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Getting Families Outside, One Adventure at a Time

winter activities for kids

ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, BEACH, CAMP, FISH, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY, WINTER
Winter Crabbing with Kids
- February 10, 2021
If you’re anywhere close to the coast and interested in a fun outdoor activity that will not only provide hours of entertainment, but also provide dinner, we’ve got a post for you! Today, Creative Team member and California mom of three, Araceli Gonzalez takes on a winter crabbing with kids adventure. She walks us through everything you need to know to get started winter crabbing with kids, what to bring and how to catch them! Enjoy (with butter)!

Winter crabbing with kids

Are you looking for a fun winter activity to do with your kids beachside? Are your kids into catching dinner? Let’s go CRABBING! Because there’s nothing quite as amazing as fresh crab with a side of BUTTER, right? Yes, please!

One of our favorite winter activities is crabbing along the California Coast. Crabbing is a fun and easy activity for the entire family. It’s a great way to get outside and catch some dinner while burning some energy, enjoying the fresh air, and taking in the scenery of the glorious coast. Going on a winter crab hunt makes for a fun day trip or a weekend camping adventure. We oftentimes crab hunt while camping and there is nothing like taking a bucket of crab back to our campsite, cooking it up over an open fire pit and enjoying it dipped in warm butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon!

I am no expert on crabbing, but will do my best to walk you through the basics!

Crabbing license & regulations

We live in California and the most abundant crab around here is the Dungeness crab. Crabbing is popular along the Bay and up and down the Coast. While it may sound simple enough to go out and catch dinner, it’s important to understand local laws and regulations as they can change from year to year.

Before you venture out, make sure you read up on your local licensing requirements and understand the rules and regulations governing crabbing. In California, recreational crabbing season runs from November through about July. There are typically daily bag requirements as well as minimum size limits for the crabs you can catch and keep.

We kick off the season in early November and enjoy it throughout the winter months. Seasons and regulations vary by state and can change from year to year. Recreating responsibly should always be top of mind so that we can all continue to enjoy these wild and gorgeous places.

More regarding licensing requirements can be found at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife home page.

Crabbing equipment & supplies
Although my husband is the real subject matter expert, I managed to pick his brain to bring you some of the basics and methods we use when crabbing. Here are some basic supplies that you’ll need to get started crabbing:
- gloves
- ice chest
- traps
- bait
- bait holder
- crab measuring device
- bait ties
- crabbing license
How to catch crabs with a snare

There are several ways to prepare for the big catch. We enjoy crabbing right from shore with snares and a fishing rod. It’s a simple method that requires the least amount of equipment. To crab right from the shoreline all you need is a fishing rod and a snare to attach to the end.

A snare is a trap that tangles up the crab. It is a small bait box with loops of monofilament attached to it. Fill the snare with bait and toss it as far as possible from shore. Once you catch the crab it’s important to follow local regulations pertaining to the size of the crab and whether it’s large enough to keep. Measure the crab and if it does not meet size requirements release them back into the ocean.

My son helped this little guy right back into the ocean.
Rod holders help prop up the fishing rod while you wait for the big catch. Our boy sitting by the ocean and waiting for the bite…

Catching crab using crab pots

Now let’s talk crab pots. How do they work? Crab pots are larger and if you’re lucky, you can catch a lot more crab in one catch. Crab are lured into crab pots with bait. They walk directly into the large cages through openings that they can enter and once inside they cannot escape. There are several ways to tie the bait to the inside of cages and lots of different things you can use as crab bait.

Our go-to crab bait is usually squid, anchovies, and chicken. Once you open the cage it’s important to measure all your crab and only keep those that meet the size requirement. We carry a measuring tool that we use to determine which ones we can keep and the kids release the ones that are too small back into the ocean.

How to handle crab

Don’t get pinched! Safety always comes first when handling crab – both your safety and the safety of the crab. Crab handling is important and using caution can spare you from a pretty painful pinch. Once you have a good grip on the center of the crab, you can pick the crab up without getting pinched. Hold them firmly, but not so hard it damages the shell. Wearing gloves is the safest option. Here my husband helped secure the crab for this photo very carefully. He was pretty excited about his catch!

Benefits of crabbing

Crabbing requires patience, persistence, and has a meditative effect on kids and adults alike. Just like fishing, crabbing is great for our mental health because you’re spending time outside, surrounded by nature, water, and sand. We love exposing our kids to outdoor activities that reduce stress and anxiety. We treasure these moments away from all the noise and crabbing together is a great way to relax as a family. It’s also a great way for kids to know, respect, and appreciate where their food comes from. It connects them to our planet and makes them want to protect it for themselves and the animals that share it with us.

Sometimes a day trip is all you need to really enjoy the relaxing benefits of crabbing. While it may seem like a lot of work (as is almost any outdoor adventure with kids), a day trip to our favorite crabbing spot is always worth it. When a long camping trip isn’t possible for us, we make the most of day trips, so we can still enjoy our favorite activities. Sometimes we’ll wake up at 6 am, pack a lunch, make breakfast burritos for the road, and head to the beach. We arrive early and enjoy an entire day of crabbing and playing at the beach.

A winter tradition for the entire family

There are so many benefits in finding activities that the entire family can enjoy. Crabbing has become a tradition for our family and we look forward to crab season every winter. It means more beach adventure in the cold months when swimming and surfing aren’t an option. It’s also a healthy way for all of us to get outside, get some fresh air and Vitamin D (and Vitamin Sea). Just spending time near the water is often the cure for those winter blues.

