OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

CAMP, FAMILY TRAVEL, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Top 5 Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park with Kids
- December 9, 2019
Yellowstone National Park is the oldest and one of the most spectacular national parks. This 3,500 square-mile wilderness recreation area sits atop a volcanic hot spot, in Wyoming. Yellowstone features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers. It’s also home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk, and antelope. With so much to do and see, planning a visit to Yellowstone with kids can be overwhelming. However, we have Kathleen White, photographer and full-time RV mom of three, here sharing her family’s top 5 things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids. Plus, she’s got lots of great info on how to get to all these places and what to expect while you’re there. If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone with kids sometime soon, make sure you read and bookmark this post!

Visiting Yellowstone with kids

Have you ever been somewhere where you felt like you were standing on another planet? Where the colors and sounds literally take your breath away? This is exactly what it feels like when visiting Yellowstone National Park. America’s first National Park, with over 2.2. million acres of steaming geysers, colorful springs, and wildlife galore, it has quickly become our family’s favorite National Park.

However, since it is so large it can be overwhelming to try and plan where you should visit, especially if you have kids coming along with you. So, to help make your trip to Yellowstone easier, I’m sharing my top five things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids, plus info on getting to each location.

Getting there

First, let’s talk about getting into Yellowstone National Park. There are five entrances- North Entrance, Northeast Entrance, South Entrance, East Entrance and West Entrance. For reference, when we visited we entered through the North Entrance and stayed at Mammoth Campground and had to drive about an hour and a half to get to Old Faithful! Here’s a little bit about each to help you decide which way you want to go.
- North Entrance: best if visiting Mammoth Hot Springs and the Boiling River
- Northeast Entrance: best if visiting Lamar Valley
- East Entrance: best if visiting Yellowstone Lake
- South Entrance: best if also wanting to visit Grand Teton National Park
- West Entrance: best if visiting Old Faithful
1. Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs are a must when doing Yellowstone National Park with kids. In the Mammoth area, the hot, acidic solution dissolves large quantities of limestone on its way up through the rock layers to the hot springs on the surface. Above ground and exposed to the air, some of the carbon dioxide escapes from the solution. Without it, the dissolved limestone can’t remain in the solution, so it reforms into a solid mineral. This white, chalky mineral is deposited as the travertine that forms the terraces. Although these springs lie outside the caldera boundary, their energy has been attributed to the same magmatic system that fuels other Yellowstone geothermal areas. But they are so different from other thermal areas. They’ve been described as looking like a cave turned inside out!

To get to the terraces at Mammoth Hot Spring, use the boardwalk to walk all along the terraces and view unreal springs, full of colors and steam. Liberty Cap is probably the most famous landmark of the Lower Terrace. This hot spring cone was named in 1871 for its resemblance to the peaked caps worn during the French Revolution. Minerva Spring is favorite because of its wide range of colors and intricate travertine formations.

Don’t put off walking to the top, it’s worth it, even with kids! You can access the upper boardwalk from the one-way Upper Terrace Drive and parking lot. The road winds among springs for 1.5 miles before it loops back for a half-mile.

2. Have a picnic with elk by the Albright Visitor Center

After hiking through Mammoth Hot Springs you’re going to be hungry! Located by the hot spring is Albright Visitor Center. This historic structure was built by the United States Army in 1909 as bachelor officers’ quarters for the cavalry troops who protected the park before the creation of the National Park Service. This pit stop is outfitted with picnic tables and views of the springs and elk! Gather the kids and picnic with wildlife (just watch out for scat 😜). It also has a bookstore, a backcountry office, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi.

Go inside Albright Visitor Center and talk to a ranger to learn more about the history and wildlife of Yellowstone. Get help planning your trip and stamp your National Parks passport. Kids can also become Junior Rangers and earn a badge.

3. Swim in the Boiling River

Once you have trekked through Mammoth Hot Springs, on your way out you can stop by the Boiling River for a swim! Don’t worry this river isn’t actually boiling. The Boiling River was created where a large hot spring entered the Gardner River. The hot and cool waters mix into a temperature comfortable enough to bathe in. The natural hot tub makes a great place to stop and relax while soaking in the warm water and soaking up the natural beauty of Yellowstone. It is a little bit of a hike to get down there and parking fills up fast in the summer, but it is a must-do if you are visiting Yellowstone with kids.

Pro tips: The Boiling River is closed once it gets dark, so go during the day. It’s open 3 seasons (winter, fall, late summer), but closed during the spring when the river rises and becomes dangerous and often doesn’t open until mid-summer. Take your swimsuit because skinny-dipping is against the rules.

Yellowstone’s Boiling River is located approximately 2 miles north of Mammoth and 2.9 miles south of the park’s North Entrance. This must-stop spot is just south of the 45th Parallel Bridge, located in the Mammoth area of the park. It’s right near the North Entrance to Yellowstone accessed via Gardiner, Mont.

4. See Old Faithful erupt

Old Faithful is obviously the most quintessential thing to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids. Old Faithful is a cone geyser named in 1870 for its frequent and somewhat predictable eruptions. It has erupted every 44 minutes to two hours since 2000. Old Faithful eruptions can vary in height from 100-180 feet with an average near 130-140 feet. Eruptions normally last between 1.5 to 5 minutes.

Because eruptions happen so frequently (about 20 times a day), you can plan when you want to see it around the rest of your schedule for the day. Make sure to get a seat early and listen to the Ranger give amazing facts all about Old Faithful. Like the fact that when you are sitting out there, there is enough magma to fill 13 Grand Canyons. What?!

Old Faithful is located in Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin in the southwest section of the park. The geyser-viewing area is the most accessible and visitor-friendly in the park with bench seating, a large parking lot, and a ranger station that tracks the time, height and length of an eruption to predict the next eruption.

5. Admire the Grand Prismatic Spring

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, add a visit the Grand Prismatic Spring to your trip to Yellowstone National Park with kids. Of all the stunning sights that Yellowstone has to offer, the Grand Prismatic Spring is far and away the most majestic and awe-inspiring. At 160 ft (almost 50m) deep, it’s the largest hot spring in the U.S. and the third-largest in the world. The spring’s incredible rainbow colors give it an other-worldly appearance. Needless to say, Grand Prismatic is Yellowstone’s most photographed thermal feature and to many the main reason to visit America’s Oldest National Park.

This was our favorite place we saw while we were there. This area is extremely popular with tourists and it’s important to plan your visit ahead in order to avoid frustration, traffic and massive amounts of people. Also, make sure to give yourself 1 to 2 hours for your visit, more if you are planning to hike to the overlook. Make sure to walk across the bridge past an out of this world steaming spring, to admire the vibrant blue and orange colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring.

As you enter Yellowstone National Park, look for signage to the Midway Geyser Basin. The Grand Prismatic parking lot is incredibly busy and priority seems to be given to the many visiting tour buses. Traffic can be heavy at times and is often impeded by visitors parking along the roads and around the parking lot entrance.

5 things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids

I hope this list of the 5 best places to visit in Yellowstone National Park with kids helped make planning your adventure less overwhelming. Or, I hope that maybe we inspired you to visit America’s first National Park! Yellowstone is unbelievably amazing and is definitely someplace that everyone should get to experience.

Check out our Yellowstone videos

If you’re more of a visual person, we’ve got you covered! Here are two of our family’s videos of all of these places in Yellowstone we mentioned above. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more of our RV adventures homeschooling, exploring National Parks and living the RV life! I hope you enjoy!

About the author

I’m Kathleen, wife to my high school sweetheart and mama to 3 energetic littles. I’m a photographer in love with telling compelling stories of life’s beautiful chaos and photographing families authentically. I am slightly obsessed with window light, Saturday morning snuggles, and documenting our adventures. We recently took the biggest leap of faith of our lives and are currently traveling full-time around the United States in our RV!

You can follow all our adventures online in the following locations:
Website: http://www.faithboundtravel.com
YouTube: Faith Bound Travel
Instagram: @faithboundtravel
RWMC articles: Kathleen
FAVORITE GEAR, FISH, INFORMATION, MCFAMILY, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Teaching Kids to Fly Fish & Best Fly Fishing Gear for Kids
- December 3, 2019
Fly fishing is a beautiful, peaceful, yet very intimidating sport. Fly fishing requires abundant patience, intense focus and lots of determination. Those aren’t usually qualities possessed by small children. However, teaching kids to fly fish doesn’t have to be overwhelming or daunting. We’re here to give you some fun and easy ways to introduce kids to fly fishing and help you share the love of fishing with your kids. We’ve got great advice for getting started fly fishing with kids, how to start casting, plus, our family’s personal recommendations for all the best fly fishing gear for kids.

Teaching kids to fly fish

It’s only natural for parents that fly fish to dream of having their child become their favorite fishing buddy. And while that may eventually happen (20-30 years from now), it takes a lot of work, patience and many years to turn a wild child into a patient fisherman. It’s about a strong connection with nature first, then making fishing fun by any means, and finally, learning how to fly fish. We’ve been fly fishing with our kids since before they could walk. Here’s how we’ve nurtured and developed their love for the sport, as well as fostered a conservation mindset and strengthened their love for nature.

Fly fishing starts with plain old regular fishing

Teaching kids to fly fish starts with teaching a child how to fish with a plain old regular push-button or spinning rod and enjoying time spent outside on the water. Little kids don’t necessarily enjoy the process of fishing – they enjoy catching! And they enjoy looking for cool bugs and snakes, skipping rocks, exploring the pond/stream, eating a picnic lunch and spending quality time outside with you.

Set kids up for fishing success

If you want kids to love fishing right off the bat, you need to set them up for success. While adults may love the peace and serenity of a quiet day fishing, kids want action! Even the most focused kid will get bored if there are no bites or catches. Start kids off by fishing with a small spinning rod in a local stocked pond for fish that are easy for kids to catch (bluegill, sunfish, bass). The more fish available to catch, the greater your chances. Adults may be willing to wait all day for that one giant fish, but kids would rather catch 50 little fish as fast as possible.

Make fishing fun for kids

Use live bait, if you can. This not only entices the fish, but keeps kids interested. If possible, don’t buy your bait, but help your kids catch it! That’s half the fun for most kids, and sometimes more fun than the fishing itself. More often than not, our kids are way more interested in playing with worms, shrimp, crickets, grasshoppers and minnows than actually fishing.

Put a bobber on their line. This helps them visually know when they’re getting a bite. If your kids are little, use smaller fishing poles that are easier for their small hands. Give them your 100% undivided attention, which they’ll remember, even if they don’t catch a thing. And when they do catch a fish, make sure you yell and clap like crazy! If they see you lose your mind over catching a fish, they’re definitely going to want to do it again!

For more on this, see our post on how to raise kids that love to fish.

What age kids should start fly fishing?

Like many generic answers about the right time to try anything, the answer to when you should start teaching a kid how to fly fish is…it depends. A lot of people will tell you not to start teaching kids to fly fish until they are between eight and ten years old. That’s about the time kids’ attention spans lengthen and patience develops so that they can fish in a serious way. However, every child is different.

Our oldest son started fly fishing with dad when he was two years old. He could cast pretty well by four years old. Now, at seven, he’s learning to tie his own flies and knots and can fish on his own for decent periods of time. Our daughter, on the other hand, is five and doesn’t have the patience or focus to fly fish beyond a few casts here and there. But, she loves being outside on the water with us, chasing butterflies and catching crawdads. Every kid is different and you know your child best.

Take them fishing with you

No matter what age your kids are, feel free to take them along on your casual fishing outings. That way they can watch you fish, get excited about catching a fish and spend time with you in nature. If your little one is too young to walk, consider a carrier or a backpack (we’ve used both). If your child’s old enough, you can practice cast with them every now and then. Keep it light-hearted with no pressure. When they start to get frustrated or super wiggly, stop and do something else. Working with young children on casting basics and letting them experience catching fish on a fly rod are great at any age. The most important thing is to make it fun so they don’t get frustrated and completely give up before they’re patient enough to really enjoy it.

Practice a cast

If you think it’s time to introduce your child to fly fishing, start by teaching them the basics of casting. We recommend practice casting off the water because then it’s really about practicing and not about catching fish. Spend some time in your backyard, driveway or at the local park practicing casting with your child. Use a leader that’s no longer than 8 feet and tie something light (with no hook) to the end to mimic a fly. Choose a spot to cast to or set up a target/indicator so they know exactly where to cast.

Make a few casts in front of them to show them how it’s done. Explain that for a fly cast to work, they will need to stop the tip of the rod up high on the forward and backward casts to allow the line to shoot accurately. Show them how to keep your wrist locked, your elbow moving on a flat surface and punch forward with their thumb. Next, let them have a few turns on their own. Introduce a cadence or rhythm and give them something to say out loud as they cast—for example, “front, back, front, back.”

Provide gentle guidance

After a few attempts on their own, next, help them out by standing/kneeling behind them and gently guiding their cast. Kids can learn fly casting very quickly by feeling someone else make the cast while holding the rod. With your child holding the fly rod in one hand, place your hand over theirs on the rod and make the cast for them. Finally, let them try on their own again.

If you can get thirty minutes with them holding a fly rod and getting used to how it feels, you’ve done well! Be very patient and verbally reward them when they do well, make improvement or hit the target. Kids love to receive positive approval from adults, their parents.

Keep fishing trips short & fun

When your kids first start fishing (fly fishing or otherwise), let them set the pace. Kids learn best by discovering in their own way and on their own time. Let your child fish for as long as he or she stays interested (probably about 30 minutes for kids under 7). Never push a kid to keep going when they’re obviously done. At this point, it’s more about making it fun for them than anything else. We know it’s hard, but try to avoid fishing yourself on some of these outings and resist the urge to show them how to do it over and over. Once is enough and then hand the rod over. And when they’d rather skip rock in the water or hunt for frogs, by all means, take a break!

Get others involved

There is absolutely no harm in letting someone else help teach your child how to fly fish. It’s particularly hard for older kids and teenagers (or even adults) to take instruction from their parents. If you have a child that wants to learn, but gets frustrated with you as their teacher, get help from a friend or relative that fly fishes. Hire a guide for a day. Or sign them up for a lesson, class or camp. Sometimes all kids need to put everything together is for someone else to show or tell them how to do something (even if it’s the exact same advice you’ve been giving them).

Another way to get others involved is to let your child bring a friend along. Sometimes kids can teach each other lessons or learn things together better than individually. Maybe it’ll spark some healthy competition between them to see who can cast more accurately or the farthest. And then, when their attention is spent, they’ll have someone to explore with or help them dig for worms.

A few other fly fishing suggestions

No matter what age or skill level your child is, there are some other things you can do to ensure the fishing outing is a success (even if you don’t catch any fish). Here are few additional ways to keep your kids safe, happy and entertained:
- Pack lots of snacks and a cooler full of drinks
- Use kid-friendly bug spray and sunscreen
- Dress kids comfortably and pack extra clothes in case they get cold or wet
- Choose fishing spots with a playground nearby or a place where kids can catch frogs/minnows/crickets
- Always bring along a spinning rod or push button rod (in addition to the fly rod)
Best fly fishing gear for kids

For the most part, kids learning how to fly fish can usually use their parents’ gear. With the exception of waders/boots and clothing, there aren’t a lot of items that need to be specially geared towards children. However, giving a child their own fishing gear that’s their size and they’re proud of is a great way to get kids interested in going fishing.

Choosing a fly rod for kids

Because their motor skills are not yet developed, and because they don’t have the diligence necessary to care for expensive rods appropriately, it can be daunting to find an appropriate fly rod for a child. You want a fly rod that is strong yet flexible, inexpensive but not cheap quality.

Most child fly rods are designed for kids aged six to nine. If your child is older or will be fishing beyond those years, it’s probably best to go with a “beginner” fly rod, as opposed to a “child” fly rod. Many fly rods designed for children are made of flimsy plastic that easily breaks or cracks. However, don’t go all out on an expensive overly-delicate fly rod. Kids can be hard on gear and you don’t want something that will break the first time your child trips or walks it into a tree (because it will happen). Constantly worrying about your kid handling and transporting expensive equipment will also kill your enjoyment of the overall experience and turn you into a nervous wreck.

Choose a fly rod that’s limber and not too long

The first and most important quality of choosing a fly rod for your child is finding a rod that is not too stiff or long. A limber lightweight action rod will allow your child to feel the rod load. This leads to a much quicker grasp on the proper timing and casting technique. A shorter rod may not necessarily help a child learn to cast better, but will weigh less and eliminate some extra weight for the child’s young arms while they’re learning to cast. A long rod will also increase the likely hood of it interacting with trees, bushes, your face, and anything else within the range of the new angler’s casting, so shorter can save you time and hassle. Between 7-8 feet is the ideal rod length for a child to start fly fishing.

Best weight fly rod for kids

A 5 or 6 weight fly rod is the norm for adults who fly fish on lakes/ponds and small streams. However, the majority of children will find rods of this size too long, heavy and unwieldy to cast (especially for kids under 10). We recommend starting with a 3 or 4 weight rod for children. This is the ideal fly rod size for kids to fish on most ponds, lakes or shallow streams. Plus you add feel when fighting a fish. Pair it with a nice light reel and a good fly line and you’re ready to go.

