OutGrown Blog

Cooler, wet temperatures and shorter days tend to keep families indoors during this time of year. It’s a lot of work to bundle the kids up to go hiking in the rain and cold. And less hours of sunlight makes it harder to find time with busy schedules to intentionally get out and play. But you don’t have to let these obstacles stop you from getting out with your kids … they need the fresh air and big open spaces just as much as they do any other time of year. Some of my kids' best hikes happened when it was raining or snowing. They seem more relaxed; they also whine less too. The elements guide their adventures, test their balance and agility, and spark their curiosity about how things work in nature. Where time stands still and the wetness and cold seeping into their skin gets ignored for more time splashing and tossing snowballs. With the rainy and cooler season here, I asked if they liked hiking better when it’s hot or cold. And hands down, they preferred hiking in the rain and cold for the same reasons I’m sure many kiddos (and those young at heart!) would agree. 1. "We love splashing in puddles!" Water play is definitely a winner when it comes to outdoor fun. Whether it’s the waters gathered in dips in the pavement or a huge puddle creating an obstacle on the trail, kids are drawn by a magnetic force that ushers them to wade into the heart of the puddle and jump. And jump some more … until they are completely drenched with total disregard for how wet they get. For kids, the bigger the splash, the better. (A tip for those wet shoes? Ball up newspaper and shove them into wet shoes and let sit overnight. Then prepare to be amazed at how dry they are the next day. If they’re not completely dry, put more balled-up newspaper in again.) 2. "We like seeing the animals that come out when it rains or in the winter." Kids are naturally curious about the world around them, which makes rainy days an even more unique time to learn about nature. It’s a good opportunity to watch for worms and snails, which come out when the ground is saturated, and learn about their makeup and how they contribute to the ecosystem. In winter, it’s fun to catch glimpses of winter birds, especially against a landscape that resembles a snow globe. Begin a discussion about how winter birds – and other animals – survive the cold. Then make homemade bird feeders to leave in the woods to aid in their survival during the cold months. 3.  "All the red trees are my favorite trees." In areas that see major changes in the four seasons, fall is a great time for hiking to watch the colors transition from green to blazing reds, oranges and yellows … and then a few weeks later, return to see them disappear altogether. Kids love to collect leaves or hear the rustling of fallen, dry leaves underfoot. And it’s always a lot of fun to toss leaves in the air and watch the wind twirl them all around. We also like to play a game where we find the largest leaf and compare it against the size of our face for giggles. 4.  "It’s fun hiking on snow and sledding in the woods." It’s not a secret – kids love snow and everything related to it, like sledding, eating snow, snowball fights, catching flakes on their tongue and making snow angels. Snow play is endless and even when their tiny fingers and toes can’t feel anymore, kids still insist they’re not cold. Hiking in snow also teaches kids about better footing and balance when walking over slick spots or sliding downhill. We also bring sleds on our hikes and stop halfway in the woods on a hill and sled for a little bit. The baby isn’t left out of the fun either; he gets pulled along in his sled during snowy hikes too. 5.  “We like feeling cold and wearing layers.” Hiking on a hot day when you’re sweaty from the heat and humidity and carrying a heavy pack isn’t very fun. But when the weather cools down, it’s easy to wear layers and shed them when your body temperature rises. According to my kids, dressing in layers also feels like you’re snuggling yourself. I never thought of it that way, but yeah – it does! Of course, mom or dad have to deal with the piles of socks, gloves, hats, scarves and coats inside the front door from all the shedding. But the fun that was had and the memories made are so worth it. Do your kids like hiking in the rain and cold? Leave a comment below and let us know what cool things your kids like about hiking at this time of year. Read More: Fall hiking ideas to get you out the door Embracing the puddle ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Hike it Baby recently participated in an open house  with the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin, with the help of our Advisory Board member James Edward Mills.  The Nelson Institute event included a screening of the film "Breaking Trail," a film which follows Emily Ford as she becomes the first woman and person of color to embark on a thru-hike of the Ice Age Trail in winter.    In addition to the screening of the film, our Board of Directors member Dineo Dowd led a short, family friendly Wander Walk hike, and along with Advisory Board member Courtney Schultz, supported our We Got Your Back table at the event.  Hike it Baby had the opportunity to hand out a boatload of free resources including activity sheets, layering resources and workbooks PLUS give away a variety of outdoor gear, donated by several generous partners including Turtle Fur, Merrell, Ella's Wool, LLBean, Burley, Retrospec, and Morrison Outdoors! Want to know more about our "We Got Your Back" program? This program is focused on helping families build confidence, have fun, and find a sense of belonging in the outdoors, through physical assets (like all of our gear giveaways from this event!), Family Hikes and Workshops focused on sharing resources and providing a supportive environment for new hikers, and free community resources in local HiB communities, including gear and clothing exchanges.  When we say we want to remove barriers so all families can get outside and experience the benefits of nature, we mean it, but words can only get you so far. With our We Got Your Back program, we are rolling up our sleeves and making it happen. Thank you to all members of the Hike it Baby Madison WI branch who visited us (special shout out to our Branch Ambassador Nicole Kester!), hiked with us, and supported the event!   Keep an eye out for our upcoming We Got Your Back events in San Diego, CA (spring), Elizabeth, NJ (May 7), Atlanta, GA (May 12), and Portland, OR (late spring/early summer). ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach

An all-in-one guide to footwear for your family's winter adventures! In partnership with the awesome team at Merrell We know that time in nature is good for the mind, body, and soul all year round. However, uncomfortable kiddos (and their adults) make for a less-than-enjoyable experience for everyone. While choosing the right clothing layers is extremely important (check out this article on layering), having the wrong type of footwear can cut your outdoor fun short faster than it takes to say, “don’t jump in that slosh puddle, your shoes aren’t waterproof!” Choosing the right boots for your outdoor adventures is important, but purchasing the right footwear for chilly, wet months can be daunting. With so many options to choose from, how do you know which pair (or pairs) will fit the needs of your family? We have put this guide together to help take the guesswork out of the footwear debate, and help you find the boots that work best for your family. In this Article: Types of Boots Main Factors to Consider Key Boot Features Insider Tips for Choosing the Right Boots Rain boots vs. snow boots vs. hiking boots So you say you want a pair of boots. Boots are boots, right? Well, not exactly. Outdoor boots come in many different “flavors” that fit into three main categories: Rain boots, snow boots, and hiking boots. Rain Boots: If your adventure involves puddle splashing, rainy day adventures, look no further than the classic rain boot. You will generally find the most variety of colors, patterns, and styles in a rain boot, and they tend to be lighter weight and less expensive than hiking or snow boots. That being said, they also tend to come with a bit less traction and do not keep feet as warm as other boot types. Snow Boots: Snow boots are built to keep feet toasty warm when romping in snow and slush. They also come with better traction to navigate slippery terrain. Due to the better insulation, they also tend to be heavier and come with a higher price tag. Hiking Boots: These are the most versatile of the boots listed, depending on the features you choose. If your adventures tend to involve trails and you want a less specialized boot that can be worn over multiple seasons, this may be the way to go. They tend to be lighter than snow boots, but usually don’t provide the ankle support or height required for extra snowy adventures. Also, it can be more difficult to find fully waterproof hiking boot options.   Photo: Michelle Craig Main Factors to Consider The two main factors to consider when choosing a boot are the climate you live/play in and the type of activities you plan to participate in. Climate Your ideal boot selection will vary drastically depending on where you live. A snowy, frigid northern winter will require a high-quality snow or hiking boot with a colder temperature rating (see the section on warmth below). If you get a large amount of snowfall, you may also want to consider the height of the boot you choose. A taller boot will be more effective at keeping feet dry in comparison to an ankle-high boot. In contrast, a mild, drizzly southern winter may only require a set of rain boots. If you live in an area that receives very little (or very rare) snowfall, you may be able to get away with rain boots if you pair them with high-quality, warm wool socks (see tips section for budget-friendly hacks on how to make rain boots work in snow). Activity In addition to climate, it’s important to consider your intended outdoor activities when deciding which boot will work for you. If your kiddos will be wearing the boots to school, you may want to investigate flexible, breathable options (sometimes referred to as “sneaker boots”). If tromping through the snow on a winter hike is more your style, you will want to look for a boot with good traction and an appropriate temperature rating. Looking to puddle jump and keep feet dry on splashy afternoons? A tall rain boot may be just what you’re looking for. Key Features to think about: With your climate and outdoor activities in mind, some boot features will be more important than others. Here we have listed some of the key features to consider when choosing the right boots for your family. We highly suggest researching the features of any boots you are considering (either online or through an outdoor recreation store) to determine which of these features they have and which they are lacking. Waterproofing If your kiddos are like mine, they gravitate towards anything wet; puddles, snow, slush, etc. Unless you live in an area that stays fairly dry, I highly recommend purchasing waterproof boots. Even water-resistant options can become very wet and uncomfortable quickly. Fit and Comfort This one seems obvious, but trying to ask a distracted child how a boot “feels” can get you nowhere and lead to future issues. If possible, get yours and your child’s feet sized for BOTH length and width at an outdoor recreation store. I was surprised to discover my kiddo has wide feet, which explained why he often complained about his shoes and preferred to go barefoot. Also, bring the socks you plan to use with the boots when you try on the shoes. Cotton socks will provide a different fit than thick wool socks. Warmth Snow boots (and sometimes hiking boots) usually have a temperature rating that denotes the approximate lowest air temperature at which the boot insulation will keep feet comfortable. Just keep in mind that these ratings are only a guide, and can be affected by conditions such as weather, wearer’s activity level, exposure time, type of sock worn, cold sensitivity, etc. Generally speaking, a wet, snowy northeast winter will require a much different temperature rating compared to a mild, southern climate. Traction Chilly, wet weather often leads to slippery conditions. These conditions can lead to disastrous consequences (such as falls and injuries) when paired with active, excited kiddos or a baby-wearing adult. Choosing a boot with excellent traction (such as Vibram boot soles) can keep your feet on the ground and give you a little extra peace of mind that your family is less likely to slip. Weight Boots have come a long way in the last few decades. Even snow boots have become more lightweight and comfortable thanks to recent innovations in boot design and insulation. Unless your adventure involves long treks in frigid, wet conditions, choosing a boot that is lighter and more flexible without losing the insulation and waterproof properties will ensure that kiddos can have fun in the colder temperatures. Breathability While it’s important to keep moisture out of the boot, it’s also important to let moisture escape. Active families can make for sweaty feet, which can lead to icy toes if that moisture can’t escape. This can also lead to a build-up of odor-causing bacteria in the boot, which can cause boots to smell terrible after only a few adventures. Seek out a boot that is both breathable and contains anti-bacterial properties in the lining to keep feet comfortable and boots smelling fresh. Ease of Use Any caregiver will tell you that getting shoes on an excited toddler can be equivalent to wrangling an octopus. They could be the best boots in the world, but if it takes an hour to get them on your frustrated child, they aren’t worth it. Thankfully, shoe companies have heard our plea and now offer much easier methods to get shoes on little feet. Look for features such as medial zippers and toggle closures when choosing boots for active little feet. Insider Tips for Choosing the Right Boot My family has lived in various climates across the United States, from Colorado to Upstate New York, the Pacific Northwest, and now coastal Virginia. Here are some tips we have picked up along the way, along with tips from our amazing Hike it Baby Community to help you choose the right boots for our family (or make the boots you already have work when purchasing isn’t an option). General Tips Remember that our feet often swell a bit when we're hiking/walking/running, so sizing up can help prevent damage to toenails; especially when hiking downhill. My hiking boots and running shoes are a full size larger than the rest of my everyday shoes. Also, be wary of you or your kids possibly having wide feet. My youngest has wide feet and he swooned when I figured it out and got him Merrell hiking shoes in wide. – Alex Wong, Salt Lake City, UT Spend the extra money on waterPROOF footwear over water-resistant - this distinction has saved me on many, many hikes with wet grass or