outdoor adventures

FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
10 Hiking Essentials for Families
- April 27, 2021
Have you heard of the concept of the 10 essentials for hiking? It’s a basic gear list that attempts to prepare you for all the things that could possibly happen while out hiking. The list is composed of items in ten categories, to cover everything you may need out on a hiking adventure. And hiking with kids is definitely an adventure! Today, Creative Team member and Arkansas mom of 2, Nichole Holze walks us through 10 hiking essentials for families. She breaks down the list to what’s practical for parents, what she’s tried and tested, along with tons of pro tips for hiking with kids.

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Hiking essentials for families

Hiking has always been one of our family’s most favorite hobbies. Before having kids, while I was pregnant, then with littles, and now with not-so-little children (when did my kids get so big!?), hiking has been a big part of my life. Hiking can be such a fun family adventure, but it also has a few inherent risks. The best way to be prepared for those risks is to be aware and make sure you packed your hiking essentials.

In this post, I’m going to share the 10 essential things you should have with you on any hiking adventure with kids. I’ll also break our hiking essentials list down for shorter hikes, longer hikes, and everything in between. Plus, I’m including a few tips I’ve learned after hiking with kids for almost ten years!

But, before we begin, I have this piece of advice for you regarding sustainability and eco-friendly choices. Before buying anything new, start with what you have. Most likely, you can find something for each of these categories that you already own. Begin there. Then, as you’re ready for more challenges you can make adjustments, tweaks, or additional purchases where necessary. Alright, let’s go!

What are the 10 essentials for hiking?

The official idea of the “ten essentials” came from Mountaineering magazine back in 1974, but has gained popularity since then as being an excellent way to be prepared while exploring the outdoors. While the original list of essential hiking items was designed with extreme adventure in mind, it can still be used by families. Because, let’s be honest, hiking with children of any age is undoubtedly an extreme adventure, whether it’s two miles or ten!

The 10 essentials of hiking gear list has always sought to answer two basic questions:
1. Can you prevent emergencies and respond positively should one occur?
2. Can you safely spend a night (or more) outside?
The list of hiking essentials falls into these categories: navigation, light source, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire, shelter, food, water, and clothing. Generally, I keep something in my backpack to check off each of those categories. But, what you need for hiking with your family can change depending on the adventure. So, let’s dig a little deeper into each category and modify them a bit for what you’ll need when hiking with kids.

Choosing a hiking backpack

Before I get into the details of what essential items you need for hiking with kids, I want to talk about a bag to carry it all in. In my opinion, a backpack is an essential piece of gear! It needs to 1) be comfortable, 2) have enough pockets to hold your important items, and 3) be something you love.

My “adventure bag” is a Jansport Agave 32 that I’ve had for years. It’s held up well to all kinds of adventure. I’ve added patches and pins to make it my own, and it even has a sleeve for a hydration bladder (more on that later).

Hiking backpacks for kids

My children’s first adventure packs were the Scout backpack from Camelbak. They worked great up until around age six, when they outgrew them. You can check out a video of the little backpacks in action HERE.

As my children grew, their next (and current) packs are the Osprey Daylight packs, which they use with the water bladder from their old Camelbak packs. The packs are a little bigger, very comfortable, and have plenty of pockets for stashing treasures.

Quick note: I believe in letting kids carry backpacks as soon as they’re big enough to hike on the trails. Yes, parents, you’ll end up hauling their bags for the second half of the hike, but if you plan on bigger adventures as they get older, it’s a good habit to begin while they’re little. Greta Eskridge talks about this in her book Adventuring Together.

1. Navigation

The first item on your hiking essentials for families’ gear list relates to navigation. You probably already have an excellent navigation tool in your hand. In fact, it’s probably what you’re reading this blog post from. Yup, it’s your cell phone. Your phone, with its built-in GPS is already an extremely powerful navigation tool! And navigation is one of the ten hiking essentials for families!

Depending on where you’re adventuring, you may or may not have cell phone service. One of the ways that I prep for this is to download a map offline. Using an app like AllTrails is a great way to do that. I pay for the pro version of the app because I use it so frequently and love all the extra features I get with the upgraded paid version. Always check the trail map before you go, but as an added level of safety, having an offline (or hard copy map) saved is important.

Note – For safety’s sake, I recommend NOT recording your hike through the app. You can record it another way and save it privately, there’s no need to share where you adventure unless you feel comfortable doing so.

I also carry a compass in my backpack. It is a small compass that also has a mirror for emergency signaling. I’ve never used it, but I do know how to, if the situation were to ever arise. Learning to use and navigate with a compass is a really great skill to learn as a family! Someday, the ability to read a map, terrain, and use a compass may save your life. I recommend the book Squiggly Lines as a starting point. Geocaching is also a great way to learn directions and reading a map.

2. Light source

Another hiking must-have for families is a source of light in your backpacks. Even if you plan on being back to your car well before dark, it’s critical that you have light, just in case you need it. The outdoors can be unpredictable so it’s best to be prepared.

For our family, we each carry a headlamp in our backpacks. All of our headlamps are from Black Diamond. Mine is a rechargeable headlamp and the others use triple-A batteries. I let my children carry their headlamps in their own backpacks, because when they’re little it makes them feel pretty special. When I first gave my daughter her own headlamp, she wore it the entire hike, in broad daylight. But, it made her feel like she could conquer the world.

Pro tip – if you’re going to invest in headlamps, don’t bother buying children’s headlamps. Your kids are only going to grow so get them a piece of gear that will grow and last for them.

Flashlights or pen lights also work great as a light sourcet! As a last resort, you can also carry a lighter or matches in your pack and emergency candle.

3. Protection from the elements

Having something that can protect you from the elements is one of the hiking essentials for families that can vary depending on the seasons and weather. Where we live and hike most often, our protection needs to be from the sun. It’s always important to be mindful of sun protection wherever and whenever you’re hiking, but how much protection you need will change.

For us, I like to carry extra sunscreen and sunhats just in case. My children each carry a Sunday Afternoons sunhat in their backpacks, which my daughter wears more often because she’s prone to sunburn. If you’re going to be adventuring near water or the ocean, please be sure that you’re using a Reef Safe sunscreen! We also really like the Sahara shirts from REI. They are moisture-wicking and lightweight enough to not be too warm in the heat of the sun, but also provide great sun protection.

Pro tip: Children grow, quickly, so if your kids are over the age of four, I recommend just getting them an adult size hat and not a child-sized one. Most of them have a chin strap and head strap you can cinch down, and it will last them into adulthood.

It’s important to be mindful of what season you’re in or what weather you may encounter. For us, it’s all about layering. In cooler or cold weather, we layer a warm sweatshirt with our rain jackets to stay warm. It works twofold: it locks in body heat while also keeping out moisture and wind. Get in the habit of checking the weather as you prepare for your adventure day! But also, prepare for the unexpected. A lightweight raincoat can provide protection from the sun as well as wind, rain, and cold.

4. First Aid

I’ll be the first to say it: I am not a wilderness first aid expert. Shocking, I know! I’m just a Mom, who has learned through experience what works, what doesn’t, and what is important. First aid is definitely important, especially with wild rambunctious kids. So, the next thing on your hiking essentials for families’ gear list relates to first aid.

If you plan on bigger and more epic expeditions, I would recommend picking up a book on Wilderness First Aid to read at your leisure or taking a wilderness first aid class. This training and knowledge will make you much safer and more confident on the trail.

For our first aid, I always carry an Ultralight/Watertight first aid kit from Adventure Medical Kits. They’re very compact, last for years, and hold up to being fully submerged in a creek (yes, I know this from experience). Having some sort of first aid kit is essential for families, whether your hiking solo or with your whole crew.

Pro tip: when my husband and I rode Amtrak out to Glacier to go backpacking (that’s a story in and of itself) we made our own First Aid kit. This is easy to do with a waterproof bag (like a Ziploc bag) and supplies you already have at home. For space-saving and durability, I do recommend purchasing an adventure or camping-type first aid kit.

For a full list of what should be in your first aid kit and how to be safe on the trail with kids, check out our post on Hiking Safety Tips and Hiking First Aid.

5. Multitools or a knife

Having a multitool or knife is a hiking essential that is up to interpretation and what each family feels comfortable with. What you choose to carry as an essential is based on your needs. This essential hiking item could come in handy in a variety of ways and scenarios, but should always be supervised around small children.

I always carry a knife and my children each have their own multitool. My daughter even named hers, it’s called her “Brave Tool.” A multitool or even a first pocketknife make wonderful gift items for outdoorsy kids. My children love carrying their own multitool and whip out the little knife on theirs almost every chance they get to whittle their own little spears.

The knife that I carry serves a dual purpose; as a survival tool, but also as self-protection, should I need either. My knife is one of the tools in my backpack that always stays there, along with my headlamp, compass, and first aid kit, so that it’s always ready to go. The same is true for my children’s multitools. They always stay in their backpacks. They can get them out to play or use at home, but they are stored in their adventure packs.

6. Fire

I never plan on needing to make a fire while out on day hikes with kids, but there have been times that I’ve done so just to keep warm while we stop for lunch, or relax for a little while. The ability to start a fire can literally mean life or death in a survival situation, so I always carry a way to start a fire on every adventure, big or small. A method of making/starting a fire is the next hiking essential for families.

The easiest thing to do is to always carry a lighter, which I do. It’s just a simple Bic lighter that takes up minimal space. However, I also like to have a backup, so I also carry a magnesium fire striker. You can also look into a flint and steel rod.

Pro tip: whatever backup method you choose, practice with it! Make sure you know how to use it! Here’s a great post about teaching kids how to build fires from another creative team member!

7. Shelter

One of my kids’ favorite activities is to practice building survival shelters in the woods. Because who doesn’t love building a fort? While those forts are great practice for an emergency. And shelter is the next essential hiking item for families.

I like to be prepared for the worst and carry an emergency bivvy in my backpack, especially if it’s a hike over five miles or very remote. A “bivvy” is short for bivouac shelter, which means any sort of temporary or emergency shelter usually employed by soldiers, mountaineers, backpackers, or other outdoor adventurists. The ones we use are basically a reflective blanket in sleeping bag form. They are packed very small and take up little to no weight or space in an adventure backpack.

For our big hikes (ten miles or more) I have each of my children carry one. We like the Emergency Bivvy from Adventure Medical Kits, which is no longer available. But, here is a great alternative: Go Time Gear Life Bivvy. This piece of essential hiking gear may not be one you ever need, but when you need it, it could save you or your children’s life. They trap body heat while also providing protection from the elements.

8. Water, water, water

Never underestimate how much water you’ll need when hiking with kids. On our last big hike (a ten-mile round trip hike to see a hidden waterfall), I forgot that the hike had no access to water. This meant I was sharing what I had in my hydration bladder with our dog. (ps – do not recommend). I ended up running out of water with two miles to go still. Don’t do like I did, plan ahead. Water is one of the most important hiking essentials for families.

Both of my children carry their own hydration bladder (also from Camelbak). We introduced these when they received their first hiking packs when they were tiny and they LOVED them. Water is HEAVY so it’s important to find a way to carry it without added weight. The insulated water bottles are nice, but they also add a lot of weight. We prefer hydration bladders, for any and all outdoor endeavors.

The last piece of essential hiking gear for families is a means to purify water. We love the water filters from Sawyer, check out their mini filter in action HERE. I keep one of those filters with a straw in a Stasher bag, in my adventure pack at all times. You can also check out Lifestraw or this neat on-the-go filter from MSR. In a survival situation (or if your water filtration fails, which we’ve had happen to us) you can start a fire to bring water to boiling. It’s critical that the water reaches a boiling point for sixty seconds to kill off any bacteria. Water is the most important thing for all adventures and will be priority one in any survival or unexpected outdoor mishaps. I would recommend doing your research to find what feels right for your family and your situation.

9. Extra food

The ten hiking essentials require extra food, water, and clothing. Again, what you carry depends on your situation, the season, and the weather predictions. Just remember, the outdoors can throw all kinds of wrenches in your plans so it’s best to be prepared.

In general, I carry one to two extra snacks for each person (and my kids don’t know about them.) Those “extras” can be a bonus on the ride home, but will also come in handy if our day takes a turn. Once on a nine-mile day hike with a very poorly marked trail, I had to ration out the extra food. But those extra chocolate chip granola bars were the perfect motivation to keep little legs going, mile after mile.

For other extra food options, sometimes I grab a few meals from our stash of dehydrated meals in our camping gear. These are lightweight, easy to prepare, and last a long time. I never use them unless we have to. My favorites are the meals from Good to Go foods. And here’s a great post filled with awesome trail-test kid-approved hiking snacks.

10. Extra clothing

The final item on our hiking essentials for families gear list is a bit of extra clothing. Extra clothing can be essential when hiking with kids, but we’re not asking you to pack a suitcase or bring along a closet of clothes for everyone. Extra clothes can also take up a lot of room in your backpack, so pack smart. For extra clothing, we start our hike in all of our layers, then peel them off as we warm up. But as a general rule, we always carry lightweight rain jackets in our bags, just in case. I also recommend an extra pair of dry socks for everyone. Dry socks can help prevent blisters and keep you warm if/when your feet get wet. The same goes for extra gloves in the winter. If you know you’re going to get soaking wet or muddy on a hike (hello creeks!), then bring the essentials on the hike with you and pack a full set of change of clothes to leave in the car so you can change before driving home.

Backpack essentials and who carries what

I know, I know. I just shared LOTS of information with you. These ten hiking essentials for families may sound like a lot to pack and carry with you on a hike. So, here’s a little breakdown of who carries what in our family that may help you divide and conquer:
- Mom – water filter, first aid kit, knife, emergency bivvy, sunhat, sunglasses, my own water, main food, compass, fire starter/striker, phone/map
- Kids – their own water, a multitool, two granola bars/snacks, emergency whistle
That’s just for the essentials. Please remember that these are meant to be guidelines, you can adapt and change what you need for your family. Just be sure to have at least something from each of the ten categories listed above. I also recommend letting your children get used to carrying a backpack with some of their own essentials as soon as they are able to hike more than one mile.

