Activities – Page 3 – Kids Discover Nature

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.

Fish

Nature Activity: Enjoy a River Walk Together

by Jodi Valenta

Yesterday was a busy day, but I was determined to find time to take a nature break. I decided to stop by our park to let the kids play in the river. When we arrived my daughter said, “why are we here? This is boring.” I said, “Well, we have some time to spare so let’s walk down to the river to see what we can find.”

There is bound to be a river stream in your area that allows public access. If you are not sure where that might be, contact your park and recreation department and ask. Spending time by a river, stream, or even a pond is not only fun and refreshing but educational too!

Supplies You Will Need

Rubber-soled shoes to prevent slipping on rocks and to protect feet
Sunscreen
Hat
Clothing appropriate for the weather and activity
Insect repellent

What to Do

Encourage your kids to explore the bank by looking at the rocks, critters, vegetation, etc.
Throw stones a safe distance from others
Watch sticks and leaves flown downstream in the current

The Challenge

Who can find a fish, frog, crayfish, etc.?
Who can name the critter?
Race sticks or leaves downstream
Build a dam with rocks and mud

Great Ideas

Bring along critter nets and a pail for collecting
Discuss currents and eddies as they watch their sticks, etc. float downstream
Discuss the difference between fresh and saltwater
Teach how and where rivers begin and where they flow
Discuss the ecology of the stream and food chains

Additional Tips

Take the back seat and allow the children to explore on their own
Remember to return critters to there home before leaving
Encourage gentleness when handling critters

Safety Tip

Children should wear personal safety devices if the water is deep
Never allow them to drink the water
Never allow them to walk barefoot, rocks can be sharp and you never know what is on the bottom (glass, rusting metal).

Benefits to Your Children
Encourages exercise, relaxation, and exploration. Provides the opportunity for lessons in water flow, natural history, and ecology.

Helpful Links

Learn more about rivers at American Rivers.
Learn about our country’s wild and scenic rivers.
Find fun activities for river play at TLC Family

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

Camping with kids

Must-Haves to Make Overnight Camping in the Backyard Fun

by Jodi Valenta

I Can Feel It in the Air
I don’t know about you, but this time of year gets me thinking about s’mores and cozy sleeping bags. When the end-of-summer evenings begin to turn cool and there is a crisp feeling in the air, your backyard is the perfect place to camp and enjoy the weather. Why go to all the trouble of packing up and leaving home when you can have your own camping fun right in the backyard? No crowds, no park fees to pay, no hours to drive — just grab your stuff and make your backyard campsite your family’s new favorite place to be. To help you prepare for your evenings in the backyard, this is the first of a series of posts to help you get organized and stay safe with a very special post at the end about night critters

Can Camping in the Backyard Really be Fun?

Sure, it can! The nice thing about camping in the backyard is that you only need to worry about the essentials. It will take time to prepare everything, but having these items on-hand at the site will prevent you from having to trek back and forth dozens of times between the campsite and the house. The key to a successful and fun backyard camping with kids is to make sure they are comfortable, safe and have things to do to keep them busy. To be sure everyone has an enjoyable experience I developed the following checklist:

Essential Family Backyard Camping Checklist:

For comfort

Tent (or blanket, tarp, bed sheet or sheet of plastic draped over a clothesline or tree branch, with corners held down by stakes or rocks)
Sleeping bag (or a sheet and blankets or comforter)
Sleeping pad (or air mattress, old comforter or blanket) to keep out the chill from the ground
Pillows
Camp chairs or something to sit upon
Table or blanket for eating and game playing outside
Clothing – several layers, which can be removed or added depending on the weather
Hats – use your judgment on the type based on the weather
Insect repellent
Flashlight (with extra batteries) for trips to the bathroom, easing night time fears and reading – one for each child to prevent arguments.

For meals

Full drinking bottles
Munchies and/or food you can cook if you have a campfire (i.e. marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bars for s’mores)
Long, sturdy sticks for cooking over the camp fire (i.e. s’mores, hot dogs)
Cooking and eating utensils
Pocket knife
Napkins and paper or dish towels
Water (in a jug or cooler)
Plates and cups
Matches
Trash bag

For fun

Games, books, playing cards, crayons, paper
Identification guides (field guide to animals, insects, birds, trees, stars, etc.)
Items for nature exploration (magnifying glass, binoculars, journal, etc.)
Camera
Musical instruments and song books

If you know of something your family can’t be without when camping in the yard, please add to my list via the comments below. We would all like to hear your great ideas!

Please check back on Monday for tips on how to stay safe when camping in the backyard.

Activities

Nature Activity of the Week – Nature Cards

by Editorial Staff

For our nature activity this week, we’ll be creating Nature Cards. These are easy to make and work for children as young as 18 months. Thanks to Fiona Danks and Jo Scofield authors of the book Nature’s Playground (one of my favorites) for the idea.

Supplies You Will Need

Cardboard cards (white works best)
Double-sided tape

What to Do

Cut the stiff cardboard into small squares or rectangles
Cover one side with the double-sided tape, leaving the tape protector on the exposed side
Head outside to look for tiny natural items like flowers, leaves, grass, sticks, etc.
Remove the top tape protector
Stick found natural treasures to the cards to create beautiful mini mosaics

The Challenge

Collect as many different colors as possible.
Create patterns or pictures.
Cover the entire card.

Great Ideas

Use the little creations for greeting cards
Frame them to create pictures
Cover them with sticky-backed plastic to make bookmarks

Additional Tips

Take the back seat and allow the children to work on their own
Tell them not to collect the whole flower, and be careful to use commonly found species

Safety Tip
Direct the children away from poisonous or stinging plants.

Benefits to Your Children
Encourages exercise and concentration and promotes imagination and creativity.

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Hiking with Kids: What to Pack?

Nature Activity: Enjoy a River Walk Together

Hiking with Kids: Where to Go

Must-Haves to Make Overnight Camping in the Backyard Fun

Nature Activity of the Week – Nature Cards

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