outdoor kids

HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, RECIPES, SPRING
Spring Foraging With Kids
- May 4, 2023
Spring foraging is a great way to get the whole family outside after a long winter. There are so many flowers, plants, and mushrooms that can be foraged in the spring, but it is important for the health and safety of your family and the land that you know how to do it properly. Today, Illinois photographer and mom of three, Meghan Garriott, is here sharing tips for wild foraging with kids for springtime plants, flowers, and mushrooms. She’s got tips on how to identify what you find and foraging etiquette.

What is foraging?

Foraging is the act of searching for, identifying, and collecting wild food and resources. Before the days of modern agriculture, humans relied on foraging from the land they lived. Many cultures forage not only to feed their family, but they also used these wild plants and mushrooms for medicines and hygiene. Contrary to popular belief, just because a plant is not commercially grown or mass-produced, does not mean it’s not healthy! There are so many things around you (possibly in your own backyard) you probably never realized are not only edible but are also healthy and delicious!

Importance of foraging with kids

Kids love a good scavenger hunt. Foraging is like a scavenger hunt where you can eat your prizes for dinner or dessert once you’re done. It is fun and productive. When you are out in the forest foraging, this is a perfect time to pass down traditions and culture about foraging. Explain to your children what you are gathering, and weave in storytelling elements while you gather. My grandmother loves to tell me about her childhood foraging for violets and making violet jelly.

Being outside and taking from nature is a great time to teach kids about respecting nature and how we can try to live more sustainably. A foraging haul can provide a nutritious meal or snack, but be sure to harvest mature plants, only to take what you need and leave some for others. When gathering food with your own hands, you tend to appreciate what you’re eating and waste less. These are all good lessons for children to learn. Additionally, the act of foraging keeps little bodies active, promotes better eyesight, and improves self-confidence.

Foraging rules and regulations

Before heading out to forage, make sure you know the laws or restrictions on foraging in your area. Different plants have different rules, as well as different areas. These laws dictate not only what you can take, but how to harvest it. As a general rule, foraging is not allowed in nature preserves or conservation areas. Public or state land may allow you to forage, but only native species. If you are foraging on private land, you should always have the land owners permission. Do your research and know the rules before you go.

Sustainable foraging

There are some plants like ramps/wild leeks that have recently become very popular, so to ensure future growth, forgers are instructed to cut from the base and not to take the bulb. It is best practice when foraging to only take 1/4 of what you see. This ensures that there are enough wild plants and flowers left for other species, and enough to regrow or spore for next year.

Identification when foraging

Being able to correctly identify what you are foraging is incredibly important, even more so when forging with kids. You should always have multiple identifiers before picking or eating anything you find outside. Identifiers for plants and flowers are things like color, leaf shape, petal shape, and number of petals. For mushrooms, some identifiers are color, presence of gills, and shape of the cap and stem. Remind your children that they should never touch, eat, or pick anything that has not been properly identified by an adult (one that knows what they’re doing) first.

If you are unsure if you have the right item, do not pick it. Using tools like Google Lens and nature-identifying apps can be helpful, but should not relied upon solely.

Special considerations when foraging with kids

Precautions should always be taken when out in nature, but special precautions should be taken when children are helping. If you are not familiar with the area you are foraging, make sure an adult checks the area for animal or insect nests and poisonous foliage first. Educate kids about using multiple identifiers before picking. When you’re done foraging, make sure to double-check your haul to make sure extras aren’t brought home, like bugs, spiderwebs, or unwanted plants. Be sure to remind kids that when out in nature, we should always respect the other species and their habitats, and try not to take more than needed.

Spring flowers to forage with kids

Flowers are one of the best and easiest things to start foraging for when you are just getting started. Because of their multiple identifiers, colors, and beauty they are easy to spot and correctly identify. Spring is a great time to forage flowers.

Dandelions

Dandelions are probably one of the most well-known landscaping weeds. People work very hard to get these out of their yards. But did you know the entire plant is edible? The roots, the stem, the leaves, and the flowers all have amazing benefits health benefits! And, because of their bright color, these are one of the easiest flowers for a little hands to find and to pick. Because there is an abundance of dandelions around, there’s also an abundance of things you can do with them.

Here are my top 3 things you should do with dandelions:
Violets

Violets are another flower commonly found in the early spring. In addition to growing in people’s yards, they also grow in forests and along river banks. Although they can come in many variations of purple, their color makes them easy to spot against the contrasting green grass and leaves.

Similar to dandelions, the flowers and the leaves of violets are edible. Violet flowers can be used to make jellies, simple, syrups, and candies. Here is an article dedicated to foraging violets with kids and using them to make a simple syrup that will change colors!

Forsythia

Forsythia is a flowering plant in the olive family. In the spring, its branches are full of bright yellow flowers. This bright shrub is usually found in gardens and landscaping, but can be found in parks, as well.

Because the flowers are large and close together, it doesn’t take long to fill up a jar of them. The bright yellow flowers not only taste good but are used for medicinal purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. We have used these golden flowers to make Forsythia Honey. Forsythia can also be used to make soaps, lotion, and toners.

Muscari/ Grape hyacinth

Muscari/Grape Hyacinth

Grape Hyacinths are actually not Hyacinths at all. Thank goodness because true hyacinths are not at all edible! Muscari are extremely invasive, so you can take as many flowers as you want; just try to leave a few for the bees. People often plant just a few and end up with them invading and overtaking their entire yard.

Grape hyacinth blossoms are used as a flavoring in Europe. You can use the little blossoms to make simple syrups to add a little flavor to teas and lemonades. Like violets, grape hyacinths are pH sensitive. This means if you add grape hyacinth syrup to a base, it will turn from purple to more blue, and if you add it to an acid, it will turn more pink!

Here is a video showing how to make the Grape Hyacinth Lemonade

Magnolia blossoms

Magnolia blossoms are such a beautiful site after a long winter. The flowers of the magnolia tree are large, brightly colored blooms and are some of the first blooms of spring. Foraging magnolia blooms might be difficult for smaller kids due to the branches being so up high. The blossoms can be used to make Magnolia snap cookies, and petals can also be pickled for a sweet and tangy treat. My bet is, kids will be more excited about the cookies.

Red bud

Red bud trees are easy to spot, and their buds and blooms are edible! Like magnolias, it may be hard for kids to reach high enough to pick the blossoms to forage, but they can definitely be spotters! Red bird blooms are high in vitamin C, and, like other flowers, can be used to make jellies and syrups! If you want to sprinkle some color on a salad, these can be eaten raw as well.

Red Clover

Similar to dandelions and violets, red clovers are commonly found in yards, landscaping, and along roadsides and sidewalks. Red clovers are easy to spot and their flowers usually stick up 6 inches or more from the ground.

The flowers not only smell delicious but are tasty as well. These pretty pink flowers are mostly used for tea. Red clover tea is not recommended for children, as it is traditionally, used to help with women’s health issues, such as menstrual and menopausal symptoms. A more kid-friendly way to use red clover is in these Red Clover biscuits.

Lilac

Nothing smells better in the spring than fresh lilac in the breeze. Lilac tastes as good as it smells! The flowers can be used to make syrup, flower-infused sugar, and candies. Infuse lilacs in oil to make delicious-smelling soaps and lotions! Here is a video on how to ferment lilac water using the yeast that is naturally on it to make a fizzy lilac drink!

Spring plants to forage with kids

Wild plants are a little harder to for untrained eyes to find than flowers. Luckily, the plants listed below are readily available and probably in your front yard, back yard, or along your local sidewalks! Here are a few of our favorite local plants to forage in the spring.

Ramps/wild leeks

Ramps are a species of wild onion that can be found all over North America. Ramps are among some of the first plants to appear in the forest in the spring. The very strong garlicky smell of ramps can help to identify them properly. Be aware when foraging for ramps that lily-of-the-valley looks very similar, but is NOT edible. Both ramps and lily-of-the-valley can’t have white or red stems. If you are not for sure, do not eat it.

Ramps have recently risen dramatically in popularity over the last few years, and because of this, some places have put restrictions on foraging ramps or instructed foragers to cut ramps instead of pulling out the bulb. Please do your research and be aware of any rules or restrictions when harvesting.

Plantain

You have probably seen this plant in the cracks of sidewalks. Plantains grow all over and have qualities you probably didn’t even know about! Did you know that plantain can be used to help sores, blisters, and insect stings? Indigenous people would chew up the leaves of plantain and use the poultice to soothe insect bites. This could come in handy, especially for kids, who are often stung by bees and bit by mosquitoes while outside playing!

Here you can read about the medicinal benefits of plantain with sources and science to back up the claims!

Onion grass/wild onion/wild garlic

If you’ve spent any time outside in the spring, you’ve probably seen wild onion grass. It pops up in the spring, usually before the regular grass, and it grows twice as fast and much taller. You can often find it growing in small patches or clumps.

When identifying, you can pull out the patch, and you will see small white bulbs at the end, just like miniature green onions. The stems/grass part of the plant can be used like chives (fresh or dried), or you can grind up dried stems to make onion powder!

Fiddlehead ferns/ostrich fern

Fiddleheads are the furled fronds of a young fern. Say that 5 times fast! Fiddlehead ferns are edible ferns before they unfurl and become inedible ferns. They are edible when in the furled-up stage of a fern, just after they start to shoot through the ground in spring. As they emerge through the fertile, wet April soil, they grow and unfurl quickly (sometimes lasting just a few days in their furled-up stage) – so you have to act fast! At this unfurled stage, they are tender and edible.

Though all ferns have a fiddlehead stage, it’s the Ostrich fern, a specific edible fern species, that has become synonymous with the words “fiddlehead ferns.” Their taste is often described somewhere between asparagus, broccoli, and spinach. The ostrich fern is pictured here.

Hosta Shoots

Did you know these shade, loving ornamental plants were also edible? Hostas usually spread/multiply quickly over the years. So instead of getting rid of them to keep from overcrowding, you can dig up, young shoots and eat them!

Most people prepare them like you would asparagus, with a similar taste and texture. All species of hosta are edible, but they are best eaten right when they shoot up. Here is a recipe for Bacon Wrapped Hosta Shoots.

Mullein

Mullein is probably most recognizable when it is large, tall, and its yellow stalk is flowering along roadsides and sidewalks. Foraging mullein is best done in the spring when the leaves are young and tender. These fuzzy leaves are fun and easy for kids to identify. Mullein is most known for its respiratory benefits. Smoking Mullen is probably not the best way to utilize it with kids, but mullein tea is also raved about for its respiratory healing properties.

Morel mushroom picture by @c_l_allofus

Foraging spring mushrooms

There are thousands of mushrooms/fungi to find out in the woods or even just in the backyard. It’s important to know that while a lot of mushrooms are edible, there are a lot that are not. Some mushrooms are very dangerous and even deadly if ingested.

Morels

Morel mushrooms are a great way to start foraging mushrooms because they are easier than most to identify! Not to mention, they’re delicious! You can find morels under or around fallen and decaying trees, and along south-facing slopes. Morels have deeply ridged camps that resemble honeycombs. The stem of the morel is hollow. These mushrooms are delicious when sautéed or when fried!

Family time foraging

You don’t have to venture far to begin your foraging adventures. Nearly everything listed here was found on or around my own property without too much searching. Even if you don’t plan to eat the things you find, looking for these spring treasures is still a fun and educational scavenger hunt! How much can you forage in your backyard this spring!?!

What do you forage in the spring?

About the author

Meghan is a midwestern mom of 3 kids and one dog. She is a physical therapist assistant and family photographer. At home, her and her family enjoy gardening (both indoors and outside), riding ATVs, and exploring the river behind their house. When not at home, they can usually be found at the lake or exploring Illinois state parks. Meghan’s family has always loved the outdoors, but they really found a passion for being outside and photography when her oldest son had to undergo a bone marrow transplant as a baby. During her son’s recovery, being outside became a safe place for the whole family to learn, grow and thrive.

You can find more from Meghan online in the following locations:
Instagram: @meghangarriott
Meghan’s RWMC posts: Meghan Garriott
BIKE, CAMP, FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE
Ultimate List of Outdoor Gear for Kids
- August 22, 2022
It’s no secret that when it comes to outfitting our kids for the great outdoors, the options are endless, and the choices can get overwhelming. While we all know that a box and a pile of sticks can allow for endless hours of unstructured entertainment, that’s not going to keep kids warm or safe when exploring. When we’re ready to take our adventures past the front yard and to the next level, what outdoor gear do kids need? Today, our gear-guru and PNW mountain mom of 4, RyAnn Peverly is here to go over the best outdoor gear for kids and give you recommendations to save you time, research, and money.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Outdoor gear for kids

We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” And we know that quality outdoor kids’ gear will last longer and do better in extreme circumstances. But what gear is worth spending money on for your kids? What makes the most sense to invest in for the whole family?

You certainly don’t need a garage packed with all the latest and greatest in the outdoor industry, but a few well-made key pieces will ensure an endless supply of family fun. From water bottles to day packs, sun hats to rain jackets, and everything in between, this is your ultimate list of gear for your outdoorsy kids.

Best outdoor clothing for kids

You might be asking yourself why your kids need special clothes when going on adventures outdoors. The short answer is…they don’t (or at least not always). Your everyday outdoor trip to the park or neighborhood stroll isn’t going to require anything fancy. However, the more time you spend outdoors, the more adventurous your outings will become and the more your kids will be in the elements. And sometimes adventures call for special outdoor gear.

Just like all our outdoor gear listed, these clothing items each have a specific purpose. The right clothing is the best way to keep your kids comfortable when adventuring outside. I always look at buying good quality outdoor clothing as an investment in our fun. The more comfortable we are outside, the longer we can play and the more time we can spend outdoors. And it’s always good to remember that just a few key pieces can keep us outside all year long.

Best base layers (merino wool)

The first clothing items I always make sure to have on hand (for both kids and adults) are a couple of good sets of wool base layers. These pieces can be used alone on warmer days or can add a much-needed layer of comfort on those chilly winter escapades. One of our favorite brands that makes beautiful, soft layers is NUI Organics. I love their collection of soft merino wool, which comes in a variety of beautiful solid gender-neutral colors (so they can be passed down kid to kid). This company, in particular, is great because they carry layers for the entire family (adults included).

Check out our post on the Best Merino Wool Layers for Kids for a comprehensive list of the best wool brands, clothing options, and price points.

Best outdoor shirts for kids

When it comes to what my kids wear on top, I like to keep a few quick-dry athletic shirts ready to grab, especially for those warmer months. A shirt that allows sweat to wick away from their bodies means more comfort and less complaining. Good options for athletic shirts are merino wool or synthetic materials. Most of our athletic t-shirts come from the All In Motion line at Target.

Another top layer I like to keep in our closets is a quality long-sleeve sun-shirt. A good sun-shirt means this mama knows my kids are being protected from UV rays, and I get to worry less about the last time I applied sunscreen. Our favorite sun-shirts are the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Sun Hoodie, the REI Co-op Sahara Sun Hoodie, and the Veyo Kids Sun Hoodies.

Pants/ shorts (or a combination thereof)

Living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I’ve learned that clothes that serve a dual purpose are the ones I reach for the most. And that goes for the pants and shorts that I buy my kids. My favorites are those that are great for more than one activity or are convertible. A good pair of convertible hiking pants means I don’t have to pack shorts for when my son says he’s too hot or wants to go splashing in rivers or lakes.

My favorite convertible hiking pants for kids are the ones with zippers by the ankles so that we don’t have to worry about taking off shoes during the transition. These Sahara pants from REI are great because they also have an adjustable waist. In addition to pants, it’s great to have shorts that our kids can wear hiking on the trails, and go straight to jumping right in the big blue lake. One brand that our whole family wears is the Patagonia Baggies.

Kids’ rain gear

If your kids are anything like mine, a little rain never deters the need to get outside and play! It’s actually even better because puddle jumping is one of their greatest joys. Using both feet to generate the perfect splash can mean hours of fun. But, once they get wet and the chill starts to set in, then the adventure is over.

When picking out rain gear that will last through it all, I like to look for three things. (1) The items must be waterproof, not just water resistant. Water resistant is great for a light drizzle, but will not be able to handle a full soaking. (2) I like jackets that are breathable. This allows the child’s perspiration to wick away from their body so that they are not wet inside and out. (3) I like gear that has closures on the wrists, ankles, hood, and hems. Adjustable closures help to seal in the warmth, and keep the rain out.

For all our recommendations on rainy day kids gear, check out our full post on the Best Rain Gear for Outdoor Kids.

Best rain jackets, pants and rain suits for kids

The REI Co-op Rainwall Jacket and Rainwall Pants are great options for a two-piece set. For the younger kids, full-body rain suits are a great choice because there is little to no worry about their underlayers getting wet when the weather turns. Our longtime favorite rain suit for everyday wet adventures has been the Oaki trail suit, but we also really love the Polarn O. Pyret Rain Shell with interior fleece-lining for colder rainy day adventures.

Best outdoor kids rain boots

If you’re going to spend any time outside in the rain (or live in a wet/damp place like the PNW), rainboots are essential gear for kids. Rainboots allow our children to splash around and keep their feet nice and toasty throughout the day. Over the last 22 years of purchasing boots, the Bogs Classic insulated boots continue to prove they are a wise investment. These boots truly stand up to the tough demands of kids, don’t leak, and last a long time. They’re some of the only boots we’ve been able to pass down to the next kid after wearing through a season or two.

For a more budget-friendly option, check out Lone Cone’s classic rain boots with handles and their all-weather neoprene mud boots. All three of my kids have Lone Cone boots and love them!

Best jackets, coats, and insulating layers for kids

When those summer months start to turn cool, it’s important to keep a warmer layer close by. A good mid-layer like a fleece or puffy jacket (synthetic or down) will add just enough warmth to keep the play going well into those chilly temps. The insulating layer retains the heat your child is generating, keeping them nice and warm. One style that we have gone back to time and time again is a classic fleece from Columbia that features fun designs and bright colors that all kids are sure to love.

We also love the Performance Eco Wind Fleece from Polarn O. Pyret for a light layer that keeps the heat in and wind out. If you want something warmer that can take you into winter, a soft down jacket is nice. The Patagonia Nano Puff is a great option, as is the Polarn O. Pyret Lightweight Puffer.

Best footwear for outdoor kids

Shoes and footwear fall into the category of outdoor gear for kids that you’ll want to have on hand for all your adventures. If your kids are anything like mine, it really doesn’t matter to them what shoes they throw on. They will still jump, run and climb all the things in any shoe they have available. And we really could let them continue that way, but what they put on their feet does make a difference when venturing outdoors. A good pair of shoes suited to the day’s activity means they stay comfortable, with their feet protected, and the day can last longer.