mud! – Erin, Durham, NC If you're looking to do all-day winter adventures with your little kids, invest in some winter hiking boots. Winter hiking boots will keep feet much warmer than play-quality snow boots. – Valerie, Adirondack Coast The best boot depends on the child, but I have found one thing to be true across the board… If you hike in chilly/cold weather with young children who spend a lot of time in the carrier but also like to hike a bit themselves you need to bring two types of boots. One, a down or similar booty that is strictly for warmth and protection from wind/rain/snow in the air. The other, a waterproof hiking boot that is not too big or too small worn with wool or similar socks. Oftentimes circulation to the feet is slightly inhibited by being in a carrier and heavy boots only make this worse. For families who feel like their child’s feet are always freezing while in the carrier, this will be a game-changer. – Lindsey Weir, Honolulu, Hawai’i (Formerly in Upstate NY and Washington State)   Budget-friendly tips Choose a boot that is versatile and can be worn in various conditions. My son calls his rugged boots “everything but summer” boots because they can be used for most of our outings with just a few tweaks in sock choices. – Becca, Chesapeake, VA It rarely snows where we live, so it doesn't make sense to invest in a lot of winter gear. When it does snow, I put thick wool socks under my son's rain boots. I wouldn't have him hike in difficult terrain that way, but it works well for playing. We also keep extra pairs of adult socks in our bag as backup mittens. They are also good as a way to add an extra layer of warmth to a baby's feet and legs and are hard for small hands to take off. – Carolyn, Greenville, SC I use bread sleeves and rain boots! My big boy’s feet are growing a mile a minute and the “men’s size” price can’t keep up! So, we put feet in wool socks, then bread sleeves, then a rain boot. Works great for hours of play, especially in North Carolina where snow is a once-a-year type of thing. – Kayla, North Carolina For boots that are lacking in traction (either from wear-and-tear or the type of boot), we use Yaktrax or other ice cleats for added stability in icy conditions. They are generally inexpensive and last for years. – Becca, Chesapeake, VA   Try Before You Buy When it comes to finding the right boot, I go to REI and try them on. They have such an amazing return policy that if I am not satisfied with them, I can bring them back. Even if I have hiked or walked in them. I also have done my research on the best boots for flat feet, because I have those and it's not fun. For winter boots I always make sure there is enough room for my feet with regular socks and wool socks and still room for air circulation because that is what helps keep your feet from getting cold. It's the same with my kids honestly. But they usually get second-hand shoes, so it's not always perfect. If it's not a perfect match, I don't feel so bad if they need something else. – Juliana, Alaska When making the selection in the store, bring or wear the socks you’re most likely going to be wearing with that boot/shoe. So often I'm trying on boots in thin cotton socks because that's what I'm wearing at the time but then wearing a thicker sock during the actual activity (like winter hiking) and the shoe/boot doesn't fit as comfortably as it did in the store. – Paige, Milwaukee, WI   Socks Can Be a Game-Changer I think an investment in good wool or synthetic socks would be key for a comfortable hike in any season. These socks will wick moisture off the skin and still insulate when wet. Cotton will soak your skin and keep your feet cold. A shoe with a good tread will add to the ease of hiking in wet, snowy, slippery conditions. And as always, keep a fresh dry pair of socks in the car for the ride home. – Christie, Richmond, VA Make sure you’re matching boots and socks - especially in cold weather, adding an extra pair of socks or thicker socks won’t help if your boots don’t have enough room for the extra volume, so size up if you’ll be adding extra sock volume. Especially important for folks with wide or tall feet that are already prone to being a bit squished if we’re not careful. – Gaila, Ames, IA Use different socks for different adventures but STAY AWAY FROM COTTON! Wool and synthetic socks come with different levels of thickness and cushioning, with thinner socks being great for summer adventures and thicker, more cushioned socks being ideal for colder conditions. – Becca, Chesapeake, VA Do you have extra tips on choosing the right boots to fit your family's needs? Let us know in the comments below!   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

As we head into winter and have the added challenge of trying to stay warm, one of the most common questions we get is, “How do I dress my family for outdoor adventures in the cold, and what other gear do we need?”  While the answer depends largely on where you live, we have compiled some helpful tips, gear suggestions and links to past blogs so that you have all the information you need for getting the most out of this winter in one convenient spot. "How do I dress my family for cold-weather outdoor adventures?" This is arguably one of the most asked questions throughout the year, and for good reason!  So let’s break it down based on age, because dressing an infant for the cold is very different from dressing a grown adult. Adults No matter the age, layers are key. Base layer: This is the layer closest to your skin. You may have heard the term “cotton is rotten,” which is never more true than picking a base layer for cold days in nature. Wool is generally best, but a synthetic blend of wicking material is a budget-friendly option as well. This layer comes in multiple varieties depending on temperature and activity level (heavyweight is the thickest for the most frigid weather conditions). Mid-layer: This layer goes over your base layer and keeps you warm (think fleece sweatshirt). I prefer a full-zip option to assist with chilly nursing sessions. 3rd layer: This is optional based on outdoor temperatures and your planned activity. When temperatures are very low or wind/snow are a factor, you may consider an extra layer to ensure warmth. Just remember, it is easy to take off a layer if you get warm, but you can’t add a layer you don’t have! Outer layer: Generally you will want a weather-resistant outer layer that can stand up to low temperatures along with possible precipitation and wind. How “weather-resistant” this layer needs to be will depend on the expected conditions. For example, if you are expecting rain or wet snow, you will definitely want a water-proof outer layer. Head, hands and feet: When temperatures are low, our bodies focus on keeping most of our warmth in toward our core to keep us safe. While this is essential, it can certainly get uncomfortable for our extremities! That’s why good-quality hats, gloves/mittens, socks, scarves, etc., are important. As with our body layers, it is best to stick with wicking wool or synthetic materials here as well.  