Editorial Staff – Kids Discover Nature

Invite Wildlife to Your Yard – Wildflowers

by Editorial Staff

It’s easy to attract wildlife to your yard. In return you will enjoy many hours of entertainment and your children will enjoy the process. This week I am going to focus on wildflowers and why they are good for your kids, your backyard and wildlife!

Often ornamental flowers are chosen in lieu of wildflowers because they are more showy, bloom for longer periods and there are many more varieties and colors available. However, in many cases they require intense care which includes chemical fertilizers, pesticides, constant watering and time. Natives are a nice choice because they require little care once they take root and are beneficial to wildlife. An added benefit it that you avoid adding unneeded chemicals into the ground, which pose a danger to your family, your pets, and wildlife. Additionally, some natives are deer proof, which means you won’t have to battle them eating your buds anymore. You can check with your state’s cooperative extension service to obtain a list of recommended plants.

Early spring is a good time to plant wildflowers. You can also start them inside as early as January. Here is a great link to help you get started.

Including your kids in the process will be great fun for them and you and will provide a nice learning experience. The National Gardening Association has an entire website dedicated to the topic called Kidsgardening.org and instructions on how to plant a wildflower garden. The instructions are geared to teachers in a classroom setting, but they can be easily adapted to your needs.

Once your garden grows and the flowers bloom, you will notice many creature taking advantage of them. Butterflies, honey bees, hummingbirds, and moths will be the most obvious. And you don’t have to just stick to planting native flowers. There are many beautiful shrubs and trees that support a healthy backyard habitat. Because you are providing food, cover, nesting places and an overall healthier environment, you and your family will be rewarded when you spy rabbits, frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, bats and more in your yard.

PS – You may wonder why dandelions were chosen for featured photo in a story about wildflowers. Well, poor dandelions have a bad rap. They are actually wildflowers not weeds and many species of butterflies use them to lay eggs. So before you yank them out or mow them down, consider saving a section of them in your yard.

Birds

5 Resources to Attract Wildlife to Your Yard

by Editorial Staff

Spring is around the corner! Now is the time to start planning for when you and your kids will be outside enjoying fun in the yard. Families will be again be spending a lot of time in their own yard this spring, so it’s the perfect opportunity to increase engagement with wildlife, insects, birds, frogs, and many other critters. There are 100’s of strategies you can employ to attract interesting critters to your yard and there is a plethora of information available to help you do it. Your effort will be rewarding by not only hours of enjoyment outside but will provide an easily accessible opportunity to connect your kids to wildlife and teach them about nature

Below are several resources that provide helpful ideas and instructions on how to plan your yard and gardens. It is important to plan ahead and choose plants, shrubs, and other installations that work well for attracting wildlife.

Your state wildlife agency website. You will find guidance on appropriate trees, shrubs, and plants. You can find list of the different species of wildlife that live in your area.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Habitat Program provides tons of great information on how to attract wildlife whether you “have an apartment balcony or 20-acre farm.” You can even qualify to become a certified wildlife habitat.
The Natural Resource Conservation Service provides basic planning and a helpful list specific plants and trees to plant specifically to attract birds.
The American Horticultural Society provides a to state master gardener associations. The state associations maintain a list of master gardeners and can provide contact information to those who do business in your area. A master gardener is a specialist and thoroughly trained to help you design, plan and install a garden. Many have a special interest in being ecologically sensitive and are trained accordingly.
The National Audubon Society has resources dedicated to helping you design a bird-friendly yard. Its website provides advice and how-to tips on using native plants to attract wildlife, with a special emphasis on birds, of course!

Now is a great time to do some research, put a pencil to paper and start planning. Getting your kids involved at the planning stage is a great way to engage them and teach the process. Plus, they will have some terrific ideas on what they would like to see in the yard.

If you have helpful resources you would like to share, please share in the comments.

Hiking

Hiking with Kids: What to Pack?

by Editorial Staff

* This is the second in a series of posts about hiking with children. See the first “Where to Go” here.

So, you decided on a place to take your children hiking. The next question inevitably is “what to pack?” It might seem like a daunting task, but the key is to keep it simple. There are basic necessities you will need to bring along no matter the place or the distance. If you keep a list, you will always remember the basics and can add to them depending on where you are going and how long you will be gone.

