is so much more fun than just seeing or hearing about a topic. If your children can get out in your community and talk to others, make social connections, and clean up the earth, they will remember the experience and see firsthand that their choices and actions do make a difference.

Be a volunteering role model

Children usually love many of the things that they see that their parents love. Passion is contagious and if you really want your kids to love helping others, they need to see how much you enjoy it. Let your kids follow your lead and be a volunteering role model for them. Kids that volunteer become adults who volunteer. And when a parent is actively involved and part of the process, kids look forward to the action more and the family gets to spend quality time together. Kids are never too young to see their parents helping others. And parents that love volunteering will get so much joy out of watching their child make a real difference and impact.

Get others involved

Once your kids are invested in making a difference and feel great about their service, it’s time to spread the word and get friends and family to join in! Kids’ enthusiasm for their service work will be contagious and will inspire others to help out as well. Look for opportunities to volunteer together as a group, so it’s extra valuable and fun for the kids. When everyone is involved, kids can see what a difference they can make together and will be encouraged to keep recruiting others to make a difference, too!

Think globally, act locally

While it’s noble to want to save the planet and a very worthy cause, sometimes it can seem overwhelming. Start with small movements at a local scale. The decisions and actions we take each day in our communities have a global effect. If we can leave an area or community better than we found it; to consider the health of the planet and others by helping others, we can truly help on a global scale. Imagine if a group of people in 20 towns were committed to trail cleanups once per month. Over the course of a year, that would mean 240 cleanups! So by acting locally, the world as a whole can benefit.

A few hours a month, or a couple of days per year can make a big difference in your area and how your children feel connected to the community as a whole. If you love something, you’ll take care of it. So, getting children outside for simple trail cleanups, walking shelter dogs, or helping the neighbors with chores is a win-win for all involved.

What volunteer opportunities have you found to get your children involved?

About the author

Ashley is an RN certified in Advanced Wilderness Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She’s a nature-loving mother of two who is passionate about outdoor education for parents and their children. Ashley grew up in Alaska, where her family spent most of their time outdoors fishing, camping, skiing, and hiking. She currently lives with her husband and children near the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe, where they can be found outdoors year-round; hiking, backpacking, biking, skiing, and camping. She is also very passionate about photography and owns a small photography business.

You can find more from Ashley in the following online locations:
Instagram: @sage.and.summit
Website: Sage & Summit Photography
RWMC posts: Ashley Greenhalgh
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, GOOD FOR NATURE, HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Outdoor Etiquette & Nature Manners for Kids
- April 20, 2021
If you’re raising outdoor-loving kids, chances are that you’re also teaching your kids outdoor etiquette (whether you know it or not). Nature manners are a set of rules that help kids understand how to treat outdoor spaces, the environment, and wildlife. They’re practices that help us show respect to our planet and our fellow outdoor adventurers. Today, Creative Team member Michelle Garrett, California mom, and creator of Wonder Club Explorers, is here with some guidance for parents about teaching outdoor etiquette to kids and seven easy nature manners to teach your little nature-lovers.

Outdoor etiquette and nature manners

Our littles have a great big world waiting for them to explore. With a little help from us grown-ups, we hope they will grow to love and appreciate all the joys that nature has to offer. For many, nature’s benefits include the serenity that comes from being outdoors, breathing in the fresh air, or feeling the sunshine on one’s face. Being outdoors also affords nature-goers the wonderful pleasure of meeting other kindred spirits who, too, enjoy being outside.

One of the benefits of spending time in nature is the opportunity to teach children how to be good stewards of the outdoors. Whether the mountains are calling or the beaches are beckoning, there is a certain set of etiquette for the outdoors. We’re not talking Emily Post-style etiquette, but rather a handful of good manners and practices to set in motion while kids are young to help them appreciate and respect nature, as well as preserve the enjoyment of the outdoors for others.

What are nature manners?

Nature manners are a set of rules that help kids understand how to treat outdoor spaces, the environment, and wildlife. They’re practices that help us show respect to our planet and our fellow outdoor adventurers.

Nature manners are equally as important as the ones we learn around the dinner table. Especially if nature is to be enjoyed by everyone. They’re not hard and fast rules that are difficult for kids to grasp or implement. We’re certainly not asking your kids to be quiet outside or stay calm at all times (don’t worry, that’s not our style).

Our nature manners for kids are merely ways to teach kids how to respect and appreciate nature, without doing harm. They’re based on the “Leave No Trace” principles, but adapted for little ones.

7 easy nature manners for outdoor-loving kids

Today, we’re sharing seven easy manners to teach your kids when adventuring outside. We hope these easy-to-implement manners will help to raise awareness and decrease frustrations when we are out enjoying our beautiful outdoor spaces together. These concepts are all practices that we can teach our kids through modeling and with gentle reminders when we’re out and about in nature. They’ll pick up on these nature manners quickly and they’ll become second nature to them as they grow into nature-loving adults.

1. Give a hoot, don’t pollute!

Woodsy the Owl said it best, “Give a hoot, don’t pollute!” Teaching kids to properly dispose of their trash – food wrappers, juice boxes, and bottles – is one of the easiest manners to teach kids. Trash has no place along trails, waterways, and oceans. Not only does trash not look nice, but it is also harmful to native flora and fauna.

One of the best ways to prevent littering is to teach kids the “pack in, pack out” mindset. On your next adventure, carry along a grocery bag and stuff it with all of your trash. This includes food scraps and toilet paper. When the adventure is over, ask your little one to toss it into a trash can so they know how to dispose of it for next time.

And if you want to go a bit above and beyond and really teach amazing outdoor etiquette, teach your child to practice “negative trace” where they also pick up the trash and litter others have left behind. Leaving an outdoor area even better than you found is one of the best things you can do for our planet and a wonderful concept to teach kids.

2. Just say no to graffiti

Kids are natural artists, but we certainly don’t want to encourage them to leave their mark on nature in a damaging way. On our family hikes, we would often let our son grab a stick and draw zigzags and numbers in the dirt along the trails. But, when we came upon graffiti carved into trees or painted on rocks and signs, we made sure to point out that it was destroying the natural beauty of the trails we all enjoyed.

No one wants to see spray paint or carvings when they’re outside enjoying nature. Graffiti and vandalism have a permanent impact on beautiful places. Even when it can be cleaned up, the parks don’t always have the resources to take care of it. There are appropriate ways to express selves artistically in nature such as Plein air painting or taking photos, but graffiti sure isn’t one of them!

3. Look with your eyes, not with your hands!

How remarkable is it to come across the habitat of an animal in nature? Nests, dens, hives, and other habitats give rare glimpses into the animal kingdom and are the equivalent of a science textbook come to life! Bu animal habitats can be delicate, carefully constructed, and teeming with life. They should be observed with an abundance of caution.

Kids, however, are naturally curious creatures. The lure of touching these habitats is strong. And while we are all about hands-on learning, nevertheless, it’s important to impart respect for our animal friends and teach kids to follow the simple adage, “look with your eyes, and not with your hands” in these instances. There are plenty of other things in nature that kids can touch and experience up-close.

4. You had me at “hello”

One of my favorite nature manners to teach my son is to be friendly and courteous to other outdoor adventurers and nature-goers. By saying hello, smiling, or nodding one’s head, you’re acknowledging another person’s presence without being overbearing or intrusive.

The benefits of engaging in this type of hiking etiquette extend beyond just being warm & friendly. Being courteous gives folks a chance to share potential hazards ahead or landmarks to assist with navigation or distance. Conversation with fellow hikers also makes one more memorable in case a rescue team needs to locate a lost adventurer.

And while it’s really nice to be friendly with your fellow explorers, remember that most people aren’t out there to make new friends or hang out with other people. Say hi and be helpful, but do not monopolize your time or help yourself to another group’s space or resources.

5. Leave it as you found it

The simple, yet effective, phrase “leave it as you found it” speaks to one’s influence in maintaining nature for everyone to enjoy. Some might even say, “leave it better than you found it.” Regardless, don’t do anything to destroy the outdoors. Try not to disturb things and leave items in their natural condition, whether it’s rocks or vegetation.

We all know what happened when Goldilocks explored the home of the three little bears. Had she “left it as she found it,” that particular nursery rhyme would have ended a lot differently.