Kids fly rod recommendations

We started our kids off fly fishing with a 7’6” three-weight made by Temple Fork Outfitters. It’s the perfect bluegill rod and works for trout and smaller bass. It’s also not going to break the bank or be a huge disaster if it gets broken. Our recommendation for the best fly rod and reel for kids:
- TFO Rod / Reel Combo, 7’6” three weight
If you have a fly shop nearby, a lot of them will let your child try out a few rods before you buy one. Many places will let your kid test cast with a few different rods to see which one they like best. Some places will even give you a free casting or fly tying lesson when you buy from their shop! Shopping local not only supports your local fly fishing business, but provides lots of opportunities to meet like-minded people and learn new things about your local fishing areas.

Best fly line to use when teaching kids to fly fish

As I mentioned above, when teaching a child how to cast a fly rod, they often find it tricky to feel the weight of the fly line loading the rod. One common technique to help with this is to use fly line one (or even two) line weights heavier. For example, if you have a four-weight rod, use a five weight line. This “over-lining” technique is ideal if the kid is making shorter casts since won’t need to get a lot of line in the air to make a cast. Once your child has their timing mastered, you can drop the line back to the manufacturer-recommended weight for their rod.

Best fishing waders for kids

There are only a handful of companies that make really durable and quality waders for kids. We love the toddler and children’s neoprene waterproof fishing waders by OAKI. Their child-sized waders are made of 90D nylon, which are completely waterproof, but still breathable. The nylon is soft to the touch and the waders are very lightweight, which makes them easier for kids to walk around in and easier for us to pack. They have a full rubber boot, completely neoprene-lined, with a great tread, so no need to buy separate boots. The straps are adjustable and they come in sizes starting as small as 2T, all the way up to 14/15. Plus, Oaki’s customer service is great. If you ever have an issue, they will take good care of you.

Head over to Oaki.com and use the code RWMC15 to save 15% on anything in the store!

Polarized fishing glasses for kids

Protective glasses of some kind are absolutely essential for young anglers. Our kids are not allowed to fish without proper protective eyewear and a hat. When it’s sunny our kids love the polarized Babiators sunglasses. We’ve been using this brand of sunglasses since our oldest was 1. They’re amazing. The polarized glasses have anti-glare lenses that help kids see more clearly into the water. The lenses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. They have flexible rubber frames and impact- and shatter-resistant lenses. They DO NOT break when you bend, twist, or step on them! Trust us, we’ve tried. But my favorite thing – if you lose or break them in the first year, they replace them for free!

Outfitting your kids with flies and boxes

A simple basic bright-colored foam fly box is probably the best type of fly box to get for a child. We like this one from Orvis. That way, if they drop it in the water it’s easy to see and recover. Plus, it will float! Stock your child’s fly box with a few of each of the following basic flies that will catch just about anything:
- Woolly buggers (size 8 and 10) in olive, black and/or white
- San Juan worms in red and pink
- Large (size 12 and 14) pheasant tails
- Egg patterns
Other fly fishing tools and gadgets for kids

There are any number of fun little fly fishing gadgets and tools you can equip your child with, if you want. Most of these items are probably already in your fly pack, so no need to duplicate if you’re always the one tying their knots and attaching their flies. However, once your kid becomes a bit more self-sufficient, consider stocking their fly pack with the following items:
- box of flies
- a pair of nippers
- a small pair of hemostats for de-barbing new flies and unhooking
- some tippet
- leader
- strike indicators
- split shot
Tips for fly fishing with kids

We hope these tips and advice on how teaching kids to fly fish will help prepare and inspire you to get outside with your kids and catch some fish! Keep your expectations low and your rod tip high. Relax, be patient, and let the kids lead. Whether you catch 10 fish or just chase frogs around the water’s edge, spending time together outside will always be worth it.

Do your kids fly fish?
What tips would you add?
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Outdoor Family Photoshoot Ideas & Tips
- November 21, 2019
Now is the time of year when everyone’s getting family photos taken. The leaves are gorgeous, the air is crisp and you need that one perfect shot for your holiday card! We all know that it’s important to get family photos taken occasionally to capture these fleeting moments of childhood. But, it can also be super stressful and overwhelming! Never fear – we’re here with the very best tips and advice directly from professional family photographers to ensure that you nail those outdoor family photos this year. These outdoor family photoshoot ideas will inspire you to get in front of the camera this season with confidence and less stress. All the images and tips in the post come directly from the members of our amazing Instagram community. We are so grateful for their help, support and wisdom.

Tips for nailing your outdoor family photo session

Getting family photos taken doesn’t have to be stressful. We’re here to help make this fun! We’ve put together a huge list of tips and advice for parents on how to make sure your outdoor family photos turn out amazing! These steps will walk you through the entire process, from finding the right photographer for your family to choosing outfits and getting the perfect holiday card shot. Plus, our outdoor family photo ideas will help get your creative juices flowing and ensure you have fun getting your pictures taken!

Family photos are forever keepsakes and we want to encourage you to get them taken (and get in them). This post is filled with outdoor family photo ideas, creative family poses and inspirational family photo ideas. We hope this will inspire you to get in the frame and have fun! After all, getting your family photos taken is one more thing to check off that Fall Outdoor Adventure Bucket List.

Pro tip on why you should take family photos:

“Time moves so FAST – we blink and our kids grow up. Don’t let these sweet memories go by without documentation. These times when our babies are small, and we can tickle them, throw them up over our heads for a giggle, give them butterfly kisses or just snuggle them close. These moments are fleeting, and our memories will not hold every little detail. This is the impact of photography and what an image really holds in it. You can look at a picture and remember a whole time in your life. That is the power of a photograph…it can transport you to another time and hold dear memories in check for life.” @christiallencurtis

Photo credit: @rachelstarmerphoto

Photo credit: @christiebauerphotography

Choose a kid-friendly photographer

The first thing you need to do to ensure you get amazing family photos is to pick a photographer who is accustomed to working with kids and families. Trust us, this will make a HUGE difference in making the experience less stressful with better results. Not all photographers are created equally, and you want someone who is fun, charming, and can bring out your child’s natural smile. Family photography is a specialty, and a good family photographer will be patient, understanding, and (hopefully) fast.

Your children will be way more comfortable and relaxed with someone that knows how to talk to kids, how to make them laugh, and is willing to interact with them. Ask for referrals from friends who have children (word of mouth is the best way to find a family-friendly photographer) and make sure their portfolio shows lots of kids in the photos.

Photo credit: @kristenvincentphotography

Pro tip:

“(1) Choosing a photographer for your family is about more than price and portfolio. When kids are involved, the personality of your photographer matters. Make sure you are hiring someone who is an expert at working with kids. (2) Never let little ones sleep the car ride to your session. They’ll be groggy and cranky from being woken up, and that’s hard to recover from. (3) Don’t put yourself above bribes (because they work are a great way to get your kids to cooperate) – and let your photographer in on the treats being offered for good behavior. (4) Dress your kids for the weather; cold kids are not happy kids! (5) Work with your photographer to pull genuine emotion from your children. Instead of “C’mon! Gimme a good smile! Cheese!” try singing their favorite song, tickling, bouncing, etc. The things that normally make them smile are what’s going to yield the best expression!” @nicolecaradonnaphoto

Photo credit: @karinajzamora

Love the look of the images

When choosing a photographer, make sure that you also like the style of the photos and how the finished images look. Photographers usually have a specific “look” that makes them different than others. The look of images can be super-saturated and warm, bright and colorful, matte and muted, dark and moody, or anything in between. If you like bright, airy, and colorful photos, don’t select a photographer that’s portfolio is mostly dark black and white images.

Photo credit: @lynseystraderphotography

Location, location, location

Pick a location for your outdoor family photos that reflects the style of picture you want. If you want to be surrounded by nature, then choose a local park, farm, or beach location. If you want something fun and colorful, maybe go with a local carnival or amusement park. Want show-stopper images? Climb a mountain or find a secluded lake. Want an urban feel? Head into the city and get some family pictures in the middle of the hustle and bustle or in front of some fun graffiti/urban art.

And don’t underestimate the option of taking family photos in/around your home! You can capture the golden hour glow and the falling leaves in the comfort of your own backyard, where the entire family is comfortable and relaxed.

If you need ideas, ask your photographer for their recommendations on favorite locations.

Pro tip:

“Work with your photographer to find a place outside that not only is beautiful aesthetically but also has elements of nature to encourage natural interactions (logs, rocks, water). Things to get your kids moving, exploring, and playing!” @christiebauerphotography

Photo credit: @christiebauerphotography

Outdoor family photo ideas

Outdoor family photos don’t have to be all posed or frolicking through a field. If that feels unnatural, try a family activity instead. Does your family have a favorite location or destination that’s meaningful to them? Maybe a family farm, the zoo, or the location of your first date? Consider having your family portraits done there! Is there a place that means a lot to the kids or really lets their personality shine through? Maybe a rock climbing facility or amusement park.

Instead of a posed session, do an activity and get action and adventure shots! If your family loves to hike, get your family photos taken on your favorite trail. Love kayaking or canoeing? Get family pictures taken in a canoe on the lake. Love the beach? Go there and play in the water! Recent snow…build a snowman together or go sledding. Spend a lot of time in the pool? What about an underwater family photo shoot?

Other outdoor family photo session location ideas are golf course, botanical gardens, pick-your-own orchard, sunflower fields, Christmas tree farm, outdoor ice skating rink, farmer’s market, or a playground.

The point is that you can do anything you want with your family photos! Turn your family photo session into an adventure! Fun ideas for outdoor activities are endless. Family photo ideas should be unique to the family and capture their personalities and passions.

Photo credit: @christiallencurtis

Photo credit: @steshabellaphotography

Timing is key

I’m sure you’ve all heard that there’s a magical “golden hour” just before sunset that’s the most coveted time of day for photos. Well, that may be true if you have kids that can function normally all hours of the day, but if you have little ones, that may not be the best time for your family. Little kids are usually the most cooperative at the start of the day, so take advantage of that window of opportunity for fresh faces and upbeat moods by booking a morning session. Older kids can handle later hours (particularly in the summer months, when days are longer). You know your kids best, so choose a time that works for your family.

When booking a session, talk to your photographer about the best time of day for your kids and the light. Think about your children’s daily routine and schedule. Consider naptimes, meals, energy levels, and overall mood at any given time of day. Make sure you choose a time for your family photo session that works best for your kids, regardless of the light. A good photographer will be able to choose a location that works at the time that fits your needs and know how to work with the light that’s available at your family’s best time.

Photo credit: @chelsea_kaufman_photography

Check the weather

Photography is all about light, so make sure that the weather is not affecting the light around you. Open shade and clouds are usually fine (welcome, even), but intense heat or pouring rain are not going to work. Outdoor photoshoots are weather-dependent, so stay apprised of the weather forecast (your photographer will, too) and defer to him/her on whether the weather will be an issue during your shoot.

Photo credit: @melissawisemanphotographyPhoto credit: @tirrophotography

Coordinate clothing

When picking out outfits for family photos, lay ALL the pieces out together so you can see how it all looks and coordinates. Try to stick to a color scheme with 2-3 main colors and a few neutral tones thrown in. Avoid anything with a logo or bold graphic. Many photographers will also recommend you avoid solid blacks and whites, as they tend to blend into backgrounds and/or show dirt/hair. Layers and accessories help add depth and interest to outfits. An easy way to add interest and layers are with vests, jewelry, hats, tights, cardigans/jackets. Mix up different textures, prints, and coordinating colors.

Start by determining what mom will wear first. Mom sets the mood/tone for the entire shoot, so it’s important for mom to choose something she loves and feels comfortable and confident in. Style everyone else around her. Stay true to your style and the location. A ballgown in the mountains may look amazing on some moms if that’s what makes them feel confident. But it could totally flop if you’re more of a “jeans and t-shirt” kind of mom and are super uncomfortable in it. Wear what makes YOU feel good and shows your style and personality.

If you know that you’d like to have your images printed and hung in your home, you may also want to consider the colors you use when decorating and choose the colors for your family’s outfits to coordinate (or at least not clash).

Photo credit: @clairepiercephotography

Pro tip:

“Utilize your photographer’s creativity and knowledge when selecting your wardrobe. Your selection can be your best asset in your photos and pull the location and your family together. I have my clients take a look at my wardrobe palette inspiration boards on Pinterest, select a color palette they love, and go from there. I personally shoot for bold colors and drama, so I suggest a palette of around 2-3 neutrals paired with 2-3 colors. Then, we find a place to add in a few patterns to create a pulled-together but not matchy-matchy. It goes well with my brand of photography. If you’re having trouble with outfits, don’t be afraid to ask your photographer for advice on what looks good together and photographs well!” @clairepiercephotography

Photo credit: @mama_and_little

Kids’ clothes should be comfy

Make sure everyone’s clothing fits well and is comfortable. There’s nothing worse than a toddler or child wearing an itchy dress or clothes that are too tight. You may be able to make it through an hour-long session with shoes that hurt your feet, but your kids won’t last. Also, consider the weather when choosing an outfit for your kids. Dressing them in a cute sleeveless dress on a cold wintery day will bring lots of tears. Set them up for success by dressing them appropriately for the temperature, activity, and location.

Pro tip:

“What you wear matters. Don’t match. Express each family member’s personality through beautiful wardrobe pieces. The day before your session, get everyone’s wardrobe looks and bags packed. This will ensure the day of the session is stress-free! If you have littles, don’t forget to pack tissues, wipes, and extra diapers. Bring a treat for the kiddos to enjoy at the end of the photoshoot. You can remind them throughout the session what their prize will be when you’re finished! During your session, just remember to smile, smile, smile! Even if the kiddos are being uncooperative, keep smiling; your photographer will thank you for it.” @tirrophotography

Photo credit: @holly.b.rose
Photo credit: @ashtonreynoldsphotography

Prep your kids

Before your photo session, it’s a great idea to talk to your kids about what they can expect ahead of time to get them prepared. A lot of kids get nervous around new people or in new settings, so giving them a rundown on how things will go sets them up for success. If they’re nervous or scared, it’s a good idea to let them bring their favorite lovie or toy to get a special photo with. Make sure you sound excited about the photo session and not stressed or anxious (they’ll pick up on that).

Photo credit: @velvetheartphotography

Photo credit: @chelsea_kaufman_photography

Candid shots are king

If you have small children and your goal is to get that one perfect shot with everyone looking directly into the camera and smiling, then you may be disappointed. Little ones (usually) have very short attention spans and can be tough to warm up. A great family photographer will engage your kids and get them comfortable, playing and laughing, but they may not always be looking at the camera. That’s ok! Photos with everyone looking in a different direction are sometimes my favorites! Let everyone’s personality shine through and the photos will show the connection in a way that no standard front-facing smiling photo ever can.

Pro tip:

“Candid moments between families are my favorite! Let your kids be kids – the real life is beautiful. One of my favorite prompts is to ask the children to whisper in their parents ear, telling them what their favorite thing about them is. The reaction on mom or dad’s face is always honest, real and beaming with love.” @velvetheartphotography

Photo credit: @paletteoflightPhoto credit: @nicolecaradonnaphoto

Parent photos

It’s ok to take a few small breaks during family pictures to let the kids run around, get their wiggles out and burn some energy. While they’re running wild, have your photographer take a few parent only pictures. Don’t forget that the parents are part of the family, too! You’ll be happy you have them and your kiddos will get a short break from all the orders, directions and smiling.

Photo credit: @kmariellephotography

Pro tip:

“I’m a mom so I’m guilty of doing this myself, but my biggest tip is for parents not to set the bar so high! Kids will be kids, and hubby’s will most likely be grumpy. However YOU set the mood! You can spend the hour frustrated trying to get your kids to smile and look at the camera or you can spend the time to just be present with one another, a chance with no devices, take the hour to just love on your littles and try to not get too caught up on trying to capture the perfect photo. The natural candid shots end up being the most treasured anyways!” @kmariellephotography

Photo credit: @jessiingram_

Ask for direction

Professional photographers can usually tell right away if a pose or shot looks off. Let your photographer direct your interactions and poses. Even if it feels weird or unnatural, it may look great on the screen. Photographers posses a wealth of outdoor family photo ideas, inspiration and imagination. They know what looks good on camera and will help direct and manage. If you have questions about a pose or angle, ask your photographer for tips on how to stand, tilt your head, etc.

Photo credit: @kailaspanglerphotography

Pro tip:

“My best advice would be to live in the moment! Let your photographer capture all the love, the hugs, the giggles and the kisses. One day they will grow up and those moments will be gone, but capturing them in a photograph allows the memories to last forever. Don’t worry about the poses, but focus on the interaction. Moms and dads should love on those babies as much as they can! Those will be the memories they will want to keep forever!” @kailaspanglerphotography

Photo credit: @alohazophoto

Pro tip:

“The main thing for me is just let kids be kids without the pressure of a perfect photo. If they’re in a not-smiling-for-the-camera phase, let them be in that phase. Odds are if you stress and yell at them to “SMILE!” they’re more likely to freeze up. In my experience, letting them be allows them to loosen up and grow more comfortable. This allows me to capture authentic candid shots and also work one on one with them to get smiles. Often times, they end up cracking a smile after they’ve gotten to do some jumps or silly faces.” @alohazophoto

Photo credit: @natsnyder.photo

Trust your photographer

It’s fine to have a few suggestions and ideas for shots or poses to give to your photographer. If you have a particular use for the photo or need for a specific shot, let your photographer know. Maybe you want a shot with a Christmas tree for a particular picture frame…tell your photographer. If you need a posed shot for the grandparents, let her know. She wants you to be happy and will work to get you the shots you want. However, it’s best to let her do her job and select the best shots, angles and poses for your family and the location. Trust that she can see things you might not and that she’s only got your best interest in mind. Let her do her job.

Photo credit: @katielanephoto

Pro tip:

“Just relax! Don’t expect perfection from your kids. Some of the best images come from complete chaos!” @katielanephoto

Photo credit: @whitepinepics

Bribery

If you need an insurance policy to make sure the day goes smoothly, feel free to resort to bribery. I’m definitely not above bribing my kids to behave with a toy, candy or a trip to the ice cream shop after photos are finished. Let your photographer know what the bribe is so he/she can benefit from it, as well.

Pro tip:

“Let your photographer control the bribe. Try not to offer treats in the beginning of your session. Save them for later, they might come in handy especially if the photographer gets to control it. For us, we like to use games throughout the session and let the parents reward points to the kids after each game. Then, if things get a little too crazy we can say “whoever has the most points get a special treat from Daddy!” But the key is to let the photographer control how the treats are rewarded. This has worked wonders for us and allows for so much more variety and interactions throughout the session. Also, parents’ energy transfers to their children. So parents, relax, let the photographer work magic, and have fun with your kids. We get those “everyone look here and smile” photos in the middle of fun games.” @paletteoflight

Photo credit: @kellijohansenphotography

Pro tip:

“Make sure everyone eats before a session. Particularly, an outdoor session. We are going to be hiking, playing, running around and burning some major energy. A small meal or good snack beforehand usually eliminates grumpy kids and hangry adults.” @kellijohansenphotography

Photo credit: @jrshiromafoto

Pro tip:

“Relax and try to have fun! Don’t worry about what the kids are doing. Let them explore, interact with nature and run around. Don’t worry, I’ll get good shots of them! And if the kids are having fun, then everyone has fun!” @jrshiromafoto

Photo credit: @_sandyphoto_Photo credit: @juliahausphoto

Relax and (try to) have fun

This is probably the hardest tip for parents to follow, yet the most important one. Go into your shoot with low expectations for your children, knowing that they’re not going to be perfectly behaved or cooperate. Kids will be kids and you just have to let it go! Kids tend to respond better to direction if their parents are not the ones telling them what to do. Follow the lead of your photographer and if she needs help, she’ll ask for it. Photographers are used to the chaos and will help wrangle your kids for you, so you can loosen your grip a bit.

Photo credit: @chasinggalileephoto

Pro tip:

“I truly believe that we put too much on ourselves and our families to portray “happy” or to just be something extra special for social media. Sure sharing our session photos on social media is so EXCITING. But, happy is not just a smile or a laugh. Happy is not your children staring at the photographer and smiling their biggest smile (but I sure hope they do get one of those for you). To me, happy can just simply be contentment. Contentment in who you are and who your family is along with all their wild + free selves. Photographs of your family is so much more that a profile pic or an Instagram likes. So much more than perfection. LET GO OF PERFECTION and be wild + free.” @chasinggalileephoto

Photo credit: @stephhedbergphotos

Pro tip:

“If families can show up ready to connect and have those imitate moments, it makes the photographer’s job so much easier. Don’t stress so much about everyone having perfect smiles, as much as just being playful and connecting with your kids/spouse. Your photographer will help guide and pose you…but those genuine moments are your money shots. Wear outfits that help you accomplish this. Something that your constantly pulling or tugging on the whole time because you’re uncomfortable makes it hard to capture those raw moments.” @stephhedbergphotos

Photo credit: @organicgracephotographco

Just keep smiling

When everything feels like it’s going crazy, just keep smiling! Your photos will show if you are angry or frazzled. Try to find the humor in the situation and smile through the insanity! Smile through the pain and those cringe-worthy moments. Don’t worry, your photographer is not judging your parenting skills by your family photo session. Photographers know that this is a stressful situation and (trust me), they’ve seen it all.

Photo credit: @angelfaithphotography

Pro tip:

“As a mom of 4 myself, I know and understand the difficulty and stress that comes along with planning family photos. We as moms put so much stress on ourselves, in hopes that everything will go smoothly for our session and are then bummed out when it doesn’t. The kids are cranky, not listening, and you’re worrying about your appearance.

Mom to mom: enjoy the moments. Enjoy the crazy. 20 years from now, you won’t remember all of the meltdowns. You’ll remember their little fingers grasping your hand and how their curly hair bounced as they were running. Do the family photos, mama. Get in the shot! One day, you won’t care that your tummy sagged, or you weren’t 20 lbs lighter in the pictures. The photos will let you relive all the moments that went by so fast, and you’ll be able to cherish all of their small details you thought you had forgotten.” @angelfaithphotography

Photo credit: @shailynnphotoandfilm

Pro tip:

“Try to focus on your appreciation for each other during your session. Give less attention to getting everyone looking perfect and forcing smiles at the camera and more attention to the love you share for each other. That is what you really want to show through in the images!” @shailynnphotoandfilm

Ask for the outtakes

Some of my favorite photos are the funny/silly shots we totally got wrong! I love pictures of my kids being themselves – rolling their eyes, making funny faces or just goofing off. Ask your photographer to send you some outtakes along with all the amazing and perfect shots she got. Because the ones that went wrong are the ones that are real! They may not make the front of the Christmas card, but they may become your favorite!

Photo credit: @amandacoleyphotography

I hope these outdoor family photo ideas and advice will help you nail your family photos this year!
What’s your best family photo session tip?

More photography resources

If you’re interested in more photography resources, download our FREE guide with our best tips and tricks for taking better photos of your kids’ outdoor adventures with the camera on your PHONE! From creative composition tips to our favorite editing apps, this guide includes everything you need to know to make the most out of the camera in your pocket!
CRAFTS, FALL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
How to Make an Autumn Leaf Lantern
- November 19, 2019
If you’re looking for an easy fall craft to make with kids, you’ve come to the right place! Today, the amazingly crafty mama and teacher Jemma, of Thimble & Twig, is here to show you how to make an autumn leaf lantern with your kids. These autumn leaf lanterns are a fun and easy nature craft to make with kids of any age. They look fantastic on a window sill or as part of a fall decor display. You can even take them with you to light your way on a night hike in the woods! Kids love collecting the leaves and the gluey, messiness of it sticking it all together. They also love taking their own little lantern on a trip outside or hanging it in their garden to light their way at night.

DIY autumn leaf lanterns

Making an autumn leaf lantern is a relatively easy project to make with kids (particularly older kids). In addition, these lanterns use real leaves found in nature, in your backyard, local park or found on a walk. So not only to do inspire creativity, they encourage kids to get outside and explore! There are a few complicated steps to make these autumn leaf lanterns (plus, the tissue paper is very delicate), so adult assistance is probably required. But, they’re guaranteed to keep little kids busy and excited to use their lantern for night-time exploring!

Leaf collecting with little ones

The first step in making a leaf lantern is to collect the leaves. Take your little ones on a walk around the neighborhood when the leaves are looking pretty and colorful. Give them each a paper bag to fill with leaves they like. To mix it up, you could assign each kid different color, size or specific tree to collect leaves from. This will help ensure you get a variety of colors, sizes and styles.

Prep your leaves

Once you’ve collected all the pretty leaves, you’ll need to get them prepped for crafting. In addition, leaves need to be dry and flat. Lay a couple paper towels on the kitchen table and spread the leaves out on them to dry for a little while (a few hours or a few days). The glue won’t stick if the leaves are wet, so make sure they’re completely dry. If you have some large wrinkly leaves, try flattening them under some heavy books to make them easier to glue!

Supplies for making autumn leaf lanterns

You will need the following supplies to make your leaf lantern. All of these supplies can be found at your local craft store or online.
- Bamboo circular frame (or you could use a wooden craft or embroidery hoop)
- White or cream tissue paper
- Glue or Mod-Podge (the best is the type of glue that is clear when it dries)
- String
- Battery operated tea lights
- Autumn leaves
Autumn leaf lantern instructions

STEP ONE:

Take your hoop/frame and cut two pieces of string long enough to stretch from one side of the hoop to the other (plus a little extra for tying). Tie the ends of the strings to the hoop to make a cross (X) shape and secure the knots with masking tape. This is the handle of your lantern.

STEP TWO:

Take 3 large sheets of tissue paper lay them out flat. Carefully glue your autumn leaves onto one side of the tissue paper. Be very careful, as the tissue paper is very delicate. It will feel strange, but be sure to put the glue on the side of the leaf that is the most colorful. This ensures that the pretty colors shine through the tissue paper. Remember to leave some white tissue paper showing so your light will shine through. Allow the tissue paper to completely dry for at least an hour.

STEP THREE:

When your leaf covered tissue paper is fully dry, carefully glue the seams of the tissue paper together so that you have a circular lantern.

STEP FOUR:

Cover the rim of the circular frame with glue. Lay the hoop/frame on its side and and carefully line the rim of the from with the white tissue paper, leaving an inch or two at the top. Glue the top of the tissue paper onto the frame, leaving the sides and bottom hanging open. Fold the top down over the hoop, all the way around.

STEP FIVE:

Cut the bottom of the tissue paper to the size required and fold it onto itself a few times. Add a layer of glue so that the paper overlaps, creating a bottom to close your lantern. Be sure to fold it several times in order to make a strong base.

STEP SIX:

Cut a small piece of cardboard into a circular shape which will be used to line/support the bottom of your lantern. Carefully use a little bit of sticky tape and stick 2-3 battery operated tea lights to the cardboard. Place the piece of cardboard gently into the bottom of the lantern with the tea lights secured to it.

Go on a lantern-lit night hike

Why not use your autumn leaf lantern to go on a night hike? Kids love adventuring out in the dark when they’re usually inside. It’s so exciting to visit even a familiar place in the dark! Darkness transforms the natural world into a different place. And by helping children to discover the mysteries of the night they might come to enjoy the dark and not be fearful of it. Take your leaf lantern with you on a nighttime walk in the woods. Or venture out to a grassy place to have a sit down and do some star spotting! To really appreciate the stars or the moon on a clear night, go out to an open space with as little man-made light as possible, bring a star constellation chart and see which ones you can spot!

* Please note that these lanterns are made from a very light tissue paper and therefore you should NEVER use use real candle tealights with them because it could start a fire. Try not to leave your battery lights on for too long so they do not overheat.

Additional nature-inspired crafts for kids

If you are interested in crafts, we’ve got lots more ideas for fun nature-inspired crafts to make with your kids! So try some of these easy ideas from my website, Thimble & Twig and here on Run Wild My Child.
- Hapa Zome – Flower Printing – Hapa zome is the Japanese term for beating (or tapping really) leaves or flowers with hammers, pounding their natural pigment into cloth.
- Making Journey Sticks – Incorporate elements of your hikes, adventures and outings into beautiful physical storytelling devices.
- DIY Moth Wings – These can be made from materials you probably already have in your craft closet and yard. While the moth wings are a perfect project for fall, this tutorial can also be changed and adapted for any season based on what’s available in your location.
- Woodland Crafts for Kids – There are lots of fun woodland crafts for kids to make from the brimming baskets of treasures that they will inevitably find and collect. This post contains three simple leaf crafts for kids.
About the author

I’m Jemma and I live in London, England with my husband and 4 kids. My all-time favorite thing to do is take photos and capture memories of my family. I’m on a mission to ensure parenthood doesn’t rush by so quickly by creating mini family outdoor adventures and hopefully some big adventures too one day! I’m a mum to four and an English teacher to many; my passion for storytelling, adventures and nature crafts is packaged up into my blog http://www.thimbleandtwig.com. You can also find me on Instagram at @thimbleandtwig.
INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Outdoor Activities for Babies
- November 13, 2019
We all know the importance of getting your kids outside and into nature. The benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are not limited to children. They also extend to new parents and babies. Taking an infant on outdoor adventures may sound crazy or overwhelming, but we’re here to tell you that even small amounts of time spent outdoors will do wonders for you and your baby’s health, mood, and spirit. Today, we’re sharing why it’s so important to get your baby outside, tips for taking your baby outside and 15 simple outdoor activities for babies that a new parent will easily be able to incorporate into daily life.

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Benefits to babies of being outside

There are so many wonderful benefits of being outside for babies. During the first few years of life, infants and toddlers are trying to make sense of the world as their brain synapses form at a rapid rate. These synapses are formed based on the richness of the child’s sensory environment. Spending time outside is an exciting sensory experience for babies. It gives your little one the chance to look around and learn from every sight, noise, and sound.

Infants need interesting things to look at, as well as a variety of sounds, temperatures, and smells. Research shows that being outside gives them a more meaningful sensory experience than being indoors. Imagine the difference between lying on a blanket outside watching the flickering leaves of a tree, feeling the sunshine and the breeze, hearing a dog bark nearby and smelling freshly-cut grass. Now contrast that to lying on a blanket in the house and looking up at a ceiling or mobile. The sensory experiences cannot be matched.

Babies that spend time outside are often healthier and sick less often. The fresh air and sunshine (Vitamin D) can do wonders for anyone’s health. Spending time outdoors also gives your baby an escape from indoor germs and bacteria. Re-circulated air in closed environments and germs on commonly touched indoor items are the main causes of children getting sick. In fresh, outdoor air, babies do not have to rebreathe the germs of others, and the chance for spreading infection, viruses, and illnesses is reduced.

And if those weren’t enough to convince you to take your baby outside right away, research also shows that babies sleep better at night if they’ve had some fresh air and sunshine during the day (particularly in the afternoon). The daylight helps babies make the day/night adjustment and get on a more consistent schedule.

Tips for taking babies outside in extreme temperatures

Before you take your baby outside, here are a few things to consider to ensure a safe outdoor environment for them.

If it’s hot or sunny, consider staying in a cool shady location. Use a sunhat (we love these “Noggins” by Veyo Kids) or umbrella to block the sun’s harmful rays. Most pediatricians don’t recommend sunscreen for babies until they’re at least 6 months. After that, we recommend this brand of baby sunscreen. If you’re baby-wearing, be sure to use a baby carrier that’s breathable (we love the Solly wrap) and your baby is properly situated and isn’t overly dressed. Make sure to limit your baby’s time in the heat and exposure to sun. If it’s cold, make sure your baby is properly bundled and warm. We love these winter one-piece kickee pants quilted coverall for extra warmth in colder months or this full-body fleece from North Face.

Outdoor activities for babies

You’ve probably heard us shout from the rooftops about the amazing benefits of unstructured outdoor play for kids. And while that sounds fantastic once your kids are old enough to play by themselves, what do you do outside with a baby? Luckily, there are a variety of fun and simple outdoor activities for babies that you can do with very little prep work or planning. Just having a few ideas of easy activities can sometimes be all the encouragement and motivation you need to give it a try! We’re here to show you just how easy* it can be to get outside with your baby. However, just remember that for babies, the actual activity is not as important as being together, being outdoors and giving your baby new experiences.

*Depending on how things are going with your little one, taking a baby outside might sound easy or incredibly overwhelming. Sometimes the simplest things can feel like too much when you have a newborn. This list of activities is not meant to stress you out or add one more thing to your to-do list. These are merely things that you are probably already doing that you can take outside to add an extra layer of sensory experience and get you some fresh air and sunshine.

1. Take a walk

One of the simplest things you can do outside at any age, is to take your baby outside for a walk with you. Outdoor activities for babies don’t have to be complicated or need a lot of planning. Whether your little one is in the stroller, baby carrier or just in your arms, a short walk around your yard or neighborhood will do you both a world of good. Simply being outside is a wonderful way to engage baby’s senses without overstimulating them. There’s something about just being outdoors that seems to calm babies. If your little one is having a hard time, melting down, crying for no reason – go outside! This is my go-to trick when our kids were babies (and it still works with school-aged kids!). A walk outside in the fresh air is more beneficial than you’ll ever know! Trust me, try it!

2. Eat outside

You’re already feeding your baby multiple times a day, so if possible, take a few of those feedings outdoors. If you’re a first-time mom trying to get the hang of nursing or feeding your baby, by all means, just do what you need to do to get your baby fed and stay sane. But once you get the hang of things, consider a change of scenery and feed your baby outside. Start in your backyard and move on to park benches or next to a stream once you get comfortable. Babies spend an unbelievable amount of time eating, so why not make the most of it and get some fresh air while you’re at it.

Once your baby is old enough to start purees or solids, continue to feed them outside! Move the high chair outside or set them in a Bumbo seat if they need support. Eating outside is a particularly great outdoor activity for babies because the cleanup is a breeze! No more scrubbing floors or walls when food gets spit or thrown!

