Summertime is here, which means one thing (at least to a former teacher): summer vacation! While we tend to plan all the things we want to do or see at our vacation destination, what about the journey to get to that destination? I grew up in a military family, so our vacations usually consisted of long road trips across the country to visit family. I remember watching my parents pore over maps ...
One of the biggest challenges of hiking with a soft-structured carrier (SSC) is the lack of storage space for all the hiking supplies you think you may need. And when you have a kiddo not yet potty-trained, along with the usual supplies like water, snacks, cell phone, First Aid kit and that favorite toy that just couldn’t be left behind, you need to carry extra supplies like diapers, wipe...
Last year, Mark and Mason went on a father/son trip in search of epic hot springs. Over the course of a week, they visited four hot springs in Oregon. It was nice to have a break from parenting, but the jealousy I had from their amazing pictures made me realize how I never would have thought to go on a hot springs tour with Mason. (His dad is the creative one when it comes to thinking of big ad...
Last November, my family decided to spend the winter in the desert. Being born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, this seemed like a strange move to all of our friends because who doesn’t love the lush green deep forests and forever falling waterfalls of Oregon and Washington. But I was feeling soggy and tired of the grey. And I wasn’t hiking as much as I wanted. So we went south for the wint...
Recently, I've started to notice that my body doesn’t quite recover as quickly as it used to after a long hike. At first I figured it had to do with the fact that I usually had my growing son in tow in my back carrier, but then I realized I felt the soreness and tight muscles on my adult-only hikes as well. I concluded that I had to face the fact that I am getting older and my body needs some e...
Spring brings new life all around, and there are plenty of books you can read to help get some ideas about your own backyard garden! Now the next time your kids ask questions about how gardens grow, there will be a list of books you can share together - six gardening books for kids.
Backyard Heroes by Rufus Bellamy
Have you ever wondered what the squirrels or spiders hanging out in your backyar...
Looking for that perfect hike in Wisconsin for young children? Whether you’re new to hiking with your baby or toddler, or you’re looking for a new trail to explore, the Hike it Baby community is a valuable resource for finding family hiking trails around the country. In this article, our community shares three beautiful hikes in Wisconsin to explore with babies and young children.
Pheasant Bran...
Whether it’s a window box or a large backyard plot, planting a garden with your kids is a wonderful way to bring nature into your daily lives. It’s also a great way to mix in fun and meaningful educational experiences while spending time outdoors together. In this guest post, Imagine Childhood shares simple garden activities for kids -- along with a list of their favorite sturdy tools and garde...
So you’ve decided you want to share your love of the outdoors with others, but how do you encourage people to hike with you? Or maybe you have hosted some hikes where no one showed up and are losing motivation to continue to host. Many of us have been there before, and it’s not a good feeling. However, before you throw in the towel, check out these tips and tricks for encouraging others to join...
Whether you’re new to hiking with your baby or toddler, or you’re looking for a new trail to explore, the Hike it Baby community is a valuable resource for finding family hiking trails around the country. In this article, we share three beautiful hikes in Oregon to explore with babies and young children.
Hiking with young children (under 5 years old) is different from hiking with school-age ch...