6. Be mindful where you walk

When you’re out exploring, teach your kids to be mindful of where you walk, sit, put down your bags, and allow your pets. Life outside in nature can be fragile and our missteps can damage it for years to come. When possible, stay on the marked trails and try not to disturb the plants and environment around you. Sometimes this is a hard concept for kids because they’re naturally curious and want to explore. We’re not telling you that you can never go “off trail,” but if/when you do, just be mindful of your steps and your actions to not harm or disturb your surroundings.

7. Show respect for wildlife

It’s important to teach your kids to respect wildlife and wild animals. Don’t feed wild animals or leave food scraps behind. Animals fed by humans may become dependent on that food and have difficulty learning how to fend for themselves in the wild.

For the safety of both kids and animals, keep a safe distance from wild animals. Animals need privacy (particularly during breeding seasons) and can be very protective when approached. A good rule of thumb is, actually using your thumb: close one eye, and then if you hold your thumb up to your open eye and can cover the animal with your thumb, you are at a safe distance. This works out to about 100 yards for large animals like bears and moose, and 25 yards for most medium-sized wildlife.

Use your nature manners to love Mother Earth

As Earth Day approaches, families will have opportunities to talk about nature and how to protect our planet. A great way to underscore nature manners is to repurpose items found during hikes and beach days into art. Known as process art, kids can creatively make unstructured art projects like sculptures and collages using bottle caps, straws, and other commonly discarded items. Shore Collections Art has some really creative and inspiring ways to think artistically about the impact our individual actions have on Mother Earth.

Connect with Wonder Club Explorers

If you’re looking for other fun ways to connect with your kids and nature, Wonder Club Explorers might be for you. A fun scouting alternative, Wonder Club Explorers offers merit patches and adventure vests to inspire wonder and curiosity in kids. Open-ended and self-guided, kids earn patches such as “Nature Explorer,” “Process Artists,” and “Good SamariKids.” These are just a few patches that can be earned by practicing good “nature manners” like the ones above.

Have fun exploring and remember to tag #runwildmychild on your next outdoor adventure. Until next time!

What nature manners are you teaching your kids?

About the author

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

You can find Michelle online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wonderclubexplorers
Website: http://www.wonderclubexplorers.co
RWMC posts: Michelle Garrett
GOOD FOR NATURE, HOLIDAYS, INFORMATION, PRINTABLES
Earth Day Challenge
- April 5, 2021
Do you feel like you should be doing more to help the environment, but don’t know where to start? Are you overwhelmed by all the “eco-friendly” products out there and how expensive they can be? Do you want someone to help guide you through easy ways to take small steps towards reducing your carbon footprint? We’ve got the answer for you! Introducing our very first ever EARTH DAY CHALLENGE!

Introducing our Earth Day mini-challenge

The Run Wild My Child Earth Day Challenge is an 8-day challenge designed to help busy parents become more knowledgeable about eco-friendly swaps, products, and actions, without the guilt or overwhelm.

No matter where you are in your journey to reducing your carbon footprint (already making changes or just getting started), we’re here to help offer tips, action items, and products you’ll love. At the end of the challenge you should have everything you need to start making small, but powerful, changes in your life and around your home.

Who this challenge is for…

This is the perfect challenge for busy parents that love and appreciate the outdoors. You know the importance of reducing your carbon footprint and want to make sure your children (and their children) will have a beautiful healthy planet to explore. You already make a conscious effort to make some eco-friendly decisions, but would like to know how you can do more, without getting shamed, overwhelmed, or pressured into spending a lot of money.

How this challenge will help you

This challenge will give you lots of easy-to-implement eco-friendly ideas for different rooms in your house. You don’t have to do all of them – you get to pick and choose what works best for your family, your budget, and your lifestyle.

The challenge will give you an online support group with others going through the challenge together and taking action. You can meet friends, ask questions, help others and hold each other accountable.

By the end of the challenge, we know you’ll be educated and equipped to start making small (but impactful) changes in your home and life to help save the planet. And we’ll help you get your kids involved, too! Together, we can make a difference!

What’s included in the challenge

Our Earth Day Challenge includes so many amazing products and bonuses. Here’s what you can expect to get:
- 30+ page downloadable PDF & workbook
- Access to a private pop-up Facebook group for support, interaction, and accountability
- Daily challenges and eco-friendly action items
- Challenge hashtag and features on @runwild.mychild Instagram page
- List of 30+ eco-friendly activities to do with kids
- Printable Earth Day Bingo cards
- DIY “green” recipes for household cleaning products
- And so much more!
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://runwildmychild.com/product/earth-day-mini-challenge/” text=”ALL FOR ONLY $22″ ]

(we know, it’s crazy cheap)

Daily challenge themes and action items

Each day of the challenge has a theme and a worksheet where you can take notes and write down the action items you’d like to take. We not only take you through your home room by room to find ways to be more ec0-conscious, but we’ll help with some mindset changes and encouragement so you don’t get overwhelmed.
- Day 1: Create an Eco-Friendly Bathroom
- Day 2: Create an Eco-Friendly Kitchen
- Day 3: Create an Eco-Friendly Bedroom
- Day 4: Eco-Friendly Outdoor Spaces
- Day 5: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Day 6: Eco-Friendly Kids & Baby
- Day 7: Shopping Local, Little, and Less
- Day 8: Celebrate Earth Day
Meet the hosts

Chelsea Furlong

Chelsea is a photographer, mother of two busy boys, member of the RWMC Creative Team, and a sunshine and fresh air addict. Her family lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and spends as much time outdoors as they possibly can! Most of their outdoor adventures involve exploring the beach, inlets, and nature trails nearby. They love biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, building forts, and playing in the sand! During the warm months, you can find them enjoying the Chesapeake Bay almost every night until long after the sun goes down. They’re doing their best to reduce their carbon footprint and always try to leave every trail cleaner than it was when they arrived.

Sara McCarty

Sara is the Founder of Run Wild My Child, a resource website, online community, and podcast all about getting kids off screens and outside, one adventure at a time. She’s a mom of 3, a wife, and a corporate securities lawyer. She grew up in the country, but now lives in St. Louis and is determined to raise her city kids to be as wild and feral as possible. You can usually find her family exploring a creek, fly fishing, hiking, duck hunting, camping, canoeing, biking, or geocaching. She’s passionate about reading, photography, plants, coffee, cooking, and key lime pie.

Challenge details

The Run Wild My Child Earth Day Challenge starts Thursday, April 15, 2021, and ends on Earth Day, April 22. We’ll send out materials the day before and get the ball rolling! We’re super excited about this and can’t wait to see you there!

[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://runwildmychild.com/product/earth-day-mini-challenge/” text=”JOIN THE CHALLENGE” ]

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
FALL, GOOD FOR NATURE, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARK, SPRING, SUMMER, WINTER
The Roosevelt Walk
- November 23, 2020
Hiking with kids is always an adventure. But, is it a challenge? Can taking a hike teach your children problem-solving skills, creativity, ingenuity, and grit? Have you ever purposely taken a hike to get off the beaten path in order to encounter obstacles? That’s just what today’s post is all about! Jared Ryan, Oklahoma dad of two is here sharing his family’s experience with Roosevelt walks. Inspired by President Teddy Roosevelt, a Roosevelt walk is an intentional hike where, when confronted with an obstacle, you must go over, under, or through it…never around. These walks can be quite an adventure and lead to teaching kids skills and values in new and creative ways.

A new spin on traditional hiking

Have you ever found yourself looking for ways to boost your kids’ enthusiasm for hikes? One of our family’s favorite activities, regardless of the season, is to go venture out onto a hike. Our kiddos always love it. They have tramped hundreds of miles and have worn through countless pairs of little Merrells. From hardpacked clay, tough granite rocks, or supple loam, they’ve hiked it all. Needless to say, sometimes my wife and I are tasked with trying to change things up on them in order to make sure they still experience that wonderful feeling of adventure when we step off the concrete and into the wild. Our favorite way to spruce up the average hike is by doing what we have dubbed as the ‘Roosevelt Walk’.

