Outdoor Activities for Kids – Page 5

Haunted Hikes in Vermont

by Editorial Staff

Connect to Nature this Halloween and maybe the Supernatural too!

If you want to connect to nature this Halloween, and do something spooky at the same time, this is the book for you (but not your little ones).

I have been searching for a topic to cover this Halloween that offers something unique for my readers — something different from the typical “how to use nature to decorate for Halloween” topic. Not that there is anything wrong with that, we enjoy taking Bean and Budder to the pumpkin patch every year, gathering leaves and gourds, creating spider webs and going batty for one of our favorite holidays. However, as true fan of Halloween I really, really enjoy the “supernatural” side of the holiday. Ghosts and goblins intrigue me. I love a good ghost story. Yes, I am a believer…as I’ve had my own experiences with ghosts. In fact, there is one ghost story I tell which is about my first-hand experience with a ghoul that brings tears to my eyes and raises the hair on the back of anyone’s neck who listens.

The thing is, with two children under seven, I can’t go there…yet. We do the basic Halloween stuff, of which ghosts and skeletons are natural part of it. But if there was a real understanding of what those symbols of Halloween really mean, there would be a BIG problem in our house! In other words, they would be sharing the ‘rents bed for the next 10 years. So, in a nutshell, I guess you can say I am ghost deprived.

Haunted Hikes in Vermont: A Book Review

Naturally, I was intrigued when I received the book entitled Haunted Hikes of Vermont to review. It awakened the inner ghost chaser in me. I also thought might offer an interesting way to get older kids involved in nature as it’s not the typical “corny nature activity” and I have had several readers mention they would like to learn more about nature activities for older children. But be warned, some of the haunted hikes covered in the book are not for the feint of heart, and they might even be too scary for high schoolers.

Upon reading the introduction, it was apparent that the author, Tim Simard, did a ton of first-hand research into hikes in Vermont that take you to haunted places. And we aren’t talking graveyards here! We are talking about real hauntings, where people have seen ghosts, heard the sound of a train where no tracks exist and lights flashing in the middle of the woods. It also covers places where there are doors to another dimension, where people have disappeared never to be seen again, and where monsters lurk in lakes. No matter you personally believe, parts of the book are truly creepy. So much so, that even I question whether I want to do any of the hikes, especially at night! In other words, ignorance is bliss and that’s the way I think I prefer it in this case.

The book is well written. Simard divides it into 13 chapters, each covering a different area of the state, beginning in southern Vermont then heading north. Each chapter includes a historical review of the area Haunted Hikes of Vermont including the related ghost stories and legends. If you enjoy a good ghost story, it’s worth reading the book for just that purpose. He also includes descriptions of each trail and directions to it, the level of difficulty, elevation, distance and time it takes to hike it. Additionally, he provides excellent details of each trail, how to access it in winter, and what specifically to look for, like beautiful limestone cliffs, rare and fragile alpine plants, moose, deer and little green men who just disembarked from their UFO.

Throughout the book, I couldn’t determine whether or not Simard believed all the tales he recounted. As he described his experience on there trail, he recounted strange occurrences, but also seemed skeptical of others. In the end I came to the conclusion that no matter what he personally believed, he was certainly more brave than I!

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book, and as a New Englander, found the historical background quite interesting. It covers many of the most beautiful, difficult and breathtaking hikes in Vermont and could easily serve as the prefect trail companion in that respect alone. When you add the creepiness factor, those who like being scared, or are just downright interested in the supernatural, unexplained events, UFO’s and the like will appreciate it.

Since we’re on the topic, does anyone know a good ghost story???

Outdoor Activities for Kids

Birthday Parties With A Natural Twist!

by MCC

There are many options and venues available for celebrating children’s birthdays. To celebrate these special milestones parents are always searching for new and fun ideas for gathering friends, singing “Happy Birthday,” and eating birthday cake. Often the choices are indoor venues like the local kiddie gym, a movie, or bowling. It’s easy to end up debating ideas for weeks. There’s mini golf, a party at a toy store, a dance class for friends and more.

Rather than those option, you might consider doing something outside. Check out where there are local nature centers, zoos, and farms that welcome birthday parties. Local Audubon Nature Centers offers programs for children throughout the spring. You might be surprised by your child’s enthusiasm if you offer the opportunity to take friends to the nature center to look for frogs, salamanders and bugs in a vernal pool. Your child many jump at the chance to be outside getting dirty and touching bugs and slimy things for her birthday. Being outside exploring gives childen a great deal of pleasure.

You may even find that the parents of your child’s friends will join right in and dig through the leaves and catch critters in their own nets right along with them. This is certainly more fun than standing around watching kids run around.

Here are photos of some of the neat critters that can be found while investigating venral pools (credit: the Vernal Pool Association):

Wood frog

Isopod

Finger clam

Don’t be surprised when the party come to and end if your chil gives you a big hug and tells you that it was one of the best parties they have ever had. When I did this for my daughter she said ‘Mommy, I love you so much! Thanks for planning the best party ever for me.” It’s a really great feeling when that happens.

When planning you child’s birthday party, I encourage you to consider alternatives to the norm. Research your local area to find opportunites for outdoor celebrating. You might be surprised by what you find. Not only will it be fun, but it will be memorable for everyone and a great learning experience for the kids.

Insects

Rainy days and worms!

by MCC

This is my first post ever on a blog. I am feeling the weight of the impact of those first few words. What do I say? Will people be interested? As I sit and stare at the screen I realize I should just type what is on my mind. So here I go!

My children are on my mind….as they are almost every moment of every day. However, in regard to the topic of this blog, I am thinking about how I am going to do something outside with them today. It’s a rainy, cold, damp and dreary day and the last thing I want to do is go outside. I opened the door to feel how cold it is and my son came toddling over, fighting to get through my legs to the outside. I shivered, kept him trapped behind my legs and closed the door. He screamed and stood pounding at the door obviously wanting to go outside. Then my young daughter said, “Hey, Mom! Can we go outside?” It was then that I realized children do not care much about the weather. They just want to be outside exploring as much as possible.

I had planned to begin this blog months ago in the summer, when the weather was nice and warm and there was plenty to do outside and thus, plenty of fodder for the blog. Today, I realized that parents are even more challenged to take their kids outside on days like today. During the cold months, when it gets dark early and you are not much motivated to root around in the yard, it it is hard to spend time in nature. It is during these months that taking your kids outside is the most important because they spend much of their day inside at school, at playgroup, during recess, etc. I also realized that if I am going to be true to my blog readers, I am going to have to press on even when I really would rather sit inside and read books.

My goal is to take my children outside every day. Even with the best intentions I do not make it outside every single day, but I definitely notice a difference in their behavior on the days it does not work out. They are rambunctious and get into trouble. Whenever this happens I think, “tomorrow we are definitely going outside.” I will strive to share our outdoor activities as often as possible to help give you ideas for taking your children outside and to help you connect them to nature!

So today we are heading outside into the damp, wet weather to reconnect with nature and we are going to look around the yard for worms. Yes, you read correctly, worms. In wet cooler weather, earthworms are close to the surface of the soil. Today is an ideal day for hunting worms, as it is lightly drizzling rain (if it’s sunny where you live you can find them by sprinkling the soil with water and digging down into the dirt — an activity kids especially enjoy). As you walk around the yard they begin to pop up onto the surface. Whether or not kids like to touch worms, they are always mesmerized by them. Once you find some you can study them and talk about their color, size, shape and how they feel. You can explain that they play an important role in nature because they assure that trees and flowers grow by helping to keep the soil healthy.

Earthworms tunnel through the soil like a plow by moving stones and creating air pockets. This keeps the soil from getting compacted and allows the roots of trees and plants room to grow. Not only that, they eat rotten leaves and other matter and their poop (what kid doesn’t like to talk about poop!), called castings, contains nutrients that plants and trees need for healthy growth. You can ask your children what their bodies need to help them grow. You can also explain that worms are food for many creatures, especially birds. You can watch Robins in particular hunt for worms. You often see them running across lawns listening and looking for earthworms in the ground. After explaining all this, before you know it at least 30 minutes will have passed. You will head back inside and everyone will feel good about being outside for a little while.

Well, there you have it. My first tip on getting your kids outside. I pictured in my mind a more glamorous beginning for my blog. After all, there are certainly more glamorous topics about nature. But, in the end, this blog is about how to enjoy and discover nature in simple ways. The ways in which children most enjoy it!

Now get outside and enjoy worm hunting!

Outdoor Activities for Kids

Your kids didn’t go outside today? What’s your excuse?

by MCC

Another winter day has passed. Did your kids spend it hanging around in the house after school watching television or sitting in front of the computer? I have heard the excuses from my kids — “it’s cold, it’s yucky out, I don’t feel like it” and one of my all time favorites….”it’s boring!” Why is it so hard to get kids outside these days? Sometimes I get tired of pushing them out the door and feel like giving in and letting them hang around inside. And it’s true, winter weather makes it hard to go outside to play. It’s so much easier to be outside when the sun warms your face and you don’t have to bundle up.

Really, when it comes down to it though, why is getting kids outside such a challenge? Sometimes I find it strange that I even write a blog about the topic. Shouldn’t it just come naturally? When I was growing up, it was just what my friends and I did. When we arrived home from school, we went outside. Our mothers and fathers didn’t have concerns about us being overweight due to lack of exercise, not getting enough vitamin D, having our intelligence suffer from too much television and time on computers. When did it become so difficult that there is a need for numerous web sites devoted to the topic of enjoying nature and the outdoors?

I know the adult excuses — we’re too busy, there’s too much homework, not enough time in the day, it’s dark too early, etc., etc. etc. Are parents so busy that we can’t spare 20-30 minutes to take our kids outside or make them out go out (if they are old enough) while we get things done around the house even though we know it is so beneficial to them?

Let’s all make it a goal for 2019 to spend more time in nature. It can be done relatively easy if done with baby steps. Here are some good examples:

1. Encourage children walk to school or the bus stop three days per week. Or, reverse it and make it for the walk home. There is an international effort to promote this cause: iwalktoschool.org.
2. Ask your kids to help you take out the garbage or recyclables out to the currb and stop along the way to look at the night sky or make footprints in the snow.
3. Purchase a birdfeeder and start feeding the birds. Have them help you fill it with seed periodically. The National Audubon Society can help you learn how.
4. Go to a book store and look for interesting books to learn about nature. Your children might enjoy a wildlife or bird identification book, activity books or gardening books. Then use the books to do an activity a couple of times per week.
5. Go outside and locate a place to plant a flower or vegetable garden once Spring arrives. Over the next month or two you and your children can decide what you want grow and how you will plant your garden.

Once you accomplish your goal, you can increase your outdoor time little by little. Allow your kids to use their imagination to help figure out what they can do outside. Eventually, going outside will become easier, part of your daily ritual and everyone will have fun!

I invite you to post ideas on simple things you do to encourage your children to spend time outside. You ideas will help all of us reach our goal. Thank you!

Fishing with Kids

Take Advantage of Free Fishing Days During National Fishing…

by Editorial Staff

A great way to involve kids in the outdoors is to take them fishing. I think most parents remember the thrill of catching their first fish. Why not give your children the same opportunity to experience the excitement of feeling the tug of a fish at the end of their line?

Fortunately, taking a kid fishing does not have to be complicated. All you need is a simple fishing pole, line, hook and a worm. And in the month of June, in many states, you won’t even need a fishing license! The week of June 6-14 is National Fishing and Boating Week, and during that time state fish and wildlife agencies allow the general public to fish for free! You can find all the information you need to plan a fishing trip at TakeMeFishing.org. It is packed with information on equipment for kids, how to teach kids to fish, where to go and includes information on what states offer free fishing days.

Create new memories with your children and spend a morning at a local pond, lake, stream or beach. You’ll be glad you did and so will they!

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