Just remember, wet feet and hands will feel icy in low temperatures! Footwear: Traction and warmth are key, especially if you are babywearing or hiking on wet or icy terrain. If you live in a location that sees snow and rain, you will want waterproofing as well. Other than that, the type of footwear is largely personal preference here. For example, I prefer ankle support so I have traditional waterproof winter hiking boots along with snow boots. In contrast, my husband prefers a more flexible fit, so he sticks with waterproof trail runners unless more extreme conditions force him into his snow boots. Check out these past blog posts for more in-depth information on winter layering, all-weather hiking essentials, and winter gear tips. “Big-Kids” (aka older toddlers and beyond) Children who are good walkers will follow much the same rules as adults with a few tweaks for kiddos who like to get down and dirty in the snow and mud. Full-coverage waterproofing: In order to stay warm, our kiddos need to stay dry. This isn’t always an easy task when snow or cold rain is involved. Consider either a waterproof winter coat and pants or a rain suit that can be used as a thin waterproof outer layer with multiple warm layers underneath. Waterproof boots and mittens/gloves: While adults can usually get away with water-resistant options, kids have a tendency to get as wet and messy as possible, so waterproof options are worth the extra money here. Check out some great options we can recommend here. For more information on dressing the whole family for outdoor winter adventures, check out this article. Infants Dressing an infant for the cold will rely heavily on whether they are going to be in a carrier the majority of the time, crawling in or exploring the snow, or tucked away in a stroller. In general, layers are key. As with adults and big kids, start with a wool or synthetic base layer. Fleece-footed pajamas work well for a mid-layer, and a down or fleece bunting outer layer will help keep them warm and toasty. Add a warm hat that covers the ears and goes under the chin along with adult wool socks over their hands under the bunting to ensure these areas stay warm and dry. Include a waterproof outer layer (such as a rain suit or waterproof bunting) if they will be rolling in the snow.  For stroller walks, add a stroller weather-shield or a thick blanket for added warmth. Since infants are not great at regulating their own temperature, be sure to check for flushed skin, chilly extremities or irritability as signs that they may be too warm or cold. Find more information in these past blog posts on winter layering for infants and winter hiking with babies along with this past gear guide for more ideas on keeping your baby cozy in these colder months. Babywearing to stay warm Wearing a baby (especially with a wrap or a soft-structured carrier) can get HOT. For this reason, you will need to consider how you layer both yourself and baby. For adults, removing the mid-layer (aka the “warm” layer) can help prevent over-heating. If you want more information on cold-weather babywearing, check out these articles on winter layering when babywearing, and layering for all aspects of motherhood (pregnancy on up). What Other Gear do I Need? This will differ based on trail conditions and outdoor activity, but here are some options to consider in order to make your adventure as enjoyable (and comfortable) as possible. Hiking essentials: Whether you are going on a family winter hike for a few hours or a longer snowshoeing adventure, be sure to pack the "10 Essentials" in a good-quality hiking pack. It’s a good idea to include some hand and foot warmers for those extra cold days! Read more about the 10 essentials and what you need for a successful day hike here. Traction cleats or spikes: Cleats or spikes are especially important when babywearing on frozen or snow-covered ground. They are easy to attach to most shoes and boots and help prevent slipping and sliding on the trails. Hiking poles: Hiking poles are another important gear option for added stability on icy or wet trails. Snowshoes: If you live in an area that experiences plenty of snowfall in the winter months, snowshoes are a fun (and at times more practical) option for hiking. They make them in toddler-/kid-size as well!  Check out this Family Snowshoeing 101 article for everything you need to know to get started with snowshoeing for the entire family. Sled or snow tube: Who doesn’t love speeding down a snowy hill? Winter camping gear: Are you ready to take the plunge and camp in the winter with your family?  While it may sound crazy, there are actually various benefits to cold-weather camping, such as less crowding and prime campsite availability. Check out a few of our past blog posts for tips on layering for cold camping and picking the right camping gear to ensure an enjoyable experience for the whole family. What winter gear do you find essential to ensure an enjoyable outdoor experience for your family? Let us know in the comments below! Read more: Winter hiking - How to layer for infants How to layer when babywearing in the cold 5 Comfy and cozy winter carriers for babywearing Photos by Laura Castro and Amy Diebold. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach

A Visual Guide created in partnership with our friends at Turtlefur. (en español abajito!) Photo: Michelle Pearl Gee Whether it is your first time stepping out into the winter weather for an adventure with your family, you have a new baby, or perhaps you just need a quick refresh, our Hike it Baby guide has got you covered. We’ve put the basics, and our favorite parent tips, all together in one place to make it even easier for you to get outdoors this winter. In the end, winter adventures might be a bit different than summer ones, they might be shorter or end sooner, and they almost always require a cup of cocoa, but they are so worth it!  It only takes 10 minutes outside to raise serotonin levels, increase Vitamin D production, boost immunity, and relieve stress.  So step out, embrace the season, and feel better once you do! Download our Winter Adventure Guide here. And for more winter layering information, check out this blog!   Primeros Pasos para una Aventura de Invierno Esta guía visual fue creada en colaboración con nuestros amigos de Turtlefur Así sea la primera vez que sales a tener una aventura de invierno con tu familia, tienes un nuevo bebé, o solo necesitas una recordar un poco, nuestra guía Hike it Baby lo tiene todo. Pero bueno, eso de salir en el invierno que tan distinto es de salir en cualquier temporada? Pues a pesar de que no es tan complicado como graduarse de astronauta,  si hay unos cuantos consejitos, que pueden hacer esta experiencia mucho más fácil para ti y mucho más divertida para tu familia. Por cierto, es supremamente importante el terminar esta aventura con una taza caliente de chocolate caliente, basicamente la ley, para ser sinceros ;) Y lo mejor de todo es que vale la pena: Toma ta solo 10 minutos al aire libre para elevar los niveles de serotonina en el cuerpo, subir los niveles de Vitamina D, mejorar tu sistema de inmunidad, y bajar el estrés. Todos estos so la receta perfecta para un cuerpo y mente saludable para ti y toda tu familia. Así que ponte tu ropa más calientita y comoda, y toma tu primer paso afuera durante esta hermosisima época de invierno. Y aún más preparados con estos secretitos. Descarga la guía aquí. Para obtener más información sobre las capas de invierno, ¡echa un vistazo a este blog! ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach

Created in partnership with our friends at  With so much focus on how to dress baby in the winter, we often forget that babywearing parents need to stay, warm, dry and cozy too! It’s important to remember that you and baby both need to maintain a normal body temperature, so you want to avoid those extremes causing you to be too cold or sweat too much. Too much clothing plus carrying a baby can make you extra toasty, and too little clothing can leave you ready to cut your outdoor adventures short. The solution? Layers! Here are some tips to keep you layered and feeling just right on your outdoor adventures this winter. Start with a base layer for you and the baby, ideally something made of synthetic or wool fibers, avoiding cotton if possible.  Cotton will trap moisture against your skin and causes that sweaty situation we want to avoid!  For a mid-layer, stick with thick knit wool, a down insulated layer insulated or something like polyester fleece or other synthetic insulation. This is a great layer to include if it’s really frigid out, but this would likely be the layer you want to lose if it’s just cool. The outer layer can be a tough one! Too puffy a layer makes getting your carrier on difficult, and too thin a layer can leave you feeling chilly. Generally you will want a weather-resistant outer layer that can stand up to low temperatures along with possible precipitation and wind. How “weather-resistant” this layer needs to be will depend on the expected conditions. A good option to keep you and the baby covered would be a babywearing coat.  This provides a top layer for you and your little one, and can cover you both in either back or front carry positions. Learn more about one of our favorite options for keeping cozy from Wanderling here! In addition to those basic layers, adults need to keep those extremities warm and dry too. When temperatures are low, our bodies focus on keeping most of our warmth in toward our core to keep us safe. While this is essential, it can certainly get uncomfortable for our extremities so good-quality hats, gloves/mittens, socks, scarves, etc., are important. As with our body layers, it is best to stick with wicking wool or synthetic materials here, since wet feet and hands will feel icy cold in low temperatures. In terms of footwear, traction and warmth are key, especially while babywearing. If you live in a location that sees snow and rain, you will want waterproofing as well. You can also print out this handy resource for layering! Some important points to remember about babywearing in the cold is that your carrier counts as a layer for your little one, so if you are using a wrap with multiple passes that would count as multiple layers. Also, your layers for the little one would depend not only on the temperature outdoors, but the age of your baby. If they are in and out of the carrier and moving around on their own, then you might find they need a more waterproof layer than a warm one. With these tips in mind, we hope you enjoy your outdoor adventures with your little one all winter long! What winter weather layering tips do you have for babywearing? ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach

Hike it Baby’s Winter Walk with Wox is in full swing!  The challenge is for everyone to spend 10 minutes walking outside every day for the month of February. You can find more information here. And while this list isn’t limited to walking-specific activities, almost all of them include some element of moving your body for 10 minutes outside. The best part is that getting outside for 10 minutes every day is really easy to do! You don’t even need to leave your neighborhood or even your backyard. Plus, getting outside 10 minutes a day is such a great way to begin forming healthy habits for yourself and your children! There are so many ways to complete this challenge, but to help you out here are 15 ways to get outside for 10 minutes. GO FOR A WALK AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD This is an easy one to do in 10 minutes! Simply meander around your neighborhood and take in all the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the nature around you.  Weeds growing through sidewalk cracks, clouds, falling snow, and potted plants absolutely count. ADD IN SOME WHEELS While walking is always a good time, change it up by taking the same route on wheels. Ride bikes, scooters, or skateboards around your neighborhood (or chase your children while they ride), and bust out the stroller and take your littlest out for a ride too. BLOW BUBBLES Getting outside doesn’t mean you have to leave your yard or even your patio. Spend 10 minutes blowing bubbles together and enjoy the time connecting with your children. GO TO A PLAYGROUND Do your kids have a favorite playground? Stop on the way home from school and spend 10 minutes getting some of that pent-up school energy! Or if you don’t have a favorite, try a new to you playground! PLAY FOLLOW THE LEADERS This is a game that is silly and fun for all ages. It also will help warm up those bodies on a cold day and help make those 10 minutes outside fly by. DO A SCAVENGER HUNT Need to add a little fun to your neighborhood walks or backyard play? There are a ton of free nature scavenger hunts available online, but it is also super simple to just draw/write a list of 5-10 items you know your children will find in your backyard or neighborhood. Have them take this list outside and let them enjoy the hunt! GO FOR A TRASH WALK Spending 10 minutes cleaning up your neighborhood or local park is an amazing way to give back. If you did this once a week, imagine how much trash you will pick up and how grateful mother nature and the wildlife that call the area home will be! HIKE A TRAIL Ok, hiking almost always takes longer than 10 minutes (especially when you add in travel time). But maybe there is a super short trail you’ve never done because it seemed too short (think 1/4 mile or less) or maybe you want to spend more than 10 minutes outside. Going for a short hike is a great way to spend time outside and this list wouldn’t be complete without a hiking suggestion. READ A BOOK TOGETHER Here is another quick and easy way to get outside without even leaving your yard or patio. Lay down a blanket and enjoy a short story or two together. If it is really cold, pile on the blankets, read a book about summer and imagine it is hot out. You could also read the book while moving your bodies. HAVE A MEAL OR SNACK OUTSIDE Even in the cold winter weather, eating outside can be fun! If it is really cold bring soup or hot chocolate to enjoy together. PLAY A GAME TOGETHER Getting outside when it is cold is hard. To help you keep warm, consider playing a quick game of tag, Simon Says, catch, red light green light, or any other game where your bodies are moving and having fun. GET ARTSY There are so many ways to create art outside. Spend 10 minutes painting rocks, drawing with sidewalk chalk, painting snow, or using nature items to create pictures. LOOK TO THE SKY Sit in chairs or lie on your backs and stare at the sky. Watch the clouds pass by and see if you can find any images in them. Can’t get outside until later in the day? No worries, one of the best things about Winter is that it gets dark earlier and even young children can enjoy searching the night sky for constellations. ENJOY THE WORLD AT AFTER DARK Speaking of getting dark earlier, take this opportunity to explore your neighborhood at night. Bring flashlights and simply walk around your block enjoying the way the houses, cars, trees, etc. look different once the sun goes down. GO FOR A NATURE HEART WALK Hearts are literally all over the place in nature. Once you start looking you will see them everywhere. Spend 10 minutes in your neighborhood or local park hunting for nature hearts! Common nature hearts can be found in leaf shapes, tree bark, lichen, clouds, rocks, sidewalk cracks, city art (both commissioned and otherwise), and so much more   “NATURE IS GOOD FOR ALL OF US. WHEN WE’RE EXPOSED TO TREES AND OTHER NATURAL SETTINGS – EVEN WITHIN THE CITY, IT FOSTERS CREATIVITY.” – DAVID LIVERMORE   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach

Welcome to Part 2 of a three part series from our guest blogger, Mary Finley! Mary Shares her story of raising her kids to be outdoorsy through all of the challenges and changes that life has thrown their way.  Missed Part 1? Check it out here! Having spent much of our own childhood enjoying nature and the outdoors, I knew when I gave birth to my son in 2001 I wanted us to be active in the outdoors as much as possible. We spent the days of his early childhood enjoying long hikes and enjoying running free in nature without a care in the world. If this sounds a bit too easy and natural of a transition to parenting outdoors, it’s partly because it turned out to be exactly that. I had raised a mini-me with my dad’s love of the great outdoors. For my son, it was in his blood. Eight years later, I was married to someone new, and living on a rural property twenty minutes from the Shenandoah entrance station I was excited to be expecting my second child, a baby girl! I envisioned us, girl power style, hiking all those same trails, her brother leading the way! Funny things happen when you think you’ve mastered parenting. You get a second child… I found myself once again coming off bedrest, but this time I was also injured from a difficult birth experience (breech births are not mom friendly) and now with an active eight-year-old and a newborn. I will spare you the levels of difficulty it took to get through that first year, but know that if you are a struggling new mom, you are not alone, and you will get through this, mostly because you can and every day the sun rose I got up and forced myself to keep going. Days turned into months, and slowly I crept toward the end of the hardest year of parenting I had faced. I slowly began being able to walk further, this time using the stroller as a walker helping me creep toward normalcy rather than running through a natural recovery like I did the first time. See, that’s the thing about parenting. Each and every experience is unique. We all trudge through our mental and physical struggle and balance it with the days we soar on parenting victories. In our best moments we create a village of other parents who lift each other up and create a community of love and support, and let’s be honest, on our worst days we criticize, judge, and struggle to continue, and all too often that criticism and judgment falls on ourselves as well as others. Each day we get through and pick ourselves back up and recommit to that community of love and support, to and for ourselves as well as others, we win. That includes forgiveness and acceptance. Something that took a long time to get a hang of for myself, coming off the birth of my second child. I had to accept what I could and couldn’t do physically and forgive and accept what life had handed me. Slowly but surely, it came, and with it a greater depth of complicated understanding of myself, parenting, and life. By the time my daughter was school aged, I had recovered enough physical ability to start hiking again. In those in between years, I satisfied myself with long drives to overlooks where I could still see out at the world I loved to hike and explore, desperately waiting and working slowly toward a time where I could physically do it again. If you are new to getting outside, or physically easing into or back into physical exercise, don’t give up. Start small, it will come slowly, but in time you will amaze yourself. Slowly that time came for me, and it coincided with the realization that my oldest was suddenly going to be in dual enrollment soon (the last two years of high school taken with community college credits). It was now or never to fulfill those dreams I had of traveling, van life style, with my kids. Seeing all the world had to offer, sleeping under the stars, and hiking across new unseen places. I discussed it with their dad (my second child’s biological father). He was a teacher working full time, we had a dog, and truthfully, obligations, but I had switched to homeschooling my kids several years earlier and it appeared it was now or never. We got his blessing, and he begrudgingly agreed to walk the dog as soon after work as possible, water the plants, and basically make sure the house was still standing upon our return. Their dad had agreed, with the promise that we would be back by his birthday, June 3rd. I discussed it with my mom and am privileged to have the most adventurous parents ever. My mom’s response was, admittedly, not typical of most parents, but so typical of mine. She responded, “You are finally going to travel again!!! I didn’t think I’d ever get you back out on the road. What can I do to help? I know! You are turning 40! How about I give you gas money for your trip and maybe a bit to stock food? I am so glad you are finally going to do something again!” I wasn’t expecting to get called out for my struggle with recovery, fear that I wouldn’t physically be able to do it anymore, and my fight with anxiety and depression over my recovery after the birth of my daughter that had dragged on for years, but her financial support meant my “dream” trip had suddenly become a reality trip. Stay tuned for the final installment of Mary's story!   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Created in partnership with our friends at  While many would argue with me, winter is one of my favorite times of year for outdoor adventures with my kiddos. There are fewer crowds at popular parks, the quiet and freshness of snow makes the trails seem magical, and the post-adventure snuggles make this mama’s heart swell. With the right gear, we can extend our adventures longer than in years past. One of our current favorite products for kids are the balaclavas from Turtle Fur. They come in various weights in both toddler and big kid sizes  and are made from odor-resistant, quick-drying, breathable polyester fleece with a UPF rating of 50+. While having the right gear can be a game-changer during the chilly months, many across our nation don’t have that luxury. For them, winter brings on feelings of dread and worry for the safety of their family. Acquiring enough (or any) quality gear to keep everyone in the family warm can come with a price tag that is well out of reach. Thankfully, there are incredible companies out there that are willing to do their part in reaching the people who need it the most. Project Warmth One of those companies, Turtle Fur, created an initiative called Project Warmth to help those in need within their community and beyond. It all started when they found themselves with excess inventory and samples.  