The inspiration behind the hike

The 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt is known for his deep love of nature and his establishment of our National Parks system. But, he is quite possibly equally know for his relentless pursuit to maintain a ‘strenuous life’. So much of a pursuit, in fact, that within his first year of presidency, reporters associated ‘strenuous’ with his name over 10,000 times. Yeah, for real.

When Teddy wasn’t rustling cattle in the North Dakota Badlands, leading expeditions through the Amazon, or lecturing lawmakers in Washington, D.C., he was leading his six children on walks around Sagamore Hill. (Six!) In true T.R. fashion, Roosevelt had one primary rule for the hikes though:

When faced with an obstacle in their way, the family could only pass it by going: over, under, or through it… Never around it.

What is a Roosevelt walk?

And so we started taking what we called “Roosevelt walks” – hikes where we could go over, under, or through our obstacles. When we hiked, nothing would stand in our way… or maybe it did, but we’d have to find a way over, under, or through it. Our kiddos (and my wife and I) quickly learned that these Roosevelt walks are, well, amazing. I mean, distance no longer matters, and the terrain hardly matters. In fact, the further away from a smooth, well-worn path, the better. I feel that I should also let you know that these short, adventurous hikes are often far more tiring and grueling than a longer stroll on your average trail. After all, you aren’t taking the easiest route.

Where can you Roosevelt walk?

Roosevelt walks can be done nearly anywhere. But, if you find yourself squirming a little at the thought of leaving a marked trail, no worries I do too sometimes. We have actually found ourselves doing our Roosevelt walks both on and off of trails. A lot of trail networks offer the same geodiversity on them as anywhere off of them. So if this is the case for you, your preplanning may have just gotten a lot easier. When the terrain surrounding the blazed trail is calling for you, there can be a whole new world (cue Aladdin theme song) opened up in even your most familiar parks and trails just by stepping off the beaten path and working through unfamiliar obstacles.

*Certain trails and parks do require that you stay on the trail, so make sure and check the trailhead or park office for guidance.

Why you (and your kids) will love it

To me, the dad, there is a never-ending search for ways to show my children how to navigate life. How to problem solve, how to persevere and overcome. To keep myself from inhibiting this process I simply:
- Allow my little teddys to come up with their own strategies
- Refrain from mitigating the difficulty of the situation
- Follow along with their lead and let them be in charge of the situation
Feel free to add additional wrenches to your hike as well. When we are exploring on our family land, I like to reach a point where the kids are not quite sure where we are and then allow them to navigate us back to the cabin. This has taught them new navigation skills along with building their confidence in making decisions. When coupled with our Roosevelt walk, these <1mi hikes can take several hours, but my kids have never complained. Sometimes they get lost on the way, and that is fine, but usually, they’re lost in their thoughts on the task at hand. And that’s perfect.

It’s absolutely satisfying to me watching them ascend a vertical rock wall that is tip-toe height for them or weave their way through the branches of a felled tree. It’s almost like their confidence is visible and you’re watching grow in real-time.

For parents: these obstacles usually bring the same feeling of accomplishment and a boost to our confidence. We all know how quickly and easily we all get so caught up in our infinite emails and our daily Teams meetings and that no matter how hard we resist the mundane. We start to lose that internal feeling of overcoming something, of perseverance, of strenuousness. So, when you have overcome that blocker on the trail or when you’ve faced your fear of what’s new and unknown, you also get to feel a little proud, just like your littles. Plus, you will most undoubtedly use muscle groups that you may not have used since the last time you played tag on the grade school playground.

Working through the barriers as a family always builds our team closer. Because we’ve overcome something together and we collaborated on it. Although, honestly, I usually let the kiddos give their input and I often just go along with their strategy. In my mind, it’ll either work, or it won’t. Either way, they’ve learned something new.

Keeping it safe

To be real, there are definitely times that we do come across obstacles that could put us into real danger. Not just thorn briar danger, but proper emergency room danger. This just is NOT what these hikes are about. When we’ve stumbled into a situation like this I simply explain it to the kids. The purpose of the hike and why it’s okay that we’re rerouting. I mean seriously, my son is far too willing to try and hurl his 4’0″ frame across an 8ft gap. So, I do have to reign them in.

To this point on dangerous situations, my wife and I try to plan ahead in order to find locations that will allow us to safely roam and ramble with consideration of the type of terrain and the time of year. When venturing out, we always have an idea of where we’re going, what we are getting into, and a sense of the severity of any situation.

Where we live, in the central United States, we know the following truths:
- There is a venomous snake in every brush pile during the summertime (at least in our heads).
- Loamy woods are much more forgiving after a rain than the slick sandstone bluffs.
- Creeks that are dry in February are deep and flowing in April.
- Poison oak leaves look a heck of a lot like normal oak leaves.
- In July, whatever water you brought isn’t enough.
Regardless of how intense or how chill your family’s version of the Roosevelt walk is, make it your own. Roosevelt walks are such an easy way to bring some fun and excitement to your short hikes.

Keep your eyes on stars and your feet on the ground” – Theodore Roosevelt

Have you ever heard of a Roosevelt walk?
Are you ready to give them a try?

About the author

Jared is a husband to a talented and beautiful wife, Kristen, and a father of two fun-loving and adventurous kiddos. He enjoys leading family adventures to both near and far destinations. Whether it is hiking, camping, climbing, bike riding, or playing in the backyard, he loves it all. He instills in his family the importance of nature and all the benefits it can bring to one’s life. Jared is a GIS analyst by trade, so he is naturally drawn to creating maps and all things trail related, whether it is creating new trails, recording family hikes, or teaching his kids land navigation, he loves to tie in his own work with family adventures.