Here is a list of the basics:
1) Map, compass and or GPS (purists would ditch the GPS).
2) Food – you will need a few snacks along the way. Make sure they are healthy and have protein and carbs. The classic GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) is always a favorite with my family. You can use dried fruit, soybeans, chocolate chips, seeds, granola or whatever your imagination conjures up that day.
3) Drink – water is best!
4) Sunblock
5) Hat, visor or sunglasses
6) Some extra clothes such as a sweat shirt, etc. if you will be gone a while. It is also wise to dress in layers if it is cool.
7) Basic first aid items/kit
8) Most importantly wear the correct shoes! A pair with sturdy soles that cover the entire foot such as sneakers or trail shoes are best. If you will be climbing rugged surfaces, hiking boots are a necessity (and make sure they fit properly).

Encourage your kids to carry their own stuff in a backpack if they are old enough. This will allow them to have control over when they need something from it. There is nothing more annoying for a kid (and the parent) then to have to constantly ask mom and dad for something. Plus, you can encourage them to pack a few items of their own to make the hike more interesting such as a collection bag, camera or magnifying glass. However, it would be wise to limit these items so you don’t end up carrying the bag if it gets to heavy for the child.

And there you have it! Now you have the quintessential list for summer hiking fun and just in time to take advantage National Park Service’s next fee-free weekend! The next one is scheduled for August 15-16, 2015. The Park Service is offering access to over 100 national parks that normally charge a fee. What a wonderful way for your kids to learn and appreciate the natural landscape of out country. It’s also a great way to have memorable family fun and save some money at the same time.

So now you know where you are going and you have your check list of what to pack. Now you just need some ideas on how to handle the inevitable ” I’m bored, when will we be done, etc.” comments. My next post will include some fun activities and tips on how you can keep kids motivated during the hike.

Hiking

Hiking with Kids: Where to Go

by Editorial Staff

Note: This is the first in a series of posts about hiking with children.

Hiking is a great way to introduce children to nature. Not only do the outdoors stimulate all the senses, it is great exercise (for grown ups too!). Going for a hike does not have to be a complicated activity, in fact, you and your kids can derive pleasure from just a simple walk in the woods. Go with your instincts and choose a place you think they will like. Try to think about it from their perspective – their sense of exploration and adventure.

The first “step” is to consider what places or trails are available to you. It might be a nearby park or forest, or maybe even a beach for nature center. The key is to choose a place that is easily accessible and nearby. You don’t want them to get bored on the way, nor do you want them to have trouble getting to the place where you plan to hike. Most importantly, be sure to involve them in the planning!

Hiking with kids always requires good planning. Below are some basic things to keep in mind as you decide where to go:
1) Consider their age – If your children are small enough, you can carry them in a specially designed backpack. If they are older, here are some pacing rules of thumb for children of varying ages (borrowed from Pine Mountain Trail Association): Children 2 to 4 years old can hike ½ to 2 miles on their own. They should stop every 10 to 15 minutes to rest. Children ages 5 to 7 can hike for 1 to 3 hours each day, covering 3 to 4 miles over easy terrain. Rest stops should come every 30 to 45 minutes. Eight and 9-year-olds can hike a full day at an easy pace, covering 5 to 6 miles over variable terrain.
2) Choose a place with varied terrain – For example, varied habitats, such as an area that changes from woods to meadows, are more interesting for kids than a flat field.
3) Don’t think too big – Do not expect to scale Mount Washington! Choose a place that is attainable so they (and you!) do not get discouraged. Climb a small hill or hike to a stream or pond.
4) Have a goal in mind – The top of that hill or the bank of the stream or pond are all great targets. It gives children something to think about on the way and they will look forward to it. Plus, they will feel a sense of reward when they reach their goal.
5) Make it challenging – Kids love to jump over streams, climb rocks and weave between trees. Find a place that offers challenges and you will not hear many complaints about boredom.
6) Make your hike into more than just a walk, make it and expedition. Plan to stop and look at things along the way, like a great view or a field of flowers. Point out interesting creatures and ask them questions about what they see.
7) Flexibility is key – Keep in mind that things may not go as planned. Your child may get tired sooner than you expect and many need to stop for a longer rest or an early lunch. They will also undoubtedly want to stop and investigate as they go.

If you take the time to plan before setting out, you will be prepared and your children will know what to expect. Good planning equals great times!

Be sure to check back for the next post in the series of Hiking with Kids. I will cover tips on what equipment and supplies to pack. Also, please comment and add any tips you have that I have not covered. Learning from others helps everyone!

Photo: FAMILY HIKING
© Rahela | Dreamstime.com

Tags: hiking, children, Mount Washington, terrain, backpack, Pine Mountain Trail Association, children, kids, nature

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Invite Wildlife to Your Yard – Wildflowers

5 Resources to Attract Wildlife to Your Yard

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Hiking with Kids: What to Pack?

Hiking with Kids: Where to Go

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