Additional items to pack when hiking with kids

Now that we’ve covered the basic hiking essentials for families, here are a few more items that you might also want to pack and take with you (which may or not be essential, but could definitely be useful!):
- Baby wipes – I always bring a few in a reusable Stasher bag. Why? Because they’re amazing.
- A garbage bag and disposable gloves – Thes are great to carry out our own trash, but also any trash we see. Because inevitably we will see other peoples’ trash on the trail and we are determined to leave the trail better than we found it. It’s just good outdoor etiquette.
- Net – My kids would like to argue that a net is also essential, along with a small container for critters or nature treasures found along the way. (Please collect responsibly.)
- Charger – If you’re going to be out for an extended period of time, a backup wireless phone charger is helpful!
- My kids also love their Relay Go – a screen-free, smartphone that lets me give them a little more freedom to run ahead on the trail, but also lets me keep track of where they are and stay in touch. Learn more HERE.
Family hiking checklist

There you have it! The 10 hiking essentials for families that will help you feel more prepared, safe and confident when out on the trails with your little ones. Here’s a quick recap of the ten things you need when hiking with kids:
1. navigation
2. light source
3. sun protection
4. first aid
5. knife
6. fire
7. shelter
8. water
9. food
10. clothing
Be prepared, be responsibly brave

Thanks for reading, friends! If you’d like to follow along with all of our shenanigans, you can find me on Instagram HERE. You can also sign up for my once per month Field Notes newsletter HERE.

P.S. If you join my newsletter you’ll be the first to know when I open up my FREE Respsonsibly Brave Adventure course again! Here’s to chasing the adventure, prepared for whatever gets thrown our way. ~Nichole

More resources for hiking with kids

If you’re interested in more great content about hiking with kids, be sure to check out the following posts:
About the author

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

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

Outdoor etiquette and nature manners

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

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

What are nature manners?

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

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

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

7 easy nature manners for outdoor-loving kids

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

1. Give a hoot, don’t pollute!

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

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

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

2. Just say no to graffiti

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

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

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

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

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

4. You had me at “hello”

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

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

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

5. Leave it as you found it

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

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

6. Be mindful where you walk

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

7. Show respect for wildlife

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

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

Use your nature manners to love Mother Earth

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

Connect with Wonder Club Explorers

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

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

What nature manners are you teaching your kids?

About the author

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

You can find Michelle online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wonderclubexplorers
Website: http://www.wonderclubexplorers.co
RWMC posts: Michelle Garrett
CAMP, HIKE, INFORMATION, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Outdoor Skills: Teaching Kids How to Build A Fire & Fire Safety Tips
- March 8, 2021
Having outdoor skills like knowing how to build a fire are important when you spend a lot of time outside. Teaching kids how to build fires isn’t very difficult, but it does take some thought, planning, and time. Plus, teaching your children basic fire safety tips and advice is something that may be invaluable and could possibly save lives. Today, Georgia homeschooling mom of three, SarahRuth Owens walks us through the basic fire safety skills and tips for teaching kids how to build a fire.

Teaching basic fire skills to kids

If your kids are like my boys, they love the idea of creating a fire, cooking over a fire, and even extinguishing a fire. Having a firestarter in your home is a fun journey. Kids learn so much as they practice following directions, caring for the environment around them, and more. Furthermore, they begin to feel responsibility and ownership of their time outside. When children have a buy-in, a role, they really want to be in that place often. So let’s get started; let’s teach our kids how to build fires.

Smokey the Bear says “safety first”

Conversations and practice are the best ways to teach kids how to build fires. When my boys were 2-3 years old, we began this process. As we were outdoors nearly daily, they sat around a fire, gathered kindling, and helped put out a fire from a very young age.

Let me begin by telling you that 6 years ago, I knew nothing about building a fire. Zero. Zilch. So do not be intimidated. You can learn just like I did. Go with a friend who enjoys building fires and knows how. Watch, ask questions, be like a kid learning to build a fire. In truth, I think this might be the best way anyhow. If you don’t have someone to show you how, you can always Google it! There are tons of videos and articles out there that will show you exactly how to build a fire.

Fire safety tips for kids

If you recently learned how to build fires, then you will remember the safety rules, the steps involved, etc. If it’s been a while, here’s a quick refresher of some important rules to establish when teaching kids how to build a fire and teaching children about fire safety:
- Location – Only build a fire in an area you know allows it.
- Fire ban – Make sure there are no fire bans.
- Check the wind – Windy days are not fire-friendly days.
- Clear the area – Make sure there’s nothing in the area where you’ll be making the fire. This is such a good project for littles, they can begin this in their toddler years.
- Wood only – Remind kids that the only thing that goes into a fire is wood. No fresh weeds or vines. No food. No plastic.
- Water supply – Have a working water hose or a vessel filled with water near your fire ring.
These fire safety tips can be parts of conversations you have while you build fires near your children. It can take months of this type of conversation before some will feel comfortable heading into fire building with a child. Eventually, your firestarter should be able to tell you these rules independently. Knowing this information and being able to implement it without reminders, is the first step towards autonomy when building fires.

Basic steps of building a fire

Once a child knows the basic safety rules, they’re ready to start building a fire. Teaching kids to build a fire occurs in steps. Dependent on the age of your kids, they can help with various tasks. Before the actual fire starting can begin, they’ll need to clear the area, gather kindling, and demonstrate that they know and observe safety practices near an active fire. Then, they are ready to begin to build.

The basic steps of building a fire go like this:
1. Location – Choose a spot with at least a 10-foot circumference of clearing, there should be no overhanging branches.
2. Clear the area – Remove all brush, twigs, leaves, etc. from around the fire area.
3. Dig a small pit – Some sites recommend as deep as one foot. Our family chooses to not make so deep of a pit and instead focus on a larger fire ring.
4. Create a ring – Arrange rocks around the space you will build an active fire.
5. Gather wood – A fire needs three things: fuel, oxygen, and heat. Wood is the fuel. You want three types of wood: Tinder, kindling, and logs/large wood.
6. Arrange the wood – There are a couple of different options for setting up your firewood. We go over the teepee and log cabin styles below.
7. Ignite the kindling – Finally, ignite the kindling to get the fire started.
Looking at the list above, things might feel overwhelming. So, let’s move through the fire-building process step-by-step.

How to choose a safe fire location

Choosing a location is probably the easiest and most self-explanatory part of teaching kids how to build a fire. Kids should understand where are good fire spots and where are not. Having adults help with this is necessary and not something I would pass off to a child until they have shown their understanding many, many times. Practically speaking, I let my boys show me where they would like to build. They typically choose well, but, occasionally they need a reminder about being too close to a tree or other structure, or if there’s a limb hanging overhead.

Clear the area and make a fire ring

As I said earlier, clearing an area can be something even your youngest firestarters can help with. Having a space for your fire free from things that could burn is essential. In our family, digging a pit is optional. If you have properly cleared an area and created a ring with rocks, plan to maintain and remain with the fire, you can decide if you need a pit or not. They can be great for camping, as it creates an easily reusable space. One of my boys’ favorite parts of fire building is the ring itself. Something about hunting rocks and shaping the ring is just fun!

Gathering wood for a fire

When teaching kids how to build a fire, you’ll need three types of wood: tinder, kindling, and fuel wood. We actually like to bring our own tinder (see below). For those times when you have no tinder with you, it can usually be found in your immediate surrounding area. You can use dry bits of grass, pine, moss, lichen, and leaves. Focusing on finding dry, crunchy leaves is the best.

Once you have collected a good handful of tinder, you need kindling. It is fun to assign roles if more than one child is involved. Someone can be the tinder person, the kindling person, and the fuel wood person (of course, you’ll want to rotate). Kindling will be the small sticks and twigs you set up over the tinder. It will catch fire first and then ignite the fuel wood.

Choose your campfire style

There are a few different ways to stack your wood so that it gets proper aeration for a long-lasting burn. For this discussion, we’ll cover the basics of the teepee/cone method and the log cabin method. Both are easy for kids to understand and create.

A teepee tends to be a great and easy starting place. For the teepee/cone method, make a small teepee/cone of kindling around a few handfuls of tinder that are loosely piled in the center of the fire ring. Your tinder goes at the base of the fire and then your kindling is placed over it in a tent/cone shape. Once you have your kindling in place, you will build a larger tent shape with your fuel wood around your kindling. Light from beneath and blow as needed. Once the fire is going strong and the temperature increases, you can add larger logs a few at a time as needed. My boys love to build this and enjoy the challenge of getting it to stay upright.

For the log cabin method, place two larger pieces of fuel wood parallel to each other on the ground in the center of the pit. Leave some room in between the logs. Then, place two more pieces of fuel wood criss-crossed on top in the other direction (like you’re building a log cabin) to form a square. Place your tinder inside the square. Continue adding a few more layers of fuel wood around the perimeter, getting a bit smaller with each layer. Finish your log cabin with a layer of kindling and tinder across the top to make a roof. Make sure you leave some space between the fuel wood logs so the fire can get plenty of oxygen. This build is great for longer and slower burns.

Some additional info on firewood

Depending on where you’re making your fire, there may be restrictions on firewood. Usually, it’s recommended that you do not bring firewood with you if you’re traveling from more than 50 miles away or crossing large rivers. Some campgrounds may even ban bring-your-own firewood regardless of the distance you travel. This is to keep local insects out of certain areas and to prevent the spread of new (and possibly invasive) species into areas.

If you forage for firewood, make sure to show the kids how to gather only downed wood. Never cut live trees or break off branches from standing trees, even dead trees. Birds and wildlife make use of dead branches and snags. Fresh wood can also be an issue because sometimes it can be wrapped with poisonous vines that can cause reactions to the skin when burned.

Starting the fire

Matches are our favorite item for lighting our campfires. Kids can simply toss the match into the fire once ignited. Easy peasy. Just make sure to supervise and stay close to your kids at all times.

DIY firestarters

One of our favorite types of kindling is homemade firestarters. DIY firestarters are super easy to make and truly make the fire lighting process so easy. We gather our dryer lint and keep it in a bag in our kitchen along with any old candles (with that wee bit of wax in the bottom), used wax melts, string, twine, etc.

When you want to make some tinder, you can use an old cardboard egg carton. Simply put some of the dry burning things in, heat the wax you’ve saved, and pour it over the dry pieces. This makes amazing firestarters. You can break off the carton cups and use one section at a time to start your fire. This is also another way children can be involved in the whole process.

Putting out a fire

Possibly the most important part of teaching kids how to build a fire and about fire safety is to teach them the proper way to put out a fire. Having a shovel and a bucket is a must. Bring these with you any time you build a fire outside. The shovel is to toss some dirt and stir your fire. A fire must be cold when you leave a site. A person should be able to touch the coals and not feel any heat. If there is heat, repeat!

What do you repeat? Water, stir, touch. Adults only for touching, please (at least until you have a child who knows and understands when it may be too hot). Putting out a fire is a simple process, but teaching your kids to be sure it is stirred and cold it where it’s at.

Teaching kids how to build a fire is fun

There is something truly magical about outdoor campfires. I love cooking over a fire, roasting marshmallows, and sitting beside a fire and crocheting. Teaching my kids how to build a fire has been an important outdoor survival skill. Seeing my sons take pride in a fire they built and can now enjoy, is the icing on top! There are so many fun things to do with a campfire. Once they can build a fire, they can practice making food in the campfire! They can catch fish and roast them. Kids will love the responsibility, the wonder, and the memories made!

Don’t forget to ALWAYS use common sense and safety practices with fires. Especially as your children are learning.

Do you have tips for teaching children to build outdoor fires?

Show us your campfires!
Use the hashtag #runwildmychild and tag us on Instagram!

About the author

SarahRuth is a homeschooling mother of three boys. She was raised in cities across the East coast, but now resides in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia where her husband grew up. Passionate about inspiring others to shift from the status quo of Western indoor life, she launched a local Free Forest School chapter in 2017. Her family clocked over 2k hours outdoors in 2019 and believes that outside time as a family is vital to a joy-filled life. She collects books, stray children, and as much coffee as her body will permit. When not foraging, chasing waterfalls, or camping with her crew, you can find SarahRuth crossing the globe from her laptop, teaching English full time online! She has two bachelor’s degrees in Education and is passionate about teaching children to love learning through outdoor adventures.

You can find more from SarahRuth in the following online locations:
Instagram: @kindle_togetherness
RWMC posts: SarahRuth
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SPRING
Mud Activities for Kids: 7 Creative Ways to Have Fun with Mud
- February 19, 2021
As parents, we see mud and only see a mess. But to children, mud is an abundant and attractive medium for creation, exploration, and adventure. Mud is fun! Playing with mud engages all the senses, encourages creativity, and creates long-lasting childhood memories. Now more than ever families need ways to keep kids safe at home and entertained in our own backyards. What’s for more to a child than giving them permission to get muddy! Today, we have Brandi Markham, Maryland teacher and mom of 3 here to share her family’s favorite mud activities for kids with you and lots of ways your kids can have fun with mud!

The magic and benefits of mud

Mixing soil, water, and other natural materials like pebbles, leaves, or grass provide children endless possibilities for learning and fun. Many of us parents have fond childhood memories of creating mud pies, digging for worms, or making streams and valleys in the mud. But it’s not just about fun. Children benefit from messy play, particularly muddy play. Mud play has also been associated with a range of benefits including increased happiness, improved well-being, stronger immunity, and a deeper connection with nature.

Now more than ever, kids need fun, safe and easy activities they can do in their own backyard. Playing with mud is definitely one of them! It’s a simple concept with tons of adaptability and allows kids to get dirty and creative! Kids will love having permission to get messy and parents will love the endless hours of unstructured outdoor playtime these simple mud activities provide.

Creating a mud play space

If possible, consider setting up a dedicated mud play space for your kids. Maybe in a corner of the yard that you don’t mind getting really messy! With kids, the mud probably won’t stay contained to one location, so consider where and why they’ll be moving around the yard when choosing a spot. They’ll probably need access to water, so a nearby water spout or hose is ideal. This also helps for clean-up.

If you have a mud kitchen, all the better to create some really amazing mud confections! You can buy a pre-made mud kitchen or make your own from wood pallets or an old desk or shelving unit. You could even just set up a table – kids are creative and don’t need much. Stock your mud kitchen with all kinds of old pots, pans, utensils, mixing bowls, and kitchen gadgets. You can usually find these things second-hand very inexpensive, so you’re giving extra life to these items.

If you don’t have a dedicated spot in your yard for a mud patch or a mud pit, it’s easy to create one! You can fill a plastic kiddie pool with mud so the mud is contained and won’t get all over your yard. You can also create a mobile mud patch by filling a wheelbarrow with mud, which can be moved around the yard, as necessary and easily emptied and hosed out.

Mud activities for kids

But kids don’t need to understand why this type of play is important to their development. What’s important is that we, as parents, provide opportunities for them to do it – and give them permission to get dirty! Mud play was a huge hit with my kids and even earned me the title “Best Mom in the World” from my son. So, before we get to International Mud Day on June 29th, read on to find out some fun and simple and fun mud activities for kids.

1. Mud pies

If your childhood was anything like mine, you already know all about the most classic way to have fun with mud – mud pies. Making mud pies is perhaps the most simple and creative way to play with mud. In order to make mud pies, all that is needed is mud and some old cups, pans, pie tins, bowls, or containers. Simply send those kids outside to the mud and let them loose! Watch your child’s creativity shine. My kids have used sticks, flowers, leaves, and anything else they find in the yard to decorate their mud pies. The options are endless.

2. Mud soup

Another simple way to have fun with mud is to make mud soup. For our mud soup, we pulled out the witch’s cauldron from Halloween and some spoons for mixing. If you don’t have a witches cauldron, don’t worry! Buckets, large mixing bowls or a punch bowl would all work just as well. Sticks are great for mixing. First, my kids started with dirt and added water to make the mud. Then, they added all kinds of special ingredients to make their mud soup especially tasty. They added leaves, sticks, mulch, water, flowers, seeds, pebbles, and anything else they could find. Mmmm…delicious!

3. Mud sculptures

Mud sculptures were a new idea for our family. This was one of my favorite mud activities because it involved art, as well as science. My daughter quickly learned that she had to have a certain ratio of mud and water in order for her sculpture to stand. So building mud sculptures was as much a science experiment as it was creative play. If you have clay-heavy mud in your area, all the better for this one. You can also add some modeling clay to your mud to help with the consistency.

Kids can get as creative as they want with this activity. Mud sculptures can be anything from figures, shapes, mud animals. Try building a mud house using mud bricks. Feel free to add sticks, leaves, flowers and more to those sculptures to make them extra awesome! Older kids may be better at this activity, but it’s simple enough for even little kids. If you have kids in the early years, they’ll enjoy just squishing the mud between their fingers. Let the older kids make the sculptures and then let the little ones destroy them!

4. Mud painting

Another fun art project to do with mud is mud painting. This can be done in several ways. We simply took white paper outside and used our fingers to paint with mud. Handprints were a big hit, of course. The kids also painted pictures of houses and animals. This would but a fun activity to do on a light-colored sidewalk or wall outside if possible.

If you want to get extra creative, try adding some powdered food coloring to your mud to create mud paint. Then you could use paintbrushes or sponges to paint with your colored mud. Mud paints are a fun way to play in the mud and still be artsy and creative. Let the kids have fun and see what they make!

5. Muddy car wash

Creating a muddy car wash was a big hit for all of my kids. They enjoyed driving their cars around the backyard to cover them with dirt mud so they could visit the car wash. In order to create the car wash, we added some dish soap to a bucket of water. Then the kids used one of their doll brushes to scrub their cars clean. We even had to refresh the water a few times because they had so much fun with this simple activity.

This can also be done with larger cars (think Tonka Trucks) or even with bikes and tricycles. Let the kids ride their bikes through mud puddles and get as dirty as possible, then go through the mud car wash to get them clean! This is a super easy, fun and creative way to let the kids play in the dirt and enjoy outdoor play time.

6. Mud bath/spa

Ok, are you ready for the mother-lode last two muddy activities for kids? These next two mud play activities for kids may be a tough sell for some parents, but I guarantee they’re going to be a BIG hit with your kids. Both these activities require a LOT of mud and a LOT of clean-up, but they’re also going to create some epic memories, amazing opportunities for photos and SO MUCH FUN.

If you’re feeling adventurous, create a mud bath or mud spa for your kids. This activity is probably best saved for a warm day. You can create a mud bath/spa at home in the backyard or even at the beach in sand. For their mud spa, my girls dug a big hole in the sand and filled it with water. Next, they took turns covering each other with mud. This was great at the beach since they could run to the water to clean off afterwards, but it could be done just as easily at home with a water hose or sprinkler. If you’re at home, try filling a kiddie pool with mud and letting them take a mud bath. That way the mud is contained. This is sure to be a big hit for the kids!

7. Mud sliding/pit

Finally, one of the best, but messiest ways to have fun with mud is to create a mud pit or mudslide! If you’re playing in a big patch of mud for any of these activities, then this is probably inevitable anyway. The kids will enjoy running and sliding, digging and jumping in the mud. Don’t be afraid to let them go! Dress them in clothes that they can get as muddy as they want, so you’re not worried about them ruining anything. Just be sure to have a hose ready for clean-up and towels available to dry off.

Fun with mud

What are you waiting for? Now it’s time to head outside, let the kids go, and live it up…we have nowhere else to be right now. I promise the smiles will be worth it.

And if you just can’t stomach the thought of your kids getting this mess and dirty, but still want to give them a fun sensory activity, try making this fairy mud from Happy Hooligans from toilet paper and soap!

What is your child’s favorite mud activity?

About the author

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

You can find more from Brandi in the following locations:
Instagram: @brandimarkham
RWMC posts: Brandi Markham
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY, PRINTABLES, WINTER
Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- February 4, 2021
The winter months can be frigid, but that certainly doesn’t mean that you and your little ones have to stay inside! Now is a great time to find some fun and creative ways to get outside together with your kids. And even better if you can teach them a skill, while you’re at it! If you or your little one is into photography, we’ve got a treat for you. Today, Megan Rigdon, Maryland photographer and mom of three is sharing two super fun and free Winter Photo Scavenger Hunts for kids. Budding photographers of all ages will love this wintertime activity. So grab your favorite hat, mittens, and a camera, and let’s have some fun!

Winter photo scavenger hunt for kids

I love to get my kids outside as much as possible, year-round. It’s more important now than ever, with virtual learning and all the time spent inside on a screen. However, the cold winter months can make it trickier to get your little ones outside for fresh air and adventuring. Finding fun activities that teach and challenge them can make it a lot more enjoyable. Photography is my passion. My children see me capturing the world around me all the time! They also share my interest in photography and want to snap photos and see the finished project. So, when I created this fun outdoor winter photo scavenger hunt, I knew it would be a big success.

Winter children’s books to get you inspired

There are so many children’s books that would make a great intro to this fun adventure. My kids and I love reading some of these fun classics before venturing outside for our winter photo scavenger hunt. The books help get us excited about the season, the weather, and the cold. We talk about the pictures in the books, the scenes, and the characters. Here some of our favorite winter children’s books.
Prep for the activity

Luckily, arranging and setting up the winter photo scavenger hunt doesn’t take a lot of preparation or forethought. You only need a few things and we’ve got you covered. First, I gathered and prepared all of the materials that we would need before I told the children about our exciting plans for the day! For example, I printed the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt on 8.5 x 11 inch cardstock paper. Since my daughter would be using an instant camera, I taped a small sandwich bag on the back of the paper so that she could put her photographs in it. I gathered the camera and popped in the firm. I laid out all our winter clothing so we’d stay toasty warm while exploring outside. Finally, we were ready!

Two printable scavenger hunts

In order to make this fun for kids in both snowy and n0-snow conditions, I created two different versions of the winter photo scavenger hunt for kids. The first scavenger hunt printable is a “Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt” – this is perfect for a chilly winter day where it is absolutely fine if there is no snow on the ground. The kids can find things like a brown leaf, an evergreen branch, and a pinecone.

The second photo scavenger hunt printable is a “Snowy Day Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt.” This one is great for adventures outside when the snow has covered the ground. Children can search for a snow shovel, icicle, and a snowball. This activity also opens up opportunities for your child to make a snow angel and snowman too!

Click here for a printable PDF

Click here for a printable PDF

Bundle up!

A hat, mittens, and boots are challenges listed on both versions of the winter photo scavenger hunt for kids, so make sure your little ones have bundled up appropriately for the winter weather! They will need to take pictures of these articles of clothing. Plus, the added warmth will help keep them cozy warm for longer while you’re outside snapping away and looking for all the items on your photo scavenger hunt.

Instant cameras

There are countless types of cameras your child could use for this challenge such as an instant print camera, your cell phone, or a digital camera. Instant cameras are a great way to get kids started in photography since it gives them some instant satisfaction. If you had a Polaroid growing up, you probably remember this feeling.

My daughter wanted to use her Fujifilm Instax camera. This camera prints the photos right away so she can immediately see the image she took. She loved using this camera and then showcasing her images in a special book when she finished the hunt.

Below is a list of some great options for instant cameras for kids (and adults).
Photographing tips

Before you get started, there are a few tips you should share with your child on how to properly take and compose a photo.
- Handle the camera with care. Use a strap to either secure around your child’s neck or wrist so it does not fall.
- Take your time! Do not rush to take the picture.
- Ask yourself…how can I capture this subject in a creative way? Is there a better angle? What’s in the background?
- Hold your camera very still when taking the picture.
Ready for the hunt!

My daughter could not wait to start this fun winter photo scavenger hunt! She put on her fingerless red gloves, snuggly hat, and boots and headed outside! She looked around the yard for all of the winter challenges. The squeals of excitement when she found each challenge was so sweet. It just warmed my heart how happy she was to see the images that she had captured!

Photo keepsakes

After we completed the winter photo scavenger hunt, we came inside to warm up our fingers and toes! We set out all of the photographs and chatted about each challenge. My daughter decided to make a winter photo book to showcase all of the beautiful images that she captured. She glued the photographs to each page and labeled them. Throughout the winter, she can go outside and take a few more pictures to add to her book. What a lovely keepsake!

More photography resources

If you’re interested in more photography resources, download our FREE guide with our best tips and tricks for taking better photos of your kids’ outdoor adventures with the camera on your PHONE! From creative composition tips to our favorite editing apps, this guide includes everything you need to know to make the most out of the camera in your pocket!

Are you kids into photography?
Have you ever done a winter photo scavenger hunt?

About the author

Megan Rigdon is a mother to three energetic children and lives on their family farm in Harford County Maryland. She is a lifestyle family photographer and a lover of joyful and colorful images. Megan has a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught kindergarten prior to having her own family. They spend as much time as possible exploring the farm and going on adventures together! Raising chickens, fishing, gardening, and crafting are just a few of her favorite things that she enjoys doing with her family.

You can find more from Megan in the following locations:
Instagram: @meganrigdonphotography
Website: http://www.meganrigdonphotography.com
RWMC Posts: Megan Rigdon
FAMILY TRAVEL, HOLIDAYS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Our Favorite Adventures of 2020
- January 4, 2021
Happy 2021, friends! We are so excited to wish farewell to 2020 and to start a new year of adventures with you. No matter who you were or where you lived, 2020 was probably a tough year. And while it had its challenges for everyone, there were also a lot of amazing things that came out of those difficult times. We seemed to all feel a big shift towards what really matters, like family, nature, and self-care. The adventures we took in 2020 probably looked different than how we imagined them when planning. But, we still managed to make the most out of it and spend some time outside together. Today, a few members of our Creative Team are here sharing a little bit about their favorite adventures from 2020. Here are a few memories we’ll never forget.

Leslie – @c_l_allofus

Our family plan for 2020 was to spend the year clearing our newly acquired homestead land and beginning the process of building our house and barn. Even in our personal lives, not much else went we as expected in 2020, but that basic plan of spending the year working together outside never changed. It stretched and challenged us as we cut trees, burnt massive piles of branches, put in our driveway, and passed out endless snacks to our pint-sized helpers. Our kids learned to help with whatever jobs they could, to stay clear of moving equipment and falling trees, and to discover endless ways to create their own adventures on our homestead property. They found favorite climbing trees, built forts and hidden playhouses in the west thicket, and made playgrounds out of just-dropped trees. I love the above picture because it shows our whole family working and playing together–our three-year-old plopped down with her coloring book and crayons in the dirt driveway while the two older girls play in the dirt, our son and his dog dig up a groundhog hole, and my husband works with the mini excavator.

We’ve spent the year trying to balance work and fun, stopping to enjoy the little moments and accomplishments together. We camped out on our property, dreaming about the many nights there in our future. We’ve watched the sun set across the field and fog lift over our meadow. The autumn leaves have fallen and we’ve learned which trees have the most spectacular color. We’ve watched trees bud and left footprints in the snow. 2020 may not have held epic visits to exotic locations for us, but it’s been full of beautiful adventures right here on our own homestead.

Kristen & Jared – @kristcx & @bikeshikesbiners

Our favorite adventure this year was getting to take our kids on a road trip to visit a handful of National Parks. One of those parks was Arches National Park. My husband and I had visited this park on our honeymoon 12 years ago. So, getting to come back to explore it with our new little family was such a great experience. We made so many new memories together as a family. We loved getting to see our kids explore new terrains and experience a different region from our own, learning as they went and opening their minds to what else was out there. It really fanned the flame of our sense of adventure and we can’t wait to see where 2021 will take us!

Stacey – @familyroots.photo

2020 was a crazy year for everyone! It brought highs and lows to all of us. Our family is so grateful to have had some wonderful memories come from it. Here’s a photo of my kiddos and their cousins at the top of the deer loop trail. This trail is right down the street from our cabin in Vermont. It’s about a 3.5 mile loop and the kids absolutely love exploring this trail. We’ve gone multiple times this year, over various seasons – spring, summer, and fall. And it was right here at the top, with this beautiful view of Pico mountain, where they took their very first solo ski down the mountain. It was a memory I’ll never forget and one of our favorite adventures. I hope you and your families can dwell on all the good memories this year has brought you all and cheers to a happy + healthy new year!

Nichole – @coleyraeh

This year was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Unlike anything any of us have experienced. But for us, it was also a year of “level up” adventures. We weren’t able to travel quite as much but I decided to dig deep into shenanigans close to home. Lucky for us, Arkansas is full of adventure. My favorite adventure this past year was a canoe and camping trip, to a floating platform on a river in central Arkansas. Yes, my kids and I CAMPED on a platform, in a river, surrounded by massive cypress trees, blue herons, egrets, owls, and Pileated woodpeckers.

The experience stretched all of us – for me, loading and unloading the canoe from my car (by myself, thank you very much) and for my kids paddling in a river, and against a headwind on our return trip. We also learned the best way to pack the canoe to balance their weight with mine. My son slept in a hammock (with a bug net) and couldn’t stop talking about the stars. We also spotted a snake mid-meal, with the still croaking frog hanging out of its mouth. It was memorable. And yes, we even jumped on the Ocean Spray cranberry juice/Fleetwood Mac challenge, making our video while floating down the river. I’m so excited about where our canoe will take us in 2021!

If you’re interested in reading more about this trip, I wrote a post about it on my blog Luckey Wanderers.

Michelle – @wonderclubexplorers

I have to say, picking just one favorite outdoor adventure from this past year was tough! If nothing else, 2020 was a year that taught us to count our blessings and get creative, especially here in Southern California where safer-at-home orders kept us, well, home. Sort of. In search of new vistas and fresh scenery, we perfected the art of Sunday drives this year. Our destinations were always somewhere new and different filled with interesting roads and places to explore.

One of our family’s most favorite and memorable Sunday drives was to the Anza Borrego Desert in California. Here in the desert, we found more than 100 sun-bathed metal sculptures amidst the cactus plants, tumbleweeds, and sandy earth. As my son ran wild from sculpture to sculpture in the desert, he proclaimed that “This day was the most fun ever!” I have to agree, and as we waved goodbye to the dinosaurs, dragons, and wild horse sculptures on our drive home, I looked back and indulged in a cotton candy-colored sunset. How lucky are we to have this beautiful earth to explore?

Araceli – @roaminggonzalez

I read an article that described 2020 as the year that offered us a “reset”. That is the biggest lesson I am taking away from this year. Although it was difficult, lonely and some days were impossible, I am walking into 2021 with a grateful heart. We grew closer than ever as a family. I realized how over-scheduled life was for us. This year gave us an opportunity to slow down. Our days were filled with all the simple things that matter most and that is what I plan to take into the new year!

We are also unbelievably grateful that we were able to recreate responsibly throughout the year. Whether it was exploring where we live or camping along the coast we treasure what the great outdoors offered us this year more than ever. Sunshine, fresh air, and time together as a family. ADVENTURES are truly the best gifts. We remain hopeful for a better year.

SarahRuth – @kindle_togetherness

The devil came down to Georgia. Seriously, you’all. The devil came down here. This guy made 2020 his year. Maybe it wasn’t just Georgia, but can I tell you something? We had a hurricane. In the Appalachian Mountains. Pause there and let that settle for a minute. Five and a half hours from the nearest beach, our family lost power for four days. Our community had massive flooding, hurricane-force winds, and more. With three young kids and a camper hanging out in our driveway, we figured if the devil came here to Georgia, we would head to North Carolina! In a frenzy, we packed up enough clothing to get us through, tossed the bikes on the truck, and ran!

If 2020 was anything, it was unexpected. As we drove a couple of hours away, we laughed, we cried, and we counted our blessings. Not everyone could run away from 2020 for a few days and fish, ride bikes, count the stars. But, if they could, they should, right? So we did! And we had the time of our lives. If I learned anything this year, it’s that circumstances don’t determine outcomes. Often time, you can switch gears and change the atmosphere of a situation. It is hard to defy your feelings. Super challenging to go against the crashing waves of fear and anxiety….but when you do it, you don’t regret it. Instead, you walk away a victor. I’m all about bringing my kids along for that!

“Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua Marine

Meghan – @meghangarriott

We had a lot of growth in 2020 at the Garriott home. Our boys grew and grew and so did our garden! The initial shutdowns across the US due to COVID 19 just happened to be the same time to start a lot of my seeds indoors. This year we grew Roma tomatoes, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, and jalapeños from seed. With all our added time at home it worked out perfectly to be able to care for our little seeds and expand our garden. As the weather warmed we planted green beans, carrots, green onions, basil, mint, and cilantro.

Our extra time at home over the summer ended up making for a much larger and better cared for crop than in years past. We were able to freeze over 20 quarts of carrots, canned and froze 15quarts of tomatoes, and 20 quarts of green beans all while also eating fresh throughout the summer. Our time in the garden gave us some much needed physical and mental exercise. My boys loved helping me dig and water the garden, they were less thrilled with weeding but I took what I could get. I can’t wait to see what our garden brings in 2021 with all that we learned and expanded in 2020!

Ashley – @sage.and.summit

My favorite memories and outdoor adventures from this year would have to be hiking with my girls and incorporating trail cleanups on those hikes. It not only was a way to get us outside, strengthening our bodies and minds. It also made us feel good to leave the places better than we found them. The most challenging thing about 2020 was not being able to see our friends, however, it made us all more grateful for those friends that we will hopefully see in 2021.

Gaga – @groovybananaphotography

2020 has been a very weird year. We did quite a bit of international travel in the beginning of the year, then the borders to our island were closed because of COVID. As wedding, engagement and family photographers, we had much less work coming in, as people were not allowed to travel overseas for destination weddings. Incredibly, our island was very lucky to not get hit by COVID and we lived quite a bit of the year in a normal bubble where we could still hang out together. Having more time not working gave us more time to spend with friends, and above all, with our kids.

My favorite outdoor adventure of the year was probably our trips to Tanna, another island of Vanuatu. One time we went for a couple photoshoot on the top of a volcano and another time to cover a huge cultural event. In both cases, we went exploring the volcano ash plain which offers out of the world landscapes. It was the most amazing playground and a trip we’ll never forget.

Sara – @sara_mccarty

This may be a very unpopular opinion, but I did not think 2020 was the worst year ever. Yes, it was tough, challenging, infuriating, and heartbreaking. But, it was also beautiful, eye-opening, transformative, and resetting. When the world shut down, it forced us to reevaluate and reprioritize our actions. It was disappointing having to cancel adventures, trips, and extra-curricular activities, but it forced us to get creative and explore our local surroundings in a whole new way. We were scared and apprehensive, but spending time together as a family in nature seemed to make things feel more manageable.

In 2020, we did a lot of fishing, a family canoe trip, some camping, quite a few hikes, and more creek play than we knew what to do with. One of my favorite adventures from this past year was a 2-day getaway to a nearby lake, where my two big kids (6 and 8) and I rented a tiny cabin in the woods. We fished during the day, made a bonfire each evening, and spent our time enjoying the beautiful fall colors and nature around us. The weather was perfect and the kids got along the entire weekend (which is a miracle in and of itself after all the “togetherness” we’ve had). The kids also discovered a newfound love of kayaking and I could barely get them out of the water to eat or go home. It was amazing to see their confidence grow with each trip out and we can’t wait to do it again. It was a bit of a last-minute trip, less than an hour from our house, but it was just what we needed to re-energize and reconnect.

What were your favorite adventures from 2020?
We’d love to hear all about it!
INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY, WINTER
New Year’s Resolutions for Outdoorsy Kids
- December 31, 2020
As Christmas decorations are packed away and the last of the eggnog is consumed, families will gather together to ring in a new year once again. A new year holds the promise of new beginnings and a fresh start. While it’s common for adults to set New Year’s resolutions, kids can get in on the action and set their own resolutions, too! Resolutions for kids need not be boring or related to schoolwork. Rather, New Year’s resolutions for outdoorsy kids should be fun and creative, especially if you want them to stick. Today, Creative Team member Michelle Garrett, California mom, and creator of Wonder Club Explorers, is here with six ideas for New Year’s resolutions for outdoorsy kids that love nature, exploration, and adventure.

New Year’s resolutions for kids

A New Year’s resolution is really just a goal. It can involve any number of things. Maybe it’s something to achieve, something to do more of, or an opportunity to try something new. With so many traditions disrupted this year on account of the pandemic, a New Year’s resolution can be a welcome distraction and a way to keep spirits up as children start a new year.

When you’re ready to start a conversation with your kids about resolution setting, start by asking them what they’d like to do this year. If a child is interested in making things with their hands, then offer them ideas for hobbies that involve tools that result in a finished product. Or, maybe your child has a budding interest in writing (lucky you!) and journaling might be their cup of tea. Regardless, help your child hone in on their potential interest and use that as the basis for a resolution.

Once your child has identified a resolution (or two), help them go about making a plan to follow through with their goal. Here’s where you’ll want to guide them to make the resolution both attainable and timely. While lofty goals are the stuff that dreams are made of, a new year’s resolution should be achievable. If not, kids will miss out on the intrinsic reward of personal growth and the sense of accomplishment associated with following through with something. In that regard, it could be helpful to establish incremental steps to help your child tackle a larger goal.

Outdoor-based resolutions

There’s no shortage of options for New Year’s resolutions for kids who love the outdoors. Maybe just getting outdoors more this year is resolution enough! There is also any number of hobbies and activities to inspire a child to try something new. When you are ready to broach the conversation of resolution setting, it’s helpful to have a few activities in mind to start the conversation. Activities that spark curiosity and capture a child’s imagination and creativity. Here are six ideas for New Year’s resolutions for outdoorsy kids that are tickled by the notion of exploration and adventure.

Plein Air painting

The art of painting outside is called Plein Air painting. If your child likes to express themselves through art and also loves to be outside, then leave the four walls of a room behind and try painting outdoors. Give your child a prompt like “paint what you see” or paint a specific item in nature. Then, let their creativity take hold as they sketch and paint an outdoor landscape. This is a wonderful New Year’s resolution for outdoorsy kids because it allows them to express themselves creatively while breathing in the fresh air and stimulating all the senses. Plus, painting is messy. Taking this activity outside gives them a little extra room to be as messy as they want without the dreaded clean-up of an indoor paint session.

Photography

Fun fact! Ansel Adams got his first camera when he was 12 years old. Could you imagine a world without the iconic and awe-inspiring landscape photographs snapped by Ansel Adams? A fantastic New Year’s resolution for an outdoorsy kid is to learn about photography. Learning outdoor photography can be immediately rewarding. Teaching kids at an early age how to operate a camera, compose a photo, and actually develop or print a photograph is a fun way to explore a new hobby. Not to mention, it gives kids a chance to create their own artwork to hang on a wall or gift to a friend.

If your child is interested in learning more about photography, our friend Nichole teaches a Photography 101 for Little Creatives workshop. In the workshop, Nicole shares basic photography techniques and knowledge about light, composition, and proper camera handling. She also includes 6 photography projects, such as creating a stop-motion video, completing a scavenger hunt, making a family tree, a pinhole camera, and a food photography challenge.

Journaling

Putting pencil to paper is an excellent way for kids to express themselves. Journaling need not be a diary, per se, but could be any number of things. A journal could have it’s very own theme, like gratitude or random thoughts. Or maybe a child’s journal is a place to silence an inner critic. It could serve as a place to talk about adventures taken or dream about adventures to be had. It can be for stories, drawings, observations, jokes, or funny things that happened each day. As far as New Year’s resolutions for kids go, journaling can pay off dividends given how important written communication is in school and life.

Knitting

A little known fact about knitting- it keeps your brain sharp! It helps to redirect one’s focus and exercises both sides of the brain. Besides all of those good-for-you benefits, knitting is a fun hobby for kids to pursue as a New Year’s resolution. Why? Kids will get excited about individualizing their own knitted creations. They get to make choices about the color of yarn to the length and fit of their knitted pieces. They could even make their own stuffies and blankets to decorate their rooms. These may become cherished items that comfort them throughout childhood.

If you want to combine knitting with learning about the weather and temperature outside, consider knitting (or crocheting) a temperature blanket! These are hand-made blankets where each row (or two) in the blanket is a different color, based on the temperature outside that day! It’s such a brilliant idea and really fun and colorful for those that live in areas where the temperature varies a lot. Most people follow a temperature blanket chart which tells them which colors to use, but you can also make your own chart depending on the weather/temperature in your location.

Whittling

Whittling is a cool hobby and past time that translates well beyond childhood. Carving or whittling wood doesn’t require a lot of equipment. A good Swiss Army Knife and safety gloves are really all that one needs to have fun learning the basics of whittling wood. Whittling is also a great motivator to get kids outdoors. Kids can collect twigs and tree branches while on hikes and nature walks for future whittling practice and projects. With the right safety precautions, whittling is a fun hobby to try as part of a New Year’s resolution for outdoorsy kids.

Here are a few whittling tips:
- Start with easy tasks, such as stripping bark off a stick. This stick can then be used to toast marshmallows over the campfire. Or feathering a stick that can then be used for kindling on the campfire.
- Making something comes secondary to learning how to use the knife safely and properly, so make sure you start with the basics of proper handling and care.
- Start with softer easier woods such as silver birch, alder, or sycamore.
- Use young wood that is not so dried out…but never take it off the bush or tree. Always use what you can find lying around you on the ground.
Exploring

Regardless of age, the spirit of adventure should be cultivated! If your wee ones want to get in on some fun adventuring, my son and I created Wonder Club Explorers to instill wonder and curiosity through easy and approachable character-building activities. Becoming a member of an outdoor-based activity club is a great way to stay accountable through the year for taking adventures and getting outside. This is a great new year’s resolution for outdoorsy kids that gives them lots of fun activities and adventures. Nature-loving kids can even earn patches for their adventures without the burden of fundraising and meetings. As far as New Year’s resolutions go, exploring and adventures are the stuff of which memories are made!

Making resolutions fun

The most important thing to remember about New Year’s resolutions for outdoor kids is that they should be fun! Resolutions are an opportunity to try something new, to pick up a new skill, to learn and grown. And to have fun! To help kids with their resolutions, consider finding them an accountability buddy to keep their resolution top of mind, lest it is forgotten. As this year draws to a close and we feel hopeful about better days to come, resolution setting can reap big rewards and draw outdoor-loving families even closer together. To that end and from our house to yours…

Happy New Year!

About the author

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

You can find Michelle online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wonderclubexplorers
Website: http://www.wonderclubexplorers.co
RWMC posts: Michelle Garrett
GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS
Starting A Forest Group for Kids
- November 5, 2020
Have you ever wished you had a local community of parents and kids that regularly met up to play together outside? Have you ever considered starting a playgroup, where the kids could socialize together while they run through the woods, hiked, and explored? Are you interested in meeting other like-minded parents that enjoy spending time outdoors? Well, this post is for you! Today, SarahRuth, Georgia mom of three and outdoor educator, shares everything you need for starting a forest group for kids. (Your outdoor playgroup doesn’t have to be in the forest – it can be anywhere.) She helps you come up with your vision for your forest group, a routine for your meetings and advice for how to get the word out. This is a post you’re not going to want to miss!
The idea to start a forest group
Hello, there outdoor mama! So, you’ve found your stride and you are wracking up your hours outside. You already know that time outdoors is important for your children and their development. You know how wonderful you feel after spending time outside. Your children love your forest forays and outdoor adventures together. Yet, something is missing. After several frolics under the green canopy, you realize what it is…community.
We, humans, are social creatures and when you love something (like spending time outside), it’s natural to want to share it with others. Getting outside is now a priority, so why not share the forest with a group of like-minded folks? Starting a forest playgroup for kids may have never been on your radar. Maybe it’s something you never considered or ever planned to do. And yet, it’s exactly what you know you’d love to do and you are ready to embark on this new adventure. I’m here to tell you how to do it and why it’s such a wonderful idea.
The vision for your forest group
Starting a forest group for kids can be a huge undertaking. In order to ensure the best chances of success, let’s pull together a game plan. The first step in the process of starting a forest group is to come up with a vision for your group and think about what you want it to look and feel like. Here are some questions to consider right away:
How old are your children?
Do you intend to keep the group within a similar age range or open it up to all ages?
How many kids?
Where you will meet? Is there a place you have been visiting in the woods?
Does it have any major risk factors for children?
How you will communicate with others?
Will social media play a role? (Many large forest groups use groups on social media to advertise locations, times, and dates of meet-ups. Smaller groups are most comfortable using a more personal method like texting.)
What are the leadership roles for the adults?
Will there be lessons or just open play?
What about food and snacks? Supplies and gear?
Do you want to put together a set of rules or general group guidelines?
Bringing on additional support
As you write down the answers to these questions, keep your vision in mind, and plan accordingly. When starting a forest group for kids, nothing is set in stone. You can always make changes later and adapt to the circumstances that arise. The planning part should be fun, so don’t let all the questions overwhelm you into not taking any action. It also helps to get help. Instead of pioneering a group individually, I have found having a co-director is wise and keeps me motivated and accountable. Teaming up with another like-minded adult means you will have double the ideas, as well as a fill-in when you are sick, or cannot be as engaged in the group.
Finding a base camp for your forest group
One of the primary roles of the person facilitating a forest group for kids is locating a place for the kids to meet and learn together. Groups usually take on one of two characteristics in this regard. They either choose a specific location and have their meetings there every time or they choose a new location and explore a different place at each meet-up. Both models have their benefits! Keep in mind the skill level, hiking ability, and ages of the participating children. This will help guide decisions about where to meet at events.
Stationary base camp
“Follow me!” 7-year-old Nellie shouts as she races forward on the trail.
“Wow! She is confident,” remarks a new forest group parent as they observe several children run behind Nellie and down the trail.
One idea is that remaining at the same base camp from week-to-week for months (or even years) creates a known environment. Children become comfortable, and eventually even experts in their space. They know the trails leading in, and around their base camp. Choosing the same base camp for an extended period of time can be beneficial for observing seasonal changes.
Nellie is an example of a child who is reaping the benefits of returning to the same space over and again. Her leadership skills are flourishing, and other children easily fall in step with her as a guide.
Roving location base camp
“Today we plan to use our map skills and cardinal direction knowledge to find our base camp,” instructs an adult as several children flock around them with interested faces. After a brief trail talk, the adult passes out compasses and asks the children to use a simple forestry map to head to their base camp for the day.
The other option is to decide to host your outdoor playgroup in a new location each time you meet. The above example shows how a base camp might be different at each event and how that might benefit children. Children practice using learned skills, they develop teamwork and learn how to explore new places, and adapt well to change. They figure out how to find a great base camp location at each meeting and learn how to safely explore unknown locations.
Hybrid
Some forest groups will choose to have both a stationary base camp, as well as events at new locations with spontaneous destination-based hikes and adventures.
Setting the structure of your forest group
When starting a forest group for kids, the next step after finding your base camp is to identify goals and structure for meetings. There is a school of thought that says children in the woods should be their own kingdom. Not infringed upon by the plans and ire of adults. Instead, they can create a world of their own, where they are the kings and queens and rule the land. Adults, step aside! You are the moat around their kingdom. Position yourselves as a border around the chosen base camp, spread your blankets, chat with a friend. You are a gatekeeper only.
There are many perks to having an “unstructured” forest playgroup that gives kids lots of time for free play. The many benefits of unstructured free play in nature have been documented in research again and again. Kids need time like this to be kids without adult interference. Plus, it’s easier for the adults, as there’s no need to plan activities or bring supplies. Watch, be aware, and relax while your children build friendships and explore.
At some point, or in some groups, a group lesson is important. This can either be an educational lesson, a skills lesson, or even just reading a book to the kids. This “forest school” approach is a great way to incorporate lessons and educational activities into an outdoor setting where kids learn best. Teaching outdoor skills using great books can be useful as well as essential to raising future environmentalists and earth tenders. Moreover, foraging, Leave No Trace, map skills, fort building, nature observation, and more are lessons that are best taught in the forest.
Some groups will have multiple events every week and can host both uninhibited play meetups as well as more structured “forest school” types of lessons. You can definitely do both and adapt as your kids get older and express interest in certain things.
Bring your friends to your forest group for kids
Storytime at the library will forever go down in history as the place I left my pride. Storytime was over, but a sweet little baby riding in her mom’s carrier kept grinning at me as I walked around the room re-shelving the books my two tyrants had strewn about. I wanted badly to approach and greet the mom, but just couldn’t get up the nerve. She left.
Suddenly, I find myself in the parking lot beside this mom, baby, and toddler. Breathless, I try and explain why I followed her to her van, “Hi! I know this is strange, but your baby is beautiful and friendly and, well, I didn’t know if you would maybe like to meet with some other moms at my place sometime? I am trying to get some folks together….”.
Call me crazy, but that was exactly how my first ever moms group started. Later, this mom became my best friend. I learned she had battled postpartum depression and she shared, “I had been waiting for someone to ask me over!”
Another dear friendship was born from a chance online encounter in a large mom’s group on Facebook. We realized we were in the same area. We agreed to meet up. The rest is history in the woods because she ran forest groups with me for three years thereafter.
Here’s the deal: making new mom friends can be hard. Sometimes you just have to get out of your comfort zone. The woods are a level playing field. Invite the mom struggling to get through the grocery store with three littles in tow to your forest group. Post an invitation at the library so other nature-loving moms can find it. Drop off an invite at the local food bank. Mention your forest group each time you hang out with friends. Growing a group takes some courage, but it’s so worth it. The friendships that develop (both at the mom and kid-level) are just incredible. Starting a forest group for kids was one of the best things I could do for myself as a mom.
Finding your stride in your forest group events for kids
A glimpse into a forest playgroup meeting:
About 15 children and 6 adults encircle a forest sign marking a trail. One adult can be heard over the rest, briefly instructing the adults to silence phones and keep them put up. One caregiver agrees to be the “photographer” for the day. Then a cheerful song begins. Some children sing and clap while others listen. Brief guidelines are provided with the children listing them almost independently.
Be within sight of adults.
Leaves of three, leave them be.
Gentle hands (with each other and nature).
Sticks pointed down.
Rocks are thrown away from others.
Pack in, pack out.
And then they’re off to play!
That is the forest group way! Simple guidelines shared and then off for a grand adventure. Many groups like to have a rhythm, an expected sequence of events, not necessarily tied to any specific times. In groups I have led, we typically have a trail talk (like above), a hike in (about 15-20 minutes), time at base camp (an hour or so), shared snack, and storytime (15-20 minutes). After that, families can choose to continue to play, or leave. Having a general idea of the flow of events can help children and caregivers feel comfortable. It can also help others step into leadership roles when a director cannot be present.
What you need to know before starting a forest group
Unless you are a forest guru (and maybe you are!), chances are you won’t know tons about the forest and the surrounding area when you get started. Hence, I have become good at everything and an expert at nothing. In starting a forest group for kids, I have realized that I get to learn as I go. Right along with the kids! You don’t need to know everything to start a forest playgroup. That’s the best part!
However, if you like doing your research on projects before jumping right in, here are some suggested books for finding ideas, gaining knowledge, and just overall improving your insight on running a forest group for kids.
Play the Forest School Way: Woodland Games, Crafts, and Skills for Adventurous Kids
There is No Such Thing as Bad Weather
The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs
Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy With Your Children
Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children
If you are looking for great books to read while at your forest group events, this post is filled with amazing ideas. Including culturally diverse books is important as well.
The forest is calling
Be encouraged! So many people have started a forest group for kids before you. Many will after. This is YOUR moment, though. A group for YOUR kids. A place where you get to prioritize outdoor time and give your kids an incredible experience that will change their lives. (and maybe even yours) Work out the plan, find your courage, and then walk outside with your crew and invite your community to join in! You cannot fail, because starting is success in and of itself!
So now we need to know…
When are we meeting you in the woods?
About the author
SarahRuth is a homeschooling mother of three boys. She was raised in cities across the East coast, but now resides in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia where her husband grew up. Passionate about inspiring others to shift from the status quo of Western indoor life, she launched a local Free Forest School chapter in 2017. Her family clocked over 2k hours outdoors in 2019 and believes that outside time as a family is vital to a joy-filled life. She collects books, stray children, and as much coffee as her body will permit. When not foraging, chasing waterfalls, or camping with her crew, you can find SarahRuth crossing the globe from her laptop, teaching English full time online! She has two bachelor’s degrees in Education and is passionate about teaching children to love learning through outdoor adventures.
FAMILY TRAVEL, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota with Kids
- August 10, 2020
The Black Hills are a small and isolated mountain range in western South Dakota. The name “Black Hills” is a translation of the Lakota Pahá Sápa. They were called “black” because of their dark (tree-covered) appearance from a distance. With over five million acres of forest and mountain lands, you’ll also find rich western history, abundant natural beauty, and outdoor adventure. Today, we have Natalia Pollard of @ThisAdventureFamily here, with tips for visiting the Black Hills in South Dakota with kids, where to stay while you’re there, and all the must-see attractions!

Black Hills of South Dakota

The Black Hills region of western South Dakota is an outdoor recreational paradise. Monuments, wildlife, rugged mountains, caverns and scenic drives are just a few things that you should put on your list when visiting South Dakota. The area covers over 10,000 square miles of vast prairies, grasslands, badlands landscapes, and rugged mountains. Year-round opportunities for outdoor adventures abound, and beg to be explored and experienced by families and kids of all ages.

The Black Hills is home to large herds of buffalo, wild mustangs and burros. The world’s largest collection of reptiles. Wall Drug. Six theme and amusement parks. Museums, galleries, and music festivals. Dig sites of prehistoric mammoths and dinosaur exhibits. Crazy Horse Memorial. The Black Hills National Forest and Badlands National Park. Old West shootouts, rodeos and cowboy supper shows. Custer State Park. Hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, trail riding. Historic Deadwood and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Mouth Rushmore.

The best time to visit the Black Hills

While there is an abundance of things to do in South Dakota during all seasons of the year, the absolute best time to visit is late Spring and early Fall. During these times, the daytime temperature is ideal for exploring the beautiful Black Hills and the places aren’t as crowded as during South Dakota’s peak season which runs from June to August.

An important thing to note is that while the daytime temperatures are very comfortable in the summertime, it can dip significantly in the nighttime, so plan accordingly.

Where to stay in the Black Hills

The best way to explore all that the Black Hills have to offer is to stay right in the heart of it! Whether you’re traveling in an RV, tent camping or using lodging facilities, your options are many. We stayed at the Center Lake Campground for one week in our 29 feet Travel Trailer. Campgrounds in Custer State Park fill up quickly. We suggest making reservations way ahead of your visit!

Some of the other popular campgrounds that offer all types of stay (RV, tent and cabins) are Bluebell Campground, Game Lodge and Stockade Campground. Beware, some of the roads in the Black Hills are very narrow, windy and with sharp turns. There are also three tunnels that will not allow an RV through them. Make sure you pick up a map at the entrance to the park so you can see where the tunnels are.

Top 5 must-see outdoor places in the Black Hills

With so many amazing sites to see and places to explore, it’s hard to narrow it down to only five! We spent a week in the area and still didn’t cover everything. There truly is something for everyone. This means you can plan your trip according to your family’s interests and hobbies. Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor adventure junkie, an avid hiker, a water lover or a foodie, there’s something for you!

1. Custer State Park

The number one attraction in the Black Hills is Custer State Park. This 71,000-acre park is abundant with wildlife and adventure! Nearly 1,300 bison wander the park with pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats and a band of burros. It features nine campgrounds, at least five large beautiful lakes with clear mountain waters, hiking and biking trails, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, camping, chuckwagon suppers, fishing, jeep safaris and much more. There is truly something for everyone in Custer State Park!

2. Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake is the most popular Lake in the Black Hills. It’s a favorite of anyone who has visited it. Sylvan Lake is so picturesque that you will end up photographing it from all the angles. Every picture will be just beautiful! There are a lot of amenities at Sylvan Lake – a lodge with fine dining, campsites, swimming beach, hiking trails, boat rentals, fishing, rock climbing, you name it!

Sylvan Lake can take the whole day to visit, make sure you arrive early to get a parking spot as it fills up fast. We did some hiking first and by the time we were done, we were ready to cool off in the lake! Sylvan Lake Shore Trail takes you around the lake, it is an easy trail with a few places to scramble some large rocks. If you have time and would like to take on a moderate trail – definitely check out Sunday Gulch Trail, it’s amazing, but not suitable for toddlers. Bring good waterproof hiking shoes!

3. Wildlife Loop Road

If you’re looking to view some wildlife, make sure to take a drive down Wildlife Loop Road. It stretches for 18 miles through open grasslands and hills, winding up and down. Depending on the time of day that you visit, you might be able to spot herds of buffalo, wild burros, antelope, deer, elk, prairie dogs, eagles and other birds. Wild burros are very friendly. If you’re lucky enough to run into them, make sure to stop and let them say hello to you! Besides all the wildlife, you will also see a variety of beautiful wildflowers. The best time to take a drive down the Wildlife Loop Road is usually in the morning or at the sundown, when the animals are most active.

4. Spearfish Canyon

If you’re up for another scenic drive, then head to the Northern part of the Black Hills to take in the scenery of Spearfish Canyon. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is such a beautiful drive with towering palisades on both sides, Spearfish creek lining the base of the canyon and three waterfalls to explore on your drive. Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls and Roughlock Falls can be found right off the byway and feature both, lower and upper levels for viewing the falls. We suggest that you choose to hike down to the lower viewing areas as the views are so worth it!

5. Badlands National Park

No visit to the Black Hills is complete without making a stop at Badlands National Park. Located south of Rapid City, near the town of Wall, this National Park is full of dramatic landscape boasting many layered rock formations, steep canyons, and towering spires. Take the scenic road through the park and stop at many lookouts! Most of the hiking trails are located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Notch trail and Door trail are two of the most popular trails in the park. We suggest that you hike early in the morning or closer to sundown, as there is no shade at the Badlands.

Exploring the Black Hills with kids

Regardless of what kind of outdoor activity you prefer, you will surely find something amazing to do at the Black Hills of South Dakota. From the faces on Mount Rushmore and the Spires of Custer State Park to the caverns of Wind Cave National Park, and the alien feel of the Badlands, the Black Hills area is home to some truly monumental places. Year-round activities, fun attractions, and lots of outdoor adventures make this an amazing place to visit with kids. I hope this inspires you to plan a trip to the Black Hills soon!

Have you ever been to the Black Hills?
What’s your favorite outdoor thing to do there?

About the author

Hi, I’m Natalia Pollard, mom, wife, and adventure seeker. After becoming a mom to my two boys, I developed a deep appreciation for nature, being in the wild and exploring new places. On a regular day, you can find us checking out a new park, splashing in a lake somewhere, or taking a hike together. As a family, we always try to immerse ourselves in nature and connect with each other and the Earth. That’s why we have recently started our full-time RV life and it has brought us even closer.

Follow along with our adventures in the following locations:
Blog: This Adventure Family
Instagram: @ThisAdventureFamily
Facebook: @ThisAdventureFamily
YouTube Channel: This Adventure Family
HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Cultivating a Love of Adventure in Homebody Kids
- July 28, 2020
As parents, we all want to instill a sense of adventure in our kids and a love for the outdoors. But, what happens when your kids would rather stay home? What if you’re a homebody, too? What if you know you should be getting outside, but the struggle to get out the door is more than you want to deal with right now? You’re not alone. Today, we have the amazing Angie Warmington, Wisconsin mom of three boys, sharing her family’s struggle to get outside and how she’s cultivating a love of adventure in her homebody kids. I think a LOT of us can relate to this. Enjoy!

The struggle is real

Let me be perfectly honest. I am a homebody to the extreme. There is nowhere else on this earth I feel most at ease than in my own home. My three young boys are homebody kids and my husband is right there with us.

My love for home is so deep that it makes me very proud of how comfortable and secure my children feel within the four walls that we’ve provided for them. But I also want them to feel comfortable and secure outside them!

It is no understatement when people say that there’s a big world out there. And I so desperately want them to see it.

The problem is, sometimes they really don’t want to. And the struggle to get my homebody kids out there exploring can be stressful, to say the least.

From homebody to explorer

Let me start at the very beginning of when our love of adventures began. About two years ago when my youngest was old enough to really enjoy being outside we decided we were going to start going on adventures. Ok…I decided we were going to start going on adventures.

At that time, I had been a full-time stay at home mom for about three years. The four walls that created my safe sanctuary were driving me insane. I needed out. And so did my kids.

I knew the importance of children getting fresh air. I knew they needed wide open spaces to explore, to run and burn some crazy off. The benefits of getting outside to their personal growth and development were many. How many studies do we need to read to hammer that home?

And so we made some changes. We started adventuring! I got my homebody kids and self out of the house and we explored new places and tried new things. And for the first summer we did this they loved it! They were begging to go on adventures daily. We went all over our little part of the world and adventured to our heart’s desire.

Adventure strategy

Fast forward a couple of years…all of a sudden, my adventuring kids are back to being homebody kids. They were not so excited about our adventures anymore. In fact, most times they’d really rather not.

I don’t know what happened. Maybe, with this past year of spending so much time in our house the idea of leaving feels foreign to them now? Maybe they’re anxious? Or perhaps they just forgot how much fun we had? I’m not sure. But whatever’s going on, it’s made getting my homebody kids out of the house so hard.

However, I refuse to give up on our adventures. Over the last few months, I’ve developed some strategies to try to help keep their excitement for adventures alive. Here are a few tips for how we’re doing it and how it’s going.

Mix it up

I keep a running list of all the places that we’ve explored that I know my boys love, as well as a list of places we have yet to see. This helps remind me of all the fun places we could adventure that we already know we love, as well as all the places we want to explore.

There’s a wonderful app called All Trails that I use when I’m researching new areas. It has been so handy this past year. It lists all the hiking trails in our area depending on their length, difficulty level, how heavily trafficked they are, as well as if they would be considered kid-friendly.

I build my list right there in the app and I make it a personal goal to cross a new place off at least once a month. We aim for two new places a month, but I figure beggars can’t be choosers, so I happily settle for at least one!

When scouting for new places, I look for areas and features that I know my boys would enjoy. We are fortunate to live along Lake Michigan, so any place that brings us close to water is usually a hit. That doesn’t mean that we always go to the lake. But, when I search for local nature reserves or hiking trails, I try to make sure they run along a lake or river so they have that water play to look forward to.

Tried and true

If trying out a new place just isn’t appealing, I let them pick our adventure from a list of places we’ve tried and enjoyed. Do we want to go throw rocks in the lake? Do we want to go to run through the sand dunes or find all the bridges at Seven Bridges Park? Letting them choose where we’ll go explore a lot of times leads to a great trip.

Eventually, if the trip goes well, we add the new places to our list of favorite tried-and-true places. Those new places that we were so uncertain about in the beginning find their way to our list of awesome adventures and just get added to our rotation. This helps my kids realize that trying new things leads to finding new favorites.

Encourage make-believe

We live the nerd life. We are mad lovers of all things Star Wars, orcs, trolls and yetis. Pretty much all magical beasts top our list of awesome creatures. Sprinkle in some zombies and my boys are in heaven. They have found magic and adventure inside our home. But, I absolutely love it when they find it outside, too.

So, when they ask if we’ll find Big Foot’s house or they tell me that these woods look just like the ones where the Ewoks live, I encourage it like crazy. My boys’ imagination is one of my favorite things in the whole world. If I can get them excited about finding some strange mystical creature on one of our walks, I am all about it! It adds an extra element of fun to our adventures. We’re always hunting for yetis and keeping an eye out for crocodiles.

No shame in the bribery game

Sometimes, the fight to get out of the house and adventure can get very intense. In those cases, I’m not above bribery. In fact, I embrace it.

They’ll walk a short trail with minimal complaint in exchange for a chance to go play at our favorite playground? Done.

They’ll go to the lake if I let them bring home as many rocks as they can fit in their pockets? Deal.

Any wizard staffs (aka giant sticks) that we find on our adventure must come home with us? If it fits in the van, it’s yours.

Any reasonable promise (heavy emphasis on the reasonable) I can make that will get them to happily go on an adventure? I am all over it. If you need to get your homebody kids out of the house, don’t feel bad about using bribery. I’ll help you come up with the bribe, if you need it!

When in doubt, keep it short

If my guys are truly just not feeling it but we really need to get outdoors, we’ll keep it as short as possible. I would rather do multiple short trips a week then drag them out for hours someplace that they would rather not be.

We initially started going on adventures because we wanted to have fun! The last thing I want is for my homebody kids to dread our adventures any time I bring up the word. If twenty or thirty minutes is all we get, then so be it. I’ll make every effort to do that 20-30 minutes a couple of times a week and make it as fun as possible.

But if that doesn’t happen? It’s ok. It really is. I promise. There are days when I have to make the judgment call that maybe that day just isn’t a good day for an adventure. I’ll be honest. I get a little heartbroken when I hear grumbles of not wanting to go explore. But sometimes it’s not worth forcing them to go.

But for every negative response, I usually get an excited one! It really can be a balancing act, so I make every attempt to be as flexible as possible. There are days when my boys will ask me if we can go on an adventure before I have to chance to bring it up! Those are the best days. We’re getting fresh air; we’re having fun checking out a new amazing place nearby or visiting an old favorite. Not to mention, at the end of the day, they sleep so wonderfully!

A lifetime of adventures

My hope is that these small steps will help my boys grow up craving adventures. That someday they’ll come to me with ideas of places they want to explore. My hope is that we’ll eventually be able to go on an all-day trip where we hike across as much ground as our feet will cover. And that they’ll fall in love with getting out and seeing all the amazing things the world has to offer.

Are you or your child a homebody?
How do you encourage adventures?

About the author

Hi, I’m Angie Warmington. I am the mother of three young and active boys. Our home is in the southeastern corner of Wisconsin. I am a full time stay at home mom with a small family photography business on the side. Photography became a hobby of mine when my oldest was born and my love for it has grown right along with my children. It brings me a lot of joy to be able to photograph my boys while they explore our small little corner of the world. It feeds my need for creativity as well as capturing some amazing memories for them.

You can find more from Angie in the following locations:
Instagram: @angiewarmingtonphoto
Facebook: @angiewarmingtonphotos
FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER
Exploring Capitol Reef National Park with Kids
- July 3, 2020
Exploring national parks can be an amazing experience for families. One of Utah’s most beautiful and underrated parks is Capitol Reef National Park. This park is great for hiking, learning about new cultures, camping, appreciating natural beauty, bonding as a family, finding yourself, and so much more. Today, we have Katie Fox, a full-time RV-traveling mom of 2, here with everything you need to know about exploring Capitol Reef National Park with kids.

Exploring Capitol Reef National Park with kids

Our family loves exploring national parks. However, one big problem with national parks is that they’re usually huge and have so many neat places to explore. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if you are anything like me, the list of things to do and places to see can be daunting and overwhelming when trying to plan your adventure. This is especially true when you factor in planning a trip that accommodates the needs and desires of small children. Never fear! I’ve got your back. I’m here to share everything you need to know to plan a successful, family-friendly weekend adventure exploring Capitol Reef National Park with kids.

Capitol Reef kid-friendly hiking trails

There are numerous hiking opportunities at Capitol Reef. The options can feel overwhelming if you don’t know much about the area. Here are a couple of kid-friendly hiking trails in Capitol Reef that are easy to squeeze into an adventure-packed weekend in the park.

Sulphur Creek Waterfall Trail

Sulphur Creek Waterfall Trail in Capitol Reef National Park is a 1.8-mile round trip hike. It’s easy and, while it is a full sun hike, it’s a really great way to beat the heat! The trail begins right behind the visitor center and follows the shallow Sulphur Creek as it meanders through red rock canyons. We walked in the creek almost the entire time. The water helped keep us nice and cool.

If that isn’t amazing enough, it ends at a large swimming hole and small waterfall. The swimming hole is murky brown because of the red clay bottom. The water temperature is perfect! There is just something surreal and wondrous about taking a dip surrounded by the lovely red rock canyon walls. The best part? Even if you don’t make it to the waterfall and swimming hole, you and your little hikers can still play in the creek and enjoy the amazing views.

Hickman Bridge Trail

Hickman Bridge Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Capitol Reef National Park. If you are looking to avoid crowds, this one may not be for your family. Full disclosure, this 1.8-mile round trip hike is in full sun and has some elevation gain that is sure to tire little legs. If you’re up for it, I recommend hiking this one in the morning, when the temperatures are cooler.

The trail does offer stunning views, such as the ruins of a granary and the foundation of a pithouse used by the Fremont Culture, as well as the smaller Nels Johnson Bridge. If you, like our family and many overly ambitious parents before you, attempt this hike and find you aren’t up for finishing it, just know you are not alone!

Gooseneck Overlook

This .2 mile round trip hike (yes, you read that right), is at the end of a washboard dirt road. If you and your vehicle are up for the bumpy ride, the overlook is beautiful. We even saw an adorable snake chasing a lizard, which obviously captivated the children more than the beautiful view.

Capitol Reef kid-friendly activities

There are lots of other kid-friendly activities to do at the park besides hike. These are the experiences that really make Capitol Reef distinct from the other nearby national parks. They really add that extra something special.

Fruit picking in historic pioneer orchards

Yes, that is correct! There are fruit trees in the historic town of Fruita. You are able to meander through them and pick fruit to your heart’s content. They have apricots, cherries, apples, mulberries, plums, peaches, walnuts, and more. They bag and charge for what you leave the orchard with, so be prepared with cash. Check the Capitol Reef website to find out which fruit is ripe for the picking when you go, because orchards are notoriously finicky. Avoid my mistake and speak with a ranger or call ahead to double-check which fruit is available. We went in early June and nothing was ready yet. My kids were expecting a fruit picking experience and it was unfortunate to have it end up being unavailable.

Pies at Gifford House

Nothing lifts people’s spirits quite like pie, right? If you do happen to follow in my footsteps and the orchards are not available, grab a fruit pie at Gifford House! Gifford House is a restored Mormon pioneer house that operates as a small storefront. Inside the store, you’ll find delicious fresh-baked pies, cinnamon rolls, sourdough bread, homemade ice cream, replicas of items pioneers would use in daily life, and more. Once you purchase your pie (or various other goodies), there is a lovely grass area right out front where you can sit and enjoy your treats while taking in the spectacular red rock walls.

Be on the lookout for marmots

Have you ever seen a marmot? I realize marmots are not just in Capitol Reef National Park, but we’d never seen them before. These adorable little creatures inhabit the area of Fruita. There are signs along the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive warning of their frequent road crossing. If you happen to see one, count yourself lucky. Plus, a sighting may also lend itself nicely to learning more about the chunky little creatures.

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

If your little hikers are tired of all the walking, or if it’s too hot to be outside, consider a driving tour of the park. The Capitol Reef Scenic Drive is a sixteen-mile round-trip drive and is absolutely stunning. It offers a lot of different views of the park and all the areas. Not to mention, there are weather permitting offshoot dirt roads you can venture down and explore. Capitol Gorge Road and the highly recommended Grand Wash Road meander through tall rock canyon walls and provide more beautiful views. Even if you skip the detours, the drive is lovely and has pull outs for you to stop and take photos or just linger to soak in the views.

Earn a Junior Ranger badge

The chance to earn a Junior Ranger badge is available at almost all national parks and is a great way to round out your trip. With my kids, this experience always adds some additional fun (and learning) to our park adventures. The Junior Ranger booklets are chock-full of information about the park, including geology, plants, animals, Leave No Trace practices, and the former peoples and cultures to inhabit the land.

As part of the Junior Ranger program in Capitol Reef, you must attend a ranger talk. There are so many amazing options, including bats, geology, the Fremont culture, and more. Plus, if you turn in your completed booklets, you get a badge and sworn in as a Junior Ranger. If your little ones are like mine and struggle with the end of a trip, the swearing-in process is a wonderful send-off and makes leaving a little easier for everyone.

Explore the cultures at Capitol Reef National Park

One of my favorite things about national parks is how they try to incorporate information about the cultures and people that inhabited the land before it became federally protected land. Here are a couple of kid-friendly activities and options to incorporate cultural learning and bring awareness to your adventures at Capitol Reef.

Explore the historic town of Fruita

If you have time, Fuita is a little pioneer town full of buildings to explore and things to see. An old-school house, a barn, Gifford House (as mentioned above), a nature center (which due to Covid-19 we were unable to explore), and more. There are signs to provide some information about each building too. I found it really neat to share with my children how the Fremont people lived in the area before the Mormon pioneers and how each culture was different. I am a total history nerd and very much enjoy learning these types of things.

Petroglyph Point

Petroglyph Point is a short trail right off the main road. This is such a lovely stop and I highly recommend it. There are several spots to view the petroglyphs created by the Fremont culture and some are in amazing shape. My little ones tried to guess what each symbol meant and we looked them up later in a petroglyph handbook we picked up at the visitor center.

Capitol Reef National Park resources

There are so many amazing things to do while exploring Capitol Reef National Park with kids. This is a small list of all the amazing things Capitol Reef has to offer. The Capitol Reef website provides a variety of other options, and even has a section for visiting with children.

Looking for some more information to make your trip the best it can be? Read up here for some more tips from Run Wild My Child.
- A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking with Kids
- Hiking With a Toddler
What’s your favorite place to explore in Capitol Reef National Park?

About the author

Katie lives in a tiny home on wheels and travels full-time with her two mostly wild children, tech-minded partner, two well-traveled pups, and adopted pet snail. As they wander the North American continent, Katie explores as much as possible, with a particular fondness state and national parks. When not trekking through the outdoors, Katie enjoys baking, homeschooling, consuming mochas from local coffee shops across the continent, practicing her photography skills, and soaking up as much knowledge as she can. As an advocate for families exploring the great outdoors, Katie co-founded a Hike it Baby branch in her hometown in Northern California. Katie has a Master’s degree in human development from the University of Missouri, Columbia, but her passion is really history and humanities (which is coincidentally what her Bachelor’s degrees are in). She currently volunteers on the Hike it Baby National team as a contributing blogger.

You can find more from Katie online in the following locations:
Instagram: @familyinwanderland
Website: http://www.familyinwanderland.com
Facebook: @familyinwanderland
INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER
Hidden Benefits of Outdoor Winter Play for Children
- January 31, 2020
As the old saying goes, “Variety is the spice of life!” And nothing provides quite a much variety throughout life as the changes of the seasons. When the seasons change, a whole host of new outdoor activities become available for families and for children. And winter is no exception. Today we have Ginny from 1000 Hours Outside, a homeschooling mom from Michigan (where it is a balmy 21 degrees outside, which may actually feel quite nice depending on where you live) sharing her perspective on the benefits of outdoor winter play. Instead of riding out the frigid temperatures and waiting for spring, we hope this post will encourage you to head outside for some beneficial outdoor winter play!

Benefits of Outdoor Winter Play

Winter is worth it

Depending on your location, there will be certain seasons that are more conducive to outside time than others. Winter is probably not too many parents’ favorite season for outdoor play. The gloves, the hats, the scarves, the snow pants, the layers, the whining! We know! We know! It probably takes longer for you to get everyone dressed in their layers than the time you actually spend in the open air. Am I right?

Yes, you’ll have a pile of wet and melting gear afterward. And lots of muddy clothes to wash. But, instead of looking at seasons as good or bad we like to look at them as opportunities to try new things. Yes, winter brings its own set of challenges, but it also brings special magical outdoor activities you can’t do any other time. We promise you that getting outside in the winter months is worth your time and effort! Read on to learn just some of the benefits of outdoor winter play. We just might turn you into a fan of winter after all!

Winter play enhances brain function

Did you know that increasingly complex movements enhance brain function? We tend to think of movements becoming more intricate only through that first year of life. A baby begins by lifting the head and then pushing to all fours. Next, baby is crawling pulling up and finally walking, all within a relatively short span of time. But what then?

After those initial milestones, the milestones continue though not as linearly. Think of the complexity of bike riding and swimming, pitching a baseball and climbing a tree. Children who are given ample time to play outside and try these activities will naturally progress to more difficult bodily movements, all while boosting brain function.

In Smart Moves: (Why Learning is Not All in Your Head), Carla Hannaford, Ph.D. writes “Elderly people who dance regularly decrease their risk of dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease by 76% and those that play a musical instrument decrease the risk by 69%.” These statistics portray the importance of sophisticated movements.

So what, you say. What does all of this have to do with outdoor winter play? Well, I’m so glad you asked! Consider the movements associated with outdoor winter play beginning with the simple act of walking in snow or on ice (in thick/heavy boots and clothing, no less). Immediately, the brain is fired up! This is a new experience – and a complex one. Legs must go higher, balance is tested. Throw in some other activities such as sledding, skiing, ice-skating, snow-shoeing, rolling and even throwing snowballs and you’ve got yourself a season that is filled with opportunities for children to challenge themselves in complex physical ways that benefit their brains and bodies.

Outdoor winter play enhances creativity

Winter brings all new possibilities for creative play, imagination and construction. Forget sandcastes, build a frozen snow castle! Or snowmen, snow mountains, snow towers, snow forts, snow volcanoes, snow lanterns, snow sculptures, snow cakes, etc. You can paint the snow, eat the snow, and make angels in the snow. Snow and ice offer kids a never-ending supply of elements for creative little minds.

There are endless ideas floating around about using simple things you probably already have on hand like food coloring and bowls to create ice ornaments. Or mix food coloring with water in a spray bottle and letting the kids have at it. Interestingly, there is also so much variation between the types of snow that falls. Is it wet snow? Will it pack? Is it dense or light and flaky? Is it good for sledding? Building snowman? And then how should we dress the snowman? You get the picture!

It can be easy to think of a season where everything seems monochrome as drab, one without possibilities. But the elements of outdoor winter play are so open-ended that we have at our finger-tips a literal blank canvas of endless opportunity! Creative opportunities abound during this marvelous season!

Winter play enhances physical health and development

Fresh air does a body good, but so does movement. A good romp in the snow will get the lymphatic system moving, helping our bodies clear out unwanted toxins. Additionally, these outdoor winter play movements involve muscles that may not get as much use in other seasons. The simple act of pulling a sled up a hill gives the legs a magnificent workout. In what other season would we go up and down hills over and over? This trudging through deep snow time and again does so much for a child’s physical development.

Winter is also a time for advancing core strength. All of the balance work, keeping the body upright while sledding down a hill or slip-sliding across a frozen pond, engages the core. Shoveling helps in the exact same way and is considered “heavy work; that is, any type of activity that pushes or pulls against the body. Heavy work is crucial for developing body awareness.

And while this is great for your child’s physical health, there’s another perk of outdoor winter play you may not be aware of! All of this intense physical activity will inadvertently help your child in academia! Students who have a strong core don’t have to expend energy or constantly think about sitting at a desk. It is a well-known phenomenon that this is something many young people struggle with these days, to the point of even falling out of the chairs at school. There’s such a cross-over between all of these benefits!

Winter play strengthens relational bonds

Outdoor winter play engages all the senses. This is one of the reasons time in nature is often so memorable. Some of my favorite childhood memories are shoveling snow with my dad in the early mornings when it seemed that all the world was fast asleep. I remember the dark, the biting cold, and the rhythmic sounds of the shovel against the cement. I can still recall the huge piles of snow that would accumulate along the edges of the driveway, the bit of observation needs to shovel in the right direction so the wind wouldn’t bring it all right back, I remember that indescribable feeling when you’re all finished and you head inside to warm up.

Isn’t this one the simplest things in life? Shoveling with my dad. Just me and him. It doesn’t seem like the kind of exciting memory that a child would value above so many other super fun and exciting activities, but it mattered. It stuck. Think about it…how many of your fondest childhood memories and moments happened outside? The connections and memories you make outdoors seem to stick with you much longer than others. The magic of childhood can be found in the most ordinary places, most of which are outside!

Have we convinced you to get outside this winter?
What are some of your outdoor memories from childhood?

About the Author

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

You can find more from Ginny in the following locations:
Website: http://www.1000HoursOutside.com
Instagram: @1000hoursoutside
Facebook: @1000hoursoutside
RWMC posts: Ginny Yurich
FALL, HIKE, INFORMATION, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
How to Get Kids Outside During the School Year
- October 2, 2019
It’s that time of year again – our children are trading in their beach towels for backpacks and holding pencils more than sidewalk chalk. Whether you homeschool or traditional school, back-to-school generally means less free time and fewer hours to play outside. Not only that, but the days are growing shorter and the weather’s turning cooler. Getting kids outside during the school year can be a challenge. However, spending time outside in nature is still necessary for our kids’ physical health, mental focus, and emotional development. Today, the amazing Leslie Alvis, Ohio homeschooling mom of four, is here sharing a few ideas for practical ways to build outdoor routines into your school days. Hopefully, these tips will help you incorporate more nature into your busy schedule without making outdoor time feel like one more thing on your to-do list.

Make nature time a priority

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

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

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

Time outside matters

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

Take walks to get kids outside

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

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

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

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

Evening adventures get kids outside

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

Take kids’ school outside

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

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

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

Outdoor learning

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

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

Picnics get kids outside

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

Weekend adventures get kids outside

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

Weather

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

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

Need more fall ideas?

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

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

Hi, I’m Leslie Alvis! I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, wife to my high school sweetheart and best friend, and a mom to four rascally kids. They love the great outdoors as much as I do, and our yard often feels like the scene from “The Sound of Music” where you hear voices and laughter and can’t find any children until you look up into the trees. I love writing, photography, and all things outdoors. We live in Northeast Ohio on the edge of Amish Country, where it’s perfectly normal to park beside a horse and buggy at the grocery store. We also homeschool, which basically means that I’m trying to teach my kids to use their minds without losing my own. While we follow a traditional curriculum, I weave every outdoor adventure I can into our educational journey. I believe that the lessons children experience firsthand sink deepest into their hearts and minds, and there is so much we can learn outside in the beauty and wonder of nature.

Find Leslie on Instagram @c_l_allofus
BEACH, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER
15 Water Activities for Kids & Ways to Get Active on the Water
- August 13, 2019
It may be back to school season, but there’s still LOTS of summer left! Temperatures have been soaring around most of the U.S. over the last couple of weeks. It’s only natural that many of us have been gravitating toward the water to catch a break from the heat! Today, we have the amazing Chelsea Furlong, photographer and mom of 2, here with 15 kid-friendly ways to get active on the water this summer! Not only will these water activities for kids keep them cool, but they’ll help with swimming skills, improve balance and coordination and wear them out! This post is sure to inspire you to get outside and into the water as soon as possible!

Get active on the water

Summertime is the BEST time to get active with your family and it’s extra fun when the activities involve water. With two very busy kids in our house, we’re out adventuring on the water almost every single day. We’re lucky to live in Virginia Beach where the weather is warm most of the year and the beach is nearby, but we’ve done lots of these water activities for kids on lakes and rivers all over the East Coast!

Benefits of spending time on the water

As my children continue to grow, our list of family activities to do on the water grows right along with them. Each summer we’re able to add a few more fun water activities to do together that we weren’t quite able to do the previous year. We love being able to create so many incredible memories with our children while also getting plenty of exercise! The more time we spend outside together, the happier we all are. And it doesn’t hurt that the kids are nice and tired when bedtime rolls around!

15 kid-friendly ways to get active on the water

Getting outside and active on the water doesn’t have to be hard. And it doesn’t have to be the same old thing again and again. There are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors and keep cool. Here are 15 different water activities for kids that will get your kids outside and active on the water this summer!

1. Stand up paddleboarding

Stand up paddleboarding has become one of our absolute favorite summertime water activities for kids. We started when our kids were young (ages of 4 and 6), so our kids are now great at paddleboarding alone or just sitting along for the ride. Stand up paddleboarding is a great full-body workout. While you’re balancing, your body is using your core, shoulders, arms, legs, and back. If you’ve done it before, you know that it’s even great for foot strength! You’d be surprised at how tired your feet will get from gripping the board to balance.

Our kids also love to play a game they call “Paddle Battle.” They stand on opposites sides of the board, facing each other, and rock the board from side to side to try to get the other person to fall off the board first! They can play this game for hours and never get sick of it! They enjoy climbing up onto the boards and jumping off of them as well. If you’re not comfortable heading out for a long paddle, your kids will have a blast simply playing around on the boards. They’ll come up with all sorts of fun games!

2. Kayaking

Another favorite water activity of ours is kayaking. Depending on the age/size of your kids, they can join you on a ride or paddle along in their own kayaks! Our kids have learned to kayak on adult-sized kayaks. However, there are wonderful kid-sized kayaks that you can use as well. You’ll be surprised how quickly children will learn how to use their paddles to navigate a kayak. And if they’re able to go a distance on their own (even in very shallow water where you’ll easily be able to walk to them if they need help), the pride on their faces from that sense of independence is absolutely priceless. It’s like learning to ride a bike for the first time!

3. Hiking or trail walking

Sometimes our favorite water activities for kids involve more than just water. Whether you’re near an ocean, lake, river, creek or stream, you should be able to find lots of great walking trails close to water to enjoy! Here on the coast, we have several boardwalks, as well as walking/hiking trails along the inlets. If you’re further inland, you can usually find great hiking trails in state parks or up the mountains beside rivers and waterfalls! If you have young children, it doesn’t even have to be a very long distance. Just a quick trail with water to toss some rocks into will thrill them!

4. Nature hunts

Along those same lines, nature hunts can be an amazing way to spend a few hours by the water! We often find ourselves out on a nature hunt during that rough late afternoon/early evening timeframe when it’s too early for bed, but the kids aren’t tired yet. You know what I’m talking about. That’s a perfect time to go out for a nature hunt if you have some water nearby. We’ll walk or ride bikes to the beach or inlet, and the boys will search for bugs, crabs, turtles, birds, snails, etc. They’re never disappointed.

Kids are so curious – they can find some kind of amazing treasure wherever they go. Even a new rock and a stick is enough to excite my kids. You can either come up with a specific list of items for the kids to search for, find a list online, or forget the list and just see what you happen to come across. No matter how you decide to do it, the exercise, fresh air, splashing, and nature treasures will always be a crowd-pleaser.

5. Pedal boating

Another great way to get active on the water is to cruise around on a pedal boat! I remember trying these out as a kid when we were on vacation at places like campgrounds with ponds or lakes. Sometimes local parks will have these for rent on the lakes. My kids are lucky because their grandmother happens to have one for them to play on at camp! And they love that thing!

Last year their legs were a little short so the adults ended up doing most of the pedaling. This year, however, both boys had both grown quite a bit and were able to reach the pedals on their own. Pedal boats are a surprisingly good leg workout and if you pedal around enough, you’ll likely feel it the next day! Our kids love cruising around where there’s lots of seaweed but still shallow enough for the sunlight to illuminate the creatures swimming below.

6.Yoga

While it may seem like a land activity (and it is), yoga can really be enjoyed anywhere, including on or near the water! You can do yoga on the beach, on docks at the lake, and even on a stand up paddleboard! We like to turn our paddleboard yoga session into a bit of a challenge. We’ll see who can get into certain poses without falling off the board or see who can hold specific poses the longest. There’s no shortage of laughter during that particular activity!

7. Skimboarding

Skimboarding is a fun outdoor summer water activity for kids that my boys have are just getting into this year! At the beginning of the summer, they saw some older guys using them at our beach and they didn’t stop talking about it until I finally broke down and got them a skimboard of their own. At 5 and 7, I wasn’t sure our kids would be old enough yet but they proved me wrong! They’ve had a ton of fun on that skimboard. It takes a lot of patience and coordination. Plus, it occupies them for hours.

8. Dock jumping

Those of you living the lake life will be very familiar with this one! This activity has been a people pleaser for decades and will never get old. My kids can spend an entire day doing this and never get sick of it. Jumping off, swimming back to the dock, and then climbing up the ladder over and over for hours. Such a great way to enjoy a warm day while also getting lots of exercise. Like most everything else in our lives right now, the boys turn this into a competition to see who can jump the highest, furthest, or do the best trick.

We alternate between using the life vests when I’m not in the water with them and no life vests when I’m right there to assist if they get too tired to swim back to the dock unassisted. This activity was probably the best activity we’ve done all summer to help them learn to swim better. They made massive improvements in their swimming abilities after just an hour of jumping without the life vests and swimming back to the ladder! And I was right there to catch them or lend a hand if they needed a little extra help.

9. Surfing

Surfing is something that’s only just now popped up on our radar as our boys are getting older. Now that they’re better swimmers and have a great sense of balance on our paddleboards, we’re ready to add surfing to our list of favorite water activities for kids! I grew up in the mountains so I’ve never tried surfing before, but since we live on the ocean it’s time to give it shot. If you live in a beach area or plan to vacation to one, you’ll likely have access to a few places that offer surfing camps for kids and private lessons. Since our youngest isn’t quite old enough for the surfing camps yet, we decided to do private lessons as a family! I have a feeling that surf boards will be on our kids’ wish lists in the near future!

10. Climbing

If you’re in the mountains rather than on the coast, I highly recommend taking some time to adventure near waterfalls! My kids are fascinated by waterfalls because we don’t live in an area where you can find them. Whenever we head to the mountains they insist on going out to find some! Usually, you can also find some great spots nearby to climb rocks! We stick to small falls with fairly easy-to-navigate rock areas, since we’re not well-trained in rock climbing yet. When we get hot and sweaty from our climbing, we just find a little pool without fast-moving water to plunk down in and cool off! Please be warned – there is no shortage of beautiful rocks to take home in places like this, so you’re pockets and backpacks will get heavy!

11. Canoeing or row boating

When it comes to being out on the water, you can really just assume that everyone will have a blast using any kind of boat. Kids love learning to paddle and are filled with pride when they’ve gained the skills to do it independently.

12. Go to a splash pad

For those of you who aren’t near nature-made splash areas, you can still have fun getting active in places like splash playgrounds or splash pads! More and more cities are building wonderful splash pads to run around in! These are especially great for families with babies and toddlers because you don’t have to worry about the water being too deep!

13. Go to a pool

Along those same lines, find a pool nearby! Both indoor and outdoor pools are a great way to spend some quality time with your family. My favorite thing about going to a pool is that I have to leave my phone behind! Once I jump in the water with the kids, they get some absolute undivided attention. It’s so refreshing and necessary!

14. Playing a sport

When you pack up your beach bag, add a soccer ball, football, or frisbee! Depending on where you’ll be and how many people will be there, you could also play volleyball or whiffle ball, too. Tossing a ball back and forth in the water is actually one of my very favorite things to do with my kids. We can keep cool by being waist-deep, connect with each other, and practice hand-eye coordination. You can purchase some fantastic frisbees and balls made specifically for water. We LOVE these. They soak up water and then splash it all over when you toss them. It’s tons of fun!

15. JUST PLAY!

My final suggestion is to just jump in and play anywhere there’s water! You can swim around, play on floats, use kickboards or boogie boards, or dive to the bottom to find treasures. Anything you do in the water together will be fun and your children will appreciate the quality time with you! You honestly don’t need to rent or purchase any of the fancy stuff I mentioned above to enjoy water activities with kids. Splash around with your family and make some summer memories that will last a lifetime!

What are some of your favorite ways to get active on the water?

Hi there, I’m Chelsea! I’m a photographer, mother of two busy boys, and sunshine and fresh air addict. We live in Virginia Beach and spend as much time outdoors as possible! 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.

Personal Instagram: @dimples.and.the.blonde
Client work: @chelsea.lyn.photography
Website: dimplesandtheblonde.com
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Nature Study: Exploring Ponds with Kids
- July 15, 2019
Summer is a perfect time to get kids outdoors to explore and experience new things! And what better place to enjoy on hot days than someplace with water? Today, the incredible Leslie Alvis (Ohio homeschooling mom of 4) gives us a unique look at a common place your children can explore this summer: the ever-delightful and intriguing pond. Exploring ponds with kids is not only fascinating and fun, but it’s also educational! There’s so much to see, feel, observe and learn about around a pond. Technology and screen time cannot replace the hands-on lessons children learn just playing outside in the amazing classroom of nature. So grab a bucket and a butterfly net, and let’s head to the pond together.

A field of water betrays the spirit that is in the air. It is continually receiving new life and motion from above. It is intermediate in its nature between land and sky.”
Henry David Thoreau

Why head to a pond?

Ponds are a fascinating place, an ecosystem in their own right. They sustain entire life cycles of plants and animals in their own self-contained space. In the summer they hum with life, providing a vibrant atmosphere to explore. From the birds and insects filling the air with song to the fish flashing by in the water and the bullfrogs calling just out of reach, they are a child’s paradise of discoveries.

Exploring ponds with kids is also timelessly interesting, entertaining, and relaxing. Most children can find an endless number of interesting occupations at a pond. I can never believe how long my kids will spend just tossing rocks or sticks into the water. And I’m amazed at how beneficial that simple activity is: building strength and developing motor skills, making them aware of cause and effect, and introducing them to basic physics (gravity and displacement, for instance). Today, we will look at just a few ways you can experience a pond with your children, weaving education and development together with delightful play.

A note on pond safety

Before we get started, I’d like to mention some safety guidelines. Any time water is involved, we have to be extra conscious of our children’s safety. Water is such a fun thing that few children understand its danger. And unlike swimming beaches, ponds often have slippery mud or grassy banks that can drop abruptly into deep water. Teaching children to swim is the number-one prevention to drowning accidents, but even that isn’t a guarantee of safety. Never leave children unattended near any water, especially a deep body of water like a pond.

Be safe together!

If you are comfortable allowing your children to wade in the water, make sure you have carefully checked out the wading area yourself for dangers like slippery mud and sharp drop-offs. And even if you have instructed your children to stay out of the pond, we should be aware that accidents happen and a child can slip and fall into the water in an instant. Stay close and focused on your children, adventuring and playing together. Exploring ponds with kids should be fun and safe.

Teaching nature skills

To start off exploring a pond with kids, simply walk around the pond. Talk before you start about how everyone needs to use their “nature skills” to explore the pond area. These skills include walking quietly, speaking quietly, and trying not to disturb the wildlife around you. We always have to work on sharing our discoveries quietly—the first child to yell they saw a goose will probably scare off the whole flock! This is also a good time to teach children how to study nature without disturbing it, to observe but not take, and to show respect for the natural environment surrounding them by being careful where they step and what they touch.

Sensory exploration

Exploring a pond with kids provides a great sensory experience. It’s easy to get started by asking questions involving the senses. What do you see? It’s like an amazing game of “I Spy.” Do you see those wildflowers on the far bank? Can you spot that turtle out sunning on a log? How many frogs can you count? Oh, no, one just ducked underwater!

Hearing and Smelling

Observing the natural atmosphere of the pond moves quickly to hearing. Do you hear the birds singing? The bullfrogs calling? The wind whispering through the tall grass? The buzzing of the insects? And then there is always smelling—and if the pond you are visiting has the smell of stagnant water, your children are sure to notice it! But you can also smell wildflowers and a fresh breeze. Honeysuckle and freshly cut grass. I love how much my children will get into talking about all the details they notice.

Unforgettable sensory experiences

When exploring ponds with kids, there are countless ways to experience the natural world. How many things can you find to touch? From the smooth leaves and raspy blossom of the cattails, to the silky water and slippery plants in the pond, to the slimy skin of a frog and the soft whisper of a dropped bird feather, there are a multitude of things to feel around a pond. (Of course, unless you have the owner’s permission to pick things, make sure you give careful instruction about not picking any plants or disturbing the environment. Leave it unspoiled for everyone to enjoy!) Touching pond creatures might stretch the sensory comfort zones of some kids, but if you have the opportunity to let your children touch a frog or a fish, it will be a sensory experience they won’t forget!

Hands-on adventures

Getting wet and dirty is part of learning about the pond environment, too. If my children are within reaching-distance of water—any water—they are sure to get wet! It doesn’t matter the temperature or what they’re wearing. If we are going near water, I just plan on them getting soaked. So, if the pond you are visiting is wading accessible, wear some water-appropriate clothes and footwear. Bring some buckets, a net, a magnifying glass, and explore a pond with kids up close!

Exploring a pond with kids is a hands-on activity. If you have an adventuresome child with quick reflexes, they might be able to catch a bullfrog or net a minnow to examine. These are good opportunities not only to study creatures up close, but also to teach our children how to handle them and to release them safely back into their natural environment. The minnows can’t breathe air, so we have to observe them in the water. The frog is slippery and likes to jump, so we have to hold it securely but without squeezing it.

Tadpole science project

In early summer, tadpoles are one of the easiest and most fun things to catch and study. Find a shallow still area at the edge of a pond in early summer, and you will probably see dozens of tiny black blobs wiggling around in the water. These are tadpoles—baby frogs who will develop before your eyes! If you have permission from the pond’s owner, scoop some up in a bucket and you will have a hands-on science project. Bring them home, feed them, and watch them grow! Before long, it will seem unbelievable that these miniature frogs grew from those funny wiggly creatures you caught in the pond. For more information, we’ve got a great post on raising tadpoles with kids.

More hands-on activities

When exploring ponds with kids, study the pond water itself. This is particularly fun if you have access to a microscope. The multitude of tiny organisms living in pond water is amazing. Even if you don’t have a microscope, you can get a pail full of pond water and see if you can spot little plants and water creatures in it with a magnifying glass. You may be surprised just how much you can find!

Exploring ponds with kids isn’t limited to the water. A butterfly net can help you capture amazing creatures such as dragonflies, butterflies, and other flying insects, as well as water insects. Chasing a flying insect is a great hand-eye coordination activity—plus, it’s just fun! And when my children do manage to catch a butterfly or damselfly, they love to examine their vibrant colors and fragile wings. Every creature is so unique and beautiful.

Keeping a pond notebook

If you want to make this a more formal learning experience, bring a notebook or nature journal for each child. Help them keep track of the different living things they see and hear. I love keeping nature notebooks where children can draw pictures of things they have observed and what they have learned about them. Having a pond notebook is a great way for them to process what they are discovering with a quick sketch and a short description. This appeals to some kids more than others, but sitting beside the pond and drawing pictures of what we see is such a lovely way to spend a summer day…or a least a few minutes of one.

Resources

We have found that nature guides and handbooks are valuable resources for learning about pond life. Teaching kids to look up different plants and wildlife that they see helps them learn on a deeper level. Once they have looked up a bird or a flower in their guide book, they are much less likely to forget its name or characteristics! Plus, we can learn together all the things I don’t know (which are many!). We use some of the classic field guides, like Kauffman Field Guide to Birds of North America.

There are also some great resources available for less than $10, like these illustrated nature guides. The entire Take-Along Guides series is geared toward helping children learn about nature in an easy-to-find, graspable format. I can’t recommend them enough if you are serious about helping your children learn about wildlife and plants for themselves.
What do your kids like to do at a pond?

Leslie
@c_l_allofus

Hi, I’m Leslie Alvis! I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, wife to my high school sweetheart and best friend, and a mom to four rascally kids. They love the great outdoors as much as I do, and our yard often feels like the scene from “The Sound of Music” where you hear voices and laughter and can’t find any children until you look up into the trees. I love writing, photography, and all things outdoors, and do pretty much everything with my kids tagging along. If we can’t do it as a family, it’s likely it won’t happen. We live in Northeast Ohio on the edge of Amish Country, where it’s perfectly normal to park beside a horse and buggy at the grocery store. We also homeschool, which basically means that I’m trying to teach my kids to use their minds without losing my own. (Every once in a while I think I might be succeeding.) While we follow a traditional curriculum, I weave every outdoor adventure I can into our educational journey. I believe that the lessons children experience firsthand sink deepest into their hearts and minds, and there is so much we can learn outside in the beauty and wonder of nature.

If you want more from Leslie, read all her Run Wild My Child posts here.