You can find Jared online in the following locations:
Instagram: @bikeshikesbiners
RWMC posts: Jared Ryan
GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS
Starting A Forest Group for Kids
- November 5, 2020
Have you ever wished you had a local community of parents and kids that regularly met up to play together outside? Have you ever considered starting a playgroup, where the kids could socialize together while they run through the woods, hiked, and explored? Are you interested in meeting other like-minded parents that enjoy spending time outdoors? Well, this post is for you! Today, SarahRuth, Georgia mom of three and outdoor educator, shares everything you need for starting a forest group for kids. (Your outdoor playgroup doesn’t have to be in the forest – it can be anywhere.) She helps you come up with your vision for your forest group, a routine for your meetings and advice for how to get the word out. This is a post you’re not going to want to miss!
The idea to start a forest group
Hello, there outdoor mama! So, you’ve found your stride and you are wracking up your hours outside. You already know that time outdoors is important for your children and their development. You know how wonderful you feel after spending time outside. Your children love your forest forays and outdoor adventures together. Yet, something is missing. After several frolics under the green canopy, you realize what it is…community.
We, humans, are social creatures and when you love something (like spending time outside), it’s natural to want to share it with others. Getting outside is now a priority, so why not share the forest with a group of like-minded folks? Starting a forest playgroup for kids may have never been on your radar. Maybe it’s something you never considered or ever planned to do. And yet, it’s exactly what you know you’d love to do and you are ready to embark on this new adventure. I’m here to tell you how to do it and why it’s such a wonderful idea.
The vision for your forest group
Starting a forest group for kids can be a huge undertaking. In order to ensure the best chances of success, let’s pull together a game plan. The first step in the process of starting a forest group is to come up with a vision for your group and think about what you want it to look and feel like. Here are some questions to consider right away:
How old are your children?
Do you intend to keep the group within a similar age range or open it up to all ages?
How many kids?
Where you will meet? Is there a place you have been visiting in the woods?
Does it have any major risk factors for children?
How you will communicate with others?
Will social media play a role? (Many large forest groups use groups on social media to advertise locations, times, and dates of meet-ups. Smaller groups are most comfortable using a more personal method like texting.)
What are the leadership roles for the adults?
Will there be lessons or just open play?
What about food and snacks? Supplies and gear?
Do you want to put together a set of rules or general group guidelines?
Bringing on additional support
As you write down the answers to these questions, keep your vision in mind, and plan accordingly. When starting a forest group for kids, nothing is set in stone. You can always make changes later and adapt to the circumstances that arise. The planning part should be fun, so don’t let all the questions overwhelm you into not taking any action. It also helps to get help. Instead of pioneering a group individually, I have found having a co-director is wise and keeps me motivated and accountable. Teaming up with another like-minded adult means you will have double the ideas, as well as a fill-in when you are sick, or cannot be as engaged in the group.
Finding a base camp for your forest group
One of the primary roles of the person facilitating a forest group for kids is locating a place for the kids to meet and learn together. Groups usually take on one of two characteristics in this regard. They either choose a specific location and have their meetings there every time or they choose a new location and explore a different place at each meet-up. Both models have their benefits! Keep in mind the skill level, hiking ability, and ages of the participating children. This will help guide decisions about where to meet at events.
Stationary base camp
“Follow me!” 7-year-old Nellie shouts as she races forward on the trail.
“Wow! She is confident,” remarks a new forest group parent as they observe several children run behind Nellie and down the trail.
One idea is that remaining at the same base camp from week-to-week for months (or even years) creates a known environment. Children become comfortable, and eventually even experts in their space. They know the trails leading in, and around their base camp. Choosing the same base camp for an extended period of time can be beneficial for observing seasonal changes.
Nellie is an example of a child who is reaping the benefits of returning to the same space over and again. Her leadership skills are flourishing, and other children easily fall in step with her as a guide.
Roving location base camp
“Today we plan to use our map skills and cardinal direction knowledge to find our base camp,” instructs an adult as several children flock around them with interested faces. After a brief trail talk, the adult passes out compasses and asks the children to use a simple forestry map to head to their base camp for the day.
The other option is to decide to host your outdoor playgroup in a new location each time you meet. The above example shows how a base camp might be different at each event and how that might benefit children. Children practice using learned skills, they develop teamwork and learn how to explore new places, and adapt well to change. They figure out how to find a great base camp location at each meeting and learn how to safely explore unknown locations.
Hybrid
Some forest groups will choose to have both a stationary base camp, as well as events at new locations with spontaneous destination-based hikes and adventures.
Setting the structure of your forest group
When starting a forest group for kids, the next step after finding your base camp is to identify goals and structure for meetings. There is a school of thought that says children in the woods should be their own kingdom. Not infringed upon by the plans and ire of adults. Instead, they can create a world of their own, where they are the kings and queens and rule the land. Adults, step aside! You are the moat around their kingdom. Position yourselves as a border around the chosen base camp, spread your blankets, chat with a friend. You are a gatekeeper only.
There are many perks to having an “unstructured” forest playgroup that gives kids lots of time for free play. The many benefits of unstructured free play in nature have been documented in research again and again. Kids need time like this to be kids without adult interference. Plus, it’s easier for the adults, as there’s no need to plan activities or bring supplies. Watch, be aware, and relax while your children build friendships and explore.
At some point, or in some groups, a group lesson is important. This can either be an educational lesson, a skills lesson, or even just reading a book to the kids. This “forest school” approach is a great way to incorporate lessons and educational activities into an outdoor setting where kids learn best. Teaching outdoor skills using great books can be useful as well as essential to raising future environmentalists and earth tenders. Moreover, foraging, Leave No Trace, map skills, fort building, nature observation, and more are lessons that are best taught in the forest.
Some groups will have multiple events every week and can host both uninhibited play meetups as well as more structured “forest school” types of lessons. You can definitely do both and adapt as your kids get older and express interest in certain things.
Bring your friends to your forest group for kids
Storytime at the library will forever go down in history as the place I left my pride. Storytime was over, but a sweet little baby riding in her mom’s carrier kept grinning at me as I walked around the room re-shelving the books my two tyrants had strewn about. I wanted badly to approach and greet the mom, but just couldn’t get up the nerve. She left.
Suddenly, I find myself in the parking lot beside this mom, baby, and toddler. Breathless, I try and explain why I followed her to her van, “Hi! I know this is strange, but your baby is beautiful and friendly and, well, I didn’t know if you would maybe like to meet with some other moms at my place sometime? I am trying to get some folks together….”.
Call me crazy, but that was exactly how my first ever moms group started. Later, this mom became my best friend. I learned she had battled postpartum depression and she shared, “I had been waiting for someone to ask me over!”
Another dear friendship was born from a chance online encounter in a large mom’s group on Facebook. We realized we were in the same area. We agreed to meet up. The rest is history in the woods because she ran forest groups with me for three years thereafter.
Here’s the deal: making new mom friends can be hard. Sometimes you just have to get out of your comfort zone. The woods are a level playing field. Invite the mom struggling to get through the grocery store with three littles in tow to your forest group. Post an invitation at the library so other nature-loving moms can find it. Drop off an invite at the local food bank. Mention your forest group each time you hang out with friends. Growing a group takes some courage, but it’s so worth it. The friendships that develop (both at the mom and kid-level) are just incredible. Starting a forest group for kids was one of the best things I could do for myself as a mom.
Finding your stride in your forest group events for kids
A glimpse into a forest playgroup meeting:
About 15 children and 6 adults encircle a forest sign marking a trail. One adult can be heard over the rest, briefly instructing the adults to silence phones and keep them put up. One caregiver agrees to be the “photographer” for the day. Then a cheerful song begins. Some children sing and clap while others listen. Brief guidelines are provided with the children listing them almost independently.
Be within sight of adults.
Leaves of three, leave them be.
Gentle hands (with each other and nature).
Sticks pointed down.
Rocks are thrown away from others.
Pack in, pack out.
And then they’re off to play!
That is the forest group way! Simple guidelines shared and then off for a grand adventure. Many groups like to have a rhythm, an expected sequence of events, not necessarily tied to any specific times. In groups I have led, we typically have a trail talk (like above), a hike in (about 15-20 minutes), time at base camp (an hour or so), shared snack, and storytime (15-20 minutes). After that, families can choose to continue to play, or leave. Having a general idea of the flow of events can help children and caregivers feel comfortable. It can also help others step into leadership roles when a director cannot be present.
What you need to know before starting a forest group
Unless you are a forest guru (and maybe you are!), chances are you won’t know tons about the forest and the surrounding area when you get started. Hence, I have become good at everything and an expert at nothing. In starting a forest group for kids, I have realized that I get to learn as I go. Right along with the kids! You don’t need to know everything to start a forest playgroup. That’s the best part!
However, if you like doing your research on projects before jumping right in, here are some suggested books for finding ideas, gaining knowledge, and just overall improving your insight on running a forest group for kids.
Play the Forest School Way: Woodland Games, Crafts, and Skills for Adventurous Kids
There is No Such Thing as Bad Weather
The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs
Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy With Your Children
Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children
If you are looking for great books to read while at your forest group events, this post is filled with amazing ideas. Including culturally diverse books is important as well.
The forest is calling
Be encouraged! So many people have started a forest group for kids before you. Many will after. This is YOUR moment, though. A group for YOUR kids. A place where you get to prioritize outdoor time and give your kids an incredible experience that will change their lives. (and maybe even yours) Work out the plan, find your courage, and then walk outside with your crew and invite your community to join in! You cannot fail, because starting is success in and of itself!
So now we need to know…
When are we meeting you in the woods?
About the author
SarahRuth is a homeschooling mother of three boys. She was raised in cities across the East coast, but now resides in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia where her husband grew up. Passionate about inspiring others to shift from the status quo of Western indoor life, she launched a local Free Forest School chapter in 2017. Her family clocked over 2k hours outdoors in 2019 and believes that outside time as a family is vital to a joy-filled life. She collects books, stray children, and as much coffee as her body will permit. When not foraging, chasing waterfalls, or camping with her crew, you can find SarahRuth crossing the globe from her laptop, teaching English full time online! She has two bachelor’s degrees in Education and is passionate about teaching children to love learning through outdoor adventures.
GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
7 Ways to Ease Anxiety Using Nature
- October 23, 2020
This year is destined to go down in the history books for a lot of things. Unprecedented high levels of stress and anxiety in parents, being one of them. More than possibly ever before, self-care for parents needs to be a top priority. Moms in particular, tend to take care of everyone but themselves, leading to overwhelm, burnout and exhaustion. Today, we have Chelsea Furlong, Virginia photographer and homeschooling mom of two, sharing 7 ways that parents (and kids) can reduce stress and ease anxiety using nature and natural treatments. We hope this post will inspire you to make nature part of your self-care routine.

Easing anxiety with nature

Well, here we are…at the tail end of 2020. This has to be one of the most stressful years our generation has ever experienced. The unexpected and unprecedented global pandemic has likely added stress to your life. Parents, in particular, have had a massive amount to deal with on top of the everyday stressors we normally experience.

Often, lots of stress can lead to anxiety. I know this because I have anxiety and depression. I have to be extremely careful with myself and very intentional about how I live my life to be sure I don’t get stuck in a dangerous downward spiral. And anyone else who has anxiety and/or depression knows how difficult it can be to pull yourself out of a particularly difficult time.

Over the years, I’ve tried so many things to ease my anxiety and support my mental health. I’ve tried everything from therapy to medications to natural remedies, and every combination of them. I can tell you without a second of hesitation that for me personally, getting back to nature has helped me more than anything else. I know that many of you may be experiencing added stress and anxiety so I wanted to share my most impactful ways of easing anxiety during difficult times.

1. Get outside

Now I know this seems very basic, but getting outside can instantly stop an anxiety spiral. There is countless research that shows how spending time outdoors in green spaces is good for your physical and mental health. Make spending time outside a priority and reap the benefits of less stress, better health and lower anxiety levels.

Sunlight and fresh air

We hear all the time that it’s so important to get sunlight but I don’t think people take this seriously enough. Many people have a vitamin D deficiency. This can still be the case even in the summertime. We tend to forget that humans are animals and in the 200,000 years homo sapiens has existed, only VERY recently have we lived so much of our lives indoors. Even a few generations ago, people were spending most of their waking hours working outside.

Modern-day society has put us indoors much more than we’ve ever been, and evolution can’t change our make up that quickly. I would argue that humans simply haven’t adjusted to being inside so much. Our bodies desperately need the sunlight and we need the fresh air.

Fresh air is good for our bodies and minds. Anyone that’s spent any time wearing a mask recently knows just how wonderful fresh air can be. Deep breathing outside in the fresh air can do amazing things for your body and mind.

Sleep better

Spending lots of time outside helps with so many things, one of them being a reset of our circadian rhythms. This is crucial for establishing regular sleep patterns. Personally, lack of sleep is always a major trigger for my anxiety and depression. I have to be very aware of my sleep schedule. When I’m not getting enough sleep, my anxiety greatly increases. Spending lots of time outside really helps the body settle down at night and sleep better.

Exercise

When you’re spending more time outside, you’re also likely getting more exercise. Exercise is another thing people take too lightly when it comes to mental health. I know this because I was one of those people. When I’m starting to feel like my depression and anxiety are kicking back up again, I monitor how much exercise I’m getting.

Not only is exercise good for the health of your body, but it’s critical for the health of your brain. You need the endorphins that your body produces when you exercise. Walking, running, biking, and yoga are great activities to do while you’re spending extra time outside.

Mindfulness

Another practice I’ve found helpful for my anxiety is using mindfulness or meditation while I’m outside on a walk. Anxiety can put your brain in a pattern or a cycle. In order to get out of it, you need a pattern interruption. Taking a walk and using the 5-4-3-2-1 mindfulness method is a great way to ground yourself and bring your brain back to the present moment. It’s super easy and works wonders!

Just take a deep breath in and out. Then identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. When I do this, I try to completely isolate each of those senses and remove any input from the other senses. You want to take your time with this grounding exercise and really slow down your body and brain. When you’re finished, take one more deep, cleansing breath. You’ll feel so much better!

Sit-spotting

The idea of sit-spotting is simple, but powerful: find a special place in nature and then become comfortable with just being there, still and quiet. In this place, nature let the nature around you soothe you, entertain you and seep into you. If you choose one particular place to do this repeatedly, sit-spotting gives you a personal and intimate place in nature which will soothe, comfort, and relax you instantly, as you get to know the location.

I recommend you find a place in or adjacent to a natural or semi-natural setting where you can sit and observe. Preferably, pick a place that’s close to home so you can get there easily whenever you need a mental break. Sit quietly there, observing nature around you 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. Visit your location in every season and vary the time of day (morning, noon, night) to see how your spot changes.

Check out this post for more useful information on sit spotting.

2. Eat clean

Cleaning up what you put into your body is another way to help improve your mental health. Mother Nature provides us with everything we need to nourish our bodies and make healthy new cells. Your body is always replacing your cells…why not make sure that the new cells you’re creating are healthy ones?

When I was desperately searching for answers to my own battle with depression and anxiety, I was having many odd physical symptoms in addition to the emotional ones. My psychiatrist looked at my medical charts and told me my declining physical and mental health looked similar to other patients she had with autoimmune disease.

Clean eating research

That sent me down an information-seeking rabbit hole, and I’m SO thankful it did. After doing tons of research, I changed my diet completely. Thanks to books like The Wahl’s Protocol and The Autoimmune Fix, I learned so much about how your body uses the food you eat to either make you healthy or make you sick.

Every person is different, and you’ll have to find what works for you, but I swear by the diet I’m permanently on. It has changed my life. It’s a big commitment but if you’re at the point where you’ll do anything to improve your mental health (like I was), it’s absolutely worth it.

The importance of good food

Adding large amounts of nutrient-dense foods is crucial to a properly functioning brain and nervous system. There is also a massive connection between your brain and your gut (which is also known as your second brain.) Nature can provide you with all the nutrients you need, you just have to make eating them a priority.

Do yourself a favor and start paying more attention to what you put into your body. How you feel afterward. Are there particular foods or meals that make you feel better? Or worse?

Bonus fact: Did you know that eating two or more handfuls of cashews a day, can have the same effect as Prozac? The high levels of tryptophan in cashews help to increase serotonin. Thanks, nature!

3. Supplements

In addition to honing in on your diet, you may want to consider adding some supplements to your daily self-care routine. Every person is different, but I’ve felt best when I’m taking a high quality fish oil, vitamin D3, vitamin C, and a B-complex. Fish oil supports brain health. Vitamin C supports the immune system. Vitamin D plays an important role in brain and nerve health, and mood regulation. And B vitamins help with energy levels, as well as brain and nerve functioning.

When my anxiety starts to get worse, I also add in my special anxiety-reducing tea. I add Holy basil and magnesium powder to chamomile tea. This is a great way to calm your muscles and nerves fairly quickly. I recommend Nature Calm magnesium powder to all my friends. Watch out, though. A little goes a long way with this stuff! You only need a very small amount to get the benefits.

CBD oil

The other supplement I use on a regular basis that has really been life changing for me is CBD oil. When it comes to CBD, you need to do your research. Not all CBD oils are created equally. I’ve tried various brands, types and strengths and it took quite a lot of trial and error to find the exact brand, strength, and dosage that works for me. It’s similar to a prescription medication in that way. It may take a little time to find what works for you.

I found that a small amount of CBD oil daily helps to keep my mood level, and then I take more as needed. When I know I’m going into a situation that can be a trigger for me, I take some of my oil about 20 minutes in advance. It’s been very helpful.

4. Essential oils

Speaking of oil, essential oils are another gift from nature that we can use to help ease anxiety. Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient cultures in China, India, and Egypt. When I’m feeling stressed at home, I can often reset my body and brain by using some essential oils. This also helps my kids reset, so it’s a win-win!

At home, I use a diffuser with my oils. When I’m on-the-go, I love my lava rock jewelry. I just absorb a few drops of my favorite oil into the lava stone and I can smell it all day! Again, this is also great for my kids, too. They’ll often ask for my jewelry when we’re out in public or even riding in the car. They love it!

If you’re unfamiliar with essential oils, do some research. Different oils will have a different effect. Some oils can boost your mood and energy, while others can calm you down and help you sleep! You can change the oils to match what you need. Two of my favorite oils that help me calm down are lavender oil and a blend called Balance.

5. Plants

You may be seeing a recurring theme here. Not only can we benefit from plants by adding more of them to our diets and using plant oils, but we can also benefit from just surrounding ourselves with plants! Did you know that just having plants in your home can improve your mental health, improve your air quality, help you sleep better, boost your immune system and increase your productivity?! Amazing, right?

Gardening is another activity that can improve your mental health and help ease anxiety. You’ll get fresh air and sunlight, exercise, and the right kind of mental stimulation. There are two main modes of attention: focused attention and fascination. Focused attention is the kind you use at work, and too much of it can lead to stress. Fascination is the kind you use in hobbies and can help reduce anxiety when we’re feeling so much stress we can’t cope.

Gardening can help ground us and help us stay in the present moment. If you’re growing foods and herbs in your garden, you can also use the produce and herbs to heal you from the inside! One activity, but double the benefits for your mental health!

6. Animals

Whether it’s a household pet or a creature you meet in the wild, animals can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. I’ve found that having a dog in our home greatly reduces my anxiety levels. Having a warm pet snuggled up to me helps me slow down when I need to slow down. And on the flip side, my dog helps me get moving when I’m feeling sluggish. When the dog has to go out, I have no choice but to pull myself up and go walk him. It’s wonderful because once I’m outside for even a few minutes, I start to feel better. Pets can also be a needed distraction when you’re stuck in an anxiety loop. Distraction is a great way to interrupt a pattern or cycle, and pets are great for that!

If you’re not able to have a pet in the home, you can still enjoy the same stress-reducing benefits outside in nature. I’ve found so much joy just watching the birds that visit our bird feeder each day. We’ve become used to hearing their familiar chirps and songs each morning to start the day. We love watching them visit our window. Similarly, I’ve found it so comforting to visit the large waterfowl that live in the inlet nearby. I walk one trail regularly and often see the birds in their favorite spots. It’s wonderful to sit and watch them. It’s another activity that can help you embrace the present moment and stop the cycle of worrying. I’m not going to lie… I’m that person on the trails speaking out loud to each creature along the way. I always greet them with a “Hello, friend” and thank them for visiting with me. Yes, I do also say goodbye when I move on. (You talk to wild animals too, don’t you? It’s okay. I won’t tell.)

Check out this post for more info on the benefits of raising kids around animals.

7. Water

Get in the water! I know it sounds extremely cliché to say take a bath, but TAKE A BATH. Or a shower. Or even go for a swim, if that’s an option for you. The reason we even exist is because our planet has water. The planet is mostly water. Our bodies are mostly water. And water can be extremely calming for humans. If you have kids, you may have used a nice, warm bath to calm your baby. It can work just as well for adults!

I’ll be honest, I was never a bath-taker until recently but it has been an amazing tool for me when coping with anxiety. It took a lot of work (which sounds weird, I know) but I had to practice sitting in a bath! I was so used to moving quickly from one thing to the next, that it felt very uncomfortable to just sit in a bath and relax. If this sounds like you, try starting with 5-8 minutes and then add a few minutes each time you’re in there. I found that listening to meditation music or a podcast like Affirmation Pod with Josie also helps!

Again, I know this one also sounds cliché, but drink more water. Seriously. Go get some right now. I’ll wait.

Great! Your body thanks you for that!

Your body takes in a lot of toxins every day. Not only are they unhealthy for you physically, but they’re unhealthy for your mental health. Drinking lots of water is one way you can help wash out those toxins. Water also helps your brain by preventing dehydration, which can cloud up your thinking. Your brain is about 75 percent water! And 1 in 4 adults is dehydrated right now. You need lots of water to make sure oxygen is flowing to your brain and ensure it has enough energy to produce serotonin. Dehydration can also be a trigger for panic attacks, so be absolutely sure you’re getting enough water every day.

Treating anxiety with nature

I know it seems simple. Almost too simple. But truly the most effective treatment for my own depression and anxiety has been to get back to basics. Get back to nature. Get closer to the life our bodies and minds lived for millions of years, before modern-day society changed everything.

Three weeks. Do these things for three weeks consistently, and then reassess how you feel. I think you’ll be amazed.

And if you don’t see improvements, or ever find yourself in a situation where you’re truly struggling, please ask for help. These are difficult times for everyone. You’re not alone. You can find a list of free, 24-hour helplines here. Don’t ever be afraid to pick up the phone and call.

What are your favorite nature-based ways to improve your mental health?

About the author

Chelsea is a photographer, a mother of two busy boys, and a sunshine and fresh air addict. Her family lives in Virginia Beach, and they spend as much time outdoors as they possibly can! Most of their outdoor adventures involve exploring the beach, inlets, and nature trails nearby. They love biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, building forts, and playing in the sand! During the warm months, you can find them enjoying the Chesapeake Bay almost every night until long after the sun goes down. They’re doing our best to reduce their carbon footprint and always try to leave every trail cleaner than it was when they arrived.

You can find Chelsea online in the following locations:
Instagram: @dimples.and.the.blonde
Website: dimplesandtheblonde.com
RWMC posts: Chelsea Furlong
GOOD FOR NATURE, HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Ways to Reconnect With Nature as a Family
- September 29, 2020
This year has tested and challenged us in more ways than we ever could have imagined. There’s been so much uncertainty, stress, and exhaustion over the last six months and that’s taken a toll on our physical and mental health. As parents, we tend to feel the effects more deeply and have experienced more unprecedented change and pressure than ever before. Today, we have a beautiful story about what happens when a mom in healthcare experiences burnout. Amber of @PlayLiveBe and her kids dive into the science of nature where they find renewal and healing. In these wild spaces, they reconnect with nature as a family, create food memories, and tap into an overflowing wellspring of life. Here’s how they’re doing it and how you can reconnect with nature as a family.

Adjusting to a new normal

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

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

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

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

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

The healing power of nature

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

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

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

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

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

Ways to reconnect with nature and heal as a family

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

Time outside is sooo good for our brain. Not surprisingly, it also improves our physical health. A staggering amount of research supports the following:
- Time spent surrounded by nature improves vitamin D levels and reduces obesity.
- It lowers cholesterol and decreases our lifelong risk of heart disease.
- Nature calms ADHD and anxiety; it alleviates depression and makes us more creative.
As a mom, we know internal journeys are rarely afforded personal space in which to grow. 😊 So, let me tell you about some of the family-friendly nature adventures that helped pull me…and all of us…back to center. Here are a few ways you can reconnect with nature as a family and help heal your spirit, minds, and bodies.

Daily interaction with green spaces

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

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

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

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

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

Hike near water

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect outside with food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remember your why

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Importantly, I share an authentic version of myself.

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

The beginning of a new opportunity

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

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

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

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

So now the real questions…

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

About the author

Amber is a seeker of moments and a dream chaser. She is a lover of wild spaces, good food, red wine, and dark chocolate. She worldschools her two kids (2^nd and K), volunteers a bit too much, and is an Emergency Medicine Provider working with the Southeast Region’s largest COVID-19 response team. For more real-life adventures you can follow Amber and her family on Instagram @PlayLiveBe or check out their website at http://www.playlivebe.com.
BEACH, BIKE, CRAFTS, GARDENING, GOOD FOR NATURE, HIKE, HOLIDAYS, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SPRING, WATER
15+ Activities to Celebrate Earth Day with Kids
- April 14, 2020
Earth Day is next week and the world needs you and your actions! There are so many things parents and kids can do to help protect, preserve and restore our planet – from cleaning up, to recycling, composting, planting a garden or just enjoying the beauty of nature! Today, we have Chelsea Furlong (professional photographer and eco-conscious mom of 2) here with 15+ eco-friendly activities kids and families can do together to celebrate Earth Day. And bonus that all these activities can be done at or around the home, while socially distancing.

15+ Earth Day Activities With Kids

Earth Day 2020

April 22, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. On that historical day, 20 million Americans filled the streets with protests to stop the destruction of our precious planet. This essentially started what became the planet’s largest civic event and an environmental movement. Since then, Earth Day has been celebrated annually worldwide on the 22nd day of April.

While this year is a bit of an anomaly and we’ll have to celebrate at (or close to) home and away from others (no marches or protests this year), there’s no reason why this can’t be the best Earth Day celebration ever! Use this as a way to avoid shopping/purchasing anything new (especially plastics) and use what you’ve already got on hand in new ways. Get creative and make the most out of the things you already own or can find in nature close to home.

Celebrating Earth Day with kids

Getting kids involved in taking care of the planet when they’re young encourages them to continue the tradition as they get older. It’s a parent’s job to teach kids to be good stewards of the earth encourages them to love and respect their planet and nature. There are so many amazing ways you can celebrate this day with your kids and family while being conscious of your carbon footprint. Here are some of my favorites!

1. Nature scavenger hunt

Make a list of things found in nature around your home, neighborhood or a local park. Then go out for a walk or hike with the family and see how many items you can find. In order to save paper, you could make the list on your phone or a reusable dry erase board or reusable writing board. We love our Boogie Board writing tablets for things like this!

2. Neighborhood clean up

Grab some gloves and garbage bags and beautify your neighborhood by removing all the trash humans have tossed around. My kids actually love doing this because they almost always find treasures they want to clean up and keep. Our oldest son keeps a whole lot of other people’s discarded items to use in creating art and sculptures, and we don’t mind one bit! We get to enjoy his creative mind while giving the trash a second life before it’s tossed into a landfill for decades, centuries, or possibly forever.

3. Family bike ride

Going on a family bike ride is a great way to get the family outside enjoying what Mother Earth has to offer while being active and adventurous! Head to your favorite bike trail or try a new one. You can enjoy your town or city without polluting the air and you’ll feel so great afterward!

4. Get out on the water

Spend the day observing nature from the water. Instead of using something motorized, try a kayak, rowboat, stand-up paddleboard, or other pollution-free water vehicle.

5. Make a bird feeder

There are TONS of ways to DIY a bird feeder using recycled materials. We made bird feeders using recycled toilet paper tubes, popsicle sticks, and even pine cones! We have a great post on making ec0-friendly bird feeders with kids using materials you already have at home! No need to leave the house!

6. Practice Earth Day yoga

My kids love doing yoga! Celebrate Earth Day with kids by doing a special outdoor kid-friendly yoga session. Stand barefoot in the grass so you can feel the earth under your feet and are grounded. Breathe in the fresh air and feel the sunshine and wind on your skin. You can pick some earth and animal-related poses to do. Tree, turtle, butterfly, lotus, and frog are some of my children’s’ favorite yoga poses.

7. Make seed bombs or seed paper

Another great activity to celebrate Earth Day with kids is to make seed bombs (with clay) or seed paper using recycled paper scraps you have lying around the house or in your recycling bin! You can bomb an area in your yard or neighborhood and see how they grow over the spring. Or give them out as gifts to friends or leave them on a neighbor’s doorstep as an Earth Day present. Feel free to use my seed paper valentine instructions as a guide, with a few swaps. Change the color (to blue/green) and shape (to a circle like the Earth) to match the Earth Day theme.

8. Start a garden

Kids love playing in dirt! Have them help you make a family garden. You can plant a flower garden or edible garden, and work together to take care of the plants. If you don’t have a lot of space or live in a city, you can always do a potted garden or patio garden! We don’t have a lot of space to plant edibles where we live, but we still try to grow some herbs and vegetables every year using pots and containers. Here are some recommendations for easy vegetables to grow with kids and a great post on how to make gardening enjoyable for kids.

Eco Tip: Be sure to buy the pots/containers pre-loved at a thrift store or from someone else!

9. Plant a tree

There’s no better time than Earth Day to plant a tree! Spring is a great time to plant and Earth Day is a great reason. Pick a special spot to plant a family tree that you all can visit for years to come! If you plant a fruit tree, you’ll also have the added benefit of beautiful blossoms and fruit you can enjoy once your tree is mature.

10. Make earth art

Doing an art project is always a fun way to celebrate and document any holiday. Making art from natural materials is so much fun to create. Plus, there’s a fun added benefit in that other people will find joy when they come across your artwork! You can use any kind of materials you find in nature to create a masterpiece on the ground. We like to use shells, sticks, rocks, leaves, flowers, petals, nuts and sand.

11. Start composting

Starting a compost is something that has been on my list to do for years now and I think Earth Day is when we’ll start! My oldest son has been bringing me food scraps daily, asking to put it in a compost instead of the garbage. I promised him we would do some research and begin one soon. We don’t live in a rural area and don’t have much of a backyard space so our compost will need to be small. However, there are plenty of great options for composting in small spaces and in the city! A friend uses this composting tumbler in their backyard and adds the finished compost to their flower beds. You could research composting with your kids and start this year, too! And when you start your compost project, make sure to include a few bins for little hands so the kids can help out, too!

12. Have a picnic

A great way to get outside and enjoy nature is by having a picnic. You can have a picnic inside or outside! But be sure to keep it earth friendly by:
- packing your picnic in reusable containers,
- bringing reusable utensils/straws/water bottles, and
- bringing cloth napkins/hand towels.
Bonus: Try to reduce your picnic carbon footprint by preparing a vegan meal!

13. Take a hike

One of our favorite outdoor activities is hiking. Hiking always inspires us to take care of our beautiful planet by reminding us just how impressive nature can be! This year, if you can safely get out to a place away from others, take a fun Earth Day celebratory hike. Bring along a bag to pick up any trash/litter you see and some binoculars to do some birding while you’re out!

14. Make nature crowns

Nature crowns are a really fun and easy craft you can make and wear in celebration of Earth Day! No need to buy anything, just use whatever you can find in nature. You can make nature crowns out of just about anything – flowers, grasses, clover, vines, sticks, dandelions or wildflowers! Be creative and have fun with it!

15. Make nature paint brushes

Head out on a nature walk and collect different materials to use as paintbrushes! Pick up things like sticks, leaves, long blades of grass, flowers, etc. Take them home and dip them in paint to make a family piece of artwork to hang up forever. It’s a great way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. You’ll be able to look at the art you made and remember the time you spent with your children for years to come.

16. Earth Day puppet show

Another fun way to celebrate Earth Day with kids is to make puppets with materials from your recycling bin. Or, you could make sock puppets from all those single socks you have lying around! You can have your children do some research online or read some books about ways to protect our planet. Then they can share what they’ve learned by putting on a puppet show! This is also an amazing activity to share with family and friends on FaceTime or other video chatting app during quarantine. You don’t have to leave your house and you can bring some joy to others in isolation from a safe distance!

17. Make sculptures, art, or robots using items in your recycling bin

My kids love making art from trash! It gives those items one more life before they get tossed into the recycling bin or trash can. Use materials you would normally throw away or recycle and repurpose them into art, a sculpture or a robot (or a monster or an alien or anything!). Let them paint and decorate their creation. Display it proudly!

18. Build a fort

Another great way to celebrate Earth Day is to head out into the woods with your family and make a fort together! Use materials found on the ground to design a shelter. (Do NOT take down anything alive! I’m sure you’ll have plenty of options that are no longer alive and that have fallen to the ground without the help of humans!) You could have a picnic inside your fort, read some books, or just sit in the quiet and observe Earth’s gifts surrounding you.

How will you celebrate Earth Day with your family?

About the author

Hi there, I’m Chelsea! I’m a photographer, mother of two busy boys, and sunshine and fresh air addict. We live in Virginia Beach and spend as much time outdoors as we possibly can! We spend most of our time exploring the beach, inlets, and nature trails nearby. Our family loves biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, building forts, and playing in the sand! During the warm months, you can find us enjoying the Chesapeake Bay almost every night until long after the sun goes down. We’re doing our best to reduce our carbon footprint and always try to leave every trail cleaner than it was when we arrived.

You can find Chelsea online in the following locations:
Instagram: @dimples.and.the.blonde
Client work: @chelsea.lyn.photography
Website: dimplesandtheblonde.com
RWMC posts: Chelsea Furlong
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, CRAFTS, GOOD FOR NATURE
Easy and Eco-friendly Bird Feeders to Make with Kids
- February 17, 2020
Did you know that birds, on average, eat between ¼ to ½ of their body weight every day? That’s a lot of calories for a bird to scrounge up every day, especially in the barren winter months. Feeding the birds is such a great way to get kids involved with nature and teach our children how to observe and feed wild animals. It’s no wonder so many of us love to help feed our feathered friends. Today, we have creative team member Leslie Alvis here, an Ohio homeschooling mom and photographer, sharing four eco-friendly easy bird feeders you can make with your kids.

Birds of a feather

Many of us have birds outside our windows on a daily basis. If you don’t feed them regularly, you might not realize just how many birds live near your home. In our yard, we don’t feed the birds during the plentiful summer months. However, during the winter we fill up our bird feeders and then looking for other ways to offer them some treats.

I’m always amazed when we put out seed and the birds just flock to our yard. My children press up to the windows, delighted to see all those little feathered creatures nibbling away at the treats we’ve made for them. We hope these bird feeders make the cold winter days a little easier for these busy birds.

Eco-friendly bird feeders

My children love making homemade bird feeders. However, I’m a little picky about which projects we tackle. I like our bird feeders to be environmentally-friendly and biodegradable. That way, if the next windstorm blows them away, they aren’t creating litter somewhere. Also, I’m not a super crafty person, so they need to be simple enough for all of us.

We’ve tried making a few different types of bird feeders this winter that pass our tests of being both ec0-friendly and easy. Today, I’m sharing four eco-friendly and easy bird feeders you can make with your kids: (1) bird feeder muffins, (2) pinecone bird feeders, (3) log suet bird feeder and (4) birdseed wreath feeder. I hope you’ll try making these with your kids, too!

1. Muffin bird feeders

First up, muffin bird feeders. Muffin bird feeders are an easy and completely eco-friendly recipe to make with the kids. I came across this adaptable recipe in an older book on backyard birding and knew we had to give it a try. This particular way of feeding the birds is perfect if you don’t have a place to hang feeders! These cute mini muffins can be set on window ledges, benches, tucked in crooks of trees, or set on porch railings. We scattered them everywhere around our house and yard. The kids had so much fun seeing where the birds like to eat and if they’d find them all!

The whole process was easy and fun. My children loved helping mix up the ingredients, baking the muffins, and then setting them out all around our yard. The birds loved eating them! It was delightful to find only a few crumbs left after a crowd of birds had pecked away at the muffin. We even put some on our front window ledge and had cardinals, blue jays, and sparrows right in our front window.

Bird feeder muffin ingredients:

The original recipe for the muffins called for the following ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup peanuts
- ¼ cup chopped bacon
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 small apple
- 1 egg
- 2 T maple syrup or honey
- 3 T butter, melted
- 1 cup milk
Bird feeder muffin recipe directions
1. Toss the seeds, nuts, fruit, and bacon into a food processor or chop very finely.
2. Mix together with the flours, then stir in the wet ingredients.
3. Pour the muffins into a greased mini muffin tin and bake at 400 for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Refrigerate or freeze any muffins you don’t distribute right away.
My favorite thing about the recipe for muffin feeders is that they can be made with whatever ingredients you want to use. I tweaked this recipe based on the ingredients we had on hand, and they turned out great! They are packed with yummy and high-protein foods for birds. If you have other whole grain and seed options on hand, they can be added in place of some of the more processed ones here. We just used the options we had.

2. Pinecone bird feeders

Pinecone bird feeders are an oldie, but a goody! I made these simple bird feeders when I was a little girl, and now I love making them with my children. Sometimes you just can’t go wrong with the classics. The birds love them, too! I especially love that this feeder uses nature for its base, and when the pinecone has been picked clean you can simply untie it and let it return to the ground. You can reuse the string, or lay it in the tree branches for the birds to use to build their nests.

Collect the pinecones

I absolutely love that you get to start this bird feeder project with a nature walk to gather pinecones. We had so much fun spending a sunny winter afternoon tromping around and looking for the perfect pinecones. When we had stuffed our pockets full, we carried them home and took advantage of the mild temperatures by making these bird feeders outside at our picnic table. It kept the mess outdoors, and it also helped us keep working on our #1000hoursoutside. (Thanks to Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside, we are becoming increasingly more conscious of choosing time outside for our family.)

Pinecone bird feeder ingredients

To make these feeders, you will need the following:
- Pinecones—whatever size and shape you can find
- String
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 T shortening or butter
- 2-3 cups birdseed
Pro tip: if your pine cones are closed up tight, you can pop them into the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until they open up!

Pinecone bird feeder instructions
1. Tie 6-8 inches of string to the tip of each pine cone.
2. Melt your peanut butter and butter together until runny. If it’s too hot for little fingers, allow it to cool slightly.
3. Dip your pinecones in the mixture until they are completely covered.
4. Roll the pinecones thoroughly in birdseed.
5. Hang in nearby trees and bushes.
This whole process is so hands-on and fun for all ages. From our toddler to our tween, everyone really enjoyed this whole activity. And they all had their faces pressed to the windows first thing the next morning, watching the birds enjoying their new pine cone feeders!

3. Log suet bird feeder

This next bird feeder option is still quick and easy, but does require someone who can use a power drill (the kids love this!), so adult supervision is necessary. I suggested this idea to my 11-year-old son and showed him the picture from a book. To my surprise, he completed the feeder in 15 minutes! While I’m not promoting turning little kids loose with power tools, this would be a great project for an older child (teen/tween) that knows how to properly use these items. (My husband is a carpenter by trade and has trained our son to use tools safely for years now.) I was impressed by his accomplishment and he was so proud of himself!

Making a suet feeder

To make the bird feeder, all you need is a log, about 4 inches in diameter and 12-18 inches long. Take a 1.5-inch drill bit and drill holes into the log, about 1.5 inches deep. The number of holes you drill depends on the size of your log. We ended up with five or six in our feeder. My son then nailed a 12-inch length of chain into the top of the log so we could hang the feeder. Like I said, it took him about 15 minutes working with materials we had on hand, and I think it’s the cutest little suet feeder I’ve ever seen! He even added a little perch under one hole for the birds who like to perch instead of clinging to a tree to eat.

Making suet filling

To fill this bird feeder, you can buy suet or make your own. We decided to try making our own, mixing birdseed and rolled oats with fat rendered from a ham we had recently cooked. I tossed the bone and the fat from the ham into my instant pot and cooked it for an hour and a half. After the mixture chilled, I scraped all the fat off the top and that was my suet base. You can also use lard or vegetable shortening. Learn more about making your own suet here).

We pressed this mixture into the holes on the feeder and my son hung it up in the crab apple tree outside our front window. The birds were fluttering around it within an hour! It’s easy to refill and I think we’ll be using this feeder for a long time.

4. Wreath bird feeder

We were having so much fun making all those other easy bird feeders, we had to try this one, too! I gave my eight-year-old daughter this recipe and she made this all on her own! She loves to read recipes and try new projects, so this one was a great one for her to try independently. It was an easy and fun bird feeder for her to make. It does take a day or two to harden, so we had to be patient and leave it alone while it dried! That’s a lesson all of its own!

Birdseed wreath feeder ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1 T unflavored gelatin
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3 T corn syrup
- 4 cups bird seed
Birdseed wreath feeder instructions
1. Stir together the hot water and gelatin until dissolved (this takes a bit of time and stirring!).
2. Add the flour and corn syrup and mix together into a sticky paste, then add the birdseed.
3. Using your hands or a wooden spoon, mix well and then press into a well-greased bundt or tube pan.
4. Allow the feeder to dry for a least 24 hours. After a day, we flipped ours out of the tube pan onto a drying rack to let it finish hardening.
5. Tie a scrap of burlap around it and hang it out for the birds!
A note of caution: this feeder may not hold up well to rain. We hung ours on a bush that hangs under our porch roof a little to protect it from the elements.

Eco-friendly bird feeders for kids

So there you have it – four super easy ec0-friendly bird feeders to make with kids. We hope you’ll try making one (or all four!) of these this winter for your local neighborhood feathered friends. Feeding the birds is such a great way to get kids involved with nature, teach our children how to observe and care for animals, as well as being good for the environment.

How do you like to feed the birds?
Have you made bird feeders with your kids?

Hi, I’m Leslie Alvis! I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, wife to my high school sweetheart, and mom to four rascally kids. They love the outdoors as much as I do, and our yard often feels like the scene from “The Sound of Music” where you hear voices and laughter and can’t find any children until you look up into the trees. I love writing, photography, and all things outdoors, and do pretty much everything with my kids tagging along. We live in Northeast Ohio on the edge of Amish Country, where it’s perfectly normal to park beside a horse and buggy at the grocery store.

We homeschool, which basically means that I’m trying to teach my kids to use their minds without losing my own. While we follow a traditional curriculum, I weave every outdoor adventure I can into our educational journey. I believe that the lessons children experience firsthand sink deepest into their hearts and minds, and there is so much we can learn outside in the beauty and wonder of nature.

You can find Leslie online in the following locations:
Instagram: @c_l_allofus
Client work: @lalvisphotography
RWMC post: Leslie Alvis