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  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, CRAFTS, GOOD FOR NATURE, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, URBAN NATURE

    How to Build a Bat House with Kids

    October is the perfect time of year to think about bats! If your kids are curious about bats and would love to learn more about these fascinating (and really beneficial) creatures, this post is for you! Today, Lissy Perna, Massachusetts mom of two and founder of Get Outside Cape Cod, is here to discuss all things BAT! Lissy walks us through the benefits and importance of bats and provides step-by-step instructions on how to build a bat house with kids. This hands-on DIY is easier to do than you might think! She also includes additional bat resources, bat book recommendations for kids, and some really interesting bat facts. 

    How to build a bat house with kids

    Have you ever thought about building a bat house with your kids, but you weren’t sure if it would be too much work? Well, I want you to know that you can totally do it! Building a bat house is an easy project that can be done in an afternoon. The shallow design of a bat box is perfect for bats because they like cramped, dark spaces for nesting. Get your kids involved in the planning and the work. Kids can help with picking the location, measuring the wood, cutting the pieces, driving nails, and decorating the bat house. Follow these steps while including your kids, and you’ll not only have built a bat house but will have formed a lasting memory together too!

    Benefits of bats

    Bats get a bad rap, as they are often associated with Halloween, vampires, and even the most recent pandemic. But, bats are crucial to their ecosystems and are generally not harmful or dangerous to humans. Here are some of the many valuable aspects of bats that you might not have been aware of.

    Bats that consume insects provide a critical amount of pest control – $3.7 billion worth in the United States alone each year. And, in a bittersweet way, these bats become sustenance for larger predators such as hawks, raccoons, and snakes. (Did anyone else start to sing “The Circle of Life” from the Lion King?)

    When you think of pollinators, bats probably aren’t the first creature that comes to mind. Bees, butterflies, or birds might top your list. But, some bats, like the Mexican long-tongued bat, are perfectly adapted to pollinate the agave plant in the Southwestern US. Sweet!

    Bat guano is rich in nutrients. Did you know that bat excrement (or bat droppings), also known as guano, is high in nitrogen and can be used as organic fertilizer? It’s more effective than cow manure, so moo-ve over heifers, we have a new way to fertilize our gardens.

    Flying bat in the evening skyPhoto credit: Stephen Ghio            

    What do bats eat?

    Bats eat various things, like fruit, nectar, pollen, and insects. Some even drink blood! However, out of 1400 species of bats, only 3 are vampire bats species that survive by consuming blood.

    Did you know that bats are the prime pollinator for the agave plant, an ingredient in tequila? So the next time you’re drinking a margarita, make a toast to a bat!

    The bat populations in our area in Massachusetts are all insectivores, meaning they only feed on insects. In just one hour, a single little brown bat can eat up to 1,000 insects. A nursing mother bat can eat up to 4,000 insects in one night; isn’t that wild?

    More amazing bat facts for kids

    Let’s face it, bats are pretty interesting creatures. Here are ten more facts about our winged friends that I thought were unusual that might interest your kids:

    • Bats are the only mammal that can truly fly.
    • The oldest living bat on record was found in Siberia; it lived to be 41 years old!
    • Bats have lived on earth for over 50 million years, and the oldest fossil was found in Wyoming near Yellowstone National Park.
    • The saying “blind as a bat” doesn’t hold much weight, as bats can actually see. Some bats that eat fruit rely almost entirely on their vision to find their food.
    • The largest known colony of bats is in Texas at the Bracken Bat Cave. There are more than 20 million bats living together!
    • Bats are a symbol of happiness in Japan.
    • Bat excrement or guano was used to make gun powder during the Civil War.
    • There is species of bat in West Africa that live in spider webs!
    • Bats’ echolocation is so precise that it can detect an object as thin as human hair.
    • The smallest known bat is Kitti’s Hog-nose bat also known as the Bumblebee Bat because it only weighs 2 grams.

    Now that you’ve learned so much about these truly magnificent mammals and the critical role they play in our ecosystem, are you ready to build your bat house? Great! Just hang in there because I have all the information you need up next.

    Flying batPhoto credit: Adam Olliver

    Bat house design

    Typically, bat house design is pretty straightforward. Bat houses are usually in the shape of a narrow flat box, with an opening at the bottom for the bats to fly in and out of. The goal for bat house design is to make a bat house that mimics the space between tree bark and a tree trunk. The space inside a bat house should be very narrow, unlike a birdhouse, which would house a round nest. Bats like tight spaces. They also like warm spaces when raising their young. The open bottom designs allow the bats easy entrance/exit. 

    Gathering materials to build your bat house

    First, you will need to gather all materials to build the bat house with your kids.

    Tools needed:

    • Hammer
    • (24) 2-inch nails, aka “6-penny nails”, or galvanized screws
    • Circular saw
    • Compound miter saw
    • Power drill
    • Tape measure
    • Pencil for marking measurements and straight edge
    • Safety goggles
    • (2) 3″ exterior screws for mounting
    • Paint and paintbrush (optional)
    • Plastic mesh netting and staple gun (optional)
    • Wood boards (preferably cedar boards)

    Pieces of wood cut into the following sizes:

    You’ll need to cut 6 separate pieces of wood to assemble the house. Measuring the boards is a great project for kids. I’ve included the dimensions for a basic bat house below, but you can certainly make a bigger bat house if you’d like; adjust the sizes accordingly. 

    • Front panel – 18.25″x12″x1″
    • Sides (2) – 22″x4″x.1″, make 30-degree cuts on one end of each
    • Back panel – 25″x 12″x1″
    • Roof – 16.5″x7″x1″, you can make a 30-degree angle on the roof if you choose to, not necessary
    • Predator Buffer – 12″x 1.5″x 1″

    Also, cedar is generally recommended but tends to be expensive. We chose to build with rough-sawn native white pine from a local mill, as it was less costly and has worked fine in bat boxes that we have made in the past. Whichever wood you decide to use, remember that it must not be treated with any chemicals, as they can be harmful to the bats. Purchasing an 8-foot by 1-foot plank of wood from a lumberyard should give you enough material to build your entire bat house.

    Drill, saw, hammer, nails, staple gunWood pieces needed to build bat house

    How to assemble a bat house

    Create kerfs in the wood

    The first step in assembling your bat house is to make sure that the interior sections of the house are not planed or smooth. As you can see on our back piece, we created multiple horizontal lines with the saw. These “kerfs” were a quarter-inch deep and made with the compound miter saw. (This step would most likely be a job for an older child, but using power tools can be an empowering skill to learn!)

    These kerfs make it easier for the bats to hang when sleeping upside down in the house. Another option is to use plastic netting and staple it onto the interior of the bat house. Carefully trim any excess edges to avoid injuring the bats while inside the house. Bat houses should not contain fabric or plastic mesh. 

    Keep the predators out

    Next, nail the predator buffer to the bottom of the inside of the front piece. This piece of wood is vital to prevent predators from climbing inside the bat house and create a safe home for the bats. However, the small opening is still big enough for the bats to squeeze through. The gap at the bottom should be three-quarters to one inch.

    Nailing this piece of wood is a great way for the kids to get involved in building the bat house. You can help stabilize the pieces using wood glue, but that’s not necessary. Kids can use a hammer to pound in a few nails, and it’s great for hand-eye coordination! Pro-tip: Holding the hammer farther down on the grip, away from the head, will give you more force and more “BANG” for your buck.

    Hammering on predator buffer

    Add the sides to the bat house

    Next, use the power drill to start the holes in the sides of the house. We made three evenly spaced pilot holes along the edge. Pre-drilled holes made it easier for the kids to bang in the nails. These side pieces then get nailed to the back of the bat house.Drilling holes in side piece of bat houseNailing in side piece of bat house

    Add the front and landing areas

    The next steps are to slide the front piece into place and add the landing area. A little gap along the upper edge is a good thing – it’s necessary for ventilation. Use three more nails on each side. The overhang on the bottom is called the “landing area” this is where the bats land and climb up inside the house. A four-inch landing zone is sufficient for the bats to perch and climb comfortably.

    Attach roof and mount

    The last piece to attach is the roof. We used four nails after pre-drilling holes.

    Finally, drill a hole in the bottom center of the back piece & the top center of the roof for the exterior screws to mount to the side of a building or the side of a house. 

    Done building the bat house!

    And with that last step, you just built your very own bat house with your kids! Pat yourself on the bat- I mean, back. Great work!

    Decorating your bat house

    While it’s not necessary to paint your bat house, paint color can affect the inside temperature, which in turn can either attract or repel bats. You should either paint your bat house a light color or dark color depending on the temperature where you live. Here is a trusty map I found from Bat Conservation and Management that will guide you to what color you should paint your bat house based on your location if you decide to paint. Colder climates need darker colors to absorb warmth. 