They would run an annual factory sale for their community so these extras didn't go to waste. In conjunction with the sale, they would reach out to local schools, homeless shelters, and community centers in and around their home base of Morrisville, Vermont, to see if there was a need for cold-weather hats and accessories. The need was there, and each year they expanded their reach to provide cold-weather hats and accessories to more areas. While this initiative started as a way to give back to Turtle Fur’s local community, they wanted to grow the program, which is when #projectwarmth was born on social media. The program has grown successfully, and Turtle Fur is now manufacturing products specifically to donate rather than relying on only overruns, samples, etc. How Does it Work? If a customer posts a photo wearing a Turtle Fur product on social media, tags them, and includes the hashtag #projectwarmth, a Turtle Fur product is donated. They wanted to get their retailers involved as well, so if a retailer is mentioned (tagged) – they double the donation and donate two items! Just follow these steps: Take a photo wearing your new Turtle Fur product (like the gorgeous HiB themed tube) Include the following in your post: @turtlefur and the hashtag #projectwarmth Tag the store you bought it from (for example @outdoorretailer) for double the donation! Share on any or all of your social media platforms Voila, it’s that simple! Who Receives the Product? To date, Turtle Fur has donated over 145,000 pieces of cold-weather accessories to over 400 organizations across 49 states and Canada. These organizations include shelters, schools, and hospitals. A full list of organizations can be found here. One incredible detail that sets Turtle Fur and Project Warmth apart from other retailers is that they don’t donate their products blindly. They contact each organization to discuss how they can customize their order. They personalize their shipments based on the number of people in need, the gender and age of the recipients, and any other important demographics.  Organizations don’t just receive a random “box of hats,” they are getting hand-picked accessories that will make a true difference in the lives of people that need them most. What Else Can We Do? As the initiative gains strength, one of the main goals is to donate to locations in all 50 states, but they need our help. You can help by both utilizing the #projectwarmth hashtag and filling out the donation form to suggest a donation recipient. Do you know of an organization that serves people in need of cold-weather accessories? You can submit a quick form with their information here. The beautiful part about Project Warmth is that it’s a social movement, engaging people to participate through social media and also by suggesting donation locations on our website. It’s easy to help us donate, too, so anyone can do it! We ask that people share a photo on social media wearing their Turtle Fur, tag us @turtlefur, and use the hashtag #projectwarmth in the caption. We see it, and donate a product to someone in need. It’s been awesome to see how far-reaching this campaign has spread, with participation from all over the world. Goes to show that people everywhere are passionate about giving back and supporting those less fortunate. ~Tori Reynolds, Senior Brand Marketing Manager, Turtle Fur Let’s help this incredible company (which also happens to have amazing products) reach as many people in need as possible!   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach

To view our 2020-2021 annual report, please click here Unprecedented. Resilient. Pivot. Survive. 2020 and 2021 brought SO. MANY. CHALLENGES, both for organizations and individuals, but (and maybe I'm biased) ESPECIALLY for families. I've used those four words above to describe the situation and our response so often that I thought I would just get them out of the way from the start. There was a pandemic. It changed everything.  We're still here! That is what I want to focus on when I share what we have achieved in the time since our last report. Honestly, the pandemic sucked, but through it Hike it Baby has done a lot of growing. Similar to the developmental growth our kids experience, we have had some melt downs, regressed here and there, but ultimately, we're leaping to each new milestone. In the following pages you will read about that growth and the accomplishments we are proud of. I hope it excites you as much as it excites me! I think it is important to acknowledge that in early 2020 we spent a lot of time looking at our mission and thinking about what it really means to be a nonprofit organization that serves a community of people. We decided we want to be really action focused, which translated to removing barriers and creating opportunities for families to take their first steps outside together. Once we understood that, we were able to define the specific values we wanted to use to help us hold tight to our vision of a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside.  The next big step was for us to take a hard look at what we do and how we do it. Our traditional activities - community hike events, had to go on pause due to the pandemic so we could help families stay safe. I'm proud to say we came up with some quick and effective options to keep inspiring families and building community, even when we couldn't gather in person. We also used that shift to begin to build a new frame for our programming. Community hike events will always be part of our core identity, but the truth is not every family has the time, privilege, or ability to show up for a 10am hike on a Tuesday. Additionally, many families have never experienced the outdoors and don’t feel safe, included, welcome, or culturally connected to spending time in nature as a family. We asked ourselves how Hike it Baby could better serve and support a wider audience of families since we believe every family has the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. As we looked inward and thought about how we wanted to connect, empower, and impact families, three programmatic pillars took shape: Our Turn the Blues Green program is focused on maternal mental health and introduces new parents to the benefits of time spent in nature for both themselves and their babies. You really can start getting outside with your baby from birth and we want to help families feel confident and supported while doing just that. The Bring it Outside program develops tools, activities, and events that motivate families to get outside year-round, meeting them where they are and helping them get outside in the ways that work for their families. Let’s face it - we may know that it’s good to get outside, but as busy, tired parents, it isn’t always easy. Bring it Outside is our answer to help inspire and empower families to enjoy time outside together in whatever way that works for them.  With We’ve Got Your Back, we transform the power of community into a practical resource hub focused on helping families build confidence, have fun and find a sense of belonging in the outdoors. Kids don’t come with manuals, but as parents, it sure feels like we could use one! We’re here to help provide practical, how-to information, helpful gear (backpack, baby carrier, extra diaper or snack, anyone?), and a welcoming community that will meet you where you are to start or continue your adventures outside as a family, whatever they may look like.  We will continue our community development programming - supporting our branches and Ambassadors with grassroots efforts and allowing them to implement their own versions of our programming in their local communities, creating welcoming spaces and encouraging families of all kinds to get outside.  Our Family Trail Guide resource continues to grow and we’re thrilled. We hope it will keep helping families identify greenspaces in their neighborhoods and allow them to feel more confident to explore parks and trails where they live.  