Outdoor kids’ tennis shoes and kids’ hiking shoes

When it comes to shoes for outdoorsy kids, I like to purchase a pair that can be used on outdoor adventures as well as during P.E. After testing multiple brands and styles I find I reach for the same brand time after time. The Salomon Speedcross Jr. is a lightweight, breathable, quick-dry shoe that has a sole with great traction.

Sometimes a waterproof hiking boot is a better option depending on the type of outdoor adventures your family prefers. If you’re going to hit a hiking trail, a good hiking boot offers ankle stability, a flexible sole, and good traction. If hiking boots are more your style, you can’t go wrong with one like the Merrell Greylock Waterproof Hiking Boots.

Best water shoes for kids

A good pair of water shoes are great for summer adventures. They’re great for exploring creeks, playing in splash pads, and adventuring anywhere your kids will be in and out of water. If you’re looking for a lightweight amphibious shoe, the Vivobarefoot Kids Ultra Bloom is a fantastic option. They’re made from bloom foam which takes harmful algae blooms out of waterways, reversing the effects of water pollution. They’re also super light, bendy, and fast-drying for adventures over land and water. If you’re looking for something that does better in sand, we’ve had good luck with the Speedo Surf Knit water shoes for kids.

Best socks for kids

Socks are another one of those items that you might be asking yourself why your kids need a “special” kind. But, just like the shoes we put on our feet, a good pair of socks can be the difference between a comfortable long walk in the woods or the need for bandaids and blister care. We often go for a good pair of wool socks that help wick sweat, provide cushion, and are long-lasting, like these hiker socks from Darn tough.

Best hiking gear and equipment for families

Often when we think of outdoor adventures, we think of wandering down dirt paths, watching as our kids stop to explore under rocks and roots. Getting outside and hitting the trails can be one of the best ways to spend a day with our outdoorsy kids. Whether it’s a day hike at one of our national parks or just a stroll around your local park, hiking and exploring go hand in hand. But, sometimes that can be hard to do with really little kids, or multiple kids. However, with the right hiking gear and equipment, we can enjoy our outdoor time together with them at any age. Here are some of our favorite tried-and-tested recommendations for outdoor gear for kids (and adults) that will help you get outside and down the trail with your kids easier!

Best outdoor and off-road strollers

A good off-road stroller is a great investment for a family that loves time outdoors. An all-terrain stroller means even the littlest family member can join in the fun, and no one has to be left behind. A stroller with mountain bike suspension and a handbrake makes even the roughest terrain easier to navigate. A great option is the BOB Revolution Pro.

If you’re looking for a stroller that serves a dual-purpose as a bike trailer, the Burley Encore X is a fantastic option. It’s a double biking trailer that comes with a stroller kit (handlebar and front wheel). This makes it super easy to go from biking the trails to strolling the streets with your kiddo(s) in tow. The trailer has comfortable seating for 1 or 2 children, plenty of room for snacks, toys, and other gear, plus a variety of other awesome features (reclinable seats, extra suspension, etc.). For more info, check out our full review of the Burley Encore X trailer.

Feature image credit: @somerpickel

Baby and child carriers

Child carriers are also a great way to get your whole family out for a day on the trails. Once your tiniest family member is sitting up on their own, a child carrier is essential hiking gear that will keep the adventure going. Features to look for when selecting a structured child carrier are a well-padded hip belt, and shoulder straps and an adjustable torso fit so that both parents can easily use the carrier. Other features to take into account are the child safety harness system and an adjustable seat so your kid can sit comfortably no matter how long the ride is.

Our top two choices for child carriers for young kids are the Ospry Poco Plus and the Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier. You really can’t go wrong with either of these fantastic carriers – check them both out and decide which one is a better fit for you. If you have a teeny tiny newborn baby, we recommend the Ergo Baby 360. For older kids and toddlers, check out the Trail Magik toddler carrier.

For more details on how to choose the right baby carrier for you and more recommendations, check out our full post on the Best Baby Carriers for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures.

Best backpacks for kids

Purchasing your kid’s first backpack almost feels like a right of passage in the outdoor adventure world. Their own space to carry snacks, a new water bottle, and all the treasures they can handle. It’s true they could probably get away with a regular backpack, but one made for hiking will make trail time more enjoyable for everyone.

Good kids packs include a hip belt, chest strap, big interior storage, and a mesh pocket on the outside. Other features that can be handy are a sleeve for a hydration bladder and a whistle on the chest strap buckle. One nice day pack that fits all these criteria is the REI Tarn which comes in 12 liters for little kids and 18 liters for big kids.

First aid kit

As parents, we know accidents are bound to happen. Scrapes and bruises are just part of it all when you live an outdoor lifestyle. That’s why it’s important to keep a first aid kit on hand when venturing outside. A good wilderness first aid kit should include bandages and gauze, antibiotic ointment or wipes, sting care, and medications such as antacids, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and allergy relief.

For a simple day hiking kit, this one from HART is great. If you’re looking for a larger kit for the whole family, check out this one from Adventure Medical Kits. In addition to carrying a kit for the family, I’m also a big proponent of teaching our kids about safety and being prepared when outdoors. One of the easiest ways to do this is to let your kids carry a simple first aid kit. This Coleman Mini First Aid Kit is great for little packs.

For more information on first aid, check out our full posts on Hiking Safety & First Aid (which includes a list of exactly what should be in your first aid kit) and this post on Teaching First Aid to Kids.

Best lights, lanterns, headlamps, and other illumination

A key piece of gear that every outdoor kid needs is a good source of light for when adventures last well past dark. Kids love being able to navigate their way down a darkened trail or read a beloved nighttime story in the tent before bed. There are lots of options out there for ways that kids can illuminate the night. Three of the best options are a headlamp, flashlight, or lantern.

Headlamps: Headlamps offer that perfect hands-free option. Once placed on the head your kid can freely move about without worrying about dropping something or shining it in the right place. If you have toddlers or small children, a child-sized headlamp like the Black Diamond Wiz is a great option made for smaller heads. For school-aged kids through teens, jump up to an adjustable regular headlamp like the Petzl Tikka headlamp.

Flashlights: Flashlights are a classic option and come in so many fun colors and sizes. A small flashlight like these EverBrite Flashlights come in multiple packs for the whole family. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, these LED tactical flashlights are bright, rechargeable, magnetic, and waterproof.

Lanterns: Another great illumination option is a lantern. The lanterns of today are not like our parents’ old oil-filled versions. Lanterns now come in all shapes and are made from a variety of materials. One style to consider is an ultra-lightweight inflatable lantern like these LuminAid lanterns. The Max 2-in-1 Power Lantern is a solar lantern that can also charge your phone! No batteries required, super bright, easy to use, and totally waterproof. (Use the code RUNWILD for 10% off any product.)

Best kids’ water bottles and hydration bladders

Water is an essential item on any outdoor activity, and how you choose to let your child carry it is just as important. Maybe they want to carry their own new bottle in their pack or maybe they want to use a hydration bladder so they can drink without stopping. Either option is great, so long as it’s not too heavy or burdensome for them. Here are a few of our favorite hydration options.

Water bottles: When it comes to water bottles, there are just a couple of key things to keep in mind. A good kids-sized water bottle should be able to hold anywhere from 12 to 16 oz. Nothing too big, or it will weigh their pack down. Another thing to consider is how the bottle opens and closes. A bottle that doesn’t leak and is easy to open are always at the top of my wish list. Both the Kleen Kanteen classic and the CamelBak Eddy are great durable options that should last your child for years.

Hydration bladders: Hydration bladders are a great option for carrying water on a long hike or a day out adventuring. A hydration bladder consists of a BPA-free plastic bladder with an attached straw for easy use. You can either purchase a bladder with the attached straw that can be used with your backpack of choice or get a hydration pack, like the Camelbak Mini MULE, which is a bladder and backpack in one.

Best camping gear for kids and families

Some of our greatest memories come from camping adventures. Family camping trips usually include bike riding around the campground, playing rounds and rounds of UNO, roasting marshmallows over a fire while looking for the big dipper. And at the end of the night, crawling into our sleeping bags and sleeping under the stars. While a lot of our camping gear can be shared among the family, there are a few key items that kids need of their very own. Here’s a short list of a few of our best recommendations for family and kid-friendly outdoor gear for kids when camping.

Best camping tents for families

When camping, your tent is your home away from home. It’s where you’ll spend your evenings when you sleep and possibly hang out during rain or bouts of bad weather. Tents provide privacy, room to hang out, and most importantly, protection from inclement weather, cold, wind, and rain. Your tent can make or break your camping experience and needs to be accommodating for your family and your needs.

We love the North Face Wawona 6 tent. It’s a bit pricey, but really well-made and durable. It’s a good all-around 3-season tent, with 2 doors, a hybrid double-wall construction, extra interior height, large vestibule, and multiple interior storage pockets.

For our full guide on how to choose the right tent for you family and tent recommendations based on your family’s size, check out our post on the Best Tents for Families.

Photo credit: @kristcx

Best sleeping bags for kids

Sleeping under the stars is always a great idea, unless you can’t get comfortable and stay warm. One key element to this issue is a well-fitting, cozy sleeping bag. A bag like the Kids Kelty Mistral that keeps kids toasty in temperatures below 40-degrees, is a great investment. For the smaller ones, a sleeping sack/bag made for babies, like this one from Morrison Outdoors, might be just the right fit.

Sleeping pad or cot

Every good camping sleep system also includes a sleeping mat or a cot. Mats are a great option because you can buy them a little big to last a little longer. A self-inflating sleeping pad like the REI Kindercamp is always nice because the kids can help set up their own sleeping spot. If you’re looking for something that gets your little one off the ground, or if you have multiple kids and are tight on space, check out the Kid-O-Bunk bunk bed cots.

Best kids’ camping chairs

Camp chairs might be another one of those items that you’re wondering if the kids really need their own. But, everyone loves having their own camp chair to sit in by the fire. Adult-sized chairs may be too high and large (and therefore could be dangerous) for little kids. A chair that’s just the right size like this Coleman Kids Chair is a great option. (Although that’s not to say they still won’t steal your chair!)

Bug protection for kids

There are plenty of ways to keep the bugs at bay during a camping trip, but our family favorites are the ones that don’t stink and don’t need to be reapplied over and over. Great choices for protection are bug bands, like these BuggyBands Mosquito Bracelets, or little stickers like the Buzz Patch bug patches that you kids can apply themselves.

Camping hammock

Who doesn’t like to lay back and relax in a hammock and let the breeze gently rock you? Or, if your kids are anything like mine, a hammock can become a swing, a fort, or the perfect spot to ask mom for a gazillionth snack. Whatever way your kids prefer to make use of this classic camp item, you can’t go wrong with something like the ENO SingleNest Hammock.

Best biking gear and options for kids

One of the best activities to get families out is bike riding. Whether it’s on a paved trail near home, or off the beaten path, hopping on a bike is a great way to get outdoors, get active, and spend some quality time together as a family. If you’re interested in biking, we’ve got some great biking gear recommendations for you and your little ones.

Best bikes for kids

A balance bike is a bike without pedals and it’s a perfect way for little kids and toddlers to learn how to ride a bike. It has most of the essential elements of a traditional bike (frame, fork, handlebars, wheels, etc.), but instead of pedaling, they push off the ground with their feet to move forward and place their feet down to stop. Since they’re in control, kids can develop their balance and coordination first, before progressing to a bike with pedals. Our top balance bike recommendation is the Woom 1. But, there’s no one size fits all and lots of things to take into consideration when choosing a balance bike. Here’s our full post on the Best Balance Bikes for Kids.

Once your kids are ready, something like the REI Co-Op Rev Bike is a great option for bikes that have a few grown-up features but are just the right size.

Photo credit: @kristcx

Biking trailer

If your little adventure partner isn’t ready for a bike quite yet, another great option is a bike trailer. We absolutely love the Burley Encore X bike trailer (and double-stroller), which allows families to still get out on the trail knowing the littlest one is tucked safely inside with all the necessities. The Encore X has comfortable seating for 1 or 2 children, plenty of room for snacks, toys, and other gear, plus a variety of other awesome features (reclinable seats, extra suspension, etc.).

Best bike helmets for kids

No matter where you’re riding, safety is a top priority. A bike helmet is an important piece of outdoor gear to protect their noggin. When selecting a helmet, look for those that are Mips certified, providing impact protection on all sides. The Bern Nino Helmets are certified and also come with a built-in sun visor.

Biking accessories for kids

Bike accessories are a great addition to add a little flair and function to your kids’ ride. A classic item like the Nutcase Bike Bell lets our kids add little fun and personalization to their bike; plus, it’s an added sense of safety so they can ring out as they pedal away. Another fun biking accessory is a water bottle and holder. Most kids’ bikes are too small to use the more common bottle cage, so this Po Campo Water Bottle Bag is a great option. Check out our full post with 30+ Fun Biking Accessories for Kids for more!

Photo credit: @meghavelaarphoto

Best water gear for kids

In my experience, one activity that kids of all ages love spending time on or near the water. Whether it’s at the beach, fishing along the river, exploring a creek, or jumping off the dock, kids love water! They love to get their feet wet, splash around, and play in water. No matter where you’re headed, here are a few gear recommendations that will keep the kids safe and happy when on the water.

Best sunhats for kids

When heading out to spend a day on the water, a good hat that provides protection from the sun is a must. There are lots of styles and options out there, and if your kids are like mine, they will have an opinion on what they like the most. For a full coverage hat that protects both their face and neck, you can’t go wrong with something like the Sunday Afternoons play hat or the Veyo Kids sunhat. If your kids prefer a baseball hat, you might reach for the Outdoor Research Kids Swift cap or a snapback from Headster that both offer bright colors or cool designs.

Photo credit: @meghangarriott

Best life jackets for kids

Whether you’re kayaking, paddle boarding, or fishing from a boat, a quality and well-fitting life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device) is needed to keep kids safe when on and around water. When choosing the right life jacket for your child, make sure to pick one according to their current size and weight. This ensures it won’t slip over their head when in the water.

For babies, infants, and little ones in the 8-30lb-range, check out something like the Stohlquist Infant Jacket or the STEARNS Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Life Jacket that both provide head support and full arm movement. For larger kids in the 33-55 lb rant, we like the Full Throttle Child Rapid Dry Neoprene Life Jacket. For the super sporty kids, the NRS Vista jacket looks just like mom’s, but is made especially for kids.

For a more detailed list of life jacket recommendations by size, activity, and style, check out our post on the Best Life Jackets for Kids, which includes all the info you need to pick the right life jacket for your child.

Water shoes for kids

Atrip to play in or near the water generally means that our kids will get their feet wet. If you’re headed somewhere besides a sandy beach, a good pair of shoes that they can wear means they are less likely to hurt their feet. These Keen Newport sandals are great because they provide tow coverage and stay snuggly on their feet. If your kiddo wants a little more room in their sandal, try something like this Teva Hurricane.

Best sunscreen for kids

Keeping our kids’ skin safe is just as important as anything else. So having quality sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30+ is essential when we head out for a day near the water. Some sunscreens can have a lot of chemicals added and can be tough on kids’ sensitive skin, so we recommend Countersun Mineral Sunscreen from Beautycounter (comes in spray, stick, and lotion), which provides full coverage protection without harmful effects. It’s also reef-safe, which is recommended anytime you’re in wild water.

Best sunglasses for kids

Protect your children’s eyes while they’re outside playing with sunglasses. My own kids love these Babiator sunglasses that come in 2 styles (the Navigator UV and the Aviator) and a variety of colors. Frames are made from rubber, making them strong and flexible, shock and impact-resistant. Whether your child twists, bends or treads on these sunglasses, they will not break! In addition, these UV400 lenses stop all UVA and UVB rays and protect the eyes of your child against the bright sunlight. Available in baby and toddler sizes and polarization.

Best outdoors toys for kids

Whether playing in the backyard or taking your adventures on the road, it’s always nice to have a few activities around that our kids go for time and time again. There are thousands of things to do outside, but here are a few of our all-time tried-and -tested highly-recommended favorite outdoor toys, activities, and inspiration for getting outdoors.

Slackline: Slacklining is a great activity for kids because it requires concentration, balance, and core strength, plus all you need is a kit like the ZenMonkey Slackline Kit and two trees for hours of fun. If you need info on how to get started, check out this Beginner’s Guide to Slacklining with Kids.

Kites: If you’re looking for another activity that is portable and provides endless amounts of outdoor time, a kite is a perfect solution. These Pocket Flyer Kites can even be put in a kid’s backpack to fly anywhere the wind strikes. Before you head out, be sure to read our post on Kite Flying with Kids.

Binoculars: All explorers need a good pair of binoculars for adventuring. A good pair of high-resolution, waterproof binoculars like these Occer compact binoculars will make sure your kids don’t miss a thing (but they also won’t break the bank).

Photo credit: @arevook

Walkie-talkies: Walkie-talkies are perhaps one of the best outdoor toys you can purchase for your kids! Not only are they fun to use and can be a catalyst for hours of imaginative play, but they are also a helpful device for keeping track of our busy independent kids. These Topsung rechargeable walkie-talkies are great because they are long-range and come in packs of two or three.

Bait nets: Whether you’re at the beach, in a creek/stream or next to a pond, kids love playing in the water and catching things. These Promar Aluminum Bait Nets are the very best bait net on the market – trust me, we’ve been through a million. Most nets have the netting on the outside of the basket, which means after a while of scraping on sand and rocks, the net wears thin and rips. This one has a metal framing (net guard) and a super durable handle, ensuring it lasts years longer than the others. A bit more expensive, but totally worth it. Perfect for scooping rocks/shells and catching minnows, crabs, crawdads, etc.

Wagon: A classic little red RadioFlyer Wagon is a multi-purpose outdoor toy. This wagon has been a staple in my kids’ childhoods, and we use it more than we ever could have imagined. Use it for taking the kids for a walk around the block (they’ll not only love riding in it, but pulling it as well) or use it for transporting gear and equipment. The uses are endless, and it’s a ton of open-ended fun.

Best outdoor activity books for kids

We all have days when the motivation to head outside is hard to find. Even our outdoorsy kids need a bit of inspiration sometimes. Here is a list of books with fabulous activities, games, and ideas for getting everyone out the door.
Best outdoor gear for kids

Phew! I think we covered nearly everything you could need to fuel your outdoor adventures for years to come! You certainly don’t need this entire list of gear, but hopefully, this will be a good starting place to find just the right gear for your outdoorsy kids. Let us know if there’s any category of items we missed! And in the meantime, here are a few more posts on gear and activities you might enjoy!
Printable camping gear lists for families

To make it easier for you to get started on your next family camping trip, we put our ultimate camping packing list for your family in a free printable 2-page PDF for you! Use this as the perfect start to create your own master packing list. You’ll also be signed up to receive our AMAZING weekly newsletter, filled with fun outdoor activities and inspiration for getting your kids and family outside! You can opt out anytime (although we’d hate to see you go).

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About the author

RyAnn is a mom of four (20, 18, 15, 6) that loves exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a youth outdoor program instructor for the Mountaineers Org. in Washington state. RyAnn also loves getting out and adventuring with her family as much as possible. They enjoy traveling around the PNW in their converted Sprinter campervan. On her days off she generally loads up the van and hits the trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or climbing. RyAnn is passionate about instilling love and respect for outdoor spaces in her kids and the youth she is lucky to work with.

You can find more from RyAnn in the following locations:
Instagram: @mountain_mama4
Website: Mountain Mama
RWMC articles: RyAnn
CRAFTS, GARDENING, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SPRING
100+ Spring Outdoor Activities for Kids
- April 4, 2022
Spring is in the air! I’m so excited to officially welcome you to the season of green and growth! As the weather warms back up and the sun stays up later, it’s the perfect time to get those kids outside. After a long winter with bitterly cold temperatures and lots of time spent inside, we couldn’t be more excited to get outside into the sunshine, get dirty, and be active. It’s so important to make sure your child gets plenty of fresh air, exercise, sunshine, and Vitamin N (nature). To help out, we’ve put together this giant comprehensive list of 100+ spring outdoor activities for kids! The items, activities, acts of service, treats, experiments, and crafts on this list are guaranteed to get you outside and active, creating and exploring.

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Special thanks to our Instagram community

These fun activities are guaranteed to keep your kids (and you) entertained, learning and active while outside this spring! These activities have been tried, tested and kid-approved by our online Facebook community, followers, editors, writers and contributors! In addition, all of the photos in the post of kids outside having fun are from our absolutely amazing Instagram community! A very special thanks to all the parents that let us feature their beautiful images.

Spring activities for kids printable PDF checklist

While this post will give you all the details and variations for all 100+ outdoor winter activities for kids, if you want a printable checklist version, CLICK HERE to sign up for our newsletter and get a free printable of the list!

Feature image credit: @raisinguntamedminis

100+ spring outdoor activities for kids

As the weather warms up and the days are longer, getting outside with the kids should be a top priority. Our family always makes a springtime bucket list, which includes tons of fun ways to get outside and active together as a family. We put together this giant list of over 100 fun things to do outside with your kids this spring! We’ve got all the traditional activities and we’re throwing in dozens more than you may not expect! So we hope this list will help you plan fun outdoor adventures for your family this season. And if there’s anything we’ve forgotten, let us know in the comments below and we’ll get it added!

1. Puddle jumping

Jumping in a puddle is an absolute classic quintessential rite of passage for any child. So often kids are asked to refrain from getting wet and muddy. Give them the gift of freedom to explore and get as messy as they want for a day. Dress them in their rain boots and whatever else you don’t care getting wet (plenty of layers if it’s still cold) and encourage them to splash! They’ll be so excited about the opportunity and will remember this for a lifetime.

2. Host an outdoor tea party

Outdoor tea parties can be fun any season of the year. Spring is a perfect time though, with fresh green grass and flowers everywhere. Have your kids dress up in something fun and fancy! Pull out a little table and chairs into the backyard and whip up some tea and a light snack. Try traditional cucumber sandwiches or make it a sweet tea time with cookies or cake. Depending on the age and fanciness of your guest, break out the good china and really impress them! (or even just use glass coffee mugs, which are fun!) If your kids don’t like tea, substitute lemonade, sparkling water or fruit-infused water.

3. Make a flower bouquet

Spring is a wonderful time for finding and picking flowers. Bring a pair of scissors on your walk and snip a few flowers for a bouquet (as long as you have permission). Springtime flowers could include daffodils, tulips, orchids, primrose, snowdrops, and violets. Wildflowers make beautiful and colorful arrangements. But only take a few and make sure to leave plenty for the bees!

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

4. Dig for worms

One of my favorite memories I have with all three of my kids was teaching them how to dig for worms when they were little. There’s something about discovering a worm right under your feet that blows kids’ little minds! And you don’t need much to dig for worms. Find an outdoor area where you can dig (a garden or near the edge of the woods is ideal). The best time to find worms near the surface is after a rain when the soil is moist. Give each kid a shovel or garden spade and encourage them to dig into the dirt.

If your kids are little, dig a hole for them. Once you have a large scoop of dirt, break it up gently with your fingers, carefully looking for worms. If you find a worm, gently let your child hold it in their palm and let the worm wiggle around. When you’re finished observing the worm, you can set it free in a garden, compost area or watch it return to the soil.

5. Put out hummingbird feeders

Hummingbirds are delightful and highly desirable backyard birds. No matter how many times you see one it is a thrill to watch these tiny birds flit around and drink from flowers and feeders. It’s a common misconception that just hanging a hummingbird feeder in your yard will attract flocks of hummingbirds. There’s actually a lot more that goes into getting hummingbirds to visit your feeder, but luckily it’s not too hard! The best, and easiest, way to attract hummingbirds is to plant their favorite nectar-producing flowers and plants. These plants are usually bright colors (hummingbirds especially love red flowers) and many have long, tubular blossoms.

Some flowers that attract hummingbirds are the trumpet vine, trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm, hollyhock, zinnia, and sage. Hang multiple feeders in a low activity area that is near the flowers you planted for them. Fill your feeders with homemade hummingbird nectar, which is basically just sugar water (no red dye). Hang a variety of feeders in various locations. Different hummingbirds may have a preferred feeder style, so choose a variety of types to cater to their preferences. Change the water out once a week and sit back and enjoy the hummingbird watching with your kids!

Feature image credit: @kristinvucinaphotography

6. Visit a tulip field

If you’re lucky enough to live close to somewhere with gorgeous tulip fields, then please make sure you visit this spring. Not only are these places absolutely spectacular photo opportunities, but they’re just magical places to experience! Make the most of out what spring has to offer and spend some time amongst the flowers!

7. Play disc golf

Playing Frisbee is a great alternative to traditional pitch and catch. The flat disc is usually much easier for kids to toss and catch. Throw one around at your local park and see who can throw it the farthest or with the most accuracy. Once you’ve gotten the hang on it, try your luck at disc golf! There are free courses all across the country and you don’t need much to get started. It’s easy enough to learn in a day (although much harder to master), but so much fun for the whole family!

Feature image credit: @ksenia_belanger

8. Go fishing

Fishing is a great activity that the whole family can enjoy and do nearly anywhere there’s water! If you’ve never fished before, do a little bit of research about what the fish in your area eat and when/where to go. Ask at a fishy friend or at a local bait shop. A lot of state parks will even provide fishing gear for the day for free! Trust me, it doesn’t get much better than seeing your child’s entire face light up when she/he lands a fish! Here’s a great post on how to raise kids that love to fish.

9. Mud faces on trees

Making forest faces is a fun and simple outdoor springtime activity that can be done anywhere there are trees. All you need is some thick mud (or clay) and a variety of natural items for decorations (leaves, moss, small sticks, stones, acorns, rocks, etc.) and an accessible tree. Press a big hunk of mud/clay onto the tree trunk, smoothing the edges down onto the bark. Add a selection of leaves and moss for the hair or crown of the face. Add acorns or rocks for eyes and nose. Maybe a stick for a mouth. Get as creative as you want! Hopefully, the faces will stay for a while for other people to enjoy, but there is the chance they may dry out and fall off, or wash off in the rain.

Feature image credit: @sunniemf

10. Chase a rainbow

Is there really a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? You’ll never know unless you find it! For a fun spring outdoor activity with kids, try chasing a rainbow! Next time you see one, go for a walk (or get in a wagon or even in the car) and try to chase down the end and find that pot of gold! Let the kids choose which way you go. Who knows where you’ll end up, but it’ll certainly be an adventure! And if you find the gold, make sure to share some with me!

11. Fly a kite

Spring is the perfect time to fly a kite! The months in spring tend to be windy, which is perfect kite-flying weather. Pick a location with a wide-open expanse of land and air, so you have plenty of room to chase your kite and not run into any obstacles. If you have more than one kid, give them each a kite and let them race them or challenge each other to kite acrobatics!

Feature image credit: @wildpoppies.and.wheatfields

12. Spring flower suncatchers

If you want a fun craft project to make with kids that will add some nature and color to your home, try making flower suncatchers. Start by collecting flowers that are bright and colorful. You can dry them flat under a book or try microwaving them in between fabric under a brick (I’ve heard this works well to preserve the color). Once flat and dry, seal the flowers between two pages of laminating paper or even between 2 pieces of glass (in a frame). Hang them in your window and let the sun shine through! Here’s a great tutorial for how to make flower suncatchers with kids.

13. Plant a tree

Spring is a great time to plant a tree. And planting a tree is easier than you might think! Once you’ve picked out your tree and your location, dig a hole that’s at least twice as wide as but no deeper than the rootball. You want to give the roots room to spread out — to help establish the tree. But you don’t want to dig deeper than the tree root ball. Sitting the tree too deep into the hole can cause water to pool around the trunk.

Place the tree in the hole, then begin backfilling with the soil that was removed from the hole. You want to evenly fill in the dirt all around the rootball. Pack in the soil around the tree root ball using your feet. Create a small ringed dam around the trunk of the tree to keep water closer to the root ball during the tree’s first days. Water the tree as soon as possible after planting it. And by water, I mean really soak it! Water thoroughly every day for the first 2 weeks. Then, cut back to watering once every couple days for the next several weeks. Finally, water the tree once per week for the rest of the first growing season.

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

14. Grill outside

In my opinion, almost all food tastes better when cooked outside over an open flame. Take advantage of the warmer weather and extra daylight by cooking dinner on the grill. Whether you’re grilling hotdogs, steaks, hamburgers or veggies, it’s guaranteed to taste amazing. And, if you’ve never tried to make your own pizza on the BBQ grill, what are you waiting for?! Buy some premade pizza dough (or make your own – it’s easy!) and your favorite pizza toppings. Have everything ready to go, then slide the crust on the grill for a few minutes. Flip the whole thing over and then add your pizza toppings while it cooks. Your grill can get much hotter than your oven, so it’ll make your crust extra crispy and delicious! And don’t forget the s’mores!

15. Press flowers

Flowers are popping up everywhere you look during the spring months! Take advantage of the abundance and preserve some for a cold rainy day. Collect flowers on a sunny day when they’re not wet or damp. Place the flowers between sheets of parchment or wax paper and lay a heavy book on top. Let the flowers dry for 7-10 days. Use the flowers for art decorations, cards, journals, luminaries or anything your heart desires! We’ve tried this flower press kit and made beautiful art!

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

16. Dandelion tea

Did you know that dandelions were healthy and delicious? Dandelions are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that can boost your health. You can make dandelion tea from the leaves, flowers, or roots of the plants, with the latter being the most common method. Herbal tea made with the flowers tends to be more delicate and sweet. Check out this post for all the details on how to make your own dandelion tea this spring.

17. Go green for St. Pat’s

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this spring by going green for the day. How you choose to “go green” is totally up to you! Maybe that means wearing all green clothing head-to-toe! Perhaps you choose to eat and drink only green foods all day or for an entire meal. Maybe you simply choose to be extra eco-friendly (“green”) for the day and pick up litter or make crafts from recycled materials. There are so many fun ways to celebrate being green!

18. Explore a 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. 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. So grab a bucket and a butterfly net, and head to the pond together. Here’s a great post on all kinds of fun things you can do while exploring a pond with kids.

Feature image credit: @soulshinephotographer

19. Start seedlings in eggshells

Gardening has to be one of my all-time favorite springtime outdoor activities. I love everything about starting our garden every spring. One of our favorite things to do is start our plants from seeds in eggshells. All you need to do is save those eggshells from your breakfast (try to break just the tip of the shell off and pour out the egg). Fill the shell with potting soil and one seed. Push the seed down into the soil, but not too deep. Water the seeds and keep the soil moist (but not soaked). Put them in the egg carton (as a holder) in a sunny window and watch them sprout! When ready to plant, simply drop the entire egg into the soil. It will provide great nutrients and calcium for your plants.

Photo credit: @blackadventurecrew

20. Outdoor workout

Spring is a great time to workout outside with the kids. Bring them along on a run around the neighborhood. Do yoga together outside in the back yard. Take them to the local park and hit all the exercise circuits on the trail. Or plan your own outdoor circuit workout that you can do together and get them involved. Kids that see their parents being active are more likely to be active as well. Be an example and get out and sweat! Here’s a great post all about how to successfully exercise outdoors with kids.

21. Make a fairy garden

If you have little ones that into all things fairies and magic, you definitely need to add a fairy garden to your spring bucket list. Fairy gardens are easy to make and can be done in any way your heart desires. They usually contain a small house or door for your local fairy to use. Decorate as fancy as you want with lights, glitter, beads, rocks, decorations, etc. There are even companies that make adorable fairy garden kits to make it easy for you! Set up your fairy garden in a place your kids can access and let them get creative!

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

22. Egg hunt

You don’t have to celebrate Easter to do an egg hunt (change it to a painted rock hunt). We love taking the traditional indoor egg hunt outside and scaling it up! Our entire neighborhood participates in a giant front-yard egg hunt for the kids on our street every year. Each house hides 50 eggs and the kids run wild through everyone’s yard finding as many eggs as they can. Once they find the eggs, they spend the rest of the day (week) rehiding them for each other and doing it all over again! It’s the gift that just keeps giving.

23. Seed paper

Making seed paper is a great activity for kids any time of year. Spring is great though, because you can plant the paper right away (because kids love instant satisfaction). All you need is a bunch of recyclable paper (coloring book pages or newspaper), a blender, water, seeds and a screen. Shred the paper and soak it in water. Whip it up in the blender until it’s pulp. Mix in the seeds and then strain over a mesh screen. Once dry, you can cut into any shape you wan, write messages on them and give to friends and neighbors to plant! We’ve got a great post on how to make your own DIY seed paper with kids.

Feature image credit: @soulshinephotographer

24. Hatch baby chicks

Watching a chick hatch from an egg is one of the most amazing experiences. This activity requires a lot of prep work and planning, so it might not be suitable or possible for everyone. However, if you have chickens or know someone that will take the chicks after hatching, this experience is so worth it! A lot of classrooms hatch chicks as a lesson for the kids. Here’s a great post on everything you need to know and set up for your chick hatching experience.

25. Dandelion crown

Dandelion crowns are easier to make than you might expect! Not only are dandelions prevalent in the spring, but they’re completely free and fun! Start by collecting as many dandelions as you can. Make sure to keep the stems as long as possible. Wrap the second dandelion around the stem of the first and add the stem to the first stem. Add another and continue until you have enough flowers to wrap around your head like a crown. Use this dandelion crown pictorial for reference. Wear and enjoy!

26. Make a rain gauge

April showers are much more fun when you’re active in the rain. Get your kids excited about rain by making a rain gauge to monitor how much rain you’re getting. All you need is a mason jar (or other glass container) that you can write/paint on. Have your kids use a ruler and make marks on the glass for each inch of water. Place the rain gauge outside on a level surface away from overhead trees or awnings. After each rain, go out and check the gauge to see how much rain you got! Keep track of your findings in a nature journal or rain tracker chart. If you want more detailed instructions, plus a printable rain tracker, check out the DIY rain gauge in our shop.

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

27. Blow bubbles

While this activity may sound super simplistic, that’s the beauty of bubbles! No set up or planning involved. All you need is a wand and some bubble juice (water + soap) to entertain and excite kids. My little ones can blow, chase, catch and pop bubbles for hours! They never seem to get tired of bubbles. A good bubble machine is worth its weight in gold and delight kids of all ages (even adults have a hard time not trying to catch them!).

28. Grass whistling

Did you know you can turn a single blade of grass into a whistle? Start by picking a thick and wide piece of grass. Some varieties of lawn grass are better than others for this purpose. You might want to pick several blades of grass and experiment with different ones, since each one will whistle at a different pitch. If you’re uneasy with dirt, feel free to rinse the grass thoroughly to remove any dirt or possible pet urine. You can use dish soap if it makes you feel better. Pat or blog dry with a paper towel. Hold the blade of grass flat and stretched between your fingers. Gently press to your lips and blow lightly on the blade. If it doesn’t whistle right away, keep trying! You’ll quickly figure out the best way to do this and get the hang of it!

Photo credit: @rui4050

29. Make a flower lei

A lei can be any objects strung together with the intent to be worn. Leis can be made from just about anything…shells, paper, money, ribbon, candy, fabric. Most commonly they are made from fresh plants, such as flowers and leaves. All you need to make a lei: fresh flowers, large needle, waxed dental floss, and scissors. Gather your flowers, then cut the flowers off near the top of the stem. Cut a long piece of dental floss and thread it through your needle and tie off the floss so that it doesn’t slip out of the eye of the needle. Carefully thread the needle through the flower. Go from the stem through the middle of the flower and then gently move it down the floss.

Make sure to leave a few inches at the bottom of the floss. Continue stringing flowers until it’s the desired length and then tie off!

Feature image credit: @carrinlewis_photography

30. Plant a garden

While gardening with kids might sound like a lot of work and a bit of a time commitment, it doesn’t have to be! If you’re new to gardening, start small with just a couple of plants. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables that are easy to grow with kids. You also don’t need a huge amount of space. While a large plot is ideal, lots of plants can be grown in containers on your back porch or windowsill. We have a great post on all the benefits of gardening and everything you need to know to get started gardening with kids.

31. Flower paintbrush

Art projects are even more fun when you do them outside with natural materials. My kids love painting with flowers. We start by collecting various plants and flowers while hiking in our neighborhood or local park. We take them home and turn the flowers into paintbrushes by dipping them in paint and using them to color paper. The different shapes and textures of the flowers each create unique patterns. The kids love experimenting with various flowers and finding their favorites. We then let the flowers dry and make an arrangement of painted flowers to leave on our tabletop. They make a beautiful and colorful bouquet!

32. Hike & seek

Kids of all ages love to play hide and seek. There’s something so fun about coming up with clever hiding spots and the excited anticipation of waiting to be discovered that kids love! While normally played inside, we have a blast playing hide and seek outside, as well. Depending on your location, you’ll want to set boundaries ahead of time and explain to the kids anywhere that’s off-limits or out of bounds. Pay attention to where they’re hiding, but allow them the freedom to explore and get creative.

Feature image credit: @nicolejkolbe

33. Start a compost bin

Spring is a great time to set up and start a compost bin. Composting is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to eliminate food waste in landfills and help the environment. Plus, you end up with great fertilized soil for your gardens. You don’t need any fancy or expensive equipment either. A plain giant closed plastic container with a lid will work just fine (something like this). Drill some holes in the top and sides so your compost can breathe. To get your compost off to a good start, lay some ripped up cardboard or newspaper (black and white) in the bottom of the bin. Top that with some straw or leaves, then top that with some garden soil.

Now start adding your food scraps into your compost. The smaller the pieces you add, the faster you will have beautiful soil from it. Each time you add something to your compost pile, give a little stir. Things are decomposing when they’re giving off a lot of heat. If there isn’t any heat in there, your composting magic is not occurring. Make sure to balance your greens and brown (the ideal ratio is 25 parts browns to 1 part greens). For a big list of things you can compost, see this post.

34. Celebrate May Day

May Day (May 1) is an ancient spring festival in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s an astronomical holiday. It’s one of the year’s four cross-quarter days – a day that falls midway between an equinox and solstice. May 1st is between the March equinox and June solstice. There are so many fun ways to celebrate May Day with kids. A few ideas include: planting flowers or a tree, make a maypole with colorful ribbons to dance around, make personal flower baskets filled with petals/flowers to gift, make flower crowns or leis, have a bonfire, have an outdoor picnic, read poetry about spring or go on a nature hike.

Feature image credit: @lizbinder

35. Observe a pollinator

Teach your kids about the importance of pollinators this spring. Give them the task of watching and observing the flowers and plants in your backyard for bees and butterflies a few separate times. Then, ask the following guiding questions: (1) What types of insects or other animals are visiting which flowers? (2) Are some flowers visited more often or only by certain creatures? (3) Is there more activity at certain times of the day? (4) What kinds of paths do the insects take as they move among flowers? (5) Which types hover and which perch? (6) How do the flowers they visit seem designed to support these habits? (7) Does a mixed planting draw more different kinds of pollinators?

Once you’ve compiled your answers, research the plants and flowers that pollinators like best and set up your own pollinator garden or feeding station in your yard.

36. Cut the grass

If you have a traditional lawn that you cut with a lawnmower, chances are that there are quite a few places along the edges (or close to fences or rocks) that your lawnmower doesn’t get. Instead of taking a weed wacker to those spots, give your child a pair of scissors and let her practice her fine motor skills of cutting! Kids love helping out the adults and they love being in charge of things that are usually off-limits. On grass mowing days, let your child have a pair of scissors and help trim those hard to mow spots! She’ll not only put her hands to work and develop fine motor skills but feel like she’s helping and contributing to the family.

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

37. Spring nature hike

Hiking in the spring is so much fun! Not only do you avoid the heat, humidly, crowds and pesky bugs of summer, but you get to experience life reemerging in the woods in the spring. In the spring, the green is just beginning to reappear and the wildlife is incredibly active, leading to all kinds of close encounters with deer, squirrels, rabbits and birds. The leafs on the trees aren’t thick, so you can see long distances and easily spot flowers and animals. Just be sure to wear boots in case the trail is muddy! If you need advice, we’ve got a great post on how to get started hiking with kids.

Photo credit: @juelz_jourdan

38. Decorate a flower pot

Decorating a flower pot is a super fun and easy outdoor springtime activity for the kids. Start with a plain old terra cotta pot and let your kids decorate it however they want! They can cover it in stickers, paint it, draw on it with paint pens, markers or chalk. They could decoupage it or wrap it with ribbon. Anything goes! Once it’s fully decorated and ready, add soil and a plant for instant decoration. Let them keep it in their room or gift it to a friend, teacher or neighbor.

39. Tulip/daffodil study

When I was a kid I was always fascinated by things and wanted to take them apart. Plants and flowers especially. I remember picking flowers and carefully pulling them apart, picking off the petals, opening them up and trying to figure them out. My kids also love doing this. When daffodils and tulips pop up every spring, the kids get super excited. I always let them pick a few to take apart and check out. I give them a butter knife and a pair of scissors and let them explore! We talk about the parts of the plant and what each part does. They learn a lot and then leave the flowers alone the rest of the season.

Feature image credit: @kalliastivaktaki

40. Make mud pies

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. The art of making mud pies can be as elaborate as you’d like to make it and will entertain your kids for hours. Initially, just use whatever you have on hand (pie tins, bowls, pans, plates, etc.) and decorate with whatever they can find (flowers, leaves, sticks, grass, shells, etc.). You’ll be amazed at your children’s creativity and improve skills in decorating their creations.

41. Save a turtle

If you spend any time driving on country roads, you know that spring is a popular time of year to see turtles crossing the road. Turtles are on the move once the weather gets warm—but sometimes, a road or a highway stands between them and their destination. Speeding traffic and slow-moving turtles don’t mix, and many turtles are severely injured or killed on roads every year. Even if their shells are crushed, turtles can remain alive for days or even weeks in agonizing pain because they have such slow metabolisms.

If you see a turtle on or near a road, take action! If you happen to see a turtle in need, park in a safe place, put your hazard lights on, and make sure that traffic is clear before venturing out onto the road. Pick them up by grasping them firmly by both sides of the body, in front of their hind legs. Be careful not to drop them! If it’s a snapping turtle, gently push them from behind to safety with a blunt object. Always keep them moving in the same direction that they were headed. Do not try to make them change course, as they have a destination in mind and will simply try to cross the road again if placed back where they started from. Once they’re safe on the other side, leave them alone.

Feature image credit: @gretchennevin

42. Outdoor swing

Setting up a swing in the yard is a guaranteed way to keep the kids outside and entertained. Our neighbors have a net swing in their front yard and every kid on our block has spent countless hours out there playing. From tweens to toddlers, the kids are just fascinated by the swing! It’s such a simple thing, and yet so popular! This swing supports a few kids together and they have the best time pushing each other and giggling on that swing.

43. Start a nature collection

If you haven’t already, spring is a great time to start a nature collection. All you need is a sense of adventure and a place to store/display your collection. Anytime you venture out and find a cool discovery, add it to your nature collection! My kids have a great collection of all the fun things we’ve found over the past few years, which include feathers, rocks, shells, fossils, bird eggs, antlers, empty nests, bones, teeth, empty turtle shells, snakeskins, arrowheads, 4-leaf clovers, etc. The small rocks and shells get stored in a large glass vase. The rest of the stuff goes on a dedicated bookshelf in our living room so they can see and touch their findings.

Feature image credit: @raisingwildones

44. Have a spring picnic

An outdoor picnic is a great way to spend time outside no matter what the season. Spring is a great time for a picnic though, as it’s usually not too hot, there are fewer bugs and everyone’s extra ready to spend time outside. You can pack a picnic lunch at home and take it to your favorite outdoor location. Or swing through a drive-through or get carryout from your favorite restaurant. Heck, you could even have pizza delivered to you at the picnic location of your choice! No matter how you slice it, a picnic is a great outdoor springtime activity for kids.

Photo credit: @jhennyloouuu

45. Make wind chimes

I just adore the sound of wind chimes blowing in the spring breeze. And they’re surprisingly easy to make! You can make wind chimes out of sticks, shells, old silverware, stones, glass or anything else you can think of! My kids and I made some beautiful wind chimes from all the treasures we found on the beach last year (shells, driftwood, chunks of sand dollars, etc.). It’s a visible (and audible) way to remember our trip.

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

46. Set up a slackline

Slacklining is a perfect way for kids of all ages to hone balancing skills while spending time outside, building core strength and confidence. Slacklining is one of my kids’ favorite backyard activities and I’m blown away by how much time they spend on it daily, balancing, bouncing and playing games. This is a great beginner slackline kit and we’ve got an awesome post on slacklining with kids.

47. Create a treasure hunt

A treasure hunt is a super fun and creative way to spend some quality time outside with the kids in the spring. Help your kids come up with their very own treasure hunt in your backyard, neighborhood or local park. They’ll need to choose their treasure, figure out how/where to hide it, come up with a map and any clues they want to give. This is a great way for them to work on orienteering and map skills (X marks the spot). They’ll have to think analytically about clues and observations. They’ll work on writing skills by coming up with clever and descriptive clues that rhyme.

Feature image credit: @skye_taten

48. Outdoor yoga

Yoga helps us be more present and mindful and practicing yoga with kids outdoors is an excellent way for them to connect to the natural world. Anyone can help children enjoy the benefits of yoga and mindfulness outdoors. Incorporating fun poses with storytelling and adventure, children practicing yoga outside use all their senses to establish a link with nature and enjoy feelings of peace and connectedness. See our full post on incorporating yoga into outdoor nature play for all the details.

49. Make nature confetti

Making nature confetti is super fun for kids to do any time of the year! All you need to do is gather a bunch of colorful leaves, flower petals, etc. and a few different shaped punchers. Gather your materials and head home and start punching away. This project engages gross motor skills (walking around our neighborhood), fine motor skills (paper punching), and eye-hand coordination. After a large amount of confetti is made, the most fun part of the craft is tossing it in the air!

50. Stick magic wand

Create a magic wand out of materials you have at home for a fun project you can take outdoors into nature. All you need is a stick and ribbon scraps cut into similar lengths. Choose all different colors, widths, and patterns and tie them onto the stick. If your kids are old enough, encourage them to do this themselves, while little ones may need your help. Beware: magical wands can turn you into anything! Some can even be used to grant wishes! You never know what powers your child’s wand will possess.

Feature image credit: @michelerenephotography

51. Dance in the rain

When it finally starts getting warm enough to go outside barefoot without freezing, I love letting the kids out to dance in the rain! Feeling the rain coming down and playing in the puddles without shoes is an amazing sensory experience for kids. They feel the rain with their entire body, they smell it and taste it! Give your kids the opportunity this spring to dance in the rain with wild abandon! It’ll be something they always remember and hopefully the beginning of a lifelong love and appreciation of the rain.

52. Spring nature journal

Spring is a great time to start (or continue) a nature journal. A nature journal is a special book where your kids can record all the interesting things they see, smell, hear, feel, eat and wonder about, through the year. You can color, draw or paint what you see in your journal. You could try collecting leaves or petals off the floor and taping them into your journal. Photos are a great option too. Take them and then use them as collage items in your journal. Try asking kids to record what the weather looks like or to stand still and see what they can smell, see and hear on your walks. For more tips, our creative team member Jemma of Thimble & Twig has a great post on how to get started nature journaling with kids.

53. Pay it forward

Give your kids one of the greatest gifts ever – the gift of giving back! Make sure to pay it forward this spring by doing small outdoor acts of kindness anytime you can. Whether that’s putting a quarter in a row of meters, mowing a neighbor’s grass, giving a bouquet of flowers to a friend or walking the dog for an elderly neighbor. Work with your kids to come up with a list of things you could do together to pay if forward this spring.

Feature image credit: @svet_sky_ya

54. Admire a blossoming tree

One of my favorite things about spring are all the amazing blooms from flowers, bushes and trees. Cherry Blossoms and Dogwood trees are high up there on my list of favorites. Cherry blossom season lasts for about a month every spring and is always weather dependent early March to early April is a good rule of thumb. Most trees bloom for one to two weeks. The further South, the earlier the trees bloom. This branch of trees is largely for looks as opposed to fruit production. Ornamental cherry trees do produce fruit closely related to edible cherries, these trees are usually grown for their beauty.

The dogwood is a majestic ornamental tree, which has over 50 species within the genus. These species vary wildly, from shrubs to deciduous temperate trees and evergreens. One of the most common species, and the one about which you’ve most likely heard, is the Flowering Dogwood (the state tree of Virginia), which has conspicuous white to light yellow flowers that offer magnificent blooms in spring. If you have the chance, I highly recommend you and the kids take a minute to admire a blossoming tree in your area!

Photo credit: @arevook

55. Listen for woodpeckers

The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest. When you’re outside with the kids this spring, take some time to look and listen for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter to many species including swifts, owls, ducks, bats, and pine martens. Pileated Woodpeckers sometimes visit backyard bird feeders, especially for suet. If you have dead or dying trees or snags on your property, consider leaving them alone as they may attract Pileated Woodpeckers (as well as other woodpeckers, nuthatches, etc.) to forage, roost or even nest in them.

56. Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22. This year, celebrate Earth Day by reducing, reusing and recycling!! We love to recycle everyday items and reuse it in nature crafts. Paper towel tubes are fantastic for sowing seeds in, making into telescopes or a ton of other stuff. For crafting, we also use cereal boxes and we can even reuse milk jugs as watering cans. Use your imagination and try to reuse 10 items this week. It’s easy if you try.

Feature image credit: @soulshinephotographer

57. Have a barefoot day

Give your kids’ feet a break and have a barefoot day! Did you know that children who go barefoot frequently have a heightened sense of their surroundings and avoid sharp objects? Plus, feet toughen up the more they go barefoot, leading to more natural protection. Walking outside barefoot is recommended by many pediatricians and podiatrists for children and adults. Letting kids go shoeless as often as possible does wonders for foot and brain development. It helps develop and maintain an appropriate range of motion in the joints and strength and stability within the muscles and ligaments of the feet.

Forcing children’s feet to conform to the shape of a shoe will most likely result in permanent detrimental changes to the shape or construction of the foot. Walking barefoot also helps brain development as children learn to balance and develop other sensory systems in the body. Shoes reduce the amount and quality of sensory information kids get about their environment and body. Feeling the earth beneath their feet allows them to develop their somatosensory, proprioceptive, and vestibular sensory systems in ways that are not possible with shoes on!

58. Mushroom hunt

In my neck of the woods (the Midwest), spring is famous for bringing with it a delicacy that you can’t grow or get any other time of year – morel mushrooms! This elusive mushroom is prized for it’s tastiness, and can only be wildcrafted as no one has figured out how to grow them (yet). They come up in spring to early summer, depending on where you live, and are fairly widespread. Foraging for morel mushrooms can be difficult, as they usually blend in very well with their surroundings. But, once you get an eye for them, they seem to pop up everywhere! They like south-facing hillsides, and will typically be in the sunniest patches, where the ground is warmest.

They generally grow around the drip line of trees. And while they seem to prefer certain varieties of trees (ash, aspen, sycamore, oak, elm), there are no hard and fast rules on this. Also, they like disturbed forests and burned areas. Morels are one of the easiest mushrooms to identify. They have a pitted and deeply ridged cap that resembles a honeycomb. The cap is also completely attached to the stalk, and they are completely hollow when cut in half. There are a few varieties of “false morels”, so if you’re unsure, cut one in half to make sure that the cap is completely attached to the stalk and that it is hollow.

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

59. 4-leaf clover hunt

Need a little extra luck in your life? Try finding a four-leaf clover! All you need is a patch of clover and a will to find one – no prepping or planning involved. Keep your eyes peeled for that extra lucky leaf. And if you find one, chances are another will be close by! Check out our post for tips and advice on how to find a four-leaf clover with kids.

60 .Give a plant

Plants are one of my all-time favorite gifts to give and receive! There’s just something so hopeful and loving about giving a plant. My kids and I usually start seeds in the spring and I set a few aside to give to friends and neighbors. Our massive sunflowers have become quite popular on our street, as we’ve given plants to so many neighbors. We also plant some of our own homemade seed bombs in small pots and gift them to friends and teachers. Small succulents also make great gifts for coworkers and kids, as they don’t usually need a lot of attention to thrive. Help your kids pick a few plants to gift to loved ones this spring and let them get their hands dirty helping plant them.

61. Spring cleaning day

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be the responsibility of the adults. Get the kids involved too with outdoor chores and projects for them. There are many outdoor chores that kids can help with, from toddlers to teens! A few of the chores my kids help with are: raking leaves out of the gardens, trimming hedges and branches, washing the outside of the house windows, spraying out the garage/driveway, pick up sticks, spray off the deck/patio, remove cobwebs, add mulch to flower beds and cleaning off toys and play equipment.

Feature image credit: @iammissymoore

62. Go for a bike ride

Biking with kids is a fun springtime adventure and a great way to get outdoors, explore new areas/trails, create family memories and get in shape. Riding a bike not only improves physical fitness, but it also benefits your child’s learning development and mental health. Plus, biking reduces carbon emissions, eases traffic congestion and eliminates parking problems. If you’re just getting started, we’ve got a great post with lots of tips for biking with kids.

63. Paint with mud

One of our favorite springtime outdoor activities is painting with mud. Mud is a wonderful medium for creating masterpieces, practicing writing letters or painting nature scenes. Sometimes we paint on poster board and sometimes we paint the sidewalk or even the fence in our backyard. Whether you use plain ole brown mud or get creative with color, your kids will love this new form of creating art! All you need is mud, powdered tempera (or liquid watercolor paint or food coloring), Dawn dish soap (optional), water, and some paintbrushes.

64. Set up a birdhouse

Many birds are facing habitat loss, which has driven some species away from former nesting areas. Help the birds in your neighborhood out by providing the right house to bring birds back home. We highly recommend doing a little research on the birds in your area and what kind of houses they prefer. Not all houses are equal and the ones that appeal to people might not be best for the birds. Find a house that is the right size, with the right size opening and place it in a safe place. If the hole is too big, it invites predators; rats and possums take the eggs. If the box is placed too low, snakes will get inside. Too big a hole also invites other (species of) birds to raid the nest. It’s a bird-eat-bird world out there!

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

65. Grow your socks

Want a super fun science project that teaches your kids and lets them get dirty? I’m sure you’ve all seen the project where you can grow a bean sprout in a plastic bag with a piece of cotton. Well, this is a fun new twist on that concept. Instead of growing seeds in a bag, grow your socks! All you need to do is let your kids run around outside with old wet socks on, getting as dirty and muddy as possible. This way they’ll collect the seeds directly from nature. When the socks are nice and filthy, take them off and place each one in a plastic bag. Tape the plastic bag to a window that gets a good amount of daily sunlight.

If the socks feel dry, add a small amount of water. Now all you have to do is wait for them to grow! See our post on how to grow your socks for all the details.

66. Play golf

Golf is such a fun outdoor activity for the entire family. My kids are really into golf these days and they can’t seem to get enough. We love going out and playing nine holes as a family at a public course. They love hitting the ball, but they also love driving around the golf cart. We also enjoy spending an hour hitting balls at the driving range. This is a great way to practice and get a lot of hits in! (less patience required) If you haven’t tried Top Golf, it’s also been a huge hit! There’s an extra element of challenge and competition, plus great food and drinks while you hit.

67. DIY butterfly wings

Looking for a really amazing and impressive (and yet not that hard) project to make with your kids? How about DIY butterfly wings that they can wear! This project is simpler than you might expect and guaranteed to make any little kid’s imagination go wild! They can be made from materials you probably already have in your craft closet and yard. For details on how to make these gorgeous wings, check out our friend Johanna’s post on woodlark.

Feature image credit: @soulshinephotographer

68. Go on a clean-up hike

We all know that we have to do our part to take care of the planet and it’s up to us to be good stewards of the environment and set an example for our kids. Next time you’re out exploring your favorite local trail (or even going for a walk around your neighborhood), take along a garbage bag and make an effort to clean up any trash or rubbish you find along the way. Chances are, you’ll be (unpleasantly) surprised at just how much trash has been discarded. Set a good example for your kids by cleaning up and explaining to them the importance of taking care of our surroundings and the environment.

Photo credit: @kidsdelmundo

69. Photo scavenger hunt

We love a good scavenger hunt! It’s one thing that we can do nearly anywhere and keeps the kids busy for a good long time. One of our favorite ways to get creative with this is to add a camera. I have an old point-and-shoot camera that I let the kids borrow and give them a list of things to find. You can choose to give them specific items (a flower, a pine cone, a fire hydrant) or be vague and let them get creative (something that smells, something prickly, something yellow). Instead of crossing the item off the list, they have to take a photo with/of it. They love being independent and responsible for the camera. I love seeing the funny photos and interesting items they choose to photograph.

Photo credit: @sage.and.summit

70. Visit a farmer’s market

In the spring, local farmer’s markets are teeming with really fun and interesting finds. Your local springtime farmer’s market harvest could include cherries, fiddlehead ferns, artichokes, dandelion greens, garlic, lemons, asparagus, beets, potatoes, mushrooms, and peas. Take your kids and introduce them to the vendors. Let them ask questions about where and how the food was grown. Let them taste free samples of fruits, veggies and baked goods. And then pick out a few items to take home for dinner! They’ll be more likely to eat the food if they had a say in choosing it. Here’s a great post all about exploring farmer’s markets with kids.

Feature image credit: @msmportraits_

71. Visit a botanical garden

Botanical gardens are some of the most magical, relaxing places and a great way to observe nature waking up in the spring. Strolling through the gardens, lounging in the great lawn, overlooking the lake and smelling the flowers might be the best way to decompress from the madness around you. Botanical gardens are also incredibly educational for children. There’s so much to learn about how plants thrive, why some plants change colors, what plants need, etc. Use an afternoon in the botanical garden to teach your kids about comparison (how plants are the same/different), observation (what does this plant look like) and appreciation (what can these plants do for us).

Photo credit: @blackadventurecrew

72. Run a 5K

If you want to add some extra outdoor exercise to your springtime activities, sign your family up for a 5K or family fun run! There are usually a variety of fun races in the spring (before it gets too hot) at various distances and with lots of fun themes for all ages. If you have little ones, let them try a 1-mile fun run. Sign the whole family up for a local 5K. Want a bigger challenge, what about a 10K or a half-marathon? With older kids, you could even do a relay. Most races usually have fun swag (t-shirts, etc.), prizes and a really fun ambiance. Not runners, sign your family up to volunteer at a water station to hand out water to runners. Who knows, maybe you’ll get inspired to join them next year!

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

73. Strawberry picking

One of my favorite outdoor activities to do in the spring with the kids is to pick strawberries. Every May (here in the Midwest), we visit a local orchard and gorge ourselves on those sweet juicy berries! It’s such a fun tradition and the kids are basically expert pickers by now. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen, as there’s little to no shade when picking strawberries. And boots, as it’s also usually pretty muddy! But freshly-picked strawberries right from the vine are worth it every time!

74. Play hopscotch

One of the most popular and easy outdoor games is hopscotch. Learning how to play Hopscotch is a great way for you to enjoy time outside this spring without having to go anywhere but your backyard. First, draw the grid you’ll be playing on. Usually, there are 8 blocks numbered 1 – 8. You can draw these sections in any way you choose.

For example, start with two next to each other, then one in the middle, then two again, etc. The player who goes first stands behind the starting block and throws his or her marker (a rock or coin) onto block 1. This player hops over square one to square two, pausing to pick up the marker and hop back to square one. Complete the grid by hopping down the rest of the blocks. The next turn, throw the marker in block 2 and continue the pattern. Remember to take turns! A player is out when he or she can’t throw the pebble in a square, when they lose balance, or when they touch the lines.

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

75. DIY seed bombs

One of our favorite springtime projects is to make DIY wildflower seed bombs. Not only are these DIY seed bombs easy enough for kids to make in under an hour, but they’re good for the birds, bees and butterflies in your area. They only require a few ingredients (seeds, water, dirt, clay) and have the added benefit of letting kids get their hands really messy! Make them and let your kids “bomb” the neighborhood or give them as homemade eco-friendly gifts to teachers, neighbors, family and friends. Everyone will love watching the bombs grow into a beautiful patch of colorful wildflowers. See our post for the recipe and all the details on how to make DIY wildflower seed bombs.

76. Visit a farm

This is a great time of year to visit a local farm, petting zoo, nature center or animal safari to learn more about the animals. We have quite a few farms in our area that give tours of the barnyard animals and let the kids interact with them (you can learn how to milk a cow, ride a horse and feed the chickens). We also have a wolf sanctuary and a drive-through elk park. And we have a bird rehabilitation center and a number of petting zoos. Chances are good that you have something like one (or more) of these in your area. Look at the local attractions in your area and ask your kids which animals they’d be most interested in learning more about.

77. Play catch

With opening day of baseball season right around the corner, spring is a great time to get outside and practice your pitch and catch skills. All you need is a ball and a glove! Throw the ball back and forth or around in a circle (if you have more than 2 players). Practice catching pop flies and bouncing grounders. This a great way to develop a skill and get some outdoor exercise and fresh air.

Feature image credit: @il_etait_un_clic_pro

78. Read outside

I’m of the opinion that almost everything is better when you’re outside and immersed in nature. That’s definitely true for one of my favorite past times…reading! If your kids are old enough to read on their own, create a comfy and shady spot for them to read outside. If your kids are little, try having storytime outside together and reading to them as they lounge on a blanket or in a hammock.

79. Raise butterflies

Watching a tiny caterpillar grow and then turn into a butterfly is truly one of the most spectacular miracles of nature. Give your children a chance to experience this incredible metamorphosis themselves by finding (or purchasing) caterpillars and watching them change. Make a habitat for your caterpillars where you can feed and observe them. Make sure it includes plants they like to eat and a place for them to cocoon. Watch the metamorphosis right in front of your eyes! Finally, releasing the butterflies into the wild is a memorable moment they won’t soon forget. See our post on raising butterflies from caterpillars for more info.

Feature image credit: @river.rascal

80. Climb a tree

Climbing trees is a great way for kids to experience “risky” play, with great rewards. One of my favorite writers, Linda McGurk wrote: “Tree climbing has real benefits for kids – physically, mentally, cognitively and socially. Just think about it. As your child scales the tree he’s building muscle strength, practicing gross motor skills such as balance and improving spatial awareness and proprioception. When he decides which branches are safe to stand on and how high to go, he’s learning how to judge risk and developing critical thinking skills.

As he plans his path up through the limbs, he’s gaining decision-making and problem-solving skills, and if things don’t go according to plan, he gains emotional strength and resilience by trying again. When he successfully negotiates the branches, he feels a sense of accomplishment, which in turn boosts his self-confidence.”

81. Attend a baseball game

Particularly if you’re in the US, nothing says summer quite like baseball season! If you can, attend a baseball game with your kids. Whether it’s a professional MLB game, a minor league team, a high school game or just a little league team at your local town’s baseball fields, watching a baseball game is a great way to spend a summer evening. Root root for the home team and enjoy those peanuts and cracker jacks!

82. Draw flowers/buds

Break out the watercolor paints or colored pencils and sketch those spring flowers. Spring is a great time to introduce art and drawing to your children. Get them a sketch pad and let them draw the spring flowers they find in your yard or local park. There are a ton of great books, journals, tutorials and online resources for teaching kids how to draw if your little ones want to get better. If you’re not much of an artist either, maybe you can learn along with the kids!

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

83. Release ladybugs

If you’re growing a garden this year, consider adding a few hundred/thousand friends to the party! Each spring we release 1,500 ladybugs into our garden and it’s such a fun experience. My kids love it and I’m hoping this is something you can experience with your kids, too. Ladybugs are wonderful for gardens because they’re capable of consuming up to 50 to 60 aphids per day! They will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae including scales, mealy bugs, moth eggs, leafhoppers, mites, asparagus beetle larvae, whitefly and various types of soft-bodied insects.

Releasing ladybugs into your garden is a really fun way to get kids interested in gardening and teach them about this amazing insect. We’ve got a great post filled with all kinds of fun ladybug facts for kids below, plus tips on how to gently and effectively release ladybugs into your garden and how to get started gardening with ladybugs.

84. Make fruit smoothies

There’s no better way to get your kids to eat healthy foods than by letting them be a part of the process. Kids can be involved in every step, growing their own food to harvesting/picking their own fruits and veggies and helping out in the kitchen. Even if you’re not growing your own food, let kids help pick out fruits and veggies from the grocery store or farmer’s market. Make fruit and veggie smoothies together with your selections. Kids love being involved and are much more likely to eat healthy if they’re part of the decision making process.

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

85. Make a stepping stone

Decorate your garden, lawn or walkway with beautiful concrete stepping stones that your kids made and decorated. All you need is a mold, some concrete mix and any decorations you want to use. Try colored stones, shells, glass or beads. Let them add their own items such as army men, marbles, trinkets, coins, etc. You could even buy a stepping stone mosaic kit with all this stuff included, just to make it easier on you. Add water to the concrete mix, pour in the mold and let the kids decorate. It takes a few days for the stones to completely dry and solidify, but you’ll have a forever keepsake of this season.

86. Host a field day

As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to get outside and active with the family. Do you remember how much you looked forward to field days when you were a kid, with three-legged races and egg-on-a-spoon competitions? If you have a big backyard or live near a public park or schoolyard, host your own field day for your family. Field days aren’t just for kids either—invite over the grandparents and cousins and ask other families in the neighborhood to join in on the fun.

Plan the games ahead of time and get everything set up before everyone arrives. Make games out of basic household items and add a few of those ‘Minute to Win It’-style games with things you find around the house. Mix it up so there’s something for everyone with scavenger hunts, races, art projects, sports, etc. Add some fun music and serve snacks and beverages for a great day of games!

87. Create a putt-putt course

You don’t have to hit the links when a golf course could be right in your own backyard. Using ordinary household objects to construct the course – like cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, and books – you can create this fun and challenging 9-hole miniature golf game the whole family will enjoy. Here’s a great post with all kinds of awesome ideas for creating your very own DIY putt-putt course in your backyard this spring.

Feature image credit: @paraphrasephoto

88. Make naturally dyed eggs

If you’d like to dye eggs with your kids this spring, but don’t want to use processed food dyes, try making your own dye from all-natural ingredients! Here’s a great post on how to use natural household ingredients to dye your eggs all kinds of beautiful colors. We walk you through our easy process using household ingredients from your backyard, fridge and pantry like blueberries (blue), beets (pink), turmeric (yellow), onions (orange) and cabbage (green/blue).

89. Look for frogspawn

Late spring is the perfect time to look for frogspawn and raise tadpoles. Check out your local pond and see if you can find some frogspawn to collect and bring home. You can place it in a tank of pond water at home with a few large stones in it. Over the next few weeks, watch as the frog spawn hatch into tadpoles and slowly change over the space of a few weeks into tiny little froglets. Once they are fully grown, be sure to release them back to the pond where they were collected. Check out our post all about raising tadpoles with kids.

90. Make a windsock

These tissue paper windsocks are a great way to add some color to your patio and let your kids decorate their environment in a fun way! Plus they are also an affordable craft that all your kids can enjoy as tissue paper can be found in several colors at your local dollar store. All you really need to make a tissue paper windsock is tissue paper, construction paper, glue, scissors, and yarn. Here’s a super cute tutorial on how to make a tissue paper windsock with your kids.

Feature image credit: @sara_mccarty

91. DIY bird feeder

Attract some local birds into your backyard by setting up a bird feeder. It’s easier than you think to make your own DIY bird feeders with your kids. We’ve got a great post on how to make easy bird feeders for kids with items and ingredients you already have at home and another post on ec0-friendly bird feeders to make with kids.

92. Fly a flag

June 14 is Flag Day in the US, which commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Spend a little time with your kids this spring learning about flag day and the symbolism behind our flag. Celebrate by making some flag crafts and flying the stars and stripes.

93. Make a kaleidoscope

A kaleidoscope is a fun project to make with kids. You can either make it entirely on your own or start with a kit. We tried this Nature Kaleidoscope Kit which comes with everything you need to make the kaleidoscope, decorate it and experiment with it. The three mirrored pieces are sturdy and fit together easily. Just peel the plastic coating off (to prevent scratches) and use a piece of tape to keep them together in the triangle shape. Insert the eyepiece in one end of the tube, then the mirrors, and finally, add the plastic container with your nature objects at the other end.

The instructions were super easy to follow and my son assembled the whole thing by himself. This also got the kids thinking about which items they could find in nature or around the house to put in the kaleidoscope and had them guessing about whether the light would pass through them or not. Here’s our post all about how to make a nature kaleidoscope with kids.

Feature image credit: @kaseyfanucchi

94. Paint with rain

If you’re in need of a rainy day art project, this is for you! Get outside and make some April showers art by painting with the rain! All you need is some fairly thick paper, which can cope with getting wet, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, a few rocks to hold your paper in place and a rainy day. Start by painting an abstract design of your choice on your paper using your watercolor paints of a few different colors. You might like to place your paints very close together, or space them out – or try both and see what different effects you can create.

Be generous with your watercolor paints, and keep them liquid, adding plenty of water to blend the colors from your palette. While the paint is still wet, quickly take your paper outside. Use some rocks to hold the corners of your paper in place. Watch as the raindrops paint/change your picture, splattering your colors, making your paint spread and flow, perhaps blending one section of your art into another.

95. Seed sorting

When you’re discussing gardening with your kids this spring, add seed sorting project to your bucket list. All you need are a few different types of seeds and a few containers for holding them. Chose seeds that would likely be familiar to your kids (apple, pumpkin, corn, beans) and then throw in a few less recognizable ones for a challenge. Have your kids sort the seeds into containers using tweezers (to help develop those fine motor skills). While you’re at it, talk about the different kinds of seeds and how each plant grows. When you’re all finished, plant a few!

Feature image credit: @turtledove.a

96. Collect wild garlic

Wild garlic is a leafy green herb that emerges each spring from the forest floor, filling the entire area with a soft garlicky scent. The plant is composed of a tiny bulb that sprouts tender green leaves in early spring and then later on white flowers emerge. You can pick and eat both the leaves and flowers from plants you find growing in the wild but don’t dig up the plant or bulb up unless it’s growing on your own property. Collect the leaves and flowers of wild garlic to eat raw in salads or cook them down like spinach and make pesto. This is perfect for pasta dishes and it can be frozen in ice cube trays to use later in all sorts of meals. It has a subtle garlic flavor that is wonderful!

97. Hula hoop

Like jumping rope, hula hooping seems to be a lost art of childhood. Make sure your kids get the chance to experience the thrills and fun of a hula hoop. Watching kids learn how to hula hoop is absolutely adorable and worth the nominal price of a hoop. Play games, like who can keep it going the longest, who can make it go up and down their body or who can jump through it as it rolls down the sidewalk!

Feature image credit: @i_am_samhaines

98. Set up a hammock

Get your outdoor space ready for warm afternoons by setting up a hammock. Hammock naps are the perfect way to spend warm summer days. But until then, hammocks are also a great place to play, read a book, snuggle and spend time together. If it’s not warm yet, bring out a blanket and wrap up together in your hammock.

99. Insect hunt

There are so many interesting insects to find and learn about in the spring months. Take advantage of the warm weather by going on a bug hunt! See how many bugs you can find in your own backyard, local park or on a hike! Kids love finding crickets, caterpillars, ladybugs, grasshoppers, Junebugs, dragonflies, centipedes, butterflies and stinkbugs! If your kids are up for it, let them hold them and gently observe. Or take a photo of each or sketch them in your nature journal.

Feature image credit: @desireemacke

100. Sidewalk chalk games

There are so many fun ways to play with sidewalk chalk. We’ve already mentioned playing hopscotch, but there are plenty more! How about a game of four-square (do you remember that one)? What about hangman, tic-tac-toe or Dots. Make a bullseye and toss pebbles into the middle. If you’ve got a lot of kids in the neighborhood, make a friendship quilt by drawing a huge square and dividing it up into multiple smaller squares and letting each kid decorate their own patch. Draw the alphabet in big bubble letters and fill in each letter with words or pictures of things that start with that letter. Have your child lie down on the sidewalk and draw their chalk outline (like a crime scene) and then let them decorate their person.

Make an obstacle course or maze to walk or ride your bike on. There are so many fun ways to play with sidewalk chalk, which makes it a perfect outdoor springtime activity for kids. You can even make your own sidewalk chalk paint!

101. Sinks or floats

One of my kids’ favorite things to do is throw things in the water. They usually throw rocks, but they’re not opposed to tossing anything else in that they can find. When we’re out and exploring around water, we play the “sink or float?” game. Everyone finds a variety of objects to throw in the water and then we all guess whether they will sink or float. We’ve tried all kinds of things like sticks, seed pods, feathers, leaves, nuts, grass, pinecones, flower petals, etc.

Feature image credit: @christiebauerphotography

102. Watch a sunset

Spring is a wonderful time to curl up in a blanket and watch a sunset together. Since the days are just starting to get longer, sunset comes at a reasonable time for little ones to watch without staying up too late. Plus, the cool weather, the pops of green coming out of the trees and the smell of rain make it even more magical.

103. Outdoor family game night

Enjoy the cooler weather and create a family tradition of playing games outdoors in the fall! Whether it’s a traditional board game (like Monopoly or Life), a fun family card game (like Uno or Go Fish) or something a bit more interactive (charades or Pictionary), games are great outdoor activities. This is my personal favorite family game (and this i-spy game is my kids’ favorite).

104. Climb a wall

Climbing walls are all the rage at playgrounds and parks these days. Make a special visit to check one out this spring and let your kids attempt to conquer it. They’re super fun and exciting for kids and great for their full-body senses, balance, strength, and agility.

What’s your favorite outdoor spring activity for kids?
LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WATER
Skipping Stones with Kids: How to Skip Rocks and the Science Behind It
- February 1, 2022
Skipping stones is a super fun and easy outdoor activity for kids of all ages. It’s also a great way to begin teaching kids about physics and the science behind bouncing rocks on water! Today, Michelle Garrett, California mom and founder of Wonder Club Explorers is here with all the info you need to know to get started teaching your kids how to skip stones. She’s covering the basics from how to choose the perfect flat skipping rock, to the right technique for extra skips. So, the next time you head out to the lake, pond or creek, we hope you’ll give rock skipping a try!

Learning the art of stone skipping

When you approach a body of water, be it a stream, lake, pond, or ocean, what are you inclined to do:

A)    Walk, wade, or jump into the water
B)     Gaze at the water and think deep thoughts
C)     Pick up a stone and start skimming it across the water

While there is absolutely no wrong answer here, for many years I would have toggled between options A & B. Mainly that’s because as an adult, I didn’t know how to skip stones! I’m not sure how it happened, but I seemed to have missed that chapter of childhood. I hope I’m not the only adult in this pickle!

Fortunately, my husband quickly remedied the situation and became my rock skipping coach. He took it upon himself to teach me how to skip stones and the fun of this super simple outdoor activity. I was so excited to be a purveyor of this newfound talent that I couldn’t wait to teach my son how to do the same. Now that I find myself squarely in camp option C, I am happy to share with the Run Wild My Child community the physics and fun of skipping stones.

Teaching kids how to skip stones

Throwing rocks into the water and making a huge splash is fun for all kids. But, learning how to skip a rock is a childhood wonder! It seems like skipping rocks should be impossible! Rocks are heavy and they sink in water. Skimming stones across the surface of the water seems almost magical to a child and it’s a blast (for both the child and the adult) practicing and perfecting your technique.

Today, I’ll walk you through the basics of how to skip stones and how to teach your children to skip stones. We’ll go over how to choose the perfect skipping rock, the right throwing technique, and the physics behind how to make rocks bounce on water!

The history of skipping stones

The first written record of stone skipping dates back to 1583. Who knew that skipping stones has such a long history? Legend has it that an English King skipped sovereigns (a.k.a British coins) across the River Thames in London, England. And stone skipping appeared in the written works of Shakespeare and Homer.

Culturally speaking, stone skipping has its own unique word or term across different languages and cultures. In France, when one skips a stone, it’s referred to as ricochet. In Denmark, skipping stones is called snuffing. The Eskimos skip rocks on ice while Bedouins skip rocks across smooth sand. And, if you’re into pop culture, we even saw a character slide rocks across the ice in Game of Thrones!

Best stones for skippin’

When it comes to rocks and stones, no two skip alike. You’ll want to take a few minutes doing some rock-onnaissance (you know, looking for the types of stones most conducive to skipping) in order to find the perfect skipping stone. Because throwing the stone is only half the battle, you also need to carefully choose the right rock for skipping.

Flattish stones that aren’t perfectly shaped, but have a uniform thickness and a little heft seem to work best. Helf is important because the rock needs weight in order to be thrown well. Imagine you’d have a hard time skipping a cracker or a paperweight across the water. The uniform thickness means that the weight is equally distributed and the rock won’t flip end over end when thrown. And the stone’s flatness maximizes its lift and provides a landing/bouncing surface.

Find flat water

The best places to skip stones are bodies of water that have a nice wide flat surface. Lakes and ponds are ideal. Rivers and streams can work, but you need a stretch of open water and few obstacles. Ocean and swift-moving rivers are tough due to the waves and uneven surface of the water. When you’re practicing your stone skimming, you’ll want to look for the best option and a place with lots of available rocks!

The best stone skipping technique: it’s all in the wrist

Once you’ve selected a nice flat stone, the next step is mastering how to hold it. You’ll want to set the rock in the crook of your pointed finger and thumb. Then, curl your other fingers beneath it. Holding a rock in this fashion helps to set it up for a fast spin, which is needed to skip along the water’s surface.

Next, you’ll want to stand up straight, feet parallel to the water, with your wrist cocked high above your shoulder. From there, throw the stone down and release the stone at your side, as parallel to the water as possible. A good throw is all in the wrist. It’s important to throw the stone from the side angle (much like a baseball pitcher might throw a curveball) because an overhand or overhand throw will only sink your stone, not skip it.

The physics of skipping stones

Skipping stones is a super fun way to pass time in nature. It is also an excellent way to scratch the surface of subjects like science and physics with kids.  The physics behind successful stone skipping is pretty simple.

There are two key forces at work when skipping rocks: (1) gravity (which pulls the rock down) and (2) lift (which pushes the stone up). For successful stone skipping, the lift force needs to be greater or the stone will sink. For this to happen, attention to the type of rock and the thrower’s form is important.

When a rock is thrown with enough force (velocity) and spin at the right angle, it creates a small wave of air. That wave pushes the stone as it hits the surface of the water. When the velocity of the stone is greater than the lift force of the wave, the rock will continue to rise up and skip off the surface of the water again and again until maxed out and then the rock will sink.

The gyroscopic effect (spinning) stabilizes the stone as it bounces along the water. As long as it is spinning fast enough, the spinning will prevent it from tipping over and/or sinking into the water. This is similar to a spinning top – it has to be spinning fast enough to stay upright.

To read more about the science behind skipping stones, Surfer Today has an excellent article about the fluid dynamics and physics behind this fun activity.

Stone skipping trivia for kids

In case you ever find yourself as a contestant on Jeopardy or simply want to impress the family with a few fun factoids, here are a few stone skipping trivia gems for you:
- The magic angle between a skipping stone and water is 20 degrees.
- The distance between stone skips is usually 80% of the previous skip.
- The world record number of skips is currently 88 consecutive skips, set by Kurt Steiner! Here’s a video documenting that world record.
- A right-handed throw will result in skips that eventually veer to the right.
Earn a Nature Explorer patch for skipping stones

Being out and about in nature is just one of the many joys we should all be so lucky to experience. That’s one of the reasons that the Nature Explorer Patch is one of the first 18 patches to be released as part of the Wonder Club Explorers program. Wonder Club Explorers is an independent scouting program for kids. Through Wonder Club Explorers, kids earn colorful patches doing age-appropriate activities with parents and caregivers. And, yep, skipping stones can constitute being a Nature Explorer! Stone skipping with kids is a great way to get outside and learn about nature and science. Your child’s first Nature Explorer patch is only a stone skip away!

Stone skipping fun for kids

The next time you find yourself next to a body of water feel confident knowing you have all the insider tips, tricks, and trivia to make you a confident stone thrower. Stone skipping with kids can be a lot of fun, gets you outside and active, and is completely free! You can turn skipping stones into a healthy competition or a fun game. In our family, we have yet to make it into the Guinness Book of World Record or get invited to the world championships, but my son skipped a stone FOUR times on our last outing. He is stoked!

We can’t wait to venture out again and find ourselves a stream, pond, or calm ocean in which to toss a stone. Have fun and remember to tag #runwildmychild and #wonderclubexplorers on your next outdoor adventure. Until next time!

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. Michelle is also the co-host of the Run Wild My Child podcast. 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
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, CRAFTS, GOOD FOR NATURE, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, URBAN NATURE
How to Build a Bat House with Kids
- October 20, 2021
October is the perfect time of year to think about bats! If your kids are curious about bats and would love to learn more about these fascinating (and really beneficial) creatures, this post is for you! Today, Lissy Perna, Massachusetts mom of two and founder of Get Outside Cape Cod, is here to discuss all things BAT! Lissy walks us through the benefits and importance of bats and provides step-by-step instructions on how to build a bat house with kids. This hands-on DIY is easier to do than you might think! She also includes additional bat resources, bat book recommendations for kids, and some really interesting bat facts.

How to build a bat house with kids

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

Benefits of bats

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

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

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

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

Photo credit: Stephen Ghio

What do bats eat?

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

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

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

More amazing bat facts for kids

Let’s face it, bats are pretty interesting creatures. Here are ten more facts about our winged friends that I thought were unusual that might interest your kids:
- Bats are the only mammal that can truly fly.
- The oldest living bat on record was found in Siberia; it lived to be 41 years old!
- Bats have lived on earth for over 50 million years, and the oldest fossil was found in Wyoming near Yellowstone National Park.
- The saying “blind as a bat” doesn’t hold much weight, as bats can actually see. Some bats that eat fruit rely almost entirely on their vision to find their food.
- The largest known colony of bats is in Texas at the Bracken Bat Cave. There are more than 20 million bats living together!
- Bats are a symbol of happiness in Japan.
- Bat excrement or guano was used to make gun powder during the Civil War.
- There is species of bat in West Africa that live in spider webs!
- Bats’ echolocation is so precise that it can detect an object as thin as human hair.
- The smallest known bat is Kitti’s Hog-nose bat also known as the Bumblebee Bat because it only weighs 2 grams.
Now that you’ve learned so much about these truly magnificent mammals and the critical role they play in our ecosystem, are you ready to build your bat house? Great! Just hang in there because I have all the information you need up next.

Photo credit: Adam Olliver

Bat house design

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

Gathering materials to build your bat house

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

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

You’ll need to cut 6 separate pieces of wood to assemble the house. Measuring the boards is a great project for kids. I’ve included the dimensions for a basic bat house below, but you can certainly make a bigger bat house if you’d like; adjust the sizes accordingly.
- Front panel – 18.25″x12″x1″
- Sides (2) – 22″x4″x.1″, make 30-degree cuts on one end of each
- Back panel – 25″x 12″x1″
- Roof – 16.5″x7″x1″, you can make a 30-degree angle on the roof if you choose to, not necessary
- Predator Buffer – 12″x 1.5″x 1″
Also, cedar is generally recommended but tends to be expensive. We chose to build with rough-sawn native white pine from a local mill, as it was less costly and has worked fine in bat boxes that we have made in the past. Whichever wood you decide to use, remember that it must not be treated with any chemicals, as they can be harmful to the bats. Purchasing an 8-foot by 1-foot plank of wood from a lumberyard should give you enough material to build your entire bat house.

How to assemble a bat house

Create kerfs in the wood

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

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

Keep the predators out

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

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

Add the sides to the bat house

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

Add the front and landing areas

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

Attach roof and mount

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

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

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

Decorating your bat house

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

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

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

Where to hang a bat house

Choosing a place to attach your bat house is very important and depends on whether bats will decide to move into your newly constructed dwelling. There are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing the best location and mounting your bat house.
- The bat house should face south or south-east and get 6-8 hours of sun per day.
- Mounting the house at least 12 to 20 feet from the ground is ideal.
- The bat house should be away from bright lights.
- Trees are not the best option for mounting a bat house because they are usually too shaded and predators can more easily access the house.
- A fresh water source should be within a quarter-mile from where you place your bat house.
- Multiple bat houses can be grouped side-by-side on a home or building or back-to-back on a pole mount.
These seem like many requirements, but they are just general guidelines for the most successful bat houses. The goal is to do your best. If you only have a tree to mount it on, then try that. Or, if you don’t have a water source nearby, it’s still worth it to build a bat house!

Attracting bats to your bat house

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

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

Best times to look for bats

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

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

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

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

Become a bat-tivist (bat-activist)

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

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

Bat book recommendations for kids

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

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

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

About the author

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

You can find more from Lissy in the following online locations:
Instagram: @getoutsidecapecod
Website: Get Outside Cape Cod
Facebook: @getoutsidecapecod
RWMC Posts: Lissy Perna
BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, GOOD FOR NATURE, HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER, WATER
West Coast Road Trip: California to Oregon with Kids
- May 12, 2021
Family road trips are some of my fondest childhood memories and should be experienced by every kid at least once. There’s something extra special about a road trip, where the journey is just as much (if not more) fun and important than the destination. Road trips are wonderful opportunities for families to reconnect and experience new things together. Today, Araceli Gonzalez, a California mom of three, shares her family’s West Coast road trip from Northern California to Oregon. She shares her favorite spots along the way and reminds us just how magical a road trip can be.

West Coast road trip from California to Oregon with kids

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

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

Planning your west coast road trip

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

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

Exploring the California Redwoods with kids

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

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

Boy Scout Tree Trail

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

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

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

Trillium Falls Hike

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

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

Southern Oregon coast

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

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

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

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

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

Oregon waterfalls

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

Waterfalls in the Umpqua National Forest

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

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

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

West coast family road trip

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

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

Happy road-tripping from our family to yours.

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

About the author

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

Find more from Araceli in the following locations:
Instagram: @roaminggonzalez
All RWMC posts: Vista Verde Ranch (Colorado), Winter Crabbing with Kids, California Tide Pools, Sun River Resort (Oregon)
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
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.
BIKE, FALL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SPRING, SUMMER
How to Get Started Mountain Biking with Kids
- July 17, 2020
Mountain biking with kids is not only a great way to get outside and immersed in nature, but the benefits go above and beyond. Mountain biking is great for kids’ physical and mental health, improves their coordination and balance, and helps instill confidence. Today, we have Creative Team member Jared Ryan, Oklahoma dad of 2 and avid cyclist, here to give us a primer on how to get started mountain biking with kids. He’s covering all the bases, from how to choose the right mountain bike, what to pack on your adventures, how to get the kids trail-ready and how to mentally and physically prepare for inevitable wrecks. Are you ready?!

Get out, get dirty

Let’s be honest, most of us are feeling pretty confined right now. As parents, we’re all looking for new (or any) ways to get our kids outside and soak up what’s left of this summer. This can be difficult with current social distance guidelines and park closures. However, there are options and lots of great ways to get outside away from it all. For me, it’s all about mountain biking!

Hold up, you say. It’s a 12-hour drive to your nearest mountain range? No worries! That’s not what mountain biking is…at least not all mountain biking.

The mountain biking gear shed

One thing about mountain biking is that you can spend your annual salary on gear. But, let’s not do that… While in some cases it’s really important to buy quality gear for your kid’s safety (i.e helmets), other times, it makes more ‘cents’ to purchase more practically. Let’s lay this out a bit.

Helmets for kids

First off, never ride without a helmet. Yes, you, the adult. This is about the only time I get strict on my little shredders when it comes to the bike. I stress the importance of helmets ALL the time. This often means that I’m wearing my helmet when we’re cruising on the neighborhood sidewalks or pedaling around in the yard. That’s fine, because I’m modeling the behavior I want to see. Now my kids never ask if they really need to wear one. They know my answer.

When shopping for a proper helmet I’d suggest going to your local bike shop or sporting goods store. This ensures that your helmet meets the proper helmet safety regulations in your country. It’s also helpful for getting the right fit and size for your child’s head. While buying online may be easier, it will not give you that same guarantee.

How to choose a mountain bike for kids

Oh man, the bike. This is where it gets fun. I get just as excited when my kids get a new bike as I do when I get my own… Well, maybe not quite, but almost. Depending on your budget, you can spend $100 or $1200+ on your kid’s bike. Each end of the cost spectrum has its validity. Bike shops are a great place to go for all the insight and wisdom that you seek. They’re always ready and willing to nerd out on bike topics and answer your questions. They can absolutely square your kid away on the proper bike and gear with no effort from you. This is the quick and easy way to get kitted up.

If the bike shop route isn’t what you’re looking for, online distributors or even second-hand bikes are both great options. It’ll require a little more homework for you and you’ll forfeit that lifetime maintenance program that so many shops offer, but both of these options can allow you to get that upper-level bike for a lot less cost.

When doing your research, ask yourself, “does this bike make sense for our trails?”. Most entry-level “mountain bikes” out there for kids are actually too heavy for the trails and have inoperable front suspension due to the rider being too light to compress it. They look the part, but when put to the trails they’re too rigid to absorb any rocks and too clunky to be pedaled up any hill. This will NOT do you any favors when introducing your kiddo to the trails.

Suspension and gears

Having made the mistake of buying my daughter’s bike with front suspension and narrower (1.75in) tires, I actually prefer my son’s bike. It has no suspension. Instead, a wider (2.6in) tire gives him the plush feel that a proper suspension fork would. As a bonus, not having suspension on the front also cuts down dramatically on the bike’s weight. Mountain bikes for kids with an air suspension fork (like the Woom OFF AIR recommended below), give you the best of both good suspension and lightweight.

A range of gears is an absolute must for the trails. Bikes with six to seven gears on the back and one gear up front are the most common for kids’ bikes and will work perfectly for most trails. You may see bikes with two or even three gears on the front, but this is not usually necessary and can add more confusion for your young rider learning to shift gears on the fly.

Mountain bike tires for kids

When choosing tires for your child’s mountain bike, you want a relatively wide (2.25in-2.6in) tire with a knobby tread (think of a dirt bike tire). This will not only help with the dirt/mud, but it will grip better in turns and provide more traction and confidence on the downhill sections. Confidence is key. When you’re airing the tires, you don’t need to max out the psi for the tire. Putting in about 5psi less than the tire’s max press rating can go a long way in providing your little rider with more traction on the trail.

Best mountain bike for kids

Woom OFF AIR

Woom has changed the sport of mountain biking for kids with their durable mountain bikes! The Woom OFF AIR bike delivers off-road performance in a lightweight package. Child-specific ergonomics bring comfort and added safety to each adventure. This bike is well equipped and capable of handling almost anything it encounters, from the bike park to gravel roads to singletrack. With its air suspension fork, the Woom OFF AIR provides off-road capability and ergonomics designed for growing bodies and developing skills. Stable, responsive, and equipped with high-performance components and tubeless-compatible rims and tires, it provides best-in-class value in its category.

How to dress kids for mountain biking

In the hot summer months, it’s relatively easy to figure out proper attire for the season. When riding in the cooler fall and spring months, I start my kids with a base layer of cooler clothing and then add layers according to the weather. It’s often cool or even cold at the beginning of ride, then within the first couple of miles, your body warms up pretty well. This is especially true for kids. I account for the storage of the extra layers in my pack so that there’s no reason for the kids (or I) to not shed a layer when it’s needed. Wearing too much clothing for the temperatures can be just as detrimental as wearing too little.

Lastly, get them some riding gloves. I prefer full-fingered gloves, but I can’t say that it really matters. Proper fitting gloves will really cut down on blisters.

Getting familiar with the dirt

After your kiddo gets that nice and shiny steed, go get it dirty! Assuming your rider has mastered the bike basics, you should introduce them to the dirt by finding a local dirt or gravel path. These paths are often unpaved walking/biking trails winding through the trees. No obstacles, no undulations, just smooth packed dirt. I find that this is an organic way of getting young riders comfortable with navigating through the narrow and confined space of the trees.

While a lot of single track trails are no more narrow than a sidewalk, the tunneling effect of the trees can be pretty intimidating to any new rider. Once they’re more comfortable on the dirt path, feel free to find little branches and rocks (smaller than 3in in diameter) to let them roll over and experiment with. They may get bucked around at first riding over these obstacles, at first. But soon they’ll gain more control and intuition over the bike. Your goal should is to get them used to the feeling of rough terrain and to trust their bike.

If you don’t have a smooth dirt path near your home, no worries. I often take our kids to a nearby park and lead them around hopping off and rolling up curbs, racing in the grass (as it’s often uneven ground), and riding up/down short little grassy hills. All for the sake of building up their handling skills. Kids get comfortable on their bikes far quicker than their parents, so if you’re not already familiar with mountain biking, jump in and take turns doing these with your little rider.

Leading or towing them into new obstacles can provide them more confidence before trying it themselves.

What to pack when mountain biking with kids

Okay, so your ‘little rider’ has now morphed into a ‘little shredder’ and they’re ready for the real deal…the Red Bull Rampage circuit. What should you bring on the trail? Some rides just require sufficient water and maybe a flat kit. But, for longer rides or for trails that I haven’t ridden before, I prefer to carry a hydration pack with our necessities in it.

While I have my own list of carry-on items that I take for each of my own rides, my list is a bit longer when my kids are with me. There is just more that can go wrong and I don’t really expect them to carry their own packs at this point in their progression.

In my trail pack:
- Water – The amount is dependent on your planned ride, but usually 32oz in a hydration pack and a 20oz bottle per person is more than enough for our 1hr rides. You’ll need to figure this for your local climate and personal needs
- Flat Kit – I carry 1 tube per rider, 1set of tire levers, and a CO2 inflator w/one CO2 cartridge per rider. I often carry a hand pump too just in case we have a rough day.
- Bike Tool – It never fails that a seat is too high or a derailleur is not adjusted. There are a lot of options out there to fit you budget/needs. I’ve been really pleased with the Crankbrothers M-17
- Small First-Aid kit – Just a simple a kit with antibiotic creme, alcohol wipes, and bandages.
- Snacks – Um well, yeah kids and dads love snacks.
For after the ride I keep in my vehicle:
- Wet wipes – Quick easy way to wipe of the trail dirt and sweat.
- Lint roller – After the wet wipes are used, I find a lint roller to be a great way to get rid of ticks before they attach
- More Water
- Zevia – Because the kids definitely earned them!
Hitting the trail

At the start of your ride, review and even take a picture of the map at the trailhead to make sure that you know which trails are designated as “Easy” or “Beginner.” I recommend sticking to easy trails at first so that you can keep the rides short and simple. This allows your young rider to decide their own rate of progression. Roll out on these rides with ZERO expectations.

So often on the drive to the trails, my kids are so excited! They tell me all the jumps they’re going to “send.” All about how fast they plan to ride. I love it. However, that’s not always the case once we’re on the trail. Fatigue sets in and suddenly, without warning, they’re mentally and physically wiped. Or even (dare I say it) bored! That’s fine, it happens. If you set your expectations low, it’s easier to roll with whatever comes your way and to improvise on the ride. I’ll often let them hang out and session a trail feature. Or, sometimes, this means taking a LOT of breaks. But regardless, since I don’t have any particular goal for the ride, I’m able to fully embrace the outcome…even if that means we’re hitting the bypass trail back to the parking lot.

When they’re just not feeling it that day and want to head back early, I don’t force the ride. I want this to be a fun experience. I’m completely aware that some days they’re just not that into it. That’s fine, we’re not training for world titles…yet.

I’ve also found that with both of my kids, when they’re up front and leading the group, they tend to ride a little more confidently and are far more engaged in the ride. This is natural since the lead rider is forced to choose the correct lines and has to be alert for any obstacles. If you notice a kid falling behind, maybe give them the chance to lead for a while.

Let your kids lead – this will help them pick better lines and navigate terrain on their own, making them more well-rounded riders.

Prepare for wrecks

Be ready…wrecks are going to happen. Yes, they are GOING to happen. No biggie. Most mountain bike wrecks do not result in serious injury, but they can definitely hurt. Ironically, the first step to overcoming the fear of wrecking for any new rider is to wreck! Honestly. Once they get that first fall on their Pro Mountain Biker resumé, young riders nearly always conclude that it’s not really that bad. Or even that it was worth it.

My little shredders wreck A LOT. In a positive way. Usually, they wreck because they’re pushing their abilities or conquering a trail feature that has continued to best them. And I’m good with that! Once I’ve verified that my kid is okay, I usually become the hype man. For us it’s something like “Whoa! You alive, dude? That was incredible! Your bike did three flips off that rock!” Or “Dang girl! You good? You’ve gotta hit that one again!”

Sometimes the pain is real though and we make our way back to the trailhead. Usually, we talk through how the wreck played out and figure out what happened. Was it a bad line choice? Did they have too much or too little speed? We try to learn from the crashes so that next time they aren’t beat by the same feature.

The biggest perk

Mountain biking is SO incredibly rewarding for kids. They learn new skills with balance and coordination. Reach new levels of fitness and health. They will be exhausted, and dirty, and happy. They’ll face obstacles that previously made them tremble, and then they will conquer that obstacle! For us parents, we get to watch this unfold and have a front-row seat to their growth. We can sit on a rocky overlook while taking one of those frequent breaks and soak it up with our little shredders. To me, this is the biggest perk of mountain biking. Now get out there, go ride your bike.

About the author

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

You can find Jared online in the following locations:
Instagram: @bikeshikesbiners
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, RECIPES, SUMMER
Blueberry Picking with Kids
- July 7, 2020
Blueberry season is in full swing and U-Pick fruit farms are the perfect place to go with your little ones! U-Pick farms are exactly what they sound like – you pick your own produce. Children will love this hands-on learning experience and will be asking to go back year after year! Today, Megan Rigdon, Maryland photographer and mom of 3 is here sharing all the tips you need know for blueberry picking with kids. Megan’s family owns a U-Pick farm, so she knows what she’s talking about! Plus, she’s included a great list of blueberry-inspired books to read before you go and an awesome recipe for a tasty treat made by her kids with the berries they picked!

Blueberry season

Blueberry plants (Vaccinium spp.) produce white or pink flowers in spring. The flowers are pollinated by bees and soon after, small, green berries form. As the berries mature, they turn from green to pale blue and eventually to a dark blue or even purple color. How do you know when they’re ripe? Taste them! Ripe berries will be soft and sweet!

Blueberry season and harvest in the US varies by state, but runs from May to September, starting with Southern states (Florida and Texas) and moving North. Depending on where you live, your blueberry season may have already passed or the blueberries might not be ready! Check your local harvest calendar to find out when peak blueberry picking season is in your state.

Children’s books about blueberries

With every adventure, I love to incorporate children’s books because that is just how I roll! It is a good idea to read one before you go blueberry picking with kids so your children can get excited about what’s to come. Keep these books around your house a few weeks after picking, too. I bet your kids will go back to the books to reminisce about all the fun they had at the blueberry farm. Below are just a few of our favorite books about blueberries.
Ready for an adventure

Our family has a U-Pick blueberry field in Harford County, Maryland. When summer arrives, my children know it’s almost time to pick blueberries at their grandparents’ farm. By the last week of June, the blueberries are ripe and ready! We read a few of our favorite blueberry-themed books and even wrote about how excited we were to go picking in our summer journals.

Tips for blueberry picking with kids

Here are a few things to consider when planning a trip to go blueberry picking with kids:
- Call or check your local farm’s website or Facebook page on the day of picking. Confirm the picking hours and to see if conditions have changed. The farm could have had a lot of people that day or in the days before and there may not be many berries left. Also, weather conditions can change the timing of when berries may be ready to be picked.
- Plan on going to pick blueberries in the early morning or evening hours to beat the summer heat.
- Most farms supply their own buckets for picking and weighing the berries. If you use the farm’s buckets, you will need to transfer them into your own basket or bucket when you leave. I do not recommend bags because berries tend to get squished.
- Have your child wear play clothes. The farm could be muddy from summer storms or blueberry juice could make its way onto clothes.
What to pack for blueberry picking with kids

Make sure you take some time to pack for your blueberry picking trip. Below are things I would make sure to pack in addition to the items already in your diaper bag or purse when you go blueberry picking with kids:
- Water – Make sure you and your little ones stay hydrated!
- Sunscreen – it is a good idea to put sunscreen on your children before you head to the farm. This will give the sunscreen time to soak in and then, once you get there, that task is already complete!
- Insect repellent – it could be buggy out there!
- Blanket for a rest break – lay a blanket in the shade so that anyone who is with you can take a break
- Stroller or wagon – a stroller or wagon can be very helpful when hauling the buckets back when finished and also useful for holding water bottles, snacks, diaper bags and oh… the kids too!
It’s picking time

When you arrive at the U-Pick blueberry farm, give each child their own bucket. Explain to them to pick the berries that are ripe. They should be blue and will fall off the stem easily. I always tell my children to not eat the berries unless they check with me first, so we can confirm they’re ripe (sweet, not sour). Once they know what to pick and look for, let them go at it! I recommend laying out a blanket in the shade for the children to be able to take breaks if needed. Fill your baskets and enjoy the adventure!

Blueberry treats

On the ride home, we love to come up with all kinds of delicious treats that we can make with the blueberries we picked. Blueberries are incredibly versatile, so possibilities are endless. We came up with so many ideas ranging from blueberry waffles, blueberry ice cream to blueberry crumb pie. YUM! We ultimately decided to make blueberry yogurt popsicles with our haul! These are such a cool and refreshing treat after all of our hard work! The best thing about this recipe is that it only calls for a few ingredients and the children can help you make it.

Blueberry yogurt popsicles

The recipe for the blueberry yogurt popsicles is easy peasy! You will need only four ingredients- blueberries, honey, milk, and yogurt. My kids couldn’t wait to help with this treat! Measure out 1.5 cups of blueberries and two tablespoons of honey and place them in a saucepan. Cook the blueberries and honey over medium heat until the berries start to burst. Leave them on the stove for about 3-5 minutes and then take the pan off of the heat and allow time for it to cool.

While the blueberry mixture cools, mix together the yogurt and milk. Then, fold in the cooled blueberry mixture into the yogurt and milk. Make sure not to mix them too much because then the whole thing will turn purple. Instead, fold the two mixtures together just a few times to create a swirly pattern. Finally, pour it into the popsicle molds, add popsicle sticks, and freeze.

When your popsicles are frozen, it’s time to enjoy! My kids could not wait to try their homemade blueberry yogurt popsicles! They absolutely enjoyed every bite of them and were so proud of all of their hard work!

Benefits of blueberry picking with kids

There are so many benefits to taking your child to pick blueberries. You are supporting a local farm and getting to spend quality time outside with your kids. Your little ones get to witness the process of how the berries grow on a bush, turn blue when ripe and ready to be picked. Incorporate a few of the recommended books and you’ve got an educational activity for kids of all ages. But, the best part about blueberry picking with kids…turning your berries into something scrumptious and enjoying the fruits of your labor together!

What are you waiting for?! Start planning your trip to pick blueberries with your kids today!

Have you ever picked blueberries with kids?

About the author

Megan 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 outdoors exploring the farm and going on adventures. Raising chickens, fishing, gardening, camping, and crafting are just a few of her favorite things to do with her family.

You can find more from Megan in the following locations:
Professional Instagram: @meganrigdonphotography
Personal Instagram: @megmrigdon
Website: meganrigdonphotography.com
HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Tips for Photographing Family Hikes
- April 29, 2020
Hiking is one of our family’s favorite ways to spend time together outdoors. Along with our traditional outdoor hiking gear (backpack, water, snacks, etc.), I always bring my camera along to document our adventure. Some of my favorite photographs of my kids are from family hikes, as they explore and play. Today, we have the amazingly talented Kristen Ryan, Oklahoma mom of 2 and photographer extraordinaire, here to give us some tips, tricks, and advice for photographing family hikes. Whether you’re shooting with a big fancy camera or your iPhone, these tips will help you capture some incredible moments outdoors with your kids and take your hiking photography to the next level.

Hiking with kids
Setting out on a hike with the family can be a great way to get outdoors and explore together. It can be a way of getting exercise while also enjoying some great views. Sometimes we need to get a little creative to keep the little ones enjoying the moment and pushing forward, there are so many fun activities to keep kids entertained and engaged while hiking. The Run Wild My Child website has some great resources for doing just that, check out some of these great articles:
Family hiking photography tips

When it comes to taking hiking photos, sometimes it’s at the top of my to-do list and sometimes it takes a back seat to just keeping my kids going. Hiking with kids tends to be all over the place and you never know what each day and hike will bring. I try to keep my expectations low and go into our hike armed with my camera, but willing to wait for the right moment. Today, I want to share with you some tips for easily capturing beautiful photos from the day and still allowing everyone to enjoy the hike uninterrupted.

1. Let everyone forget you have a camera

If your family is like mine, they don’t want to have to keep stopping for photo ops. In fact, the more you ask for pictures the less likely they will be willing to pose for you. My way to work around this is by letting them forget I have a camera. I try to set myself up for candid photos so that they don’t have to be moved or directed or interrupted from what they’re doing.

To get the shot I want without interrupting, I will pause a moment on a winding trail and wait for them to spread out along the turn to capture them in a line. If they stop to enjoy a view I will make sure I’m ready to capture the moment quickly before enjoying it with them. I will run up a little further on the trail to be ready for them to pass by then join in at the tail. My family is much more tolerant of my photo-taking if they don’t have to be interrupted during their hike.

2. Take advantage of the breaks

The next best trick for capturing great family hiking photos is to take advantage of your breaks. Need to stop for a water break or did you find a beautiful view? Use these pauses to capture the full scene. If we find a beautiful view I love to stop and take a water break at these spots. It gives the kids a moment to rest and it gives me some time to capture the beautiful surroundings as they enjoy and explore. I will have the kids sit in a safe spot where they can sit and have a drink and I will walk around them snapping a few photos with the beautiful scenery in the background.

3. Use nature as a leading line to your subject

Getting a great family hiking shot is all about the perspective and the angles. You can change so much just by changing your own position or using the natural elements around you to frame your subject. There are lots of opportunities to do this when you’re hiking. I just love how nature can so easily frame my subjects and that trails make great leading lines. Using natural elements is an easy way to draw your eye straight to your family even with a busy background.

When capturing your family, let the trail be a natural leading line through your photograph. I love to get low and allow the trail to guide my viewer’s eye through the frame right to my family and the story I’m wanting to tell. If you are in a tree-covered trail, try using branches and logs to help to frame your subjects. When having a scene full of similar colors and patterns, your family will stand out among the crowd just by contrast.

4. Stand out with color

Another way to get great photos of your family hikes is to have them stand out from the background. I don’t mean physically, but visually, with bright pops of color. This takes a little forethought, but it can be really helpful in photos. When we’re getting ready to go hiking, I try to keep my kids in bright solid colors. This helps them stand out a bit from the trees and bushes along the trails and brings your eye to them in a photograph. It is also a bonus when my kids like to run further up along the trail away from me. They still stand out and helps me to keep an eye on them while also giving them some freedom. This lets them enjoy the hike even more, because they feel like they are in charge of it.

5. Let them climb

If your kids are like mine, then they love to climb. They’re fearless and I sometimes have to regulate what they want to take on. 🙂 But climbing, even the smallest of rocks, is actually a great photo opportunity. I love it when we come across a place for them to try it. This is another great way to get them to stand out from the background and set them apart from the scene. You can do this by allowing them to get higher than the horizon. This doesn’t necessarily mean letting them go rock climbing up a cliff, but even a small little hill or boulder will do the trick.

You can make any hill or incline look much bigger by bringing your camera all the way to the ground and tilting your camera up to them. This will bring your horizon line down and make them appear higher. It also makes them stand out from the background! This is a great family hiking photography tip because they’ll be so proud of themselves and impressed when you show them the photo later.
Family hiking photography

I hope these tips and tricks will inspire you to get outside and go for a hike with your family. Don’t forget to take your camera along and try taking some images of your kids while you’re out and about. Not only will you capture moments in time you’ll want to remember forever, but you will get a little better with your photography skills with every photo you take! So grab your camera and hit the trails!

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!

Do you take photos of your family hikes?

About the author

Hello, I am Kristen. I am a wife and mother to two kids and three dogs. We love to be outside as much as we can. Our family loves to go camping together and have made it a goal to visit all of the Oklahoma state parks. We are over halfway there! I am a hobbyist photographer who enjoys documenting my family in creative ways. You can find me on Instagram at @kristcx.
GEOCACHING, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PRINTABLES, SPRING, URBAN NATURE
10 Outdoor Social Distancing Activities for Kids in a City
- March 19, 2020
With social distancing firmly in place and schools being closed for the foreseeable future, parents all across the country are trying to figure out what to do with your kids. While it’s probably no surprise to anyone reading this website, we HIGHLY recommend getting outside and into nature with your kids. But only if that’s a safe and viable option. If you have access to the great outdoors and time to spend, by all means, we hope you take advantage of it.

However, outdoor social distancing may not be easy for everyone. Particularly those who live in a city and may not have close access to wide open (and remote/unpopulated areas). However, there are still things you can do outside as a family that keep your distance from others and give your kids the chance to burn off some of that energy. Today, we have Desirée Macke, Southern California mom of 2 here sharing 10 ways to get outside while being socially distant in a city.

An unexpected turn of events

This spring was supposed to be full of travel and adventure for our family. However, in the blink of an eye, like the rest of the country, our plans were quickly thwarted due to COVID-19. When schools were canceled for multiple weeks I quickly went to work planning where we could go exploring with the kids. Joshua Tree National Park immediately popped into mind. It’s one of our favorite places. I had full intentions of loading the kids up to go rock climbing to get away from it all. Then, things regarding health and safety escalated and our plans were set aside.

Social distancing in a city

For a moment I went into panic mode. How in the world were we going to get the kids outside while social distancing in a huge city? All the places we enjoy going (National Parks, the beach, local parks, etc.) are always full of people. It’s not like we can simply turn to our backyard…we don’t have one! We live in a townhome. Right now, for many people in urban areas, getting outside while being safe can be a bit challenging, particularly because we all like to go outside to the same places.

I took a deep breath, looked at what we do have at our disposal. I put together a list of 10 outdoor social distancing activities for kids and families in cities so that you can still get outside all while staying safe and active.

1. Geocaching

A while back we covered the basics of geocaching. Our kids don’t get much screen time, so geocaching is really fun and exciting for my kids. When I hand over the phone to my son so he can follow the map, read the clues, and search for geocaches, it’s a really big deal. We’ve found several caches in our neighborhood while out for a walk. There are many more near us that we’ll be hunting down in the next few weeks. We’ll have plenty of time to do so!

2. Agents of Discovery app

This may be pretty specific to Southern California, but, there are a LOT of people here, so I hope I’m reaching someone who is searching for things to do with kids! While visiting a local nature center/trail we enjoy hiking, we discovered there is an interactive app that is great for kids to utilize while hiking. Along the trail, there are multiple challenges the kids complete to earn points.

I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes my kids lose interest in our hikes very quickly. However, this app keeps my kids engaged while on the trail. Bonus points: the whole family learned a copious amount of information on the flora and fauna in our area. Now my son wants to visit all the trails included on the app. It’s beeen a great outdoor social distancing activity for my kids to keep them active and entertained.

During this time, please use your best judgment on whether being out on the trials is smart and safe for you, and those you may encounter on the trail.

3. iNaturalist app

I promise this is the last tech/screen suggestion. But, this is one of my favorite apps because it can be used anywhere! Since we’re stuck around the house, we’ve been taking many walks around our neighborhood. I’ve learned over the years that the kids need a goal on our walks to keep them occupied and entertained. Otherwise just walking around can get pretty boring for them.

During our walks, I ask them to find plants, flowers, even animals, that they don’t know the names of. We then turn to iNaturalist, snap a photo of said plant/animal. The app then pulls up a list of items that are likely to be what we have discovered, and we select the answer that best fits what we have found. It’s been really neat to learn together what we have right here in our little neighborhood. Using an app like this to learn and document our adventures has been a really fun and educational outdoor social distancing activity for the kids.

4. Scavenger hunt

Anyone can do a scavenger hunt! Anywhere! Trust me, they’re super easy to put together and really fun for the kids! It only takes a few minutes of planning. I usually compile a quick list of easy-to-find items just before we head out the door. You can write them all down on a piece of paper, in your phone or keep a tally in your head. Tell the kids what they’re looking for and let them explore! Once the kids find all the items on their list they earn a prize (which is usually just something from our pantry).

The great thing about scavenger hunts is that you can completely customize them to your specific location and to your children’s ages and skill level. I will often make two different lists. For my son, I’ll ask for specific things, such as, “find a maple leaf”. For my youngest, I keep it pretty basic for her, “find a yellow leaf”.

5. Nature bingo

Much like the scavenger hunt and iNaturalist, we utilize nature bingo while we’re on our morning walks. This is a great and easy outdoor social distancing activity for kids. Each child has a BINGO card filled with plants, flowers, and animals we typically see in our neighborhood. The game is a great way to keep the kids moving along our sidewalks with little to no complaining, and a goal to reach. They get pretty excited when they hit a BINGO, and I get excited that we’ve clocked more hours outside.

Above is a blank Bingo printable you can print off and fill in as you go.

6. DIY sidewalk chalk paint

You’ve probably seen this fun and easy craft idea, but it’s worth repeating because the kids love it. I’m not sure what they enjoy more, the making of the paint, or the actual painting. Either way, it keeps them busy, entertained, and outside.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own sidewalk chalk paint:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup corn starch
- Food dye colors of your choice
- Muffin tin
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Paintbrushes
In your mixing bowl add the warm water and corn starch. Whisk until cornstarch is dissolved. Pour your mixture in equal parts into the muffin tin. Add food dyes. Let the kids grab a paintbrush and go to work!

We are fortunate to have a patio, so the kids generally head out there to paint the pavers. But if we’re feeling extra adventurous we’ll paint the sidewalks around our front door.

7. Obstacle courses

We are lucky to have an alley that serves as our makeshift back yard. When the kids get tired of just riding up and down the alley on their bikes/scooters/etc. we’ll make an obstacle course. Getting the kids in on the creation of the course makes it that much more fun. Seeing their minds work to put together their course is just as much fun as watching them navigate the course. We use whatever we can find in our garage: jump ropes, plyo boxes, sidewalk chalk for the start and finish line, anything we can pull out!

I know not everyone has an alley, but many obstacle courses can be created in parks that have large green space! Think cones and hula hoops! Again, please use discretion during this time when visiting your parks.

8. Slackline

We may not have a yard or huge trees. However, we DO have a garage. That space has been maximized to the fullest. We purchased the kids a slackline and have it set up in the garage! We have it hung high, with different ropes and rings hanging from the line. The kids like to pretend they are Ninja Warriors, and monkey across it, aiming for the best time, or simply making it across without falling. If you don’t have a garage, check out parks with open spaces and large trees. It’s been a fun alternative to the monkey bars and traditional playground equipment we’re used to, but trying to avoid.

9. Leaf confetti

We mentioned making leaf confetti in our 100+ Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids, but it is worth mentioning here, and applies any time of the year! And, this project has been our saving grace on those afternoons where we’re starting to get the wiggles and need an activity. This one engages our gross motor skills (walking around our neighborhood), fine motor skills (paper punching), and eye-hand coordination.

As we walk around our neighborhood the kids collect leaves they deem worthy of paper punching. Once we’ve gathered a hefty amount, we head home and start punching away. The different shaped punchers give the confetti a little more of a whimsical feel, but any shape will do. After a large amount of confetti is made the most fun is tossing it in the air!

10. Puddle jumping

More often than not, my kids are in school when it rains, so many puddle opportunities have slipped by us. However, during our time social distancing, we have had several days where it has rained. We could view this as doomy and gloomy. But, instead, we have taken advantage of all the puddles! All we need our rainboots and rain jackets, and we go. to. town. on every puddle we find. The kids always have so much fun splashing away, and this activity is perfect to get outside, as most people opt to stay indoors when it rains.

During this incredibly crazy and uncertain time, one thing holds true. We all need to get outside for our health and sanity.

If you live in an urban area, what are some of your favorite outdoor social distancing activities for kids?

About the author

I’m Desirée; wife to Scott, mom to Marcus and Julia. I’m the domestic engineer (that’s my fancy term for stay-at-home-mom) of the family. My husband, kids, and I love the outdoors. Our favorite ways to explore are hiking the coastal trails near us as well as combing the tide pools for aquatic treasures. To quench our thirst for wide-open spaces beyond the hustle and bustle of our urban jungle. We love to visit state and national parks, as well as conservation areas and nature preserves.

You can find Desirée online in the following locations:
Personal IG: @desireemacke
Cookie Biz IG: @coolingrackconfections
HOLIDAYS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Outdoor Holiday Activities for Kids
- December 16, 2019
Don’t let the December cold keep you indoors this entire holiday season. Get outside and have some fun with your kids during the holidays. There’s so much to do outside this time of the year; so many fun things to see and places to explore. Today, we’re sharing 15 outdoor holiday activities to do with kids. Many of these outdoor activities can be done no matter where you live or what holiday (if any) you celebrate. This December, make it a goal to spend more time outside celebrating together in nature. Put your own twist on these outdoor activities and make them your own. Maybe they’ll even become yearly traditions! So, what are you waiting for? Bundle up and get outside!

Special thanks to all the amazing members of our Instagram community that allowed us to share their special images in the post. We appreciate you all so much!

Outdoor holiday activities

When you think of the holidays, you probably don’t immediately think about outdoor adventures. We want to change that! Regardless of how many things are going on inside this time of year, kids need outdoor play. They need to burn energy, explore and play outdoors. They need fresh air and sunshine (what little there is this time of year) and room to move! Kids should be enjoying nature and the outdoors year-round. The holiday season is no exception.

There are so many fun things to do and experience outside in December. We’re sharing just a few of our favorite ways to get outside, get active and have fun amidst the holiday chaos. I have a feeling that the more of these activities you incorporate into your holiday, the more fun you and your kids will have! We’re hoping you make getting outside a priority for your family this holiday season.

Photo credit: @andreamartinphoto

1. Make a wreath

Making a holiday wreath with kids is such a fun craft. My favorite craft projects usually start with time outside, exploring and collecting materials. For a holiday-inspired wreath, head outside and look for evergreens and anything colorful. Bring a bag with you to collect all your finds and goodies. You’ll need quite a few branches, so consider bringing scissors or something to use to safely cut the plant without damaging it (leave this with a grownup). Make sure you’re in a public area or have permission to make any cuts to trees/plants or take anything.

Once you’ve collected enough materials, head home and arrange everything around a wreath structure or even a cutout piece of cardboard. Choose your method of adhesion (hot glue, rubber bands, etc.) and get started! Let the kids help as much as they can and give them free rein over their creation. When all’s done, add a few pinecone embellishments, some holly berries or a big bow. Finally, hang on the door for all to see!

2. Hot chocolate stand

While lemonade stands might be all the rage in the summer, hosting a hot chocolate stand in the winter is a great way to put those entrepreneurial skills to good use. The cooler weather is a great excuse to put a new spin on a traditional outdoor childhood activity. Plus, get your little ones in the giving spirit by selecting a charity or cause to receive half (or all) of the profits of their shop. Then, help your kids come up with everything they need to set up a booth to sell hot cocoa, spiced cider, coffee, tea, or baked goods. All you need are your supplies, some change, a table, and a big sign! Choose a location where you’ll encounter some foot traffic and voila!

Photo credit: @dorenehookeyPhoto credit: @embrace_the_deep

3. Holiday lights walk

Going on a holiday lights walk is one of my kids’ favorite holiday traditions. We choose one night in December (close to Christmas) to bundle up and go for a holiday walk to see lights. The kids get dressed up in their warmest clothes and grab a blanket of their choice. We fill travel mugs with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Then we load everyone up in the wagon, stroller or buggy and go for a walk around the neighborhood.

The kids stay nice and toasty in the wagon, all snuggled up together. I drag or push them down our street and around a couple of blocks in our neighborhood to find the houses with the best lights. We ooh and ahh over the decorations and pick our favorites. Sometimes we’ll even bring a Bluetooth speaker with us and play holiday songs and sing along to the music. Depending on how cold it is, we usually stay out around 30-40 minutes. But even 10 minutes up and down our own street feels great once you’re outside and moving!

Photo credit: @crystalphoto.ca

4. Outdoor ice skating

Ice skating outdoors is one of my favorite things to do with the kids during the holidays. There’s something magical about being outside in the crisp air, all bundled up, and slip-sliding around on ice skates under the twinkle lights. Many cities have wonderful outdoor ice skating rinks that are open around the holidays. They’re usually open in the evening, surrounded by lights, so it’s one of the few outdoor activities that you can do in the evening since it gets dark so early.

Make a full family event out of ice skating and see who’s the best. Most rinks have skate rentals for kids as young at two. Plus, there are lots of options for kids that are still learning, including buckets and braces. And for the grown-ups, there’s always the wall to hold onto! After your skate, head out to dinner or for dessert and make a special night out of it!

Photo credit: @littlepinelearners

5. Feed the birds

Making bird seed feeders for the birds and squirrels is a wonderful way to teach kids about kindness and compassion. My kids love making eco-friendly bird feeders from supplies and materials we have at home. Our favorites are pinecones dipped in peanut butter and then rolled in birdseed. Not only do the kids have to get out and explore to collect the pinecones, but they get to get messy while they make these. We also love cutting apples in half and leaving them out for the animals. If we have snow, we’ve even gone to our local park and make a giant birthday cake out of snow and decorated it with birdseed, carrots, lettuce leaves and orange slices for the animals. Here are three fun and easy options for making bird feeders with kids.

Photo credit: @catrinadebruin

6. Cut down your tree

There are so many great reasons to choose to cut down your own (or purchase a live) real tree. Heading out to the woods or local tree farm is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise in the cold month of December. It’s also a fun family tradition you can start and continue doing each year. When you purchase a live tree you’re also supporting a farm that depends on the income from those trees to continue to run. While the trees are growing, they help clean the air we breathe. Once the trees are cut down, they’re replaced with new ones. When they’re in your home, they smell heavenly!

Once you’re finished with a real Christmas tree, it can often be repurposed. Many cities collect the live trees and turn them into wildlife habitats, mulch or other products, or use them to help with erosion. In these cases, the tree gets another life before it decomposes. If you need tips on what to do before you go tree hunting or how to choose the right tree, we’ve got a great post with tips on cutting down your own tree.

Photo credit: @lovely_littlediegoPhoto credit: @sara_mccarty

7. Go caroling

This is another one of my kids’ favorite holiday traditions. Every year, all the kids on our street go house-to-house caroling. It’s honestly one of the most adorable things I’ve ever seen and I hope we continue this tradition forever! The kids love it so much. They sing 2-3 songs at each house and collect a donation to give to a local charity. We print off a few the lyrics of around 10 songs for the big kids and the little ones that can’t read shake jingle bells and try to sing along as best they can. We usually hit about 10 houses and then head back to a neighbor’s house for cookies and hot chocolate.

Don’t celebrate Christmas? No worries! There are a million other songs you could sing! No one said that caroling had to include Christmas songs. Make a list of some of your kids’ favorite songs or Google fun/silly kids’ music and learn a few songs. Bust out your favorite Disney songs, like Let it Go, Hakuna Matata and Bare Necessities. Some of our favorites for little ones include: Ram Sam Sam, She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain, You are my Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle, Ants Go Marching, Baby Shark, Wheels on the Bus and Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Photo credit: @e_hawthorne_photography

8. Winter hiking

Another great family tradition to start is to go on a holiday hike. We all tend to overindulge around the holidays and take full advantage of the delicious food and drinks. It’s also easier than ever to skip exercising and opt for snuggling on the couch or watching a movie instead of getting outside and active. Those things are all fine, as long as you also make time for getting outside and enjoying nature. Winter is a great time for hiking, as you can see so many things you can’t in the other seasons (bird nests high in the tree, frozen waterfalls, etc.

Make it a new family tradition to go on a Christmas Day hike after opening the presents to burn off some energy and get some fresh air. Let the kids wear their Christmas jammies or Santa hats! Or make it a New Year’s Day tradition to start the year off with a hike through the woods and get a jump start on your outdoor hours for the year. Check out your local parks and rec department for options to get outside with others. Our state conservation department offers group night hikes in the winter months to listen for owls, coyotes and more!

Photo credit: @zionadventurephotog

9. Make ice lanterns

Ice lanterns are such a fun and beautiful holiday project to make with kids. There are a few different ways to make these, but none of them need much more than a few bowls and cups, balloons and battery-operated tea lights. The first way to make an ice lantern is to fill a cup with water, then place a smaller cup inside it. Let the water freeze and then pull the ice out of the larger cup and remove the inner cup. This will leave you with a hollowed-out ice container. Place a battery-operated tea light inside and set outside along a walkway or around your yard to light a path.

Another fun way to make an ice lantern is to fill a balloon with water and then let it freeze. Once you have a frozen water balloon, remove the plastic ballon and place the frozen globe over a battery-operating tea light in the snow. The whole thing will glow like magic!

Photo credit: @europeanmommyof2

Photo credit: @helendonphotos

10. Attend a tree lighting

Tree lightings are really fun ways to celebrate the season outside with your community. Lots of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and areas have local tree lightings that you can attend with the kids. Most are outside and are accompanied by a special visitor from the North Pole! Our local community’s tree lighting is adorable and filled with kid-friendly holiday activities. All the kids gather outside city hall and sing Christmas carols until Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive. They come roaring up on a fire truck called the Polar Express! There are lots of booths and stands selling hot chocolate, cookies and donuts and holiday goodies from local shops and vendors. The kids have the chance to get a photo taken with Santa or help decorate a gingerbread house.

Photo credit: @dariajungerbalint

11. Create an ornament from nature

There are so many fun ways to use items you find in nature to create beautiful Christmas ornaments for your tree. One of my favorite nature-inspired ornaments is to use small twigs to make stars, trees or snowflakes. You don’t need much for these super cute and easy DIY ornaments that you don’t already have in your yard! Tie a few sticks together with some twine to make a star or use hot glue to create a tree. Leave them natural for a rustic looking ornament or let the kids have fun painting them! They make great grandparent gifts, too. If you want other nature-inspired ornament ideas, Pinterest is full of them!

Photo credit: @ruta_pjPhoto credit: @nina.bogomaz

12. Holiday campfire

Winter is a great time of year to have a bonfire outside. Gather some firewood and those you love and spend some time outside together around a fire. The nights are cold and dark. Take this opportunity to make s’mores and share cups of hot chocolate (put a candy cane in them for extra holiday goodness). And then take the time to bond with those around you over stories of holidays past. Talk about the best gifts you’ve ever received/given, your favorite meals and what you look forward to each year. Sharing songs and memories around a campfire is such a simple and beautiful experience for families. It makes kids feel incredibly special to be part of it, to listen and participate.

Photo credit: @seldabelda

13. Go on a sleigh ride

Do a little research and see if you can find a place near you to take the kids on a real-life horse-drawn sleigh ride. There are lots of places these days that offer sleigh rides, through the woods, in parks, on local farms or through conservation areas. If you don’t have snow or you’re in the city, try a horse-drawn carriage ride! Our local parks offer carriage rides through a winter wonderland of twinkle lights in all size carriages. Some are huge and can fit large groups and some are small and intimate. One even looks like Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage. A sleigh ride outdoors through the crisp air, while you’re bundled up in blankets is a thrill! It’s something super special and unique that doesn’t happen every day. It’ll be a true holiday memory that will last a lifetime.

Photo credit: @mamabearphoto

14. Candy cane hunt

Last year we started the tradition of doing a small backyard candy cane hunt. Similar to a scavenger hunt, but only for candy canes. All I did was buy a box of candy canes and hide them around the backyard. I hung the candy canes from tree branches and bushes and the fence. Once the whole box was hidden, I sent the kids outside to find them all. I can’t believe how much fun the kids had with this simple game!

It didn’t take them that long to find all the candy canes (maybe 15 minutes), but they loved the game so much we had to do it over and over and over! Then they took turns hiding the candy canes for each other. And then they moved to the front yard. One box of candy canes got them outside and playing for probably five hours! No one ate a single candy cane because they wanted to save them to play again the next day! I think this year I’m going to buy a couple of boxes and hide them up and down the street and let all the neighborhood kids play! This can also be done with nearly anything – it doesn’t have to be candy canes.

Photo credit: @thejohnsonettes

15. Outdoor act of kindness

Get your kids in the holiday spirit by performing some random acts of kindness for others. Put a new spin on your good deeds by taking them outdoors this year. Try to come up with a few ideas of things you could do for others outside. For example, have the kids shovel the snow off a neighbor’s porch or sidewalks. Pick up litter in a local park. Decorate an outdoor tree for the wildlife. Return your neighbor’s trash bins. Leave candy canes on the windshields of cars in a parking lot. Deliver handmade cards to neighbors you don’t know. Leave sidewalk chalk messages of encouragement for people at the park.

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

The most wonderful time of the year

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

Fun and simple Halloween activities for kids

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

1. Shaving cream ghosts

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

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

2. Monster handprints

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

3. Fall leaves tree

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

4. Foaming spiders

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

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

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

5. Candy corn sensory play

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

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

6. Witches stew

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

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

7. Ice ghosts

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

8. Spider slime

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

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

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

9. Play-doh pumpkins

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

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

10. Wiggly monster eyes

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

10 Easy Halloween activities for kids

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

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

Brandi
Maryland
@brandimarkham

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

For more from Brandi, check out all her RWMC posts.
BOOKS, CRAFTS, FALL, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OUTDOORS INSIDE
5 Fantastic Fall Books and Activities for Kids
- October 7, 2019
Fall is definitely in the air! One of our favorite ways to usher in a new season is to read books about the changing weather and what we can look forward to. We’re always on the lookout for fun books and ways to make outdoor learning exciting, so today’s post is a win-win. We have the amazing Chelsea, Virginia photographer, former teacher, and adventure mom of two, here sharing her family’s 5 favorite fall books and activities for kids. Not only are each of these books beautiful and fun to read, but they’re paired with awesome nature-inspired crafts and activities that are guaranteed to keep your kids entertained, active, and learning!

Favorite fall books and activities for outdoor kids

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

Choosing the books

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

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

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

Activity: Acorn characters

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

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

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

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

Activity: Painted rocks

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

Book 3: Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins

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

Activity: Jack-o-lantern volcanoes

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

Book 4: Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland

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

Activity: Fall leaf art project

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

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

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

Book 5: Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

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

Activity: Fall leaf art with crayons

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

Option 1 – melted crayon shaving leaves

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

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

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

Option 2 – leaf rubbings

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

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

Favorite fall books and activities for kids

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

What’s your favorite fall book for kids?

About the author

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

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

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