    When painting your bat house, the most important rule is to choose non-toxic water or oil-based paint that will withstand natural elements such as snow and rain. You can use a drop cloth or old sheet to protect any surfaces from paint splatter. Remember to let the paint dry fully before hanging your house! 

    We decided not to paint our bat house and hung it up as-is. However, we did make another one and added a bat stencil to the front. The little brown bat stencil was initially drawn by my younger brother about twenty-five years ago when he first made a bat house with my dad. Can you believe my dad still had the stencil in his barn? This project ended up being incredibly special because my kids got to make this house with my dad and me, and he passed some of his carpentry skills on to them!

    Finished bat house with bat stencil

    bat stencil

    Where to hang a bat house

    Choosing a place to attach your bat house is very important and depends on whether bats will decide to move into your newly constructed dwelling. There are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing the best location and mounting your bat house.

    • The bat house should face south or south-east and get 6-8 hours of sun per day.
    • Mounting the house at least 12 to 20 feet from the ground is ideal.
    • The bat house should be away from bright lights.
    • Trees are not the best option for mounting a bat house because they are usually too shaded and predators can more easily access the house.
    • A fresh water source should be within a quarter-mile from where you place your bat house.
    • Multiple bat houses can be grouped side-by-side on a home or building or back-to-back on a pole mount.

    These seem like many requirements, but they are just general guidelines for the most successful bat houses. The goal is to do your best. If you only have a tree to mount it on, then try that. Or, if you don’t have a water source nearby, it’s still worth it to build a bat house!

    Attracting bats to your bat house

    Another thing to mention is building and hanging a homemade bat house does not guarantee that bats will decide to move in. Many factors are beyond your control that will determine whether or not you have a successful bat house. Some factors include predators nearby, other established roosts in the area, temperature and location of your bat house, etc. Ninety percent of bat houses become occupied by local bats within two years of installation, so practice patience. Hopefully, you will see some bat action sooner rather than later.

    Hanging the bat house

    “When day fades away, bats come out to play”

    Best times to look for bats

    If you want to look for bats in your backyard or a local park, choose a clear dry evening. Bats mainly come out at about dusk to feed, so find out when the sun sets and head out around that time. Where we live in New England, Spring, Summer, and early Fall are the best seasons to look for these flying mammals, as they hibernate during the colder months.

    When we set out to look for bats in our yard, we lay blankets on the lawn and ensured all outdoor lights were off. Then, staring up into the sky as the sunlight slowly fades away, we keep our eyes peeled for any movement above the trees. There’s certainly no shortage of mosquitos, so we hope the bats will soon follow. 

    SWOOP! We saw our first bat! It was a flash of jagged flight, looking almost uncoordinated, but we knew better. These winged mammals are precise hunters and we had front-row seats.

    My kids are always so excited to count bats. They love pointing at the sky and yelling out – “There’s one!” “I see another!” “Did you see those big brown bats, Mommy?!” It’s awesome. I try to capture photos of these insectivores, but they are too fast. As a result, only blurs of black in the early night sky showed up on my screen. The memory of this experience, however, is clear as a bell.

    Looking for bats at dusk in the back yard

    Become a bat-tivist (bat-activist)

    Now that you’ve built a sturdy bat house to help support the bats in your neighborhood, there are other ways that you can help protect and support bat populations.

    • Keep those dead trees up on your property! If they aren’t going to be a safety hazard, let them stay. Their natural cavities create the perfect habitat for bats, as well as many other creatures.
    • Refrain from using dangerous pesticides, as these can unintentionally harm bats and other animals. There are all kinds of natural alternatives that are safer for the animals and our planet, too.
    • Keep domesticated cats indoors, as they are dangerous to bats. House cats kill over 250,000 bats each year. Also, bat rehabilitators report that about one-third of injured bats are due to house cat attacks.
    • Share your knowledge! Tell your friends that you know how to build a bat house and how beneficial these winged animals are.

    Learning about bats

    Effortless options for a bat house build

    Here are some alternatives for certified bat house kits for kids. They come with pre-measured and cut wood pieces that are easy to assemble, creating safe and attractive homes for bats without needing to use power tools. 

    Reading about bats

    Bat book recommendations for kids

    If you’d like to read more about these marvelous flying mammals that will hopefully soon be living in your bat house, here are some beautiful books that you can find at your local library or book store. Who knows, maybe you’ll have a bat-tivist on your hands in the future!

    Learn more about bats

    If you (or your kids) are super interested in learning more about bats, check out Bat Conservation International. Their website is filled with amazing bat-tastic information including the latest bat news, bat facts, bat conservation efforts, and how you can help the cause. They also have free plans for building a bat house. 

    Are you ready to build a bat house with your kids?

    Lissy Perna

    About the author

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

    You can find more from Lissy in the following online locations:
    Instagram: @getoutsidecapecod
    Website: Get Outside Cape Cod
    Facebook: @getoutsidecapecod
    RWMC Posts: Lissy Perna

  • CRAFTS, GARDENING, GIFT GUIDE, GOOD FOR NATURE, HOLIDAYS

    DIY Eco-friendly Plantable Seed Paper Valentines

    February is the month of love! We not only want to encourage you to spread love to friends and family, but to make sure you’re also loving on your planet. As Valentine’s Day approaches, parents are faced with trying to figure out what to send to class with the kids. We know plastic trinkets, individually wrapped candies, and pre-printed cards are fun and easy. But those things aren’t always great for the environment.  This year we hope you’ll consider some eco-friendly alternatives. Today, we have the amazing Chelsea, professional photographer and eco-conscious mom of 2, sharing a simple project for turning recyclable paper into adorable Valentines that are good for the birds and bees! Chelsea walks us through how to make DIY wildflower plantable seed paper Valentines that are fun  and easy for kids to make from materials you already have at home.

    DIY seed paper valentines

    Making a change

    Each year I try to make a few changes in our lives that allow us to leave a smaller footprint on Earth. As I was thinking about what to do for this year’s valentines for my kids’ classmates, I realized this was another area we could make improvements. It seems like every year my kids bring home more and more stuff from their class holiday parties. Little plastic trinkets, individually wrapped candies, plastic baggies stuffed to the brim with junk that eventually ends up in the trash.

    And let me be honest, my kids absolutely LOVE IT. They love receiving all those fun treats and they love giving them out as well. But this year I can’t do it. I can’t add to the growing problem. So, I decided to find an alternative that would more closely match our values.

    DIY plantable seed paper Valentines

    Instead of buying something that would be thrown away, we decided to make something. These DIY plantable seed paper valentines made from recycled paper are a perfect alternative to the usual store-bought valentine items! They check all of the boxes when it comes to a Valentine that aligns with our values. They’re handmade, which allows for me to spend extra time with the kids. They’re made from recycled materials, giving a new life to things that would otherwise be thrown away. And they’re plantable, which means our little Valentines will keep on giving long after we’ve gifted them!

    Not only will these homemade Valentines provide beauty when they’re grown, but they’re extra good for the environment. We deliberately chose a wildflower pack that’s specifically made for birds and butterflies! Win-win for everyone! We had so much fun creating these eco-friendly seed paper valentines and hope you will too. They’re super simple to make and absolutely adorable!

    Plantable seed paper materials

    The great thing about these Valentines is that you don’t really need anything special to make them! Other than the wildflower seeds, you probably already have all the materials necessary to make your own plantable seed paper at home right now. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

    • Paper scraps
    • Food dye (optional)
    • Wildflower seeds
    • Water
    • Large bowl
    • Blender or food processor
    • Grease splatter screen (or screen material)
    • Towels
    • Cookie sheet
    • Pencil
    • Scissors

    DIY Eco-friendly recycled plantable seed paper valentine

    How to make plantable seed paper

    I was pleasantly surprised just how fun and easy it is to make your own DIY plantable wildflower seed paper. It didn’t take us long at all and we were so happy with the way it turned out. The paper is also so versatile and can be used for any variety of holidays, gifts or projects. Tuning the plantable paper into Valentines was so much fun and we truly loved the way they turned out.

    Step 1: Gather paper and rip

    The first step is to gather scrap paper and let the children rip up the paper into small pieces. I highly recommend using paper that has been used and that you’d normally recycle, as opposed to new clean paper. You can really use any kind of paper, from printer paper to construction paper. You can use junk mail, papers from the kids’ schoolwork that you aren’t keeping, flyers, old coloring book pages or even newspapers.

    We used a stack of papers that would be normally tossed into the recycling bin. We also used one piece of red construction paper, just for some added color. You can use any colored paper depending on the color you want your seed paper to be, or just leave it out altogether.

    How to make wildflower seed paper

    Step 2: Soak the paper

    Next, place the ripped pieces of paper into a bowl of water. Let the paper bits sit in the water for 10-15 minutes to allow the paper to fully soak and saturate.

    DIY wildflower seed paper with kids Tutorial on how to make plantable seed paper Eco-friendly valentines for kids

    Step 3: Puree to a pulp

    Once the recycled paper is soaked, place the pulpy mixture into a blender or food processor. If you want create colored paper, now is the time to add a few drops of food coloring to the mix. We used two drops of red dye for ours. Put it all in the blender and liquefy it! This step should definitely be supervised by an adult!

    *Please note: the blending can be hard on appliances so you’ll want to use a high-quality appliance. This may also dull your blades. Blend at your own risk*

    Homemade eco-friendly Valentines for kids from recycled materials Eco-friendly recycled Valentine plantable seed paper wildflower seed paper tutorial plantable seed paper tutorial DIY Eco-friendly recycled plantable seed paper valentine

    Step 4: Add seeds and spread

    Place a towel on a cookie sheet. Then place a splatter screen over towel. Once the paper mixture has been blended into a pulp, pour it back into the bowl. Then mix the wildflower seeds into the recycled paper pulp.

    Have the children use a spoon or their hands to spread the pulp onto the screen. Using your hands or a spoon, spread the pulp as thinly and evenly as possible over the entire screen, pressing lightly to squeeze out any extra water. The towel beneath the screen will also help absorb the extra water that comes out of the paper.

    Easy instructions for make plantable seed paper with kids Easy to make plantable seed paper with kids

    Step 5: Let dry

    Once the pulp has been evenly spread on the screens, leave it to dry. Drying time will vary depending on the thickness of the pulp and humidity. Our paper took several days to dry completely. Give it time! During the drying process, you’ll need to remove the wet towels under the paper and replace them with dry towels. Once the seed paper was stiff enough to handle without falling apart, I flipped it once to help with the drying time.

    DIY recycled seed paper valentines

    Step 6: Cut into shapes

    When the plantable seed paper is completely dry and stiff, it’s ready to be made into Valentines! Use a cookie cutter as your template or even just a cutout shape of your choosing. We chose a heart (naturally!). Trace your shape onto the seed paper using a marker and then carefully cut them out. You may want to have the children do the tracing and have an adult do the cutting because the paper is quite fragile!

    How to make plantable seed paper valentines with kids from recycled materialsdiy plantable wildflower seed paper tutorial

    Step 7: Share the love!

    Once you have your plantable seed paper cutout into the shape of your choice, that’s it!  Your frugal, earth-friendly valentines are complete and ready to give to friends, neighbors and family members. Let them know that they just need to plant the paper in a sunny spot to grow a beautiful little patch of wildflowers that will brighten their days and help the birds and bees. You could even print off some cute cards with fun phrases on them to attach to the Valentines. Pinterest has some great free printables to use!

    eco-friendly Valentines for kids - diy plantable seed paper

    Plantable seed paper makes a great gift! 

    Plantable seed paper doesn’t only have to be for Valentine’s Day. You can make wildflower seed paper for so many occasions, using any kind of cutout shape, size or color. So it would be great for Earth Day, Mother’s Day, or any special occasion or holiday. These little cutouts make a great take-home favor for birthday parties and bridal/baby showers as well.

    Do you make your own Valentines?
    How do you make holidays more eco-friendly?

    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. Our family loves biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, building forts, and playing in the sand! During the warm months, you can find us enjoying the Chesapeake Bay almost every night until long after the sun goes down. We’re doing our best to reduce our carbon footprint and always try to leave every trail cleaner than it was when we arrived.

    You can find Chelsea online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @dimples.and.the.blonde
    Client work: @chelsea.lyn.photography
    Website: dimplesandtheblonde.com
    RWMC posts: Chelsea Furlong

  • FRIDAY FEATURES, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY

    Friday Feature: Samantha Elizabeth @thisgrowinglife_

    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.

    Friday Feature - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschooling

    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!

    For the love of Homeschooling - Elizabeth - Friday Featurefavorite homeschooling instagramer - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschoolingFriday Feature - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschooling

    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.

    Favorite Outdoor Kid Photographers - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschoolingOutdoor Kids Nature Craft Ideas & Inspiration - Elizabeth fortheloveofhomeschoolingFavorite Instagrammers - Run Wild My Child @fortheloveofhomeschooling

    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!

    Friday Feature - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschoolingInstagram Homeschooling Community - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschoolingideas for nature school lessons, nature crafts, outdoor activitiesHomeschooling Favorites - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschooling

    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!

    Friday Feature - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschoolingFriday Featured Instagram PhotographerRun Wild My Child featured photographer Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschooling

    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!     autumn season       Friday Feature - Elizabeth @fortheloveofhomeschooling

    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.

  • FRIDAY FAVORITES, FRIDAY FEATURES, PHOTOGRAPHY

    Friday Feature: Meg Bethard

    Hello Friday! As you know, every other Friday we feature a member of our amazing Instagram community. We’re hoping to bring you a little more information about the person, stories, and inspiration behind all the pretty pictures! Today’s featured photographer is one of my favorites, Meg Bethard @megsausted, mom of three located in the great state of Louisiana. Her photos are so incredibly lovely, fun and full of spirit, and personality. My heart just about bursts every time I see her adorable curly-haired ginger son show up in my feed (and not only because I also have a curly-haired ginger son!), but because her images are pure joy. Here’s a little more about Meg and her feed, in her own words.

    friday favorites - meg bethard @megsausted

    Favorite place to photograph your kids?

    My dad is a farmer and so I love going down to the farm with the open fields, old fences & buildings, and beautiful sunsets! That has to be my favorite place to capture images of the kids.

    friday favorites - meg bethard @megsaustedfriday favorites - meg bethard @megsaustedfriday favorites - meg bethard @megsausted

    Favorite outdoor activity to do with your children?

    Jump hay bales! The kids LOVE it and they make such a fun little playground. Added bonus, it totally wears those jokers out!

    friday favorites - meg bethard @megsaustedfavorite instagram photographers - meg bethard @megsaustedinstagram outdoor family favorite photographers

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

    Banff, Prague (&/or all of Europe:), Maldives

    best outdoor kids photographers on instagram - meg bethardfriday favorites - meg bethard @megsaustedrun wild my child friday featured photographer - meg bethard

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

    Yes! Next week we’re heading up to Michigan to adventure with Bri Viglianco (@briviglianco). I could not be more excited to see her and all the beautiful fall colors!

    Best outdoor kids photography instagram accounts - @runwild.mychildbest outdoor kids photographer - meg bethard

    How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

    I have watched tons of editing videos and have done a lot of online workshops. My favorite courses I have taken have been from Courtney Bowles (because she’s the best), Meg Loeks (seriously, what can’t she do?), Susan Grimes (get real with her amazingness) & Megann Robinson (whom I adore and I would say she absolutely changed my editing process forever).

    friday favorites - meg bethard @megsaustedfriday favorite instagramer - meg bethard @megsausted

    The biggest challenge to getting outdoors with your kids or something you struggle with?

    We live in Louisiana so it has been in the upper 90s and 100s for the past seeeeeveral weeks (or months). Right now, that’s definitely the hardest thing for us!

    run wild my child favorite instagram accounts outdoor kids photographyfriday favorite instagram outdoor kids photography

    For more from Meg Bethard,
    find her online in the following locations:

    Instagram: @megsausted
    Website: http://www.mamaslovephotography.com

    For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.

  • FRIDAY FEATURES, PHOTOGRAPHY

    Friday Feature: Amy Louise

    Hello Friday! It’s time for the next installment of Friday Features! Every other Friday we feature a member of the Run Wild My Child Instagram community. We choose a follower whom we love, adore and appreciate to feature here and so we all can get to know them a little better and be inspired by their gorgeous images. Today, our Friday Feature is Amy Louise (@agirlwandering), mom of three (20-month old twin girls and a seven-year-old daughter) located in Costa Blanca, Spain. Amy is such a wonderful, delightful presence on Instagram. She’s supportive and genuine and sweet as pie. She’s also the founder of the hub @treasured.childhood. Amy has such an incredibly beautiful way of capturing her girls in some epic locations and gorgeous light. Here’s a bit more about her and her photography in her own words.
     
    Friday Feature - Amy Louise @agirlwandering

    What is your favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

    One Sunday we were pondering what to do so we just got in the car and took a drive. The rules were that I just gave out random directions as we wanted to find a new place to explore. We ended up driving up a side of the Bernia mountain range here on the Costa Blanca and the little area we discovered was incredible. As we parked up we came across some goats and a horse which we fed grass to, the children were very excited about this!

    We then took our three girls up an old cobbled path, collecting flowers, rocks, and other random bits and bobs along the way.  As we reached the top of the hill we witnessed the most spectacular view! People always say that from this coastline, on a very clear day you can see the Balearic Islands if you get lucky and we’ve tried to see them for years! It just so happened that on this particular day the sky was clear enough and we were in the perfect spot to see them in the distance!

    All in all, it was a wonderful, surprising and unplanned day. For me those days when you don’t put too much pressure on yourself to plan things… Those make for the most memorable ones.

    favorite outdoor family photographers on InstagramFriday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwandering

    What is your favorite outdoor memory from childhood? 

    I grew up in a beautiful part of Southern England called ‘The New Forest’ its a national park on the South Coast. For me, my favorite memories always surround exploring the forest with my younger sister and friends. We would cycle through the woods, feed the ponies, have picnics, paddle in the streams and we even built a treehouse once! For me, those things hold such a special place in my heart and I strive to recreate similar special memories for my three beautiful girls.
    best outdoor kids photographers on instagram Friday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwanderingFriday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwandering

    How would you describe your photography style and Instagram feed? 

    My photos are definitely of the ‘candid’ variety. I started my Instagram years ago and literally have thousands of photos on there. I have been working towards creating my own ‘visual scrapbook’ of my most favorite experiences with my family. For me, I always try to capture genuine moments that are not posed or planned. It’s about taking a moment that is special and means something to you and bringing it to life with editing and adding some little sparkle along the way!
    Favorite Instagram Accounts - Outdoor Kids Photography - Amy LouiseFriday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwanderingFriday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwandering

    Any tips for parents that want to get outdoors with their kids? 

    I’m going to say that the most important thing to do is try and think of things you loved to do as a child. It’s funny because this age we live in is all about buying the latest ‘this’ or ‘that’. There are a lot of social pressures to deal with but I tend to ignore that and just keep things simple. We plan what we will need – weather pending. We always bring lots of snacks and water.

    And we try to make the experience as relaxed as possible. It’s not about trying to show them everything or rush around. It’s about visiting somewhere and trying to show them something new, something that they will remember forever. And children will often surprise you with what they are interested in so let them take the lead too!

    Outdoor Kids - Favorite Instagrammers - Amy LouiseFeatured Instagramer - Amy LouiseFriday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwandering

    Why is it important to you to raise your children to love nature? 

    For me, the answer is simple…because it’s real. We have lost touch with a fundamental part of ourselves because of the constant need for innovation to make our lives more and more convenient. As much as this is such an incredible time to be alive, it is also so deeply important that we don’t forget our connection to this planet.

    By reconnecting with nature you are reconnecting with the very ideals that make us human to begin with. This is why I encourage our family to step outside!

    Friday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwanderingFriday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwandering Friday Featured Photographer - Amy Louise @agirlwandering

    For more from Amy Louis,
    find her online in the following locations:

    Instagram: @agirlwandering
    Hub: @treasured.childhood
    Website (coming soon):  www.agirlwandering.com

    For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.

  • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Friday Feature: Murielle Cascone

    Every other Friday we feature a favorite member of the @runwild.mychild Instagram community and give you a little sneak peek of the inspiration and motivation behind the pretty pictures. Today, we’re featuring the absolutely amazing Murielle Cascone (@muriellecascone), a New York mom and family photographer. I’ve fallen in love with the beautiful simplicity of Murielle’s gorgeous photos. The incredible light, the pops of color, the creative focus, and all the dreamy bokeh make me swoon. Here’s a little bit more about Murielle in her own words…

    Friday Featured Instagram Photographer Murielle Cascone

    Favorite place to photograph your kids?

    I love water and light! Some of my favorite places to take photos are at the beach and in the pool. I also love parks with beautiful trees, a body of water and a playground for my daughter to have fun in the end.

    murielle casconemurielle cascone

    Describe your photography style & Instagram feed

    Gosh, I often think I’m all over the place. I love to shoot portraits, document my daughter’s different activities and also nature. I can have moody shots as well as happy ones, colors and black and whites. It really depends for me. I also shoot when I can, due to my very limited schedule. When I have time, I go for full-sun and golden hour. Golden hour is definitely my favorite type of light to shoot in.

    murielle cascone family photographer new yorkbest outdoor kids photographers on instagram

    What would people not realize about you from only seeing your Instagram photos?

    I’m not just a photographer; I also have a full-time job that I commute to for a total of four hours a day. Mainly, I shoot for fun on weekends and post different photos from that series. I also moderate a hub, the Unraveled Academy FB group, and have a part-time photography business. And if that wasn’t enough, I’m also currently writing a photography course for Unraveled Academy and taking a federal tax class online! My life is crazy!

    favorite instagram photographersmurielle cascone instagram favorites

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

    • Africa
    • Hawaii
    • Australia

    favorite instagram photographers for outdoor kids murielle casconemurielle cascone friday favorites

    What’s in your camera bag and what do you use most often?

    My 24-70mm L f2.8, 85mm L f1.4 and Lensbaby Sol 45 lenses. I try to use all three at different points in my adventure if I can, but the 24-70mm is the most versatile lens, which allows me to also capture the sky.

    murielle cascone - friday favorite instagram photographersMurielle Cascone - Favorite Instagram Photographer

    How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

    I think now more than ever, there’s so much information out there about anything on the internet, photography included. That is how I start with photography; googling and YouTubing things. In addition, I love taking online photography courses. I just love to learn; there’s always something new to learn in my opinion.

    Murielle Cascone NY family photographerbest outdoor family instagramers murielle cascone

    Lessons learned from outdoor adventures?

    When adventuring with kids, always bring snacks, a potty, and take breaks. Don’t try to do too much in one day!

    favorite outdoor kids instagram accounts murielle casconefavorite instagram photographers murielle cascone

     For more from Murielle Cascone,
    find her online in the following locations:

    Instagram: @muriellecascone
    Website: http://www.muriellecascone.com

    For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.

  • FRIDAY FEATURES, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY

    Friday Feature: Brandi Rondinelli

    Happy Friday! Time for another edition of our Friday Features, where we feature a member of our incredibly inspiring Instagram community. Today, we are featuring the amazing Brandi Rondinelli (@soulshinephotographer), professional photographer, adventurer and mom of 2 from Southeastern Wisconsin. 

    friday feature favorite instagramers brandi rondinellli

    Meet Brandi Rondinelli

    Brandi’s Instagram feed is filled with gorgeous images of her children exploring nature in the most beautiful and innocent ways. Her images capture the simplicity and wonder of childhood, with a touch of fantasy and whimsy.

    Brandi is also the personality behind the Run My Child Facebook feed, so if you follow us there, you’ll pick up on her love of homesteading, gardening, photography, homeschooling, foraging, and animals. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her (and her adorable daughter) in person and can attest to her warm, genuine spirit, her curiosity, compassion and huge heart. Here’s a little more about the inspiration behind her images in her own words. 

    brandi rondinellli @soulshinephotographer

    Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

    We visited one of our favorite places to explore, Retzer Nature Center. Of course, I brought my camera along, but had no visions or expectations. We were just there for fun. I let the kids go wherever they wanted and allowed them to be the leaders. They took us to some very pretty spots and we just ran around having fun. We raced up a big hill, rolled around in the long grass, tickled each other and made funny noises! We laughed so hard that day! And, in the midst of it all, I caught some pretty photos that captured our time exploring perfectly. It was just the all-around the perfect hike. 

    favorite outdoor instagram moms brandi rondinellli

    Favorite outdoor activity to do with your children?

    This is so simple and easy, but my favorite outdoor activity to do with the kids is to look up at the clouds and see if we can make animals out of them. Such a classic childhood activity and I always learn so much about my children’s imaginations and personalities. 

    wisconsin family photographer nature kids

    What do you love/like the most about Instagram?

    I love connecting with like-minded mamas and supporting everyone in their journey while also being able to share my work and hopefully inspire others. Instagram is an amazing place filled with so much inspiration and wonderful people. I’ve made some great “real life” connections through social media and I absolutely love my online friends!!

    best outdoor photographers on instagram @soulshinephotographer wisconsin photographer

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

    • Banff & Alberta, Canada
    • Bali, Indonesia
    • Italy

    favorite outdoor instagramers photographers

    What is your favorite quote?

    That is a tough one. I love quotes!! I actually have a Pinterest board with just quotes that touch my soul. So I have lots of favorites. However, if I had to choose just one, I’ll go with “Troubles, they may come and go but good times, they’re the gold.” -Dave Matthews Band (also, my favorite band)

    best outdoor family photographers on instagram favorite outdoor instagram accounts kids nature

    What is your favorite outdoor memory from childhood?

    Climbing trees and building forts in the woods with my brother. We would go outside first thing in the morning and wouldn’t come in until the street lights came on.

    friday feature favorite instagrammers brandi rondinellli

    Why is it important to you to raise your children to love nature?

    We know that contact with nature is a source of wonder and inspiration for children. Nature is essential to their healthy development and sense of spirituality. With that being said I love teaching my kids about the natural world. Nature was always a huge part of my life growing up, it was more than just a place to play for me. It was a place to escape from my house, it was my safe place. I want my kids to feel in touch with nature as I did. I don’t want it to be their escape, per se, but I want them to think of nature as their second home. It’s safe to say, these past 4+ years with my kids have been making nature a priority and it shows.

    favorite outdoor instagram family photographers

    What is your favorite local/state/national park and why?

    My all-time favorite place that I’ve hiked thus far is Olympic National Forest, specifically, Hoh Rainforest! My husband and I traveled there last year and it was just absolutely amazing! Those big mossy trees were incredible. Washington has my heart!         brandi rondinellli @soulshinephotographer

    For more from Brandi Rondinelli,
    find her online in the following locations:

    Personal Instagram: @soulshinephotographer
    Client work: @motherhenshomestead
    Website: http://www.soulshinephotographer.com

    For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.

  • FRIDAY FEATURES, PHOTOGRAPHY

    Friday Feature: Christine Ekeroth

    Hello Friday! A few weeks ago we launched a new series called “Friday Features,” where every other Friday we feature a member of our online Instagram community and the inspiration behind their gorgeous photos! I’m hoping this series will not only help inspire you to get outdoors more with your kids, but to also pick up that camera and document your adventures!

    Next up is Christine Ekeroth – @christineekeroth. Christine is a family photographer in San Diego, CA, mom of four and one of our amazing Instagram moderators. She’s a humanitarian, writer, traveler and incredible family photographer that captures so much love and emotion in her images. I’m excited for you all to get to know her a little better! She’s truly a gem of a human!

    Friday Feature @christineekeroth

    Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

    Earlier this year, we took our kids to a little town in the mountains called Idyllwild. It’s not a huge tourist destination (more of a little hippie town) and it doesn’t usually get a lot of snow, but this year was magical, with inches and inches pouring down on us each day, but with enough breaks to be able to walk into town and spend hours sledding down the hills of our Airbnb.

    All six of our family members were born or raised along the coast in Southern California (two by way of Ethiopia), so snow is a pretty big deal. I think the only time we spent indoors was to warm up enough so we could go back outside. There are few things better in life than launching yourself into untouched snow, cheeks made rosy by cold and the exhilaration of flying down a hill on a disc or warming your feet in front of a fire while sipping hot chocolate. It was absolute heaven on earth for all of us.

    Christine Ekerothinstagram favorite @christineekerothSan Diego Family Photographer Christine Ekeroth

    Favorite place to photograph your kids?

    Well, as much as we love playing in the snow, I can’t resist photographing my kids at the beach. The colors of the sand, ocean and sky comprise my favorite color palette, and there is just so much joy and movement at the beach, whether we’re playing soccer on the sand or boogie boarding in the waves. It’s also so much fun to play around with different techniques and viewpoints.

    This past year, I started to use my GoPro Hero7 a lot more and, although there was a bit of a learning curve, the images feel really fresh and immediate (I’m a lot more willing to get into the water when I don’t have my big camera in hand!). I’m also trying to follow the lead of my fellow RWMC moderator, @Kristcx, and incorporate more video into my work. Making short films of our adventures has opened up a whole new avenue for creativity and storytelling, which makes each outing even more fun.

    featured photographer @christineekerothfeatured instagram photographer Christine Ekeroth

    Have you made any “real life” connections through social media?

    Yes! In fact, I’m meeting another local photographer for the first time tomorrow! One of the most beautiful things about this platform is the opportunity to support—and feel supported by—other photographers and moms who are living out some of the very same challenges and joys.

    I’ve also made a great friendship with a fellow adoptive mom who originally hired me to take her family’s portraits while they were visiting here on vacation. They have since moved to the area and we are embarking on a project that we hope will reveal some of the incredible adoption-related stories—in words and images—that we have encountered over the past several years. We share a belief that we are more connected to one another than many of us might realize, and stories of adoption reveal our humanity and interconnectedness in a way that feels particularly important right now.

    Christine Ekeroth San Diego PhotographerSan Diego Family Photographer Christine Ekeroth

    What’s in your camera bag and what do you use most often?

    I gave myself an early birthday present (it’s a big one this year) and upgraded to a Nikon D850. I worked the heck out of my last camera, to the point where it was starting to fall apart, so it was definitely time. The resolution on this thing is ridiculous, but it allows me to take images that can be enlarged on a really big scale, which is something I’m pretty excited about for the coming year.

    I have a vision of photographing people in their element, whether that’s on a golf course or on a gorgeous hiking trail. I have a little army of prime lenses that I keep in high rotation, a 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and an 85mm. As much as I love them all, it’s tough to beat the 50mm for versatility (and portability!). It’s the one I use most often to photograph my kids, and, depending on the location, I can shoot an entire family session with that one lens, especially if time is short. I also frequently rent a 70-200 for my kids’ soccer games (we have two in club soccer now, so I may have to add that one to my wishlist).

    christine ekeroth photographer san diego

    How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

    When I first started, I purchased a ton of online courses, but rarely had the time to complete them. Now, I’m much more selective about the education I pursue. Of course, it’s tough to beat daily practice. I did a 365 project two years in a row and I think it did more for my photography skills than anything else I’ve done. But it’s amazing how one small technique or adjustment can completely transform your photography.

    I had always been a little intimidated by Photoshop, but I made a commitment to learn it this past year or two and it has been revolutionary in terms of giving my photographs a polish that I think they were lacking. I’ve always had a pretty good “eye” and have been able to create connections among the subjects in my photographs, but editing can really make the difference between a good photo and a great one.

    family photographer christine ekeroth

    For more of Christine Ekeroth’s beautiful images, find her online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @christineekeroth
    Website: http://www.christineekeroth.com

    For more features on our online Instagram community, check out our Favorite Outdoorsy Instagramers, Part 1 and Favorite Outdoorsy Instagramers, Part 2.

  • FRIDAY FEATURES, PHOTOGRAPHY

    Friday Feature: Kristen Ryan

    Hello Friday! I’m excited to start a new series on here called “Friday Features.” Every other Friday I’ll be featuring a member of our online Instagram community and the inspiration behind their gorgeous photos! I’m hoping this series will not only help inspire you to get outdoors more with your kids, but to also pick up that camera and document your adventures!

    Photography is something that I’m incredibly passionate about. I’m not a professional photographer (or even all that good), but every time I pick up my camera, I get a little better, so I keep at it! We’re really lucky to have such an incredibly talented community of outdoorsy moms that have a lot of great advice and tips to share. If you have any questions or if there’s anything, in particular, you’d like to know/learn, please ask in the comments!

    Friday Feature - Kristen Ryan

    @kristcx

    Our first Friday Feature is all about Kristen Ryan! She’s a mom of 2 kids (and 3 dogs) in Oklahoma. She’s a hobbyist photographer (Click Pro) and one of our amazing Instagram moderators. Kristen is also one of the sweetest people in the world (I’m convinced) and I’m honored to have her here and as a part of our community.

    Here’s a bit more about Kristen’s images, style, and outdoor adventures in her own words…Friday Feature - Kristen RyanFriday Feature - Kristen Ryan

    Favorite place to photograph your kids?

    I don’t think I have one specific place. I love to photograph our adventures together. No matter how big or small the adventure, those moments are my favorite. I love watching my children explore the world around them. Even if it is just going on a walk at a nearby park. Those moments inspire me to create and see the world how they see it — big, beautiful and ready for anything. I love watching their imaginations and how the simplest of moments can be so magical. It reminds me to be the same way. To enjoy the little moments, take them in and not get so caught up in all the bad that can fill our lives so easily. I love getting creative in my photographs and trying to bring that feeling to my final print. It has pushed me as a photographer and it is such a wonderful outlet for me at the same time.

    Friday Feature - Kristen RyanFriday Feature - Kristen Ryan

    How would you describe your photography style and Instagram feed?

    I have such a hard time describing my photography style. I have always felt like I didn’t quite fit into any particular style. That used to bother me, but now I embrace it. I create what I feel and sometimes that means I’m all over the place. Usually, my style is colorful and bright. That is how I see my world, full of color. I like to find ordinary moments and search for the extraordinary in it. It pushes me creatively, but honestly, the image I produce is usually what is in my head and what I am seeing. I have never been really great with words and sometimes I have a hard time communicating my thoughts and feelings. But, photography has allowed me to do that. It has been so wonderful to express myself without feeling like I’m not getting across what I intended.

    My Instagram feed is just a journal. It is not cohesive or organized. I have no intention of it being anything amazing. It is just my little piece of the world in an art gallery. It’s there for people to enjoy or to scroll on past. I am always grateful for the love that people give me, but that is not why I do it. My photos are for myself and for my family. I create because it is my outlet. I know my kids will grow up before I know it and I want these photos to be the legacy that I leave for them one day.

    Friday Feature - Kristen RyanFriday Feature - Kristen Ryan

    What would people not realize about you from only seeing your Instagram photos?

    People may not realize that I am extremely introverted. I won’t even pull my camera out in public if there are a lot of people around. I have been working on my 365 project for the last 5 years and I have tried my hardest to get braver about taking pictures in public, but I haven’t come very far.  It’s funny really, I completely know how silly it is and that 99% of the people do not care what I am doing. But, for whatever reason, I can’t get over it. Ha! I do not like drawing attention to myself and am completely ok with being a fly on the wall.

    Friday Feature - Kristen RyanFriday Feature - Kristen Ryan

    Have you made any “real life” connections through social media?

    When I first decided to start a 365 project, I saw a call out on a photography forum to start a group dedicated to finishing a 365 project. I decided to join, anxiety and all. It was the best decision I could have made. I ended up not only finishing my project and going on to complete 4 more years of it, but I also made such wonderful friendships with many of these ladies.  Just last year we all met up in Nashville, TN for a weekend of all things photography. It was so much fun getting to meet these ladies in real life and putting voices and personalities to these pictures that I was seeing of them. I am grateful for the push they have given me and I know I would not be where I am in my photography journey without them.

    Friday Feature - Kristen RyanFriday Feature - Kristen Ryan

    Why is it important to you to raise your children to love nature?

    There are so many reasons that I want to raise my children to love nature. For one, the tranquility that can come from nature is something that cannot be found elsewhere. As adults, we know how overwhelming life can get and we need to be able to refuel our souls on occasion. Getting out of our normal routines and camping out under the stars can be such good medicine. Nature and everything that can be found outside can be scary to kids if they aren’t comfortable or familiar with it. But teaching them to be aware of nature and to also have fun with it can be so good for them, even into adulthood. I also want to teach them to be respectful and care for nature, that we can’t take it for granted. Nature is something that has to be treasured so that it can be passed down to future generations. I hope that they will have a passion for nature and the beauty it offers. I want them to realize that even the choices they make at home can have an effect on the world around them.

         Friday Feature - Kristen Ryan

    You can follow Kristen on Instagram at @kristcx

    For more features on our online Instagram community, check out our Favorite Outdoorsy Instagramers, Part 1 and Favorite Outdoorsy Instagramers, Part 2.

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FAVORITE GEAR, GOOD FOR NATURE, PHOTOGRAPHY

    Making a Difference with Vivobarefoot Kids

    We humans have been pretty terrible to the planet we live on and the animals that inhabit it. Just since 1970, human activity has destroyed 60% of all the world’s animals. There are now over 16,000 endangered species threatened with extinction. Scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird, and mammal become extinct EVERY 24 HOURS. Insect populations are declining at a rate that could be “catastrophic” for our ecosystems within two generations. Scientists are describing what’s happening to animal life on earth as “biological annihilation.” Something has to change. And that change starts right here, with us! We are making a difference, one kid at a time!

    making a difference - ways kids can help take care of our planet

    Here come the wild ones

    Last month we had the honor of teaming up with one of our all-time favorite outdoor kid’s shoe brands – Vivobarefoot Kids – to host a hashtag campaign to raise awareness for our planet and its animals. VivoKids recently launched a new line of eco-friendly kids shoes inspired by endangered species. These “Wild” shoes have minimal impact on the environment and are made with cleaner, greener materials. For example, the Ultra Blooms are made from algae blooms and each pair returns 25 liters of clean water and reduces 6 balloons worth of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

    A portion of the profits from the sale of these shoes go directly to The Aspinall Foundation, a British charity that works to promote wildlife conservation through education, captive breeding programmes and, crucially, by reintroducing endangered species into the wild wherever possible. Over the last few years, the Aspinall Foundation has successfully reintroduced a range of animals (including 8 black rhino, 49 Javan Langurs, 9 Javans gibbons, 11 European bison and over 60 western lowland gorillas) back into the wild in their natural habitat.

    #wildkids4wildlife campaign for endangered species

    #wildkids4wildlife

    In connection with this amazing collaboration, we became inspired to encourage kids (and their parents!) to learn more about the animals in whose footprints they are walking and to take action to help our planet. We believe the more kids know about the environment and wildlife, the more ingrained it will be in them to care for it and act accordingly as they grow.

    During the month of March, we ran a hashtag campaign on Instagram with VivoKids and our favorite hub @wildandbravelittles. We encouraged kids (and parents) to take action with a good deed for the earth and tag us! Our #wildkids4wildlife campaign was born and it was absolutely amazing! Throughout the month we featured these tagged images and were blown away with the incredible response and feedback we received.

    vivokids eco-friendly shoes for kids

    Be the change you want to see

    We saw kids doing all kinds of good deeds, from picking up litter to planting a tree. From gardening and composting, to recycling and attending rallies on climate change. Some kids made donations to their local wildlife rehabilitation centers, stopped their use of single-serve plastics and wrote letters to their congressional reps about changes that could be made to protect our earth. We saw kids reading books about endangered animals, visiting their local zoo and learning about them and making a commitment to help. It was inspiring! We hope this will be the starting point for a lifetime of conversations, actions and changes so that we can all be kinder to our planet.

    With VivoKids’ help, we chose three “winners” from the tagged images. Each of these winners received shoes for their kids from Vivobarefoot. Their images were not only inspiring but told a beautiful story about the compassion and power of kids. We asked the winners a few questions about their images and the story behind them. Their answers are below.

    no one is too small to make a difference@amys.place

    NSW, Australia, on the Coffs Coast
    4 children; Lara (10), Dylan (7), Freya (5) and Ciara (3)

    The story behind the image

    On 15 March 2019, I accompanied my eldest daughter to a local student strike against climate change, which was a globally organized event inspired by Greta Thunberg, a Swedish student who began striking each Friday in August 2018. Greta has been a source of inspiration for my daughter, who is an aspiring biologist and who cares deeply for our planet. On 15 March, Lara woke early and set to work on her sign. Her message was clear, and indeed helped set the theme for the day, that no one is too small to make a difference.

    How do you teach/inspire your kids to help protect our planet?

    My husband is an environmental scientist and I have a legal background. Both he and I have raised our children with an awareness that our planet cannot be exploited and taken for granted as it has in the past. On a household level, we make efforts to reduce our waste and produce our own food when possible. We use solar energy at home and we collect rubbish from waterways, parks, bushlands, and beaches. Our children all know and recite the phrase “take three for the sea,” (though we often end up with large collections of plastic after a beach trip). We continue to educate our children to respect our planet and to advocate for it. We encourage them to enjoy it, to learn from it, but to never to take it for granted. They will, after all, be the next generation of leaders and decision-makers. Moving forward, I hope that they will learn from our mistakes, but I also hope that we can show them that we learned from them too. We must not wait for the next generation to fix what we broke, because this is impossible. We have to make the change now.

    how to teach your kids to take care of the earth

    @soulshinephotographer

    Southeastern Wisconsin
    2 children – Lorenzo (4.5) & Halona (3)

    The story behind the image

    This photo was taken while we were planting our first garden at our new house. We really wanted to have the kids be hands-on (literally!) with the gardening process, which they love. This picture was taken on our transplant day when we moved our plants outside. We started all our vegetables from seeds, so when the time was right, most had to be transplanted outdoors into the garden. The kids and I spent the day transplanting our little seedlings with love, care, and tenderness. Yes, it took most of the day as we have well over 200 plants growing!

    How do you teach/inspire your kids to help protect our planet?

    We are a homesteading family and have been teaching the kids all about the natural world and how to help protect it since they were babies. Taking care of our environment is a big part of our lives. Getting the kids involved in gardening has really helped them become aware of the earth and all it has to offer when treated right and what happens when you don’t. I love talking to the kids about the process and teaching them when to water and feed plants, how the soil absorbs the nutrients and what helps the plants grow strong. Then we introduce other ideas, such as what might happen when other (harmful) things are absorbed by the soil? I like to introduce these types of open-ended questions and let the reasoning happen naturally.

    We are also a big hiking family and on our hikes, we observe the natural world. On these hikes we be sure to bring our reusable bags and pick up any trash we see on the way. We have been teaching our children the importance of taking care of our earth by also doing the things listed below. Things you and your family can do too to help protect our earth!

    What are some everyday activities we can do to make a difference to our planet?

    Some everyday activities we have done/do to make a difference to our planet:
    • turn the lights off when you are not using them;
    • unplug things not in use;
    • use cardboard for burning to reduce the amount being put into landfills;
    • use reusable bags instead of harmful plastic bags;
    • recycle;
    • hang clothes on the line to air dry;
    • use cloth diapers;
    • potty train as soon as possible to eliminate diapers and extra laundry;
    • pick up trash even if it’s not yours;
    • be a part of the community and participate in clean ups;
    • plant tree and bee-friendly flowers;
    • grow our own food to alleviate food transportation waste; and
    • eat less processed foods.

    simple things you can do to help the environment with kids

    @erinbethray

    South Florida
    2 boys, ages 7 and 8

    The story behind the image

    My images show my boys cleaning up the Broward County waterways. We participated in the 2019 waterway cleanup, which is held across our entire county, from the beaches all the way to the Everglades, and everywhere in between! Wherever there’s a waterway, river, or canal, we’re trying to clean it up.  It’s our county’s largest and longest running environmental event! 

    How do you teach/inspire your kids to help protect our planet?

    We are constantly learning and trying. Every day is a learning experience on how we can help mother earth and protect our planet. I believe if you do good, your kids are always watching and, in turn, they’ll do good! I try to lead by example. We also love to learn about animals. I believe that if you teach children that our earth is the home for these animals, it can help them want to do better for those creatures and our planet. Give them a love of the world and nature and they’ll WANT to help. 

    What are some everyday activities we can do to make a difference to our planet?

    I think one of the easiest things people can to do to make a difference for our planet is to use metal straws. Also, if you’re going out into nature (to the beach, a park, trail, etc.), bring a bag and pick up as much garbage as you can. It’s simple and effective! Also, we should all recycle as much as we can! 

    how kids can help make a difference in the environment

    The earth is not ours to inherit – it’s on loan from our children and grandchildren. If we want there to be anything left we have to act now. All of us.

    * This hashtag campaign and giveaway is sponsored by and in collaboration with Vivobarefoot Kids. 

  • PHOTOGRAPHY

    Big Fun with FamilyFun Magazine

    I’m thrilled to announce that Run Wild My Child is teaming up with FamilyFun magazine to bring you a new feature in their magazine called “Big Fun.”  Big Fun is all about real kids and families having outdoor adventures, big and small.

    familyfun magazine fall 2017 big fun

    FamilyFun magazine

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

    Perfect collaboration

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

    big fun familyfun magazineBig Fun feature

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

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

    For a chance to be featured

    For a chance to be featured on the @RunWild.MyChild and @FamilyFunMag Instagram feeds, all you have to do is:

    1. Tag us both on your Instagram photos (either directly on the photos or in the caption);
    2. Use the #HowWeFun hashtag.

    Once a month we’ll both dedicate an entire day to showcasing our favorite images from those tagged on our feeds. We’ll also be doing some takeovers of each other’s accounts, so stay tuned for behind-the-scenes fun and beautiful images galore!

    The fall (October/November) issue of FamilyFun magazine is available now!
    Pick up a copy today and make sure to tag your images!

  • FRIDAY FAVORITES, PHOTOGRAPHY

    Friday Favorites: Outdoorsy Instagramers

    Happy Friday, friends! For this week’s installment of Friday Favorites, I’d like to share a few of my favorite outdoorsy Instagramers with you. Two of my biggest passions are getting kids outdoors and photography, so I get very excited when I find other like minded parents with a drive to get their kids exploring outdoors and an eye for images. Each of these accounts are full of gorgeous photos, beautiful words and lot of outdoor activities. We have a few professional photographers, but there are also stay-at-home moms, bloggers, doctors, adventurers and free spirits. We’re featuring accounts from across the country; from the Pacific Northwest and California to Texas and Tennessee, from the mountains to the beach and everything in between. Their styles are all different and unique, but they all share of love of nature, a love for their children and a love of capturing special moments in time.

    I’ve featured images from each of these accounts on the Run Wild My Child Instagram page (I hope you’re following!) and you will certainly see them again. I have found Instagram to be a wonderful place to not only find photography inspiration, but to scout locations and get ideas for planning your own outdoor adventures with your kids. I’ve included some fun info on each of the accounts below with links to their feeds and their answers to a few questions about getting their kids outside. I hope you’ll go check them all out and follow along on their adventures!

    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @bethcagnoni

    @bethcagnoni

    Beth Cagnoni – mom of four kids (3 boys and a girl), ages 15, 11, 8, and 3
    San Diego, California
    • Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: My kids love the beach, so that’s where we spend most of our time.  But my favorite thing to do is fruit-picking: apples, strawberries, blueberries, etc.  There’s something so timeless and nostalgic to me about it.  Then we take it all home and I make pie or cobbler or jam.
    • Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: My kids constantly want to be entertained and they want scheduled activities.  I find it difficult to get them to just be play creatively outdoors in our neighborhood.
    • What you’re looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: I’m looking forward to beach time and pool time this summer.  It gets pretty hot here in San Diego, so we will be spending lots of time by the water.
    • Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: I find family activities help get my kids outdoors.  If we all go mountain-biking, to the beach, or to play tennis together, it gets us all outdoors and enjoying the activity.
    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @justbethwithaj

    @seasalt.and.evergreens

    (formerly @justbethwithaj)

    Beth E
    Seattle, WA
    • Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: My favorite is exploring the beach near our house. I am so happy there, and I think it rubs off on the kids. It’s an easy outing that we are all familiar with, and it is close by, so we don’t have to do much planning. All of that makes it makes it extra enjoyable. I know many of my photos look like we are in the middle of no-where, but usually we are just out and about at urban and suburban parks and beaches.
    • Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: Living in the PNW, it is definitely the weather. Appropriate and good quality clothing helps, but there are some days it is just too wet and stormy to muster any enthusiasm about going outside. If the wind isn’t bad, I usually make the effort no matter how hard it is raining or how cold it is (for some reason wind really bugs me, and scares me a little.)
    • What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: We have a lot of camping trips planned, and I am very excited to do these with the kids. We always pick campgrounds we know will be good with the kids. We plan waaaay ahead of time to make sure we have campgrounds and sites that will suit our needs. I am also really excited about watching the solar eclipse with them on August 21st!
    • Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: When I decided to stay home with my kids after my second son was born 2 years ago, and my oldest was then 2 years old (my boys are now 2 and 4 years old), I made a resolution with myself we would go outside a good part of the day, every day no matter the weather. At first it was hard when the weather turned bad, but after awhile, it mostly just became habit. The more I did it, the easier it became for all of us and its sort of second nature now. Start small – you don’t have to go anywhere in particular, you can just explore your yard or your street if that’s all you have time and energy to do, but doing it often will make the big trips easier too.

    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @laurabird_k

    @laurabird_k 

    Laura Keenan
    Salt Lake City Utah
    • Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids:  Ooh, this is tough to choose one. Especially since we get to enjoy all four seasons. Favorite Winter activity is skiing as a family, even our not quite two year old & pregnant mama get on skis! In the summer, my favorite is camping!
    • Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors:  My kids are happiest outdoors as am I, so we can’t get out quick enough each day. It can be a lot of work though. Depending on the weather and how long we’ll be out, multiple changes of clothes & plenty of food for the tribe may be needed!
    • What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: Camping!  We try to spend as much time in the mountains and near water as possible. We even back packed in when we just had one kid, but haven’t been brace enough to attempt this since adding a second kid. 
    • Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors:  Do it daily! Once you get in the habit, it’s just a part of life. Regardless of the weather. Be okay with messy kids. Be okay with no real plans or destinations. Just being in nature is good for everyone!

    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @ashleydschneiderphotography

    @ashleydscheiderphotography

    Ashley Scheider
    Tacoma, WA
    Official Hike it Baby Photographer
    • Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: Hiking!
    • Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: Getting past the parking lot. For some reason, from the car to the trail head, there seems to be way more meltdowns than actually on trail.
    • What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: Waterfall hikes and the hikes that are closed off over the pass during the winter!
    • Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: Just go! They can go in their pajamas, just throw a jacket over them, grab a squeeze pouch and go.  Getting them out will help your sanity and theirs!

    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @littletreesphotography

    @aprilcphoto

    April
    Western Oregon
    • Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: Hiking, camping
    • Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: How much I need to pack. It’s amazing how much more stuff is needed with two extra littles in tow!
    • What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: Camping at some of our favorite remote places and also bringing them backpacking for the first time (they’re 3 & 5 and finally able to lug packs for short distances).
    • Do you have any advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: Just get outside, and repeat.  I’m amazed at how comfortable my kids are in inclement weather and how excited they get about sleeping outside, and I have it all to thank to taking them outdoors since they were babies.

    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @daystrispla

    @daytripsla

    Ralph DeFelice
    Pasadena, CA
    • Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: In the summer, we hike and climb in the local mountains and the Sierras, and spend time on the coast – surfing, tide pooling, and just hanging out on the beach. We do a lot of weekend day trips and some longer road trips. We are also learning how to climb with help from some friends. In the winter, we snowboard and ski, and we spend more time in the desert than at the beach.
    • Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: As a single, urban-dwelling parent with a full-time job, the biggest struggle is just managing time. I only have a handful of weekend days each month when I have the kids all day. I have to be ready to take full advantage of those opportunities, and I rarely let a free day go by without doing something significant with the kids outside. It’s easy to make excuses, to put it off until next weekend, to schedule the kids into weekend activities to avoid doing anything else, to succumb to peer pressure about what you “should be” doing with your kids, to complain about traffic, or just to be too tired. Living in Los Angeles, nature does’t come easy. You have to make an effort.
    • What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: We are gearing up and practicing for our first backpacking trip this summer. We are hiking into a mountain lake in the Sierras to spend at least two nights. I did so many serious backpacking trips with my parents growing up, and I am really excited to graduate from car camping and take our camping experience to the next level. The kids will complain on the hike, I will have to stay patient and calm, but once we get there I know they will love and be so proud of their accomplishment.
    • Do you have any advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: The biggest barrier I’ve seen for parents getting their kids really out into nature is fear. Fear of the unknown and fear of failure. What should we do? Where should we go? What should we bring? How far is the drive? What is there to do when we get there? Is it safe? Are there bugs? Or bears? Will it be cold? Will the kids have fun? And on and on. Going on a your first camping trip or real road trip can feel overwhelming. It takes practice and planning and failing a few times to get it right. To get started, my advice is go small and go often. If you’re out doing something every weekend, your chances of failure might increase but your risk decreases. If an occasional day trip doesn’t work out or it rains or you get lost or someone gets hurt, it’s not a big deal. Work your way up to longer trips – one-nighters, two-nighters. And build your confidence. Take notes, remember what you forgot. And more importantly remember what you brought that didn’t need. Connect with influencers on Instagram, ask questions, join meet ups, adventure with other families. Make a plan and a commitment to go on adventures, and don’t let anything change those plans. The kids will survive missing a soccer game or a birthday party.

     

    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @ericaeldridgephotos

    @ericaeldridgephotos 

    Erica Bowton
    Nashville, TN
    • Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: playing at the beach or collecting rocks at the lake – we love the water!
    • Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: sunscreen in the summer and coats in the winter – lots of fights about these things
    • What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: playing in the pool
    • Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: If we’re feeling unmotivated, which happens to us all the time, I’ll usually pick a new fun spot to go to and make it an “adventure.”  We are lucky to have lots of parks and lakes around us, but it could just be to a local park or a splash pad or a nature walk down the street.  Sometimes we’ll go on a nature hunt and I’ll draw or list things for them to find.

    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @nicholettat

    @nicholettat 

    Nichole Quinn
    Houston, Texas

    • Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: I love to go on adventurous walks with them and find new parks.
    • Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: I don’t have much of a struggle getting my boys outside.  I can’t get them back inside to do homework or take a bath.
    • What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: I am so excited for summer.  I can’t wait to go to the beach with them.  We love to make sandcastles and play in the waves.
    • Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: I would advise parents to really limit electronics and television starting from a young age.  We try to stick to only an hour of television during the day.  We started talking walks outdoors with the boys from a young age and always encouraged outdoor play.  Sprinklers and a water hose provide hours of play!

    Favorite Outdoor Instagram Accounts @forestnfolk

    @forestnfolk 

    Darby & Nicholas Ficek – parents of 8 kids
    Southern Oregon
    forestnfolk.com

    • A little about @forestnfolk: We live in beautiful Southern Oregon just steps away from the evergreen forest. Let’s start with me: I grew up with crazy hippie people who lived off the redwood forest, didn’t drink milk or eat anything processed. I was a barefoot, crazy haired real wild child.  My parents were exceptionally in tune with nature. My father was a 3rd generation forager. He knew every name of every weed, floral or spray. He knew its purpose, if we could eat it or if it was possible to wildcraft. They were some of the most down to earth people you could meet and if you did you fell in love. So naturally I inherited their love for the forest, all of its creatures and it’s magnificent creator. My husband grew up in Bend with a little straighter narrow parents, but indeed outdoorsy. At age 5 he started to hike 10-15 miles pretty frequently and at age 8 he hiked a 50 miler. If there’s a trail in Bend…he knows it. Some of his fondest memories  as a child are on backpacking trips were his father would read huge chapter books late into the night with a flashlight in their tent. So you take two who grew up with the forest as a constant at their feet … you put them together + they make a lot babies and then you get forestnfolk.
    • How do you do it?!!: Our whole marriage we have had comments about ” how do you do it?” ” How do you adventure and travel with all those kids?” Well, the secret is having trust in yourself. I mean yes, snacks, lots of water, games and the occasional bribery of gummy bears, but if you believe in yourself as a parent you can do it. I tell my children often you can do anything you put your mind to. I’m not saying it’s easy peasy. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out just to get out the door, but when we do it’s ALL worth it.
    • Biggest struggled with getting your kids outdoors: I feel like some parents think getting outside is harder than it really is. The truth is children thrive in an outdoor environment. I think being outside is a whole lot easier than being indoors, to be honest. They’re open to imagination out there….they have room to roam….to create the ability to be resourceful for themselves including self awareness. They learn a sense of responsibility.  They have a connection with nature….With living beautiful things around them…it’s quite astonishing actually to see them develop this yearning for themselves.   Trust me I have eight children. It’s extremely nerve wracking when we are stuck indoors and they are asking me to entertain them. Not that I don’t love creating creative outlets just saying it’s easier on me to let them be wild in the woods.
    • What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: I look forward to many years of outdoor adventure. This summer we don’t have huge plans other than some pretty big hikes with the older kids and a few camping trips. Those camping trips are simple. They are close by. They are cheap, but I know we will be making some of the best memories of our lives. Some of my favorite memories with our kids outdoors are nothing really special, I mean we have some crazy stories to tell from Angel’s landing, trecking the rainforest and caves of Thailand to Kauai’s Napali coastline, but none of them compare to the sweetest sounds of little feet hitting the trail next to us or the wide eyed amazement of finding a new creature. Watching them gaze with astonishment at a magnificent horizon.  To watch my children fall in love with the world in front of me is by far my favorite experience. Adventures are definitely apart of our lives, but THEY are the greatest adventure yet.
    • Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: It’s hard to keep up a persona of a constant outdoor life. I am more than just an outdoor mom. I am mom who reads books in bed, who cooks, who vegges out on Netflix. My kids are more than just adventure kids. They live in a home full of love, they play with legos, they play sports, they are ballerinas, and brothers and sisters. Instagram and these social networks are wonderful ways to meet friends, to feel inspired and away to be creative, but sometimes they don’t show the messy, the real and that is what I enjoy seeing and being. When you create an environment that is relatable it’s easier to connect. It’s refreshing and inspiring. Life is a journey and we are all a wild child on our own adventure trail. Whether it be learning to tie your kindergartener’s shoe, planting a garden or on the cliffs of Kauai. I look forward to seeing each and every family trail and like REI says every trail connects…I candidly think we connect. I have met so many cool people out there from all over the world. Although I want to share our love of the forest…there are still these folks behind the scenes. These real folks who live real lives. Thus I created forestnfolk. I figured if I’m not one’s cup of tea (adventure feed) then they can move on, but as for my tribe we ride real….
    If you look up the definition of wild it says it is living or growing in a natural environment. If we raise wild children to play outside in a natural environment they will flourish. They will develop a since of belonging with their environment and appreciate and want to take care of it as well as grow up to be adults who install the same behaviors in their children an so on. Their natural environment can be anywhere from the forest, park or right in their very own back yard. It feels natural to be in an environment outdoors because we were made to be apart of it. I love meeting wild children big and small. I love being a wild child and I love raising wild children. Here’s to all the wild childs across the globe. May they run, may they be messy and may they be real.”
     A huge thanks to all these amazing outdoor parents for sharing your beautiful words and worlds with us. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and let them know we sent you their way! We’ll be featuring more of their gorgeous images on our feed over the next week.