And the opportunities for play for the kids are endless near the beach. Not everyone has to participate in the crabbing, there’s always plenty of other things to do. Digging sand holes, running through sand dunes, and simply enjoying our time together as a family. It is a great winter activity that will leave your family with countless memories for years to come.

I hope to see you out on the coast!

Have you ever caught a crab?

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: Araceli
FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SKI/SNOW, WINTER
48 Hours in Banff National Park with Kids
- March 7, 2018
Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest national park, comprised of 6,641 square kilometers of unparalleled mountain scenery nestled in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies. Banff is home to world-class skiing and snowboarding, the emerald waters of Lake Louise and the breath-taking towering jagged peaks lining the Icefields Parkway. Today we are thrilled to have local mom and outdoor adventurist, Krista, here to take us on a 48 adventure through Banff National Park, with her 4 year-old in tow. Krista is sharing all the details on where to stay, what to do and where to eat while you’re in Banff for an epic outdoor winter weekend family adventure.

Welcome to Banff

My family an I are lucky to live within driving distance to the Canadian Rockies. To recharge our batteries after a busy January, we decided to take a quick road trip to Banff National Park for the weekend. One might think we are crazy to plan an outdoor adventure during the coldest time of the year, but there’s something to be said about freshly fallen snow and frozen lakes. If you haven’t experienced it, I highly recommend you give it a try. And when you have a 4 year old adventure seeker, outside (even during the winter) is the best place to be.

Where to stay

Typically, on a quick weekend getaway we stay at a hotel in the area. We are regulars at the Banff Park Lodge, as it suits our needs quite well. The hotel is located smack dab in the center of town, but is still surrounded by nature. Often you can see elk randomly crossing the street in the middle of town! By staying here, we are able to walk to restaurants, trails and even a market without our kiddo getting too tired. However, if you’re looking to stay longer or want other accommodations, there are a ton of amazing cottages and condo style accommodations available in the area and around the park.

Winter Activities

While we love the area year-round, both the town of Banff and the park are absolutely glorious during the winter. Skiing is the main attraction, but there’s so much more to do in Banff than just heading down the slopes of the Rockies. Travelers come from around the globe to meander the snow-covered, shop-lined streets, nestle into the world famous hotel or overlook the infamous view from Chateau Lake Louise. Families can also indulge in unique winter activities such as dog sledging, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or a game of curling. The drive along the world-renowned Icefields Parkway towards Jasper is absolutely breathtaking. And the experience of standing on the ancient Athabasca Glacier is well worth the trip.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is by far our favorite place to visit in the entire province of Alberta, no matter what season! The lake is about a 45 minute drive from Banff, so we turn on our favorite playlist and before we know it, we’re there! The views and photo ops at Lake Louise are unparalleled, year-round. During the winter, the lake is frozen solid. This means there are people skating, playing hockey and even snowshoeing. It’s spectacular! Whether you’re a skating pro or first-timer, it doesn’t get much more Canadian than skating on a natural lake rink in a national park beside an ice castle! Skate rentals are available and a large section of the lake is serviced by a makeshift Zamboni that helps smooth out the surface. To warm up, just head inside the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and enjoy a rich steamy hot chocolate.

Banff Gondola

Located just minutes from town center the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain is a must with kids. After purchasing tickets, kids receive a Junior Explorer booklet so they can do a little scavenger hunt when they arrive at the top of the mountain. The ride up the mountain is so much fun! For those that are not a fan of heights, beware; it will make your heart race! However, the ride is only about 8 minutes long. At the peak (an elevation of 2,281m or 7,486 ft), you’ll enjoy an incredible vista of six mountain ranges.

At the top of the gondola, there’s lots to do. There’s a little cafe called the Sky Bistro, which offers up top notch food with spectacular views (definitely worth a splurge). However, be advised that is often closed for a few weeks in January for annual maintenance, so check before you head out. Also, there’s a hike to Sanson’s Peak (which we haven’t done yet as it has always been too slippery) and an interpretation center. The center has interactive games and a cinema room where you can watch bears and other wildlife up close in their habitat. Prepare to spend at least a morning or afternoon here. For more information and pricing check out the Banff Gondola website.

Banff Red Chair Movement

Another favorite family activity is finding the red chairs. Adorable red Adirondack chairs are located in several popular hot spots around the picturesque town. Some chairs are easy to find and others will have you exploring — around the forest, on top of a ski hill and at the mouth of a large glacial lake. There is a map to print off to help you find the locations of all the chairs. We’ve had some good luck over our last few visits but still haven’t managed to find them all…yet! Make sure you take a selfie once you find the chairs and share it with Parks Canada by using the hashtag #sharethechair.

Kid-friendly eateries

Beaver Tails – Indulge in a decadent piece of fried dough smothered in Nutella. YUM. And if you are feeling extra hungry, be sure to try their poutine!

Eddie Burger & Bar – A small restaurant and usually pretty busy, but well worth the wait! They have a variety of menu items that will entice even the pickiest of eaters.

Boston Pizza – A chain pizza joint that offers both eat in and take-out options. Lots of menu choices and a big hit with our kiddo!

Hope you enjoyed exploring some of what Banff National Park has to offer families!
If you’ve been to Banff, we’d love to hear what your family favorites are – leave a comment below.

Hi, I’m Krista! A 30-something, coffee-drinking mama of one kiddo (4) and wife to an amazing guy. We live in Alberta (yes, the Winters are freezing) and have the Canadian Rockies as our playground. I can plan an epic road trip – complete with a playlist – at the drop of a hat, just don’t ask me to get crafty!