3. Tummy time

This is another activity that you’re probably already doing inside, so take it outside! Grab a blanket and some toys and move the action outdoors. Babies will love reaching for and touching new things, like grass and leaves. And when they’re finished with their tummy time, roll them on their back and let them see the sky.

4. Take a nap

If you want your baby to truly benefit from all the wonders of being outdoors, try napping outside! Bring out a travel crip (we love this one from Baby Bjorn) or just set up a safe space on the ground for your baby to sleep. Babies in Scandanavian countries take naps in prams year-round as young as tw0-weeks old and in temperatures as low as -4F for up to three hours! Research by Marjo Tourula of the University of Oulu, Finland, shows that frigid napping not only promotes better daytime sleeping, but it also increases the duration of sleep. Other benefits, not yet borne out by research, purportedly include children being happier, more energetic, able to sleep better through the night, and capable of snoozing in any environment, even loud and bright.

5. Water play

If your babies are anything like mine, they love water! If it’s warm outside, consider giving your baby a few bowls or trays of water to touch and splash with their hands. A baby pool filled with just a few inches of water could occupy my little ones for hours! Add measuring cups, spoons and scoops for extra fun. If your baby can stand, try a water table (we’ve had this one for years). And older babies love the novelty of the hose. There’s something about running water that absolutely fascinates them!

6. Visit a playground

Babies need time and fun places to work on developing new large motor skills, such as crawling, pulling up and climbing. Playgrounds can be perfect places for babies to experience new surfaces and textures, climbing on different levels and sliding! Plus, once your little one can sit up and has good head and neck control, try the swings! The swinging sensation is sure to bring on big smiles to your little one.

Pro tip: Consider visiting playgrounds during off-hours (school hours during the week), when there are not as many big kids around.

7. Read a book

Spread out a blanket under a shady tree and read your baby a few of her favorite books outside. Babies enjoy reading books anywhere, but taking them outside adds a whole new layer of fun and connection. Consider reading books that take place in nature, so you can point out natural elements (trees, grass, leaves) in the story as well as around you.

8. Nature hike

If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious than a walk around your neighborhood, consider taking your baby for a hike. Hiking is one of the easiest outdoor activities for babies and doesn’t require much beyond what you’d need for a walk or quick outing. Hikes don’t have to be long, intense or elaborate (we recommend that they’re not). Wear baby in a sling/wrap or backpack carrier (we love this Osprey backpack) and simply go for a walk in the woods, nature center or local park. Choose a hiking trail where you can interact with nature and point out all the different sights (trees, flowers) and sounds (birds, water) to your baby. The sights, sounds, and smells of nature will stimulate their senses and the motion may even lull them to sleep. Remember to take your time and don’t overdo it.

9. Jam session

Most babies are very intrigued by sound and making noise. Grab a few toy instruments and head outside for a fun music-making jam session. For instance, maracas, tambourines, keyboards and drums all make for excellent baby-friendly instruments. However, you don’t need special tools to jam out. Pots, pans, metal bowls and wooden spoons are also baby-safe and make plenty of entertaining noise.

10. Sensory experience

Babies benefit greatly from new sensory experiences and the outdoors is a great place to explore. Have your baby sit on a blanket with a pinecone, a few large rocks, some sticks, etc. Encourage her to touch and explore the different textures. Let your baby feel the grass with her bare feet and touch it. Allow her to touch, feel and taste snow. Hand him dry leaves to crunch in his hands. These activities are great for babies to be able to experience sensory experiences at their own level.

11. Observe a busy place

Once your baby is old enough to take in his surroundings and not get crazy overwhelmed by activity, take him somewhere busy to observe the sights, sounds and smells of a new place. From a safe vantage point, let your baby discover the hustle and bustle of a busy farmers market on a Saturday morning. Watch and listen to heavy equipment work at a construction site. Take your baby to your local zoo or aquarium to look around at all the animals in action (as well as the zoo of people all around). Or go to the beach to experience the sound and feel of the water, as well as the sounds of the people, seagulls and waves.

12. Play with balls and bubbles

Some of the simplest and easiest toys for little ones to play with are balls and bubbles. Take your ball game outside for new fun variations. Roll balls back and forth on a flat surface or throw them and watch them bounce. Bring out a variety of balls of different colors, textures, and sizes. Outside is the perfect place because there is plenty of space to spread out and nothing to break. Add some bubbles to an outdoor experience and watch your little one delight in the experience of touching and popping them. Bubbles are a super simple and easy outdoor activity for babies that you can do anytime and anywhere.

13. Mow the lawn

Another easy way to get your baby outside is just to take them along on the activities you’re already doing. One of our favorite outdoor activities for babies to do when our kids were little was to “help” daddy mow the lawn. My husband would put the baby in a carrier and go about mowing the yard, as usual. The noises, smells, and sights they experience while doing this simple chore are thrilling for a little one. So make sure your baby has protective eyewear to keep them safe from any flying debris. And once your little one is old enough to walk, get them a little push mower to use and let them mow by themselves! This toy has been a big hit with all my kids and lasted years.

14. Garden, plant and weed

Let your little one participate in gardening and observe you taking care of your garden. From the earliest age, my kids loved lying on a blanket outside or in a bouncer while I worked in the garden. Just spending time outside together doing things that makes the parent feel good is a great outdoor activity for any baby. Little ones can listen to the natural outdoor sounds, feel the breeze, look up at the sky and watch the birds. Or play some music and have a little dance party while you weed! Talk to your little one while you plant and explain what you’re doing and way. Of course, she won’t understand, but that’s not the point! Show her your harvest and even let her taste it (if she’s old enough).

15. Practice walking

When your little one is ready to start walking, take her outside! Outdoor activities for babies don’t have to be complicated. Let them do what’s natural for them, but take it outside! Learning to walk outdoors gives her more space and fewer sharp edges. Start off in the grass, which is a nice soft surface for the inevitable trips and tumbles. Although don’t be surprised if your child becomes more interested in the grass, leaves, and sticks she finds on the ground and doesn’t get very far! Once she’s more steady on her feet, try the sidewalk or driveway. Moreover, if she needs a little assistance pulling up or balancing, walker toys move great outdoors.

What are your favorite easy outdoor activities for babies?
FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Digging for Crystals with Kids
- November 11, 2019
Have you ever considered going on a real-life treasure hunt with your kids? You’ve probably heard of places where you can pan for gold or hunt for geodes, but what about digging for crystals and diamonds? Today, we have Nichole, homeschool mom of two and outdoor adventurer, here sharing her family’s newest hobby, digging for crystals! Did you know that Central Arkansas is home to some of the most amazing clear crystal quartz in the entire world? Nichole walks you through everything you need to know to get started digging for crystals with your kids, from where to go, what to pack, and how to clean them. If anyone’s up for a road trip to dig for crystals, I’m in!

Exploring outdoors Arkansas

Six years ago, our family moved from the Midwest to southern Arkansas. At the time, we had no idea just how much adventure there was to be found in Arkansas. It may not sound like the most interesting state, but there are so many amazing things to do in Arkansas!

As an outdoors-loving family, we are always seeking out new ways to explore the world around us. From hiking to swimming in hot springs, climbing mountains to exploring mines, Arkansas has some of the most amazing natural wonders in the entire Midwest.

We’ve now lived in Arkansas for nearly six years, and we are still finding new ways to spend time together outside!

Arkansas’s unique geology

Last fall, as part of our homeschool studies, I started searching for information about geology in Arkansas. It wasn’t long before we realized that Arkansas is one of the best places in the world for digging for crystals! What I learned was incredible! Arkansas has several veins of high quality, often clear, quartz that formed in the Ouachita mountain range, in central Arkansas.

Quartz is a very common mineral, the second most common on earth and forms under a wide variety of conditions. However, according to geologists, there are only two places in the world with quartz of such high clarity and quality: Arkansas and Brazil.

A new favorite family hobby emerged and now we enjoy heading out to treasure hunt all winter long.

Arkansas diamond mining

Arkansas is also home to one of two places in the world where the general public can mine for diamonds. Crater of Diamonds State Park, also in central Arkansas, is open year-round for diamond hunting.

This was actually where we started our journey of geology studies. While the idea of digging for diamonds was very exciting, we walked away feeling like it wasn’t the best option for our family. It is a very unique experience. While there are chances to find a diamond, it is a lot of work for little reward.

People do find diamonds though! In fact, just the other day a woman found a 3-carat diamond by surface searching. However, the stones are usually very small and not as easy to find, especially for kids. It is still a fun thing to try your luck at, but bear in mind that it may not be as rewarding for children.

A guide for Arkansas crystal hunting

I continued my research and learned that we were very close to one of the best places to mine for quartz crystal! We chose to visit Ron Coleman Crystal Mine, near Hot Springs, Arkansas. This is a commercial quartz mine that often produces some of the most beautiful (and massive) clusters in the world.

In my searching, I also came across an Instagram page run by the nicest couple. Betsy and Dillon of Passion and Prospect were more than willing to help guide us in our geology journey. They answered our questions and even got us started on where to dig.

If you aren’t local to Arkansas and are interested in some crystals from the place that we dig, watch their page as they often have crystals for sale!

Crystal mining supplies

In the days leading up to our dig, we started a “crystal corner” in our garage to stage our supplies for the weekend. In our research, we learned what tools were allowed at the mine and which were not. While the commercial part of the mine is not open to the public (except for tours), the “tailings” pile is. The tailings area is where the mining trucks bring dump truckloads of dirt and rock up from the commercial mine.

The mine has tools available to rent if needed. However, we thought it would be best to bring our own.

What to bring when digging for crystals with kids

In our corner, we gathered the following:
- Two, 5-gallon buckets
- Hand tools for gardening, including small spades and shovels
- Gloves, for us and for our children
- Old shoes or rain boots
- Old clothes that we didn’t mind ruining
- Hats and sun protection
- A collapsible or folding wagon
The day of the dig

The crystal mine is about a two-hour drive for us, so we got up early and had breakfast in the car. The mine does not have food available, so I highly recommend you pack a lunch and lots of snacks and water. I figured my children may lose interest in digging for crystals if we weren’t finding anything and snacks make everything better.

Arriving at the mine, you stop at the main office and store to pay your entrance fee and sign the waivers. We were so excited to see a HUGE crystal point sitting just outside the main entrance. The store has some amazing examples of what you could find in the mine. It’s also a great place to stop if you are only passing through and don’t have time to dig. The selection of rocks and minerals is outstanding!

Head out to the mine

After going over the waivers and rules, we jumped back in our car to drive down the hill and into the public mining area. It is a dirt road and parking lot, so be prepared for red mud right away.

We visited Ron Coleman mine for the first time the weekend just after our trip to the diamond mine. Within minutes of stepping out of the car, both of my children were shouting their excitement because the ground was sparkling! A vastly different response compared to the diamond mine, and immediate gratification for young children.

We didn’t have a wagon with us on our first trip but we have since added it to our crystal digging supplies. It’s great for hauling your tools to where you want to dig, along with all of your snacks and water.

Digging for crystals with kids

We selected a spot to start digging for crystals and set to work. Both of my children were so excited to play and explore. There is no running allowed in the dig area, so be sure to instruct your children. It’s for their own safety, as there are large boulders and rocks everywhere.

For smaller children, there is an area to the left side (while facing the main entrance from the parking lot) that is flatter and less dangerous. For the really small ones, a carrier or portable play yard may be best to keep them safe.

Our day passed quickly as we were completely focused on the task of digging for crystals. It was easy to stay focused because we were finding quartz treasures within minutes!

We found crystals ranging from milky white to clear, in all shapes and sizes! We were so grateful to have chosen a cool day to go dig because there is no shade available in the digging area. It’s quite a good workout to sort through the dirt and rocks. By lunchtime, we were all in need of a short break to refuel.

An afternoon well spent

While digging for crystals, the rest of our day passed rapidly. My children enjoyed playing among the boulders and rocks once they had found their fill of quartz. My husband and I worked ourselves to exhaustion digging. Each of us got more excited with the improving clarity of the quartz we found.

By the end of the day, we both knew we found a new favorite hobby. The mine closes at 4:30 pm, and by 4:15 pm we were cleaning up our dig area. The large buckets we brought were nearly full with crystals waiting to be cleaned.

We had spent the most beautiful day together outside, on our own little treasure hunt. Warmed by the autumn sun and completely exhausted from our day, we picked up our buckets and went back to our car, all of us smiling from ear to ear.

Things to note about crystal digging

Ron Coleman crystal mine also has tours available as well as a zip line. We haven’t done either yet but they sure look like fun! Here are a few things to remember:
- There are no bathrooms at the dig site, you must go to the campground or back up to the main office.
- You are allowed to take out all you can carry out.
- Bring lots of water, more than you think you’ll need.
- Pack a lunch and snacks.
- The clothes you wear to dig in will most likely be stained with the iron in the soil. Wear old clothes you don’t mind ruining.
- Remember to bring a change of clothes. We find it easiest to lay down towels and ride in our car over to the campground area to get cleaned up. There is a fee for the showers but no fee to change clothing.
- We have also changed at our car, bringing large t-shirts for the kids to be able to change under and I bring a dress to throw over an undershirt to change out of my dirt-covered clothes.
- The office workers LOVE to see what you find so feel free to stop back up there and show them your finds! You just might get featured on their social media channels.
Ron Coleman Crystal Mine nearby attractions

There is camping available at the mine as well, complete with a bathroom and showers and hookups for RVs. Nearby, in the town of Hot Springs there are several great restaurants, as well as more lodging and camping.

My favorite, Kollective coffee, offers vegan food options and has a huge tea selection along with great coffee. Hot Springs is also home to a National Park and has a wonderful visitor center that you can tour for free, along with two Junior Ranger programs.

Nearby, in the town of Mt. Ida, there are also several other crystal mines. We have also visited Wegner Crystal Mine and Twin Creek Crystal Mine. However, Ron Coleman is always our go-to favorite place to dig.

Cleaning your crystals

We spent some time talking with the office staff about the best way to clean the crystals. The very clear points often come clean with a simple water wash. However, to remove the iron staining it’s necessary to do more than that. Ron Coleman sells oxalic acid, in its crystal form. You can place your crystals in a very weak oxalic acid and water mixture to remove the red stains. This can be done with a ratio of 1/2 to one cup of oxalic acid added to one gallon of water.

Crystal cleaning tips
- Always clean your crystals outside! Clay and dirt can clog interior pipes on your sink or bathtub.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clear away dirt and debris from your crystals.
- If you’re using an acid bath to remove staining: ALWAYS add acid to water, not water to acid.
- Use a VERY weak acid solution, these ratios can be found in a simple internet search.
- The crystals can sit in the acid and water bath for up to a week if desired, keep the pot outside so any fumes will dissipate outdoors.
- There is an option to do this more quickly by heating the acid and water solution, but not boiling. However, this must be done outside as you are heating and acid and it can give off mildly noxious fumes. The best and safest way to remove iron staining is a cold water and acid bath for a few days to a week.
- Use gloves when working with the acid solution.
- Remove the crystals after the week is up, using gloves, and rinse with water.
Any work done with the acid and water solution should be done by adults, not children. In the photo below we are working on the first step, cleaning the crystals with water. Also, note the impeccable style my daughter has for crystal cleaning.

The thrill of the hunt

Half of the fun of hunting for crystals is when you are cleaning your treasures at home. Sometimes, your finds will surprise you with more points or more clarity than you had expected. Or sometimes you’ll be let down with what you thought was an epic cluster, only to find it’s milky white quartz with no points at all. But, that’s all part of the process and it’s a great lesson in patience, persistence and hard work.

From start to finish, it usually takes us about a week to sort through all of our finds. It’s a process that has taught us many things, but has also pulled us in and made us rock hounds. I am so grateful for this newfound hobby of ours and we are so excited that it is finally cool enough to return to our favorite weekend adventure!

More Arkansas outdoor adventures

It has been so much fun to discover all of the incredible outdoor adventures within our new home state. If you’re looking for resources for crystal digging, you can find almost all of what I had mentioned here, along with books to pair with your crystal hunting adventure.

If you’d like to read about one of our other favorite Arkansas adventures, you can read about them here. Our family has so enjoyed learning to love where we live and Arkansas has so much to offer for outdoor adventure.

If you’re in or around the Bentonville, Arkansas area, check out our Bentonville Get Out Guide! This huge ebook is curated by yours truly and contains all our favorite things to do, places to eat, and more in Bentonville. It’s filled with water adventures, hiking trails, biking excursions, outdoor dining, kid-friendly camping and lodgings, parks and playgrounds and other fun and unique outdoor adventures.

If you’re ever passing through, I’d love to share some of my favorites with you! Follow me on Instagram and let me know if you’re headed this way, maybe we could even go digging for crystals together!

Have you ever been digging for crystals?