Have you met Wox, our Wander Walk Fox, yet? Wox came to life in 2021 as a supplemental event kit resource and has been making appearances in communities all over the US and will continue to do so. The Wander Walks program makes it easy for families to get outside and have fun together in nearby nature, local parks and green spaces. Wander Walks use activity-based signage that supports early childhood development and encourages nature-based play. They are bilingual (English/Spanish), accessible, created with multiple ages and abilities in mind and introduce concepts of environmental conservation and stewardship. 2021 brought some pretty extreme challenges including parenting through the pandemic, two thirds of our staff going on parental leave consecutively (but yay for 4 new babies to celebrate!), half our staff team leaving to care for their growing families or for jobs that can pay them better, all while we were navigating the ongoing design and implementation protocols for in person gatherings across 270 unique communities with differing mandates, recommendations and responses. (2020 was supposed to be the hard part, right?) Yet we have been able to implement new elements of all three program pillars, evolve and grow our supporting programs too.  We worked with SCL Health in Denver to support postpartum moms with a series of new mama hikes, focusing on the benefits of hiking with baby, developing and distributing our Turn the Blues Green booklet which included tips, tricks, advice and journal prompts. In Oregon we were able to secure a generous $48,000 grant, (our biggest yet!), from the Oregon Community Foundation which allowed us to implement a series of Bring it Outside workshops. The program reached out to underserved communities to bring sixty families in two locations. Each family received over $250 in gear, bilingual resources, and participated in facilitated family group hikes over the course of six weeks. Thanks to connections made in the workshops we started a Spanish speaking group and a new branch in a rural community at the request of the participants, who were eager to continue enjoying the outdoors together. To show families We Got Your Back, we brought Hike it Baby and some of our community partners to their neighborhood, offering two different events at parks in high equity neighborhoods in the Portland Metro area. We worked with partners like the City of Gresham, Portland General Electric’s Project Zero, Access Recreation, the NW Family Daycation app, and a few of our corporate partners like Joules, Teton Sports, LL Bean, Turtle Fur, Merrell, Onya, Burley, Adventure Medical Kits and Sunday Afternoons to give away gear. Wox showed up with Wander Walks for families to try. Printed activity sheets and workbooks were available in English and Spanish. We brought a carrier library so families could try out different ways to wear their babies. My favorite part - we met families where they were and showed them we were there to help them have a good time outside, no strings attached. We didn’t ask them to come out of their way to find us. We didn’t ask them to do anything for us. We smiled, played, and had fun together, which I hope is a more meaningful way to start a beautiful friendship and ongoing sense of community and belonging.  Our vision has colored the ways we partner too. As you have read, we’re building new opportunities and asking our partners to join us in different ways. We’re committed to working with partners who believe in building authentic relationships and redefining what it means to be outdoorsy. In that vein, we are excited to work with our partners to elevate voices, telling the stories of a variety of families and their unique experiences, the barriers they’ve faced, and how finding a supportive community has helped them enjoy the outdoors with their families. We’re excited to come together and co-design content that highlights our values and helps families feel empowered to go outside. Finally, we want to learn together, exploring and discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors, understanding the historical context, the current experiences of marginalized communities and work together to take action to change that narrative so the next generation can feel the sense of belonging and love they will need to inspire them to take care of our outdoor resources for lifetimes to come.  2022 promises many opportunities for us to continue our work. Our goals are to: Put on three additional Bring it Outside Series Workshops in three new locations across the US to provide families with the resources and gear they need to get outdoors as a family. Partner with additional hospitals and healthcare systems to support new parents through booklets, hike events and community outreach.  Host We Got Your Back events with local community partners in at least two locations so we can meet new families who might not otherwise have opportunities or feel welcome to get outside.  Run four unique virtual challenge events for our entire community to help inspire time outside in the winter, explore the benefits of sensory play in the spring, find nearby parks in the summer, and explore neighborhood nature in the fall.  Continue to support our local communities through outreach and group hiking in 270+ branches  I know these are lofty goals, but we’re really excited about them. I see so much potential to touch more families than ever before, to inspire and empower them to enjoy time outside, to connect communities and create lasting friendships, all while raising a generation to love the outdoors. I hope you will join us! --Jessica For more information, check out our annual report here ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Welcome to this three part series from our guest blogger, Mary Finley! Mary shares her story of raising her kids to be outdoorsy through all the challenges and changes that life has thrown their way. Nature has always been a large part of my life. Growing up, we spent much of our time on our property on the Shenandoah River and camping and hiking in state and national parks, as well as swimming and camping at the beach. Those are some of my best memories from my childhood. In 2001, I found myself back at home, living in my childhood town with my mom in her house. I was in my mid-twenties and had given birth to my firstborn, my son, after being on bedrest most of my pregnancy. Before that, I had been a nanny in Southern California, spending weekdays by the ocean at Cardiff by the Sea and spending weekends doing anything and everything outdoors, so I knew being outside was something I wanted for my son and I. Not everyone who loves the outdoor life starts out this way, though. I have friends that are not naturally drawn to the outdoors and others who found it later in life, but I grew up with parents who would have fit into today’s “outdoor mold” perfectly. We grew up in canoes and kayaks on the Shenandoah River, and in our family van traveling on the  weekends to camp or go to the beach. My dad had us packing our backpacks before I stopped carrying a teddy bear and calculating water needs for a weekend trip for math exercises. A month into my son’s life, our understanding of a lot of things changed. I was a single mom with a new baby, and a lot of physical recovery was needed. My son was born, August 11th, 2001. On his one-month birthday, as with everyone in the United States, I found myself standing in my living room watching the world change while holding a tiny new life. It caused a strange reaction in me. I took action. Education was always important to my family and a heavy emphasis was put on graduating college, which was something I had not yet accomplished. I am privileged to have had a mom that fully supