Playground Tag

We just got back from our local playground. It has four main sections of play equipment with a plethora of slides, monkey bars, bridges, ladders and fireman poles. We invited some friends to come with us so there were seven kids and myself as the… ahem, responsible adult.

My few attempts at being the pretend playground monster quickly turned into an hour long game of tag. Unfortunately I was the one who was “It” the majority of that hour. Those little guys are fast! And I can’t fit through the bars, under the bridges or zip down the slide like I used to.

I believe during that hour of tag I burned more calories than any aerobic exercise that I usually do. The boys didn’t even realize they were exercising. It was amazing to see how we got so lost in our fun.

I realized that I miss that as an adult. The spontaneous play outside. You meet some kid in the park and automatically become best friends and then begin chasing each other full speed around in circles.

Luckily this still exists for children. Playing outside on the playground surrounded by trees, grass and shrubs. It’s essential Nature For Kids and it’s the type of exercise children need. The type that’s not actually called exercise, but play. When did my play turn into exercise?…Deep thoughts by Mystical Batwoman

exercise, playground, tag, playing outside, kids, nature, activities for kids, activities for children

Rock Climbing Tips

Recently Carmen, one of our readers, left a post on the Nature For Kids Forum wanting rock climbing tips for young kids. Here’s what she wrote…

“I just took my kids rock climbing “on the ropes” for the first time. They did great getting up, but were very uncomfortable getting down and I was totally unsuccessful at getting them to rappel. Any advice on teaching this to kids ages 3-5?”

This is a great question Carmen! We had the same problem with our own kids. Preparing a new climber for what to do after they’ve made it to the top of a climb is important and often overlooked. The truth is most people are more afraid of coming down than going up.  After trial and error we now have a safe and easy to understand 5 step system for descending the rock after a climb. We use this system quite often when taking other small children and even adults on climbing trips.

5 Step System For Descending The Rock

Step #1

Before the climber even leaves the ground have them sit in their harness while the belayer holds their weight with the belay device. That way the climber gets used to the feeling of relying on the belayer and hanging from the rope.

Step #2

Have the climber climb up about 3 feet off the ground and once again sit in their harness.  Tell them to put their feet on the rock wall, level with their bum. Then have them open their legs wide like they’re riding a horse. This will give them a good foundation. Have them bend their knees and put their hands out in front of them. Once they’re comfortable with that have them push off the rock and do little hops.  

Now they’re ready to climb. If you forget to do this prior to them climbing you may be spending a lot of time trying to coax them down. Prepare them before hand. It’s not fair for a new climber to be nervous and unknowing at the very top of a climb.

Step #3

Once the climber has reached the top of their climb and they’re ready to come down tighten up the belay some more and tell them to sit in the harness once again just like when they were down on the ground.

Step #4

After they’ve unclung from the rock with a death grip tell them to get into their horse riding position (feet spread wide, level with bum, knees bent) gradually lower them down as they push off from the rock doing little hops.

Step #5

Encourage the climber to have hands out and ready to push off from the rock, in case they begin to roll from one side or the other. More often than not a new climber will feel more comfortable hanging onto the rope. This is okay, but be careful of small overhangs or other outcroppings that climbers can bonk their heads on.

Overall, getting a new climber used to being next to the rock, hanging in their harness and protecting themselves at the same time is the key. If these rock climbing tips aren’t enough and the new climber needs further assurance, explain to them about the climbing equipment they’re using, the anchors, back ups and why they all work so well. 

If you have any further rock climbing tips for Carmen and other readers please leave a comment on this post. Also, dont forget to check out the Nature For Kids Forum every once in a while. It’s starting to become a great resource for everything concerning the outdoors! If you found this post helpful you might also want to check out the Rock Climbing Toddler and Rock Climbing With Kids posts.

rock climbing, nature, kids, climber, climbing, climbing equipment

Outdoor Retailer Show

I’m saddened today by the fact that I just realized I missed the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. The show is closed to the public but next year I’m determined to go hopefully by way of this Nature For Kids blog. I’m part of the press right?

Even though I didn’t get to attend the outdoor retailer show, I did catch up on what new and exciting outdoor equipment weas there. Some that stood out to me that are kid related are listed below. Hope you enjoy!

BornFit

There are heaps and gobs of options when it comes to comfortable athletic wear. If you’re pregnant that’s a different story, however. I think whoever created this line of clothing hates maternity clothes as much as me. Born Fit, based out of Colorado, provides active moms with flattering and comfortable clothing that can be used before and after baby arrives. This is one example of what they carry…the Lindsey Tee.

Might want to try the bandaid over the bellybutton trick though.

Beetle Spork

My kids would flip if they could use this beetle spork on our camping trips. It’s a beetle, a spoon and a fork all in one. It’s sold at Hog Wild toys and gifts for $9.95.

Zigo Bike

Don’t like bike trailers for your little one? Try the zigo bike where your kids can ride up front. It also has detachable stroller and jogger modes. Pretty pricey but provides all around outdoor recreation opportunities.

Kids Wallaroo Hats

This Wallaroo hat called the platypus is just what any little girl would need while exploring nature. It’s a great design that stays put. But it’s also UPF 50+, blocking almost all solar UV rays.

If you’d like to know more about the outdoor retailer show watch these great videos.

outdoor retailer show, outdoor equipment, hat, bike, spork, maternity clothes

Mullein

Part of Nature For Kids is practicing plant recognition. To start off I thought I’d introduce mullein.  

Mullein leaf is the teddy bear of wild plants. It’s not dangerous to animals or humans and its soft and cuddly leaves make it fun to inspect.

Mullein, also known as rabbit ears, has a variety of uses. Native Americans were known to use it as bandages and I’ve read that later early colonists used mullein as padding on the inside of their shoes. It’s also a great alternative to toilet paper.

Mullein has also been known to be a remedy for skin, throat and breathing ailments. At the Mother Hood I found eardrops containing mullein that help clear up the onset of earaches.

See if you and your kids can find mullein when you’re out on your next adventure.

It has a stalk of yellow flowers that shoots out of the center during its blossoming time. It’s common throughout the entire U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia. Share it’s uses with your kids so they can know more about it.

If there are any other plants you’d like to learn about or share leave a comment below at Nature For Kids.
nature, kids, plants, wild plants, native americans, adventure

Slackline

Slacklining…have you heard of it?

Every time we take our kids camping or climbing we seem to come across a slackline party. It’s where you take a long piece of webbing and stretch it between two trees about 2 to 3 feet off the ground. You walk the slackline like a circus performer. It’s a great way for kids to increase their balancing skills and coordination.

I came across a unique website, Natural Fatherhood, that lays out exactly how to create your own slackline. He explains what items are needed and provides a video to see exactly how it’s set up.

This next video gives some great ideas for beginners! The best tip that stood out to me was the additional line up above the slackline that can help provide something to hold on too.

This girl is eight years old!  Check it out!

This would be fun to set up at a campsite, giving you and the kids something to do during some down time. It would also be fun to have in the back yard. I mean every kid is going to try balancing some type of line…better being a slackline barely off the ground than the peak of a barn roof, right.

Have you or your kids had any slackline experience? If so leave a comment here at Nature For Kids.

camping, climbing, balance, coordination, slacklining

Back To School - kids backpacks

Holy smokes I feel like I just did the School Is Out post. Now we’re back to school in a matter of days. I’m sure if your kids are like mine they’ve already grown out of their clothes and shoes from last year. And they may be “too big” for the spider-man/strawberry shortcake backpack you got them last year… “That’s for babies mom”.

Well, I’d like to throw out a suggestion concerning kids backpacks. Rather than buying a new cheap backpack each and every school year, consider buying a quality pack that’s going to last a long time, and that can be used for more than just school.

This is the REI Super Nova Kids Day Pack. It was made to fit kids 5 to 10 years old. It has all the features needed to be used for a hard day at school, but it also has features that make it a great day hiking pack. It has an adjustable waist and sternum strap with an integrated whistle. It also has a hydration compatible design. It has tube ports for placing a hydration reservoir in the pack, allowing the tube to come off either shoulder. The back panel is cushy, comfy and made of a wicking material.  The waist and sternum straps, along with the cushioned back panel will help with all those heavy books and your child’s posture. Its capacity is 650 Cubic Inches, plenty of room for books, sweatshirts and etc. It sales for $29.50

At Target you can get this spider-man backpack for $15.99. It’s probably the type of backpack any kid would pick out. Sure it’s cool but not the best quality. It has adjustable shoulder straps and plenty of pockets but I’ve seen similar backpacks piled on top of each other at thrift stores with broken zippers and detached shoulder straps.

COMPROMISE

When it comes to kids backpacks there is usually a difference in opionion between parent and kids. Any problem can be worked out with a little compromise though. If your child wants the cartoon character backpack and you want a high quality, good posture friendly pack than there’s an easy solution. By the high quality pack and have your child pick out some patches for it.

I found these on eBay ranging from .99 to $4.00. Another idea is to pick up a new patch whenever your kids visit a new place.

We just purchased the REI Super Nova kids pack for our 1st grader. I will let all of you here at Nature For Kids know how he likes it for school and on the trail. Happy back to school shopping!

backpack, kids backpacks, back to school, nature, kids

Sunprint Art

Here’s an easy, clean and magical art project for kids! 

Sunprint Art

Check it out…you take the special solar photographic paper and place an object on it, then you expose it to some sunlight which triggers a chemical reaction. Then you get the paper wet to see your long lasting art appear right before your eyes.

Take your kids out on a walk in nature to collect leaves, grass or other natural items to place on their paper. Have them arrange it on their paper themselves. They’ll be so happy to add some art to your refrigerator! They even look great framed.

Here are some helful hints on how to make the most of your sunprint art.

I found that Kindred Learning carries the sunprint kits and additional paper for the best price. Prices start at as little as $3.95. Check it out at kindredlearning.com

crafts, kids crafts, art project, crafts for kids, nature, kids

Recharge Your Batteries

Does this sound familiar to any of you? …

“Turn that game off and go outside to play”

“Come inside I don’t want you playing in the front yard by yourself”

I think our youth of today are confused.  “Out or in Mom?”

The dangers are on both sides of our front door these days. Violent crimes on our streets and on game consoles is just one example. We as parents have to go to greater lengths to provide safe well rounded recreation time for our kids. That means sometimes preparing an activity, accompanying them on the activity and doing the clean up afterwards. It takes a lot of effort.

The process can become a struggle at times. That’s why it’s important to remind yourselves as a parent why you do it. Why go to the effort of taking your young kids on outdoor trips?

To remind yourself I encourage you to go on an outdoor adventure without your kids. It’s sure to rekindle your love for exploration. Leaving behind the car seats, child carriers and fruit snacks for a short time will allow you to recharge your batteries and rededicate yourself to immersing your kids in the outdoors.

Nature for parents is just as important as Nature For Kids.

My husband and I recently took an outdoor trip, just the two of us. Thanks to loving and supportive family members we were able to leave our three kids in good hands. It was my goal to wander our beautiful state of Utah with every piece of recreation equipment we had. By the end of three days I felt full, content and was bubbling with excitement. Once again I was ready to expose my children to the things we saw and experienced outside.

We rode a single track in the rain, looked over a canyon from the top of a climb, camped near a bubbling brook, relaxed in a hot pot, and stood under a freezing waterfall. Every sense was stimulated and recharged. Who wouldn’t want their kids to experience this?

What have you done as a parent to recharge your batteries? Share your experience by leaving a comment here at Nature For Kids.

outdoor adventure, outside, play, recreation, activities for kids, outdoors

Tent Camping Alternatives

Sick of tent camping yet this summer? But still ready for an outdoor adventure

Here at Nature For Kids I thought I’d throw out some tent camping alternatives. Still have the joy of waking up surrounded by nature but with a little twist.

In a recent post here at Nature For Kids about planning a camping trip  I mentioned the website recreation.gov. It’s a great resource for reserving camp sights of all kinds. What I didn’t mention is that this Includes fire lookouts, yurts and deep-forested cabins as well. 

The rates are fairly inexpensive. The prices I saw range from $20 to $80. Sure it’s not a 5 star hotel, or even a 3 star for that matter, but it’s got a view that even the Hilton clan can’t compete with.

There usually isn’t any electricity or accessible water at these sites but it’s a great way to teach your kids about early settlers and allow them to appreciate what they have…like toilets!

To search for one of these fun sites go to recreation.gov and in the “looking for” section select “cabins and lookouts”. Then select a state. The search results will also give you yurts that are available to rent. There aren’t many options on the eastern portion of the country but the western states are full of places to stay.

I hope you enjoy these tent camping alternatives and take advantage of the rest of your summer!
summer, camping, campsite, kids, nature, outdoor adventure, outdoors, adventure

Flower Child Photos

Throughout July here at Nature For Kids I encouraged all of you to send in flower child photos. In response I got some great photos!  All those who participated will receive a free Nature For Kids logo sticker. Take a look!

Sent in by Jennie / Pictured: Megan near Island Park, Idaho

Sent in by Kris / Pictured: Rosie in SLC, Utah

Sent in by Kris / Pictured: Rosie in SLC, Utah

Thanks for participating everyone! If you’re in the Utah area you might want to check out the Fish Creek/ Scofield area. There are some awesome flower field photo opportunities right off the side of the road. We went up there yesterday and were blown away by the fields of purple.

Directions:

If you’re heading south on Hwy 6 turn off at the rest stop that is about 30 miles from Spanish Fork. Stay on the dirt road that goes up behind the rest stop. This road will take you to the fish creek national recreation trail and then it loops around to Scofield reservoir. You’ll see the purple fields at spots along the way. It’s gorgeous!

If you have flower child photos to share it’s not too late. Send them in to shawna@natureforkids.net and I’ll post them here.

sticker, kids, flowers, children, flower child, photos