Category: INFORMATION

  • Ways to Reconnect With Nature as a Family

    Ways to Reconnect With Nature as a Family

    This year has tested and challenged us in more ways than we ever could have imagined. There’s been so much uncertainty, stress, and exhaustion over the last six months and that’s taken a toll on our physical and mental health. As parents, we tend to feel the effects more deeply and have experienced more unprecedented…

  • 9 Character-Building Outdoor Activities For Kids

    9 Character-Building Outdoor Activities For Kids

    Technology is everywhere these days. Our children are growing up as digital natives in an era where screens are pervasive and they’re plugged-in to multiple devices throughout the day. It’s no wonder why kids today are so adept at technology. However, the last thing parents want is for their kids to be screen-addicted or penned inside.…

  • Summer On the Farm with Animals

    Summer On the Farm with Animals

    Everyone loves springtime on the farm – baby animals everywhere and they’re so cute and cuddly! (Even baby vegetables are adorable!) By fall, many farm animals are fully grown – or at least close. What you may not realize is that there is a magical time between spring and fall which seems like animal childhood.…

  • 10 Tips for Letting Your Kids Help with Chores

    10 Tips for Letting Your Kids Help with Chores

    Getting kids to help out around the house with chores can feel like an overwhelming task at times. Very rarely do kids offer to clean up the playroom, put dishes away or walk the dog. However, kids are naturally curious, want to spend time with their parents, and love helping out in the right circumstances.…

  • Introduction to Outdoor Schools

    Introduction to Outdoor Schools

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

  • Hiking Safety and First Aid 101

    Hiking Safety and First Aid 101

    You probably already know the benefits of spending time outdoors; healthier minds and healthier bodies. We want everyone to spend as much time as possible outdoors,  and hiking is a great way to get immersed in nature and get some exercise. However, it is important to be familiar with hiking safety and first aid, especially…

  • Fun with Fireflies

    Fun with Fireflies

    Fireflies (or lightning bugs) are one of my all-time favorite things about summer in the Midwest. It can be brutally hot and humid here during the long summer days, but something magical happens at dusk. As the heat fades away and the sun casts long shadows over the yards, you can start to see the…

  • Cultivating a Love of Adventure in Homebody Kids

    Cultivating a Love of Adventure in Homebody Kids

    As parents, we all want to instill a sense of adventure in our kids and a love for the outdoors. But, what happens when your kids would rather stay home? What if you’re a homebody, too? What if you know you should be getting outside, but the struggle to get out the door is more…

  • Exploring California Coast Tidepools

    Exploring California Coast Tidepools

    Tidepools are incredible little shallow puddles of seawater with a life of their own! Each one is a microcosm – a tiny little rocky world filled with fascinating creatures and sea life. Exploring tidepools with kids provides endless hours of entertainment and learning for the whole family. There’s so much to observe and discover. Today,…

  • Poison Ivy, Mosquitoes, and Ticks, Oh My!

    Poison Ivy, Mosquitoes, and Ticks, Oh My!

    Poison ivy, mosquitoes, and ticks sure do make it less pleasant to spend time outside in the summer, but not impossible! Getting outside is always worth it and more important than ever for kids right now. This time of year, we get a ton of questions from concerned parents about how to keep these summertime…

  • Tips for a COVID-Safe Roadtrip with Kids

    Tips for a COVID-Safe Roadtrip with Kids

    Traveling looks much different right now than it looked last summer. With the COVID-19 pandemic still happening across our country (and the world), there are more restrictions on travel and lots of precautions and considerations that must be taken before leaving, along the way, and while you’re at your destination. Today, Nichole, a homeschooling mom…

  • Creative Backyard Play Spaces for Kids

    Creative Backyard Play Spaces for Kids

    We’re all spending a lot of time at home these days. And while that’s fine, we need to make sure a significant portion of that time is outdoors. Kids need outdoor playtime and the good news is that they can usually make the most of whatever outside space they have. This could be anything from…

  • Reflections on Quarantine

    Reflections on Quarantine

    While the pandemic has affected us all differently, it’s affected us ALL in some way. We’re more than two months into the thick of things here in the US and some stay home orders are finally starting to be lifted. While things sometimes feel like they’re trying to get back to normal, there’s still so…

  • Hatching Chicks in an Incubator with Kids

    Hatching Chicks in an Incubator with Kids

    Bringing nature inside is an excellent way to engage children, learn new things and make family memories. There are many ways to incorporate nature experiences into our homes and schooling. These are a great complement to outdoor nature excursions and adventures. One incredible way to teach your children about nature, caring from animals and life…

  • Tips for Photographing Family Hikes

    Tips for Photographing Family Hikes

    Hiking is one of our family’s favorite ways to spend time together outdoors. Along with our traditional outdoor hiking gear (backpack, water, snacks, etc.), I always bring my camera along to document our adventure. Some of my favorite photographs of my kids are from family hikes, as they explore and play. Today, we have the…

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