About the author

Nichole is mama to two incredible adventurers, an older boy and a younger girl. Together, they are on their third year of homeschooling. She has been married to her best friend for nearly twelve years and they share a mutual love for the outdoors. An Iowan native now living in the south, she is happy to claim Arkansas as home. She is a wanderlust (and coffee) fueled, fearless, road-tripper who has been known to take off for epic adventures at a moment’s notice. Hiking and camping (of the backpacking variety) and crystal digging are a few of their favorite family activities. You can find her in the woods somewhere, (probably up a creek and jumping off waterfalls) or online in the following locations:

Website: http://www.luckeywanderers.com
Instagram: @coleyraeh
Other RWMC posts: Nichole
FALL, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
How to Have a Screen-Free School Week
- October 29, 2019
In our fast-paced world, it can be challenging to set screens aside and engage full-on with the things and the people right in front of us. Kids are bombarded with a plethora of fun games, shows, videos and apps designed to suck them in and keep them in front of a screen. As parents, we know that screen time can be detrimental to kids and we’d all like to be better about getting our kids off screens. Today, we have Ginny Yurich, founder of the 1000 Hours Outside challenge, here to encourage us to take a week (or two or three) this school-year and designate them as screen-free weeks! Ginny’s sharing some tips and advice on why it’s so important for kids (and families) to take an intentional screen-free school week and how to do it properly.

Borrow a Waldorf lesson

When I was growing up there seemed to be two main options for school: public or private. These days the list is much longer. In addition to public or private, you can choose charter schools or forest schools, Waldorf or Montessori, homeschooling or worldschooling, just to name a few! Though some of these options have been around for a while, the diverse approach to education today is prominent.

Of the options above, many Waldorf schools have an interesting philosophy that really appeals to me. It is common practice for parents of Waldorf students to sign a contract agreeing that students will not have screen time from Sunday evening through Thursday evening. No screens all week, every week the kids are in school. I know what you’re thinking. . . “What’s a child to do after a strenuous day of school work? What about those witching hours when nerves are frayed and dinner needs to be prepared? Aren’t screens a good choice for decompressing?”

The importance of screen-free time

What we have found in our home is the more screen-usage we allow, the more enslaved we become to it. While some screen time can be seen as “educational,” too much of it may have a negative effect on a child’s development and overall well-being. An excess amount of screen time can affect sleep, increase the risk of childhood obesity, lead to poor eyesight and physical coordination, and problems with behavior or attention.

Kids need time off of screens to develop the skills that will serve them in life. They need physical activity and face-to-face social and emotional connections. They need time to explore their environment and discover new interests. There is great freedom in taking an intentional screen-free school week because it gives children the opportunity to re-engage with their surroundings and most importantly, their own inner resources.

How to have a scree-free school week

Childhood is when humans soak in the mystery and wonder of life. Kids need time off screens, just to be kids. As parents, we know that living completely screen-free lives is not always practical or desired. However, we can make small changes here and there to give our kids a digital detox from screens and give them back an important part of childhood. Make the choice to shut off the devices for a mere seven days and watch your kids thrive! Observe their creativity and thoroughly enjoy the moments where you can all be present together.

This time of year is incredibly busy. It can be easy to fall into the trap of using screens as a way to entertain and occupy kids. But it’s also a great time to take an intentional break and reset your screen habits. You’ve made it through the back-to-school transition. It’s not time to capitalize on family time together at the end of the day. Make the commitment to take a digital detox. Here are some tips on how to have a screen-free school week.

1. Know the importance of unstructured play

When we are tired and busy, it can be easy to forget the value of unstructured play. This is an easy time to hand your kids a screen or turn on the TV. However, unstructured play could benefit them so much more. Unstructured play benefits every phase of the development. While you’ve probably heard this before, knowing how crucial unstructured play is for your kids will better equip you to say NO to screen time when you’re exhausted or need a break.

What is unstructured play?

It’s a type of play where children engage in open-ended play that has no specific learning objective. Unlike “structured” play, unstructured play is not instructor-led. Parents do not give directions. Unstructured play is often referred to as simply “letting kids be kids” or “just play.” Sounds easy enough, right? But why is it so important?
- Unstructured play benefits kids academically. Play helps their brain connections become quicker and stronger. If you include some outside nature play, children will naturally be drawn to complex movements that will contribute to brain growth. Additionally, kids learn so much through hands-on experiences. Knowledge flies to the mind of a child who can hold and observe something in his or her own hands!
- Unstructured play builds social skills. Invite a friend over for the afternoon and observe the conversations, compromises, and creativity. Kids are naturally motivated to keep playing and so they utilize extensive social skills to maintain whatever play scheme they have invented.
- Unstructured play develops emotional support. Children work through significant life issues through play. Taking kids outside helps calm them through the gentle sensory integration of nature. Flashing screens actually stimulate the flight or fight response. After a long day of standardized tests, adult-directed activity, and social pressure, it’s so important for kids to have some moments of true calmness.
2. Prepare some alternative activities

If your child is in the habit of having screen time after school, spend a few days breaking that habit. Until they can come up with their own ideas, consider offering some different options to choose from during your screen-free school week. Screen time is often the result of boredom or lack of creativity in coming up with something to do. It’s the quick and easy choice, but not the best one. So having an arsenal of options and activities at the ready makes it much easier for you to say NO to screens by giving kids ideas and choices of what they can do instead.

The activities we utilize the most are ones that are open-ended and lead to lots of fun unstructured play. Things like mud kitchens, mad libs, paper dolls, magnet toys, play dough, jump ropes, tangrams, string games, felting, puppets, stamps and stencils, origami, baskets for nature-collecting, or finger-knitting are some of the screen-free pastimes our kids enjoy. Set up a slackline in the backyard or a tent for the kids to play in. Give them some sidewalk chalk and have them create a masterpiece. Give them a shovel or a net and go on a minibeast hunt. Have them build something with blocks, sticks or whatever they can find. Or task them with writing and acting out their own play or favorite storybook. Let them get creative!

3. Be ready to say…

“It’s okay to be bored.” Boredom truly is a gift. It is the bridge between nothing and creativity. When properly encouraged, bored kids can come up with some ingenious ideas for things to do! We know that it can be incredibly annoying and irritating to listen to the complaints of bored kids that have absolutely NOTHING to do except play on screens. Being prepared for this is half the battle and will help you stick to your guns about staying off of screens.

I’ve found the best way to deal with the whining is to have a short and sweet comeback. I’ll choose my response and repeat it over and over again like a broken record. Besides, “It’s okay to be bored.” I sometimes use “That’s okay. I know you’ll figure it out.” And finally, when all else fails and my patience has been tested, my response of last resort is “Great! I have some chores that need to be done!” That response works every time! The kids scatter and find something to do!

All things in moderation

Children thrive when they are given ample time and space to play both inside and outside. Since much of their day is already accounted for (school, sports, extra-curriculars, etc.), kids greatly benefit from screen-free time. It is very possible that someday our kids may ask us why we didn’t limit their screen time even more. Screens are not evil. Technology provides amazing benefits. However, for children the passive time spent using screened devices takes away precious childhood time that could be devoted to other worthwhile pursuits. So as parents and caregivers, we need to protect the afternoons, evenings and weekends, giving our children hands-on experiences that will profit them in the near future, but also for a lifetime.

Do you find it hard to build screen-free time into the school year?
What are some of your favorite screen-free pastimes?

About the Author

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

You can find more from Ginny in the following locations:
Website: http://www.1000HoursOutside.com
Instagram: @1000hoursoutside
Facebook: @1000hoursoutside
FRIDAY FEATURES, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday Feature: Samantha Elizabeth @thisgrowinglife_
- October 25, 2019
It’s Friday! Time for another Friday Feature, where we feature a member of our Instagram community and give you a little more information on the person and the inspiration behind the pretty pictures. Today’s featured photographer is Samantha Elizabeth @thisgrowinglife, a homesteading and homeschooling mom of four in Ontario, Canada. Samantha’s feed is full of incredible ideas for nature school lessons, nature crafts, outdoor activities and fun adventures. Her creativity shines through the images in her feed and I’m constantly in awe of the beautiful life and experiences she’s creating for her family. Her captions are encouraging, helpful and thoughtful. I can’t wait for you to get to know her a bit more. Here’s a little more about Samantha in her own words.

Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

We spent a week exploring the caves and trails of Bruce Penninsula National Park in Tobermory Ontario. The water there is Caribbean blue and so beautiful! There are even underwater caves that you can swim through!

List three bucket list destinations you’re dying to see?

It’s so hard to pick only 3. I’d love to swim in the Melissani sea cave in Greece. I want to visit all the waterfalls in Croatia. Finally, I want to take a road trip all around Scotland, visiting as many castles as we could along the way.

Any upcoming travel adventures planned for this year that you’re excited about?

We plan to take two road trips this year: one across Canada and the other down to Florida. Road trips are definitely a favorite around here!

What do you love/like the most about Instagram?

I love being able to connect with other mamas and being able to encourage one another!

Favorite place to photograph your kids?

I don’t have a favorite place but I do have a favorite season: autumn! The autumn colors around us are just breathtaking!

For more from Samantha Elizabeth,
find her online in the following locations:

Instagram: @thisgrowinglife_

For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.
CRAFTS, FALL, HOLIDAYS, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OUTDOORS INSIDE
Fun & Simple Halloween Activities for Kids
- October 17, 2019
If your kids are anything like mine, they automatically associate October with Halloween! I’m pretty sure they get their intense love for this holiday from their mama. It’s been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember. The costumes, the cold dark nights, the glowing pumpkins! Or maybe it’s just all the candy? Either way, it’s a blast! Today, we’ve got mom and teacher extraordinaire, Brandi Markham here sharing 10 fun and simple Halloween activities for kids! These easy activities are a great way to engage their senses and guaranteed to get your kids in the Halloween spirit.

The most wonderful time of the year

The temperature is finally dropping in our neck of the woods and Fall is officially here! Since having children, Fall has easily become my favorite time of year. We love all things Fall – apple orchards, pumpkin patches, Halloween, cooler temperatures, colorful leaves and more. As a mother and a teacher, I love to create fun and simple Halloween activities for my kids to enjoy. Even better…they love it too! Today, I want to share a few fun and simple Halloween activities that you can do with your child, nieces, nephews, grandchildren or even your neighbor’s kids!

Fun and simple Halloween activities for kids

What do you think of when you think of Halloween? Spiders and ghosts and witches, oh my! These are some of our favorite spooky things, so of course, we need to include them in some fun Halloween sensory play. Read on if you want to wow your kids and have a little fun!

1. Shaving cream ghosts

Shaving cream ghosts are probably the most simple of these Halloween activities for kids, but one of the most loved. Prep for this activity is super easy. All you need is a can or two of shaving cream, some googly eyes and a tray. I have some cute plastic serving trays that I use for many of these activities.

For shaving cream ghosts, spray lots of shaving cream in the tray and toss in lots of different googly eyes of different sizes and colors. Have the kids put their hands in the shaving cream and come up with a ghost! The kids love the texture and the messiness of the shaving cream. It’s fun to see what kind of ghosts they create. For extra fun, you can add in little plastic spiders. Or use orange or green food coloring or liquid watercolor to make shaving cream pumpkins or Frankensteins.

2. Monster handprints

Monster handprints are another super simple and fun Halloween activity. For these, you need paper, paint, googly eyes, as well as glitter, glue, and stickers. Have your children make paint handprints on their paper. Then they can add googly eyes and stickers to create their own individual monsters. My kids used triangle stickers to give their monster hands sharp nails. Once the handprints have dried, you can use school glue to make fun designs and add glitter.

3. Fall leaves tree

Looking for more of a Fall activity? Use what nature’s provided to make a fall leaves tree. Take your kids outside for a nature walk and collect lots of colorful leaves. Use a large piece of paper to draw a simple tree. Then have your kids use school glue to decorate the tree. Hang it up to keep a little bit of the outdoors indoor! For more fun, you could collect other items like sticks, acorns, and pinecones to make a Fall wreath or collage.

4. Foaming spiders

Do you have a little more time on your hands for prep work? You should definitely make some foaming spiders! I found this activity years ago at Fun at Home with Kids. Your kids will love these cute spiders and the fun little surprise inside them!

To make the spiders, you will need baking soda, water, and food coloring. Mix about 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of water in a bowl (for colored spiders add a little food coloring or liquid watercolor to the water). Mix well until all of the baking soda is damp. Take a handful of the mixture and put some small plastic spiders inside. Then add more of the mixture to cover the spiders and round them out, making the spider’s abdomen. Cut four pipe cleaners in half and stick them in the spider’s abdomen to make eight legs. Then use the rest of the baking soda mixture to form the spider’s head. Once you have made all of your spiders, place them on wax paper and freeze them for a few hours. If you freeze them overnight, you will want to let them thaw slightly before playtime.

When you’re ready to play with these spiders, add some vinegar and a little bit of dish soap to a shallow dish. Mix it up and carefully add your spiders. The spiders will foam and start to dissolve! Watch as your children get super excited about this and find all the baby spiders!

5. Candy corn sensory play

Candy corn sensory play is another super simple, but very fun Halloween activity for kids. All you need for this activity is a tray, a few bags of candy corn, some plastic spiders and lots of small dishes, spoons, and scoops. I use the same plastic trays for this activity that we used for the shaving cream ghosts.

Simply dump candy corn and spiders into a tray and provide lots of scooping dishes and spoons to encourage sensory play. This is an activity that can easily be adapted by changing what you place in the tray (ideas: rubber eyeballs, gummy worms, squishy eyeballs, other Halloween candy, etc.). Encourage your child to sort objects, count objects, practice scooping, use tweezers to pick up objects, and more.

6. Witches stew

Witches stew is probably my kids’ favorite Halloween activity! This is a very simple idea, but is so fun and creative. For this activity, you first need to boil some spaghetti noodles. Add some orange or green food coloring or liquid watercolor for extra witchy fun. Then, gather up lots of random Halloween items like candy corn, plastic spiders, gooey eyeballs. Basically anything small you can find in the Halloween section at the store. You will also need a tray for your items, spoons, scoops, and bowls. Lastly, you will need some baking soda and vinegar for a little extra added fun. Years ago I came across a super cute witches caldron and we use it for this activity also.

Once you have all of your witch ingredients, have your kids grab their witch hats and get to work! The kids will love mixing all of the ingredients. The best part is adding the baking soda and vinegar to make the stew really fizz!

7. Ice ghosts

Ice ghosts is a fun activity that needs to be prepared ahead of time. To prepare them, simply mix one part water with two parts baking soda to create a damp mixture. Then place a bit into each hole of an ice tray and add googly eyes to each hole. Freeze for an hour or two. For playtime, put the ice ghosts in a shallow dish and give your child a little bowl of vinegar. We used tiny droppers to drop vinegar on the ghosts. The kids loved watching them fizz and slowly dissolve. One of the best parts was dropping the whole ghost into the bowl of vinegar to create tiny little volcanos.

8. Spider slime

Let’s face it, slime is fun all year round and it’s so easy to change it up for any holiday. Spider slime is probably one of my kids and my own favorites for Halloween. To make spider slime, all you need to do is use your favorite slime recipe and add plastic spiders!

My favorite slime recipe is made using two bottles of school glue (5 0z), about 10 ounces of water and 8 ounces of liquid starch. You can use clear school glue or colored school glue, depending on how you want your slime to look. In a large bowl, pour the two bottles of school glue and then add the water. Slowly add about half of the liquid starch and stir. Continue to slowly add liquid starch until the mixture soaks up the water and looks like a glob of goo. You may not need all of the liquid starch. Use your hands to knead the slime until it is not sticky. Last, add the spiders and get ready to play!

My kids love stretching out the slime and picking spiders from it, only to put them back in and start over. You can get creative with your slime by adding a little bit of glitter, using different colored glue, adding confetti or other small Halloween items.

9. Play-doh pumpkins

Play-doh pumpkins are super fun and an easy Halloween activity for kids. All you need is orange play-doh, green pipe cleaners, and little beads or pattern blocks. We have done this activity in a few different ways. We have made round pumpkins from the play-doh and we have also made flat pumpkins to decorate. Black beads are a simple tool to use to create the pumpkin faces. Another fun way to practice and play with shapes is to use pattern blocks for your pumpkin face. For extra fun, use a plastic fork to create lines and make your pumpkin look scarier!

This is such a simple activity that can be adapted in many ways. We have also used different colored play-doh, pipe cleaners and googly eyes to create play-doh monsters. This is one of my son’s favorites. You might even want to use green play-doh to make your own Frankenstein!

10. Wiggly monster eyes

Finally, our last fun and simple Halloween activity for kids is wiggly monster eyes. These are a hit because not only are they fun to play with, but they are edible! To make jiggly monster eyes you just need jello (your choice of color/flavor), raisins and plastic Easter eggs. Make the jello as directed and then you will pour it into one side of a plastic egg. Drop-in a raisin and place it in the fridge to get firm. When you pop them out of the shell solidified, they look like creepy eyeballs! That’s it! Dump the wiggly monster eyes into a shallow dish and let your kids play!

10 Easy Halloween activities for kids

And there you have it! 10 super fun and easy Halloween activities for kids. These activities are easy to put together and can be adapted and made into your own. Get creative and have fun!

What Halloween activities are you going to try with your kids this year?

Brandi
Maryland
@brandimarkham

Hello, I’m Brandi! My husband & I live just outside of Washington, DC with our three littles. They are my favorite people in the world & my biggest inspiration. I am a full-time elementary teacher & a part-time photographer, but mostly I enjoy photography as a hobby. I love chocolate, animals, & nature! Summer is my favorite because we get to spend all of our time outdoors!

For more from Brandi, check out all her RWMC posts.
GARDENING, GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER
Quick & Easy Kid-Friendly Snacks from the Garden
- October 15, 2019
It may officially be fall, but the plants in my garden are still going strong! We’ve got heirloom and cherry tomatoes for days, squash and carrots that are still growing and lots of herbs, onions, and potatoes! We’ve talked extensively on this website about the benefits of gardening with children and how fun and easy it can be to grow fruits, veggies, and flowers. And while it’s an absolute blast to dig in the dirt and care for your plants, the real fun comes when you get to eat them! Today, we have Wisconsin mom, photographer, and homesteader Brandi Rondinelli here sharing four quick and easy ways to make kid-friendly snacks from the garden. These snacks are the perfect way for you to enjoy the fruits of all your hard work with the kids in a healthy, easy, and delicious way!

Gardening with kids

There is nothing more rewarding than growing your own food! Am I right or am I right? Having the ability to go into your yard and gather food for dinner, lunch and snacks is so neat! It’s a novelty that still amazes me every year. And my kids love it just as much as I do! The whole gardening process is an amazing experience for both kids and adults. From choosing the plants we want to grow to planning the garden and then carefully planting the seeds, my kids are involved in the process from day one. They love having a say about what we’ll grow, and they learn so much about the life cycle of plants.

Watching the sprouts come in and tending to each plant daily over the course of the summer is also quite an experience for the kids. We love taking care of our plants, nurturing them, and singing to them. But in my opinion, harvesting your crop of fruits and vegetables is my favorite part of the process! There’s nothing like biting into a strawberry you grew with love or serving a meal to your family that you took care of together.

Benefits of gardening with kids

There are so many amazing benefits of gardening with kids. Creating a garden with your children is a wonderful way to spend quality time with them outside and teach them about nature and the environment. Kids get the benefits of fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor activity. It teaches them responsibility for caring for living things by watering, pruning, weeding, and fertilizing. Gardening teaches them patience and tenacity. It makes them think about where their food is coming from and encourages them to eat healthy. Planting a garden is a cheap and easy activity that educates and nourishes. It’s a great life skill, and of course, it’s fun!

Easy kid-friendly snacks from the garden

My kids love being part of the gardening process, but they really get excited about our harvesting days. When our plants are ready, we’ll spend the whole day harvesting, canning\storing & eating all of our goodies! Just the pure joy on their faces pulling out the carrots that they’ve watched grow for months is worth every dirty fingernail. I definitely try to transfer this excitement about harvesting into eating our haul! Here are a couple of quick and easy ways that we make kid-friendly snacks from the garden.

Straight from the garden snack ideas

My favorite way to eat the goodies from our garden is straight off the plant, outside in the sunshine! There’s something absolutely divine about plucking a cherry tomato off the vine and tasting the warm sweetness of it! It’s heavenly, and I highly recommend you try it! There are so many different fruits and veggies you can plant that you can eat straight from the garden, with little to no prep work. Here are a few kid-approved snack ideas straight from the garden!
- sliced cucumbers
- strawberries
- cherry tomatoes
- sugar snap peas
- green beans
- bell peppers
Tips for enjoying veggies straight from the garden

Letting kids eat veggies straight out of the garden can be a fun and educational experience, but it’s important to ensure their safety and health. Here are some tips for parents:
1. Thoroughly Wash the Vegetables: Even if they’re homegrown, you may want to wash the vegetables to remove dirt, insects, and any potential contaminants. Use clean, running water, and consider using a vegetable brush for root vegetables like carrots and potatoes.
2. Teach Proper Handling: Show kids how to properly pick and handle vegetables to avoid damaging plants and ensure cleanliness. Encourage them to use clean hands or tools.
3. Inspect for Pests: Check vegetables for signs of pest infestation. While some insects are harmless, others can carry diseases. Remove any insects before consumption.
4. Avoid Chemical Pesticides: If you use any pesticides in your garden, ensure they are safe for food crops and follow the recommended waiting period before harvesting. Organic and natural pest control methods are often safer for gardens where children will be eating the produce directly.
5. Supervise Younger Children: Always supervise younger children to ensure they’re not eating plants or parts of plants that aren’t safe for consumption. Educate them on which vegetables are safe to eat and which are not.
6. Introduce Gradually: If your children are not used to eating raw vegetables, introduce them gradually to avoid any digestive discomfort. Start with small quantities and observe how they react.
7. Emphasize Cleanliness: Encourage good hygiene by having kids wash their hands before and after handling garden produce.
8. Educate on Edible Parts: Teach kids about which parts of the plant are edible and which are not. For example, tomato leaves and stems are not edible, while the fruit is.
9. Be Aware of Allergies: Keep an eye out for any allergic reactions, especially if it’s a new vegetable your child is trying for the first time. Consult with your pediatrician if you have concerns about food allergies.
10. Use Safe Water Sources: Ensure the water source used for your garden is safe and clean, as contaminated water can transfer pathogens to your vegetables.
By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for your children as they explore and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of their gardening efforts.

Kale chips from the garden

One of our favorite super easy kid-friendly snacks from the garden is kale chips! We plant kale in the spring and pick handfuls of it throughout the summer for chips, salads and side dishes. The kids loves making kale chips and we try to keep it around all the time for a quick easy grab-and-go snack that’s healthy and delicious. The recipe couldn’t be easier and within minutes of picking, you have a tasty snack for the whole family!

Kale chip cooking directions:
1. Rip the kale into small/medium pieces and place in a large bowl
2. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the kale (be sure not to drench as they will end up soggy)
3. Add salt or seasoning of your choice (e.g. garlic salt, ranch seasoning packet, etc.)
4. Toss to coat
5. Bake in the oven at 300 degrees for about 8 minutes or until crispy
6. Enjoy!
Juicing from the garden

Juicing is another wonderful way to incorporate your garden goodies into kid-friendly snacks from the garden. Making our own juice is one of our favorite ways to get more fruits and vegetables into our meals. The benefits of juicing are plenty! From lowering cholesterol to building your immune system, boosting your energy and improving digestion. But the best part about juicing is that it’s so easy! You can use whatever you have on hand. Feel free to throw in fruits and veggies from your garden, but also anything you have in the fridge (not from your garden).

There are a million different juice recipes and you can customize any of them to your taste or needs. If you grow celery, you can juice just celery for some amazing benefits! Carrots with beets, cucumbers and kale make a great juice, using all ingredients from your garden.

One of our favorite green juice recipes is made by blending the following: 2 apples, 2 bunches of kale, 1 thumb of ginger, 2 cucumbers, 1.5 lemons, 1/2 a pineapple, and 6 oz of water. Oh man, this one is good! It’s green, but the kids love it!

Garden herb-infused water for kids

Herbs are another fun plant to include in your garden and use in various ways. You can use herbs for seasoning meals, making teas, infused oils and even soaps, if you are feeling creative 🙂 This year, we grew the following herbs: Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, Sage, and Basil. We used all of these herbs in so many different ways, either fresh from the garden or dried for later use.

One of our favorite ways to incorporate fresh herbs into our diet is to make herb-infused drinks for the kids. The subtle flavors of infused water are so much better for kids and adults than the overly sweet flavor of most juices. Also, most fruit juice also contains a lot of sugar, which you avoid with infused waters.

There are so many great combinations of fruits, vegetables and herbs to add to water to make it more fun and flavorful. Infused water is best 2 to 4 hours after you’ve made it. Or, you can let it infuse overnight in the refrigerator. Here are few delicious and herb-infused waters for kids:
- cucumbers and rosemary
- basil and strawberries
- lemon (or lime) and mint
- orange slices and basil
- honeydew and mint
- watermelon and basil
- red pepper, pineapple and basil
- apple and thyme
More garden snacks for kids

Here are a few more creative ways kids can eat and enjoy vegetables from the garden. These ideas can help make vegetables more appealing and enjoyable for kids while incorporating the freshness and nutrition of garden-grown produce.
1. Veggie Sticks with Dips:
  - Slice cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, and celery into sticks.
  - Serve with a variety of dips like hummus, ranch, or yogurt-based dips.
2. Homemade Veggie Chips:
  - Thinly slice vegetables like zucchini, sweet potatoes, or beets.
  - Toss with a little olive oil and bake until crispy.
3. Garden Fresh Salsa:
  - Combine diced tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cilantro.
  - Add a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt for a fresh salsa to enjoy with chips or as a topping.
4. Veggie-Packed Smoothies:
  - Blend spinach or kale with fruits like bananas, strawberries, and a splash of juice or milk.
  - Add a spoonful of honey for sweetness if needed.
5. Zucchini Bread or Muffins:
  - Incorporate grated zucchini into a bread or muffin recipe.
  - These can be a sweet and healthy snack or dessert.
6. Stuffed Peppers:
  - Hollow out bell peppers and fill with a mixture of quinoa, black beans, corn, and cheese.
  - Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
7. Cucumber Sandwiches:
  - Slice cucumbers into rounds and use them as a base for mini sandwiches.
  - Add fillings like cream cheese, smoked salmon, or turkey slices. Serve them at a fun outdoor tea party!
8. Veggie Pizza:
  - Top a pizza crust with tomato sauce, cheese, and an assortment of garden vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and spinach.
  - Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Carrot Cake:
- - Use freshly grated carrots in a homemade carrot cake recipe.
  - This can be a delicious dessert that sneaks in some extra veggies.
Garden snacks for kids

I can’t tell you enough how much I love gardening with my kids and enjoying the fruits of our labor together (pun intended). I highly recommend that you try gardening with your kids so you can enjoy so many of the wonderful benefits. If you don’t have the room or the time to maintain a large garden, there are still options, like indoor potted plants, window sill herb gardens and community gardens. Kids will reap benefits from even the tiniest of gardens, so don’t let size stop you. I hope your little ones like these kid-friendly snacks from the garden as much as mine do!

What’s your favorite way to eat from your garden?

About the author

I’m a wife, published photographer & mother of two little wolves. We are a homesteading family & love everything about the outdoors. We have traveled all around Wisconsin and hiked 21 state parks in just 2 years. From raising chickens, kids, having a full garden & a photography business, you could say we stay busy but we always have time for an adventure and new memories.

You can find Brandi online in the following locations:
Instagram: @motherhenshomestead
Website: http://www.soulshinephotographer.com
Run Wild My Child posts: Brandi Rondinelli
BOOKS, CRAFTS, FALL, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OUTDOORS INSIDE
5 Fantastic Fall Books and Activities for Kids
- October 7, 2019
Fall is definitely in the air! One of our favorite ways to usher in a new season is to read books about the changing weather and what we can look forward to. We’re always on the lookout for fun books and ways to make outdoor learning exciting, so today’s post is a win-win. We have the amazing Chelsea, Virginia photographer, former teacher, and adventure mom of two, here sharing her family’s 5 favorite fall books and activities for kids. Not only are each of these books beautiful and fun to read, but they’re paired with awesome nature-inspired crafts and activities that are guaranteed to keep your kids entertained, active, and learning!

Favorite fall books and activities for outdoor kids

Fall is starting to make an appearance here in southeastern Virginia and we couldn’t be more excited! In our house, we love to match the books we’re reading to the current season or approaching holidays. We recently took a trip to our local library to check out almost every book in the fall children’s book section to kick-start fall. Today, I’m sharing some of our favorite fall children’s books and providing a fun family activity to do with each book. Whether you’re a homeschooler, a parent of children not yet in school, or a parent of school-aged kids, these fall books and activities will be sure to enrich your child’s learning while fully embracing the beauty of the season!

Choosing the books

In order to choose the best books possible, I used a VERY official and scientific method of measurement. My kids. We checked out a dozen fall nature-inspired books from our local library and read them all. If they asked to read a book again the instant we finished, it passed the test. I kept the ones they wanted to read multiple times and returned the rest! Here are 5 of our favorite fall books and an activity to go with each one!

Book 1: Because of an Acorn by Adam and Lola M. Schaefer

Because of an Acorn is a wonderful fall book about how all living things are connected. You’ll love both the story and the illustrations! Children are often amazed that giant oak trees all start as tiny little acorns. The book does a great job of showing how every tree, plant and animal in the forest are connected and tied to each other.

Activity: Acorn characters

Once you’re finished reading the book, take a little nature walk to collect some acorns, caps and tiny sticks. While you’re out exploring, you can discuss what kind of trees produce acorns and how to identify them! My kids had fun looking up at the leaves on each tree to see which ones were oaks and then looking around on the ground below to see if any acorns had dropped.

Once you get home, use your treasures to make little characters! We used tacky glue but I’m sure many different kinds of glue will work. If you have very small children, you may want to have them lay out the character and then leave the gluing part to a grownup! Once your characters are dry, you can draw on eyes if you’d like and then head back out into the woods to create tiny houses for them! You can break this activity up into multiple days or take a whole afternoon for it! The kids will have so much fun creating little families and then using imaginative play to make them come to life. And the best part is all that wonderful fresh fall air you’ll get from the time spent outside!

Book 2: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Shultz

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a childhood classic! Linus, Charlie and the rest of the Peanuts gang await the arrival of the Great Pumpkin on Halloween night. I wasn’t surprised that my kids really loved this one, because they love any Peanuts book! This book’s been around so long that it’s not only a new favorite of theirs, but a classic favorite of mine from childhood. I love being able to share that with them.

Activity: Painted rocks

In the story, one of the Peanuts characters gets rocks instead of treats during trick-or-treating, so we decided to go collect some rocks to paint. Once the boys had found the perfect rocks, we took them home, rinsed them, and dried them. Then we used acrylic paints to decorate them like pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. Once they were dry, we headed to a park nearby to hide the rocks in fun places to be discovered by others! My kids are always excited when they find painted rocks at our park so we decided to keep that ball of fun rolling by placing some of our own there for other kids to enjoy.

Book 3: Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Stumpkin is the cutest little book about a pumpkin with no stem that never gets picked to be purchased and brought home. My kids love wordplay and making up words by putting other words together, so they were already hooked by the title. They really loved the illustrations and asked to take extra time on each page to enjoy the pictures. This one was a big hit!

Activity: Jack-o-lantern volcanoes

Once you’re finished with Stumpkin, a fun activity to do with the kids is to carve small pumpkins and then make “volcanoes” out of them. If you’ve enjoy doing science/STEM experiments at home, you’ve probably already used baking soda and vinegar for other projects. But have you ever watched the chemical reaction take place inside a jack-o-lantern?! It’s so much fun! The kids will love watching the bubbles come out of all the holes. In addition to the baking soda and vinegar, we also used some dish soap because I had read that it bubbles up more and I do think it worked!

Book 4: Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland

Fall Leaves is a really gorgeous picture book about the beauty of this magical season. Part poetry and part silent pages, this book showcases just how pretty fall is when the leaves change color and the whole world turns red, orange and yellow.

Activity: Fall leaf art project

This activity is so much fun and goes perfectly with the beautiful artwork in the Fall Leaves book! It’s also really easy and the kids loved it. Head out on a nature hunt to find different colored fall leaves. Once you’ve collected some, head back home to make your art.

Leaf art supplies:
- water color paints
- paintbrushes
- water
- straws
- paper
- glue
- the leaves you’ve collected
Once you have the supplies, instruct the children to use the paintbrush to get lots of water and some paint on the brush. Then have them make a “puddle” of water on the bottom of their paper. Use the straw to blow the water upward and out to make the trunk and branches of a tree.

When they’re finished with the trunk and branches, have them pick their favorite leaves to glue onto the branches. This project is great for building and developing fine motor skills, so feel free to have them create more than one tree!

Book 5: Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn is another beautiful book about the changing seasons. In this book, a young girl takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming autumn season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.

Activity: Fall leaf art with crayons

If you’re like us, you have all sorts of old, broken crayons hanging around the house! These projects are a great way to use up some of those crayons. They’re also perfect activities for families who live in areas that don’t have season changes! You don’t need to use any real fall leaves for these projects but can still make some art that celebrates the autumn season. Both of these actives are a throwback to my own childhood and were very nostalgic for me! It was fun doing some activities with the kids that I did when I was a kid!

Option 1 – melted crayon shaving leaves

For the first crayon art project, you’ll need:
- a cloth towel
- crayons
- a vegetable peeler or scissors
- wax paper
- an iron
- construction paper
Obviously, with that list of supplies, it’s important for an adult to be around to help out with the project! Depending on how old your kids are, you’ll either have them make crayon shavings using whatever tool you have around, or you’ll have them pick the colors and you can do the shavings for them. Put all the shavings in a pile and set aside.

Next, use construction paper to cut out the trunk and branches of a tree (or several!). You will use it to create a fall scene on the wax paper. You can do one tree with some construction paper grass, multiple trees, whatever you like! Once you have the parts of your scene cut out from construction paper, place them on a sheet of wax paper to begin creating your fall scene.

After the construction paper parts are in place, have your child take the crayon shavings and sprinkle them wherever they want fall leaves to be. Once everything is where you want it to be, place a second sheet of wax paper on top. Then place the towel on top of everything. Use a hot iron (job for a grownup!) to seal the two pieces of wax paper together. This will also create a beautiful effect with the crayon shavings because it will melt them together! So much fun!

Option 2 – leaf rubbings

The second fall art activity you could do with crayons is make leaf rubbings! My kids LOVE doing this. It’s such a simple, timeless activity. When the kids see the leaf prints starting to appear, they light up with joy! My kids could do a hundred leaf rubbings and still be excited every time they see the leaf print appearing on the paper.

If you’ve never done this before, you only need some paper (computer paper works great), crayons, and leaves! Any leaves will do – they don’t have to be fall-colored. Place the leaf underneath the sheet of paper, hold it down carefully, and rub the SIDE part of an unwrapped crayon back and forth on top of the paper. You’ll see the shape of the leaf appearing on the paper! Leave them on the larger sheets of paper or cut them out. As my kids would say- easy, peasy, lemon-squeezy!

Favorite fall books and activities for kids

And there you have it! 5 beautiful fall books and activities for kids. Not only will you and the kids love these beautiful books, but the accompanying activities are some that the whole family will enjoy! This should definitely keep your little ones active, inspired, and excited about reading and nature.

What’s your favorite fall book for kids?

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, Virginia and spend as much time outdoors as we possibly can! We spend most of our time exploring the beach, inlets, and nature trails nearby. We love 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

More RWMC posts from Chelsea:
FALL, HIKE, INFORMATION, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
How to Get Kids Outside During the School Year
- October 2, 2019
It’s that time of year again – our children are trading in their beach towels for backpacks and holding pencils more than sidewalk chalk. Whether you homeschool or traditional school, back-to-school generally means less free time and fewer hours to play outside. Not only that, but the days are growing shorter and the weather’s turning cooler. Getting kids outside during the school year can be a challenge. However, spending time outside in nature is still necessary for our kids’ physical health, mental focus, and emotional development. Today, the amazing Leslie Alvis, Ohio homeschooling mom of four, is here sharing a few ideas for practical ways to build outdoor routines into your school days. Hopefully, these tips will help you incorporate more nature into your busy schedule without making outdoor time feel like one more thing on your to-do list.

Make nature time a priority

Whether back to school means a traditional school program for you or homeschooling with a flexible schedule, days become extra busy as you settle into a fall routine. Many of us have kids involved in extra-curricular activities and sports. It’s easy to feel like we don’t have enough time for nature exploration during the school year. However, a busy schedule doesn’t mean the outdoor adventures have to stop! In fact, I think it should help us make nature time even more of a priority. We’re here to show you how to get kids outside during the school year.

Our kids need us to help them balance the demands of school with the freedom of childhood and the wonder of exploring outdoors. Formal education is necessary, but children also require time outside for proper growth and development. Ginny Yurich, author, educator, and founder of the 1000 Hours Outside movement, says,

Nature play facilitates growth in every area, making time outside a crucial part of the landscape of childhood.”

Time outside matters

Time spent outdoors doesn’t always have to be done in giant hour+ long chunks. Even on busy days, there are many ways to get our kids outside for short amounts of time, which still have huge benefits for kids. A quick break to explore outside helps break up the mental stress of school. While a long hike or bike ride gives them a chance to catch their breath mentally while also strengthening their bodies, sometimes a short walk/ride around the neighborhood is just what they need. Weekend adventures provide fun and memories for the whole family, but short outings to a local park are great for when you don’t have tons of time. Our family tries to include a mix of these different activities throughout the school year to keep us all enjoying the great outdoors, no matter our schedules or the weather. Time outside gives us space to breathe and the freedom to explore.

Take walks to get kids outside

Walks are one of the easiest ways to get kids outside and moving! A family walk can happen anywhere, anytime. It doesn’t have to take long or have the perfect setting. Just look around at what you do each day and see if you can link a walk into that activity. Walk to the bus stop. Stroll to get the mail. Wander to the end of the street…around the block…down a country lane.

As homeschoolers, we work a daily walk into our school routine as our recess. Sometimes we do it when the lessons are dragging long, or sometimes as soon as the school day is finished. But at some point, we grab the bikes, scooters, and stroller (and the dog! Our neighbors call us a parade!) and head outside for some fresh air and exercise. The time out in nature is good for us all. I’m pretty sure it’s all that saves my sanity on some long winter days.

When you get your kids outside to take a walk, you’re not only getting active together, but you are also exploring and observing nature together. My kids never fail to find something wonderful to point out to me on our walks. The bunny that’s always lurking near the vacant lot on the next street over. A brilliantly colored leaf or flower. A puffy cloud.

There are a world of discoveries from every sidewalk, driveway, and walking trail. Sometimes we have more time to linger and wander than others, but wherever we are outside, we see amazing and beautiful parts of the natural world. Getting kids outdoors on a walk is a great way to tailor-fit a quick nature adventure to your family’s busy schedule.

Evening adventures get kids outside

Sometimes our days get really full and busy. I try to plan at least one evening (or late afternoon as the days grow shorter) each week to intentionally get outside! Look at your schedules and find an hour somewhere in the week to go have a little outdoor adventure. Play at the park. Walk in the woods. Blow bubbles. Get some friends together to play frisbee or hide-and-seek together in the lingering twilight. Again, this doesn’t have to be elaborate. It just requires you being intentional about making time for your family to breathe in the fresh air and explore nature together. You won’t be sorry you did!

Take kids’ school outside

Another way to get kids outside after school is simply to take the lessons or homework outside! Before you discard that idea as impractical and impossible, I challenge you to give it a try. When the weather is nice, set up a school/homework station on the porch, the backyard or in the tree fort. Let your older students take their reading up in their favorite tree. Pack up the backpacks and snacks and go sit in a picnic area at a park. There are so many ways to help kids take their schoolwork outside!

Yes, you may have to keep tabs on them and make sure they aren’t totally distracted from their work. But honestly, most of the time kids will buckle down and get their book work done when they realize all the many other things they would rather be doing outside! And wouldn’t you rather have your kids distracted by the mystery of the cicadas and the falling leaves than sitting inside glancing at a computer or television?

We are a second-generation homeschooling family. I grew up hauling my textbooks outside every chance I got. I loved it. (This probably contributes to the feeling of claustrophobia when I’m stuck indoors.) It motivates me to give my own children the same opportunities to get outside in all seasons, doing all kinds of things. Even schoolwork.

Outdoor learning

Whether you homeschool or not, there are a lot of ways to extend learning outside. When you step out into nature, everything around you is a science lesson, art lesson and history lesson. Studying the beauty of nature gives inspiration to every kind of art. Observing the mysteries of the natural world naturally leads to questions and learning about plants, animals and how things have changed over time. Time spent in nature is never time wasted. So, when your days are busy with school schedules and extra-curricular activities, don’t forget that time in nature is an essential part of your children’s education, too.

Look for ways to include outdoor time as part of school! Choose a nature-based science fair project. Conduct your own STEM activities outside using nature. Help your kids study the weather, the seasons, the natural world around them. Volunteer in your child’s classroom to take them outside to work in the school garden or go for a nature walk. Incorporating education into your outdoors time is one of the best ways to make sure you are getting your kids outside after school starts.

Picnics get kids outside

Is the sun shining? Is the sky so blue it takes your breath away? What about the breeze that’s the perfect combination of crisp air and gentle warmth? Take advantage of the lovely fall weather and have a picnic! Take PB&J sandwiches on a hike. Order pizza delivery to your favorite local park. Or build a campfire in your backyard and cook hot dogs and s’mores. Kids don’t need fancy food—they need time outdoors and memories with their families. Impromptu meals outside on a gorgeous day are some of my favorite times with my kids.

Weekend adventures get kids outside

Another way to get kids outside during the school year is to plan weekend adventures! We all know that sometimes if we don’t make plans to do something, it just won’t happen. So, grab your calendar and make some plans. Pick a Saturday afternoon and go explore that state park. Find a new bike trail and spend a few hours on it. Go hiking together, or just go have a picnic at a nearby park. Find a local corn maze or fall festival and enjoy some outdoor fun. Pull your family loose from the tug of school schedules and obligations and make some memories together.

Weather

Just a quick note on the impact weather can have on your fall activities. Cooler days, shorter evenings, and more rain can make planning an outing challenging. Getting caught in a summer shower can be fun. But getting caught in the rain in October can be miserable. Especially if you aren’t dressed for it. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, so be prepared! Check the weather often and look for days that will suit your family and the activity you are planning. Take advantage of those gorgeous sunny days and enjoy nature to its fullest!

Don’t let bad weather keep you from getting your kids outside this fall. Sometimes the wind is unexpectedly biting. Sometimes it pours rain every time you plan a nature outing. Several times we’ve planned for an all-day outdoor adventure and had to do it in chilly, incessant rain. Honestly, that makes memories, too! Sometimes they’re the best memories! Just remember that your attitude sets the tone for dealing with the unexpected or inconvenient. Oftentimes, kids don’t mind wet feet and pants as much as adults do. And a cup of hot chocolate can turn a chilly experience into a delightful adventure for a kid!

Need more fall ideas?

As we mentioned, sometimes planning an outdoor activity and making it a priority is half the battle. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas of things you can do outside this fall as a family, we’ve got a great list of 100+ outdoor fall activities for kids and families. This list should give you all kinds of inspiration for easy and quick nature crafts to outdoor adventures, STEM experiments and more.

How do you get your kids outside during the school year?

Hi, I’m Leslie Alvis! I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, wife to my high school sweetheart and best friend, and a mom to four rascally kids. They love the great 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. 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 also 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.

Find Leslie on Instagram @c_l_allofus
CAMP, FAVORITE GEAR, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
20 Must Have Items for RV Camping
- September 26, 2019
Getting started RV camping with your family can be quite an overwhelming task. While it may sound easy enough to pack up food, your clothes and some camping gear, there are so many items you need for RV camping that aren’t obvious. Today, we have full-time RVing mom of three, Kathleen here sharing her family’s 20 must-have items for RV camping. After spending months on the road with her family, Kathleen’s RV packing list includes all those essential RV items you never knew you needed to stay safe, organized and have fun!

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Learning our lesson

When we rented our very first RV, we were completely clueless as to what we would need. We thought we’d fill our suitcases with clothes and the pantry with food and we’d be good to go! Boy, were we wrong! We forgot so many important items. We brought stuff we didn’t need that took up space and caused clutter. And we ended up wasting a lot of time and money going out and purchasing all the things we forgot to pack or figured out we needed along the way.

Must-have items for RV camping

We’ve been a full-time RV family for a few months now. When we look back at those first misadventures in RV packing, it seems obvious where we went wrong. There are so many factors that go into RV life that I didn’t know about until I experience them! So, to make life easier on you, take some advice from someone who’s been through this and learned our lessons. Here is my list of our top 20 must-have items for RV camping with kids.

Spoiler alert: Not every item is fun, but these items are necessary to get set up and start making memories with your family!

Must-have RV camping basics

The most important things are water, power, and sewer when it comes to camping. Not at all glamorous, but extremely necessary! Here are a few basic essentials that you’ll most definitely need for cooking, cleaning and living comfortably in your RV.

1. Freshwater hose

A water hose for freshwater is a necessity. Make sure it is drinking water approved/safe. We also have a second hose strictly for cleaning out our black tank. We never swap them out or use them for the other’s purpose. We also store each of them in separate storage containers.

2. Water filter & regulator

When you are camping, you never know what the quality of the water will be. That is which is why a water filter is super important. We still purchase gallons of water for drinking, but we use our filtered water for cooking, showering, etc. It’s also a good idea to have a water pressure regulator so you don’t destroy your plumbing. In fact, in some RV parks and campgrounds, it’s mandatory!

3. Surge protector

Depending on the amperage of your RV, you will either need a 30 amp or 50 amp surge protector. Always, always, always check this when plugging into shore power. The surge protector will let you know if the wiring is okay, or if something isn’t right it will protect your RV from harmful power surges!

4. Sewer hose kit

Yes, this one is just what it sounds like – a hose kit for cleaning out your sewer. Okay, I get it! You’re probably now thinking, “We’re supposed to be making memories, not dealing with all this boring maintenance!” But trust me, basic RV maintenance and protection is a necessary evil. If you’re going to live in your RV, you need to protect it and keep it well-maintained. After getting this sewer hose kit, make sure you also stock up on some holding tank treatment.

5. Generator

If you know ahead of time that you will ALWAYS be camping with full hookups, a generator might not be necessary for you. However, when boondocking or dry camping in warm weather you must have a way to power your air conditioner, keep the fridge running and charge your battery. Inverter generators are preferred in the RV community because they are much quieter and lighter!

Pro tip: We blew through 2 different generators (causing many stressful days) because they weren’t strong enough to power our A/C. Make sure you determine how many watts your RV needs to run your A/C and other necessary electrical appliances.

6. Solar charger

This solar-powered charger is our favorite! It won’t power the air conditioner in the RV, but it charges our batteries and is much easier to set up than a generator. All we do is set the panels out and plug it into our RV solar connection! This is perfect for keeping your batteries charged, and also for boondocking or dry camping in places where you don’t need A/C.

Essentials for setting up your RV

The next few items are necessary for getting your RV set up and level at your campsite. Again, these items might not be the most interesting or novel, but they’re each essential for making sure your RV camping experience is fun, easy and memorable (for all the right reasons). Here are a few more must-have items that will help make RV camping better and easier.

7. Leveling blocks

Sometimes you arrive at a campsite and it’s not level. It’s the worst! If you’re not prepared, you can waste a ton of time trying to get level and frustrate yourself to no end. Save your sanity and use these nifty little leveling blocks to help with leveling your RV. In addition, they can also be put them under the tongue and stabilizer jacks. Plus, your kids will think they are giant Legos!

8. X-Chock wheel stabilizers

No one wants their RV to accidentally roll or take a trip on its own! Sometimes your RV has a mind of its own! Give yourself some peace of mind that that won’t happen with these awesome x-chock wheel stabilizers. These little guys go in-between the wheels of your RV, on each side, to keep your RV safe and sound in one place.

Best RV tools & equipment

It goes without saying that there are lots of tools that come in handy when you’re RV camping. Basic tools like screwdrivers, hammer, wrench set and pliers are obvious. Here are a few not-so-obvious extra tools we have found to be extremely helpful when RV camping.

9. Robertson square-tip screwdriver

Who knew these square tip screwdrivers even existed? Before owning an RV I definitely didn’t. The interior of most RVs is assembled using square tip screws. If you want to be able to unscrew anything in your RV for any reason at all, you will need one of these!

10. Air compressor

You could say that tires are a pretty darn important part of your RV. Unless your RV is parked and never moving, you’re going to want a way to keep your tires well-maintanced and full of air. This portable air compressor will give you peace of mind while on the road and allow you to inflate your tires on the go. We like this one since we can use it on the RV, as well as our truck tires.

11. Tire pressure gauge

Yep, this tire pressure gauge does exactly what it sounds like! It makes sure your tires are all set at the correct pressure. Don’t underestimate how important it is to maintain proper tire pressure, particularly when you’re hauling such precious cargo. It’ll save wear on your tires and get you better gas mileage. Both of those things will save you money in the long run and is definitely worth it. We use this every time we get ready for a travel day.

12. Torque wrench

Each time before heading out with your RV you should check your tires not only for correct pressure, but also check that the lug nuts are secured properly. Both items are crucial in ensuring your tires are safe on the road. A torque wrench is the best and easiest way to make sure everything is tight and secure.

13. External battery charger

We love finding ways to harness our planet’s natural energy and this battery charger works great. It’s solar-powered and includes 3 USB ports for charging all your devices. We set it outside the RV while we’re out and about, exploring, eating, and playing. It also has a built-in LED light that we can use in and out of the RV when it’s dark.

Thank me later items for you RV

Alright, we’re now to the fun part! These are the items I’ve learned from experience that we could not live without while RV camping. Most of these are items I would not have thought of before spending a significant amount of time on the road in the RV with our kids. These are the fun items that make life easier, your RV better and your memories amazing!

14. Bug spray

If you’re going to be spending any time outside while you’re camping (and of course you will be), you’re going to need bug spray. This bug repellent is the BEST bug spray ever. It’s organic, hypoallergenic and DEET-free. It keeps the bugs away, is safe for the whole family and doesn’t stink!

15. Mattress topper

If you’ve spent any time at all in an RV, you know that they’re not known for not having the most comfortable beds. However, there is a quick fix! We purchased this mattress topper and it helps so much! We are also considering putting one on the bunks for the kids. It is super easy to trim to whatever size you need. We may eventually buy a new mattress, but this works for right now!

16. Instant Pot

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you’ve heard the hype about the Instant Pot. Everyone loves the Instant Pot and it’s easy to see why – it does everything! It’s a slow cooker, a pressure-cooker, a steamer, a rice-maker, a yogurt-maker and more! I love cooking in the RV with our Instant Pot because it’s super fast and makes large amounts of food to save for later! Plus, it doesn’t take up a lot of space, doesn’t fill your RV with heat and is easy to clean up. What’s not to love?

17. Scratch-off map

While maybe not technically a must-have item for RV camping, having a large scratch-off map in your RV adds so much fun to your trips. We love documenting where we have been with this giant fun map! We scratch off each state as we travel and it is a perfect memory of our travels. The kids love pointing out where we are (and where we’re going next) and scratching off states as we pass through. And I love that they’re learning geography as we travel!

18. Hanging organizers

Space in an RV is limited! There’s never enough room for everything you want and it’s easy to lose things if they get boxed up and put ouf of sight. We love having these over-the-door hanging clear organizers for storing things. These have been lifesavers for us! We hang one over the pantry door (to hold food, spices, etc.) and one over the bathroom door for all our toiletries and bathroom items. They keep things from moving/sliding around and give us easy access to the things we use most.

19. Command Strips

Command Strips are everything when it comes to hanging things in an RV! These little guys are so incredibly useful and versatile. We use them to hang our picture frames, all decorative items, and more. We also use the hooks to hang our keys. They hold strong and remove easily with no residue, mess or holes left behind.

20. Collapsible dish drainer

Our final must-have item for RV camping is a good one! Are you ready for this…a collapsible dish drainer! (Yeah, ok, not as exciting as you may have thought). However, counter space in an RV is precious territory. You never have enough! This dish drainer is perfect for saving space while doing dishes (because those never end). Plus, it folds up small for easy storage (because storage space is precious, too).

And there you have it, friends! Our most used and beloved items that make our life easier while traveling full-time in our RV. Of course, there are many more items we love and use all the time, but these are 20 must-have items you need to get you started with your RV adventures. I hope this helped and that you feel even more prepared for your next family road trip!

And if you’re looking to spend more time on the road in your RV, be sure to check out Kathleen’s post: Tips & Advice for RV Camping with Kids.

What are your must-have items for RV camping?

I’m Kathleen, wife to my high school sweetheart and mama to 3 energetic littles. I’m a photographer in love with telling compelling stories of life’s beautiful chaos and photographing families authentically. I am slightly obsessed with window light, Saturday morning snuggles, and documenting our adventures. We recently took the biggest leap of faith of our lives and are currently traveling full-time around the United States in our RV!

Kathleen can be found in the following online locations:
Website: http://www.faithboundtravel.com
Instagram: @faithboundtravel
YouTube channel: Faith Bound Travel
CRAFTS, FALL, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Nature Craft: DIY Moth Wings Tutorial
- September 23, 2019
Are you ready for the most gorgeous fall nature craft project? I’m so excited to share today’s post from our uber-talented Creative Team member Tiffany Griffin. Tiffany is here with an incredible DIY moth wings tutorial for kids. This project is simpler than you might expect and guaranteed to make any little kid’s imagination go wild! These gorgeous wings are the perfect addition to any outdoor adventure. They can be made from materials you probably already have in your craft closet and yard. While the subtle moth wings are a perfect project for fall, this DIY nature wing tutorial can also be changed and adapted for any season based on what’s available in your location.

* This project was inspired by the beautiful flower butterfly wings created by the amazing Johanna Bless of @blessnestlearning. Her full tutorial can be found at woodlarkblog.com.

Give your child wings

There’s something absolutely magical about creating something together with your child that helps foster and inspire their love for nature. If you’re anything like me, you probably love craft projects that get your kids outside and also give them the freedom to be masters of their own creation. It’s hard letting go of control of craft projects, especially when we have a pre-set idea of how the project should turn out.

However, oftentimes I’ve found that the more freedom and flexibility I give my children to create on their own, the more I’m dazzled by their imagination and impressed with their skills of observation. This project started off as an attempt to make butterfly wings, but took a turn in a different direction, inspired by a moth we found and studied one day. As you work through this project with your kids, I encourage you to give them the reigns and let them design wings of their own choosing.

Materials

For this tutorial, anything not found in nature can probably be found lying around your backyard and craft closet. If not – a local craft store should carry everything you need! Some materials are optional for an added touch of make-believe magic. Here are the items you will need for your DIY moth wings:
- gathered leaves/foilage
- dried flowers
- 2 large feathers
- scissors
- ribbon/cord/string/elastic for wings
- 1 roll of clear contact paper
- piece of foam/driftwood/bark/cardboard (something to secure the wings to – can use anything but try to make it lightweight)
- hot glue gun
- faux fur/felt/moss
- headband
- pen/permanent marker
- packing tape
DIY moth wings instructions

As I mentioned, these wings are easier to make than I expected. And they turned out to be so incredibly beautiful! My daughter absolutely loves them and is so proud to tell everyone she sees that she helped make them. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on just how we created these beautiful DIY moth wings for kids.

1. Get outside and gather

The first thing to do is get outside and gather your materials! We chose to use leaves in various colors (red, yellow, green and brown. Feel free to incorporate whatever you can find in your area, based on the time of year. Fall leaves work great for creating a moth-like wing, but feel free to incorporate bright colored wildflowers for a summer butterfly. We found that the best leaves were ones that were freshly dropped. They stuck to the contact paper best. Dried out crunchy leaves left no room for error if you have to readjust them on your contact paper! Gather quite a few leaves of various shapes, sizes and colors. Remember you need enough to cover two wings!

2. Contact paper setup & drawing

Unroll your contact paper (clear side up). Measure your child to determine how long to make the wings. I recommend sizing from your child’s neck to their knees. Once your desired length is achieved for your child, secure the paper with tape to the table. This will keep the contact paper from moving. Use a pen (or permanent marker) to draw out the shape of one wing starting from the left or right side of your contact paper. I recommend using a ballpoint pen so if you need to re-do your wing – you do not have to start over! The pen rubs right off! Once you’re satisfied with the shape of the wing, cut the shape out using the scissors.

3. Trace & repeat

Lay your cut wing on your contact paper facing the opposite direction (mirror) and trace your second wing. Cut out the wing shape with scissors.

4. Peel & secure

Remove the taped corners of the contact paper of both wings from the table and flip them over so that the wax side is up. Carefully, pull back the backing (waxy side) of the contact paper from both wings. Don’t throw away the backing yet! You’ll use that in a minute (see Step 6 below). Secure the corners of the wings to the table with tape. Now, your contact paper should be sticky side up and ready for adding leaves and flowers!

5. Add embellishments

Now is the fun part! Place your leaves and flowers on the contact paper inside the wing outline. Make sure to press them down as flat as possible! Have your kids choose patterns that mimic those they find on real butterflies and moths, or let them make-up their own. You can encourage kids to create mirror image wings or two totally separately decorated (and complimentary!) wings. Whatever you choose to do, allow their creativity to shine.

6. Trace the backing

Use the backing of the previously cut-out wings to trace another set of wings on the Contact paper. These wings will serve as the top layer to the wings with the embellishments on them. Cut them out and remove backing. Very carefully, place the wing directly on top of your newly decorated wing sealing in your leaves/flowers. Do this with both sides!

7. Prep your foam

If you’re using a foam piece for the center of the wings, consider covering it with some faux fur or moss or something natural-looking. We used a hot glue gun to secure a piece of faux fur to our foam to give it a natural look, like a moth. If you don’t have foam, you could also use a piece of driftwood or bark, a bundle of sticks or a piece of cardboard or wood.

8. Prep the wings

Using your hot glue gun, run a long line of hot glue down the center seam of each wing and secure to the centerpiece (of foam, wood or what-have-you). Glue each of the wings to the foam and hold securely in place until they cool. Allow them to dry. Next, cut out four 20 inch pieces of string/ribbon/elastic. Flip the (foam) base over and use your glue gun to secure 3-4 inches of string on to the back of the foam on each corner allowing the extra lenth to lay vertical while it dries. This will create two loops for your child’s arms.

9. Make the antennae

If you want to go above and beyond, you can create some really cool head antennae to go along with your wings. All you need to do is use the hot glue gun to glue two large feathers onto a headband to create awesome moth antennas! This gives your get-up a little something extra!

10. Take your wings for a test flight!

The last thing to do is tie your DIY moth wings on and watch your little one FLY! Seeing your child love and enjoy their hard work is by far the best part of any craft. Hopefully, this fun project will inspire lots of wonderful conversation and curiosity about our winged friends. Encourage your child to take flight, like the moth. Have them mimic butterfly behaviors and find their favorite foods. Allow their creativity to shine and nurture their love for nature along the way.

About the author

Tiffany is a homeschooling mama of three earthside children and one baby girl that travels among the stars. She is a vintage obsessed, wicker collecting, tree-loving photographer, creator, painter, writer and loves to document her children’s childhood and is passionate about sharing her take on motherhood, raising children outside of the “norm” and in nature.

You can find more from Tiffany online in the following locations:
@wild.things.grow
CANOE/KAYAK, FAVORITE GEAR, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WATER
Beginner Tips for Canoeing With Kids
- September 19, 2019
Canoeing with kids is a great way to spend time outside, exploring and exercising. If going on a canoe trip with kids sounds fun, but intimidating or overwhelming, we’re here to show you just how much fun (and easy) it can be. Today, we have outdoor adventurer and mom of two, Brianna from Adventure Families, here sharing the best beginner tips for canoeing with kids. With her practical advice and packing tips, you’ll be expertly paddling your way across the water before you know it!

Adventures in canoeing

As we pushed off the shore for our first family canoe trip of the summer, I held my breath. Our one-year-old daughter had protested loudly when I strapped on her life jacket, making me think we might be in for a miserable afternoon. While our son, Talon, had dozens of canoe trips under his size 4T belt, Lyra hadn’t yet been afloat as a busy toddler. We were not quite sure what we were getting into.

Luckily, Lyra’s screams turned into delighted coos as our boat skimmed across the green water. She bounced between my legs, pointing at the birds and trees. From his perch in the center, Talon picked up his small paddle, proud to help propel us across the lake.

Got water? Just add kids

My husband and I are water people. We’ve sailed across the Pacific Ocean, snorkeled around the Caribbean, paddled through the Everglades, and rafted down plenty of wild rivers. Once we had kids, we began integrating them into our adventures from the get-go.

Canoes have been the perfect way for us to introduce our children to the water.

Two years ago we bought a used 15-foot Coleman to explore lakes and rivers near our home in Montana. We’ve since added a small outboard motor and a sail, too. Sometimes we go out for an hour, and sometimes we pile in the camping gear and head out for a week.

Reasons to canoe with kids

There are so many amazing benefits of canoeing for kids and families. From spending time outdoors together to learning a skill, canoeing with your children is a great way to get active on the water at any age. Canoeing is something my family has enjoyed through many phases/seasons with (hopefully) many more years of canoeing in our future. Here are my top reasons why I’d recommend canoeing for your family, too.

Low-risk and low-investment

Canoeing is a low-risk and low-investment sport to try out. You can buy a good used canoe for ~$300, or rent one for ~$50/day to try it out first to see if it’s something your kids and family would like. Canoes come in a wide range of sizes and styles, ranging from sleek wooden boats (which tend to be very expensive) to wide plastic boats and even inflatable versions. (Hint: these are the cheapest options and easiest to transport, but they don’t last as hard-shell canoes and require more time to inflate/deflate.) Some canoes are specifically-designed for speed or to handle whitewater, but all canoes will work on any calm water bodies you want to float.

Tough and transportable

Canoes can be stored in or outside, and are virtually maintenance-free! They’re also easy to transport, which means you can take them nearly anywhere. Most canoes only weigh 50-80 pounds, which is totally manageable for 1-2 adult(s). They can be placed upside-down on top of your car, no trailer needed.

Pro tip: Use foam pool noodles to protect your vehicle’s roof/paint if you don’t have a roof rack.

Aluminum and plastic boats are particularly good for kids and families. They are tough, washable, and more stable. When choosing a good canoe for kids, look for boats with flatter bottoms, which feel less “tippy.” As you might expect, it’s possible to tip over in a canoe, especially with squirmy kids around. Test the stability near the shore, wiggling hips and moving around in the boat to see how much side-to-side leeway you have before it feels uncomfortable.

Pro tip: You can purchase stabilizer pontoon floats for your canoe, which make it super safe and allow you to walk around the boat or stand up to cast for fish.

Beginner tips for canoeing with kids

It doesn’t take long to learn how to paddle a canoe, even for young kids. You can watch videos online to see the basic steering strokes and rowing positions. Or if you’re a hands-on learner, play around in a small pond to figure it out on your own.

Ready to try canoeing out this fall? Here are some helpful tips for beginners when canoeing with kids:

1. Get excited!

Your happiness (or crankiness) is contagious to your children. Kids love seeing their parents get excited about things, particularly things that involve spending time with them. If you’re thrilled to be on the water, your kids will be, too. Spark excitement for this adventure in them by talking about your canoeing trips, the things you’ll do/see, the reasons why you love it and how much fun canoeing will be for them. Let them help plan the trip and help pack the canoe so the whole family is invested in the outing.

2. Offer clear safety rules and rewards

Before you launch, set a few clear safety rules: (1) don’t stand up without asking, (2) no leaning or jumping over the side, (3) keep life jackets on at all times, (4) no whining (ha! good luck with that one). Spending time together outside in a canoe is a reward in and of itself, but if your little ones need a bit of extra incentive to follow the safety rules, try offering a reward at the end of the day, such as a sweet treat or a movie.

3. Designate a special spot for everyone

Having a plan is half the battle. Before you get started, decide which adult will be in the stern (back seat) steering. This person will have less leeway to help manage the kids. The adult in the bow (front seat) can help paddle forward when needed, but can also take breaks easily. If you have a toddler, stand them between the adult’s legs in the bow where they can be the lookout and move around a little. Babies can be worn in a soft carrier. Older kids can sit on the center crossbars or a middle seat (if the canoe has one) to help paddle. Or kids can hunker down to play in the bottom of the boat. Letting the kids know exactly where they’ll be and what their “job” is, helps manage expectations.

4. Take your time

Like most outings with children in tow, the trip will probably take longer than you think. While you and your partner might want to race across the lake, the kids will enjoy it more if you take plenty of breaks. In fact, much of the joy in canoeing is playing on shore! Stop often at interesting spots to swim, have lunch, and explore islands or beaches you couldn’t get to without a boat. And don’t expect (or force!) the kids to add much (any) horsepower. Paddling is simply a fun diversion for them.

5. Just remember, it gets easier

As with any new activity with kids, canoeing as a family might be tough at first until everyone learns the ropes. This is doubly true if your kids are very young. But don’t give up! Remember that even if canoeing isn’t quite as fun as you’d hoped the first couple of times out, you’re building skills that will last you and your kids a lifetime. You’re creating wonderful bonding opportunities for years to come. And trust me, eventually, it will get easier!

Canoeing trip packing list

I’ve also put together a list of necessary, helpful and optional items that you may want to include in your bag on your first/next canoeing trip with kids. All of the items below should be placed in a waterproof bag since the bottom of the canoe usually gets wet from everyone’s shoes and dripping paddles. If you don’t have a dry bag, wrap your backpack or tote in a sturdy trash bag. Buckets also make for great storage in a canoe.

Life jackets

Everyone in the canoe needs to wear a life jacket. Even if the grown-ups are stellar swimmers. You’re the role models for your kids and safety starts and stops with you. Have kids practice wearing theirs before you get in the boat, so they get used to them.

Pro tip: If you can’t find a comfortable jacket for your kiddo, try U.S. Coast Guard-approved water wings that are less bulky.

Clothing

Certain clothing will help out on your canoe trip with kids. Here’s a shortlist of must-pack clothing items.
- Sandals with straps or waterproof rain boots.
- Sun hats and sun-protective clothing.
- Rain gear, which can double as windbreakers.
- Extra outfit for little kids who will likely get wet and muddy playing.
Food and drinks

Like all outings with kiddos, make sure you pack lots of easy-to-grab snacks to keep them occupied, fueled, and happy. We like to bring “special” drinks for the kids to make sure they stay hydrated in the sun: lemonade powder in their water bottles is a favorite.

Gear
- Toilet paper if you’re not near public restrooms
- Umbrella or pop-up tent for shade in the boat or on shore—perfect for passing rainstorms, too!
- Seat pads or stadium-style folding seats
- Rope to attach to the bow to help pull the boat on shore
- Maps of the area you’re paddling
- Tarp or blanket for picnics or for “beds” for kids in the bottom of the canoe
- Extra paddle(s) for the kids: emergency paddles that are adjustable and light-weight work well
Fun stuff
- Binoculars (monoculars work best for you young kids—we love ours!)
- Field guides
- Fishing rod
- Frisbee
- Bubbles
- Chalk (to draw on rocks or the inside of the boat—it washes right off!)
- Bucket (have the kids fill it with rocks/sticks/leaves on shore, then throw them overboard one at a time while you paddle)
Have you ever gone canoeing with kids?
What tips would you recommend for beginners?

About the author

Brianna Randall of Adventure Families is a mother of two, writer, dancer, traveler, and nature-addict. She owns a small communications business, and her articles have appeared in The Washington Post, BBC, Outside, Backpacker, Mamalode, Scary Mommy, Working Mother, and High Country News. Her husband Rob is a photographer, adept outdoorsman, and all-around Mr. Fix-It. He works for Trout Unlimited conserving rivers and streams. They’ve made a pact to keep adventuring as a family, with the kiddos in tow.

You can find Brianna in the following online locations:
Website: adventurefamilies.org
Instagram: @exploreoutsidewithkids
Facebook: @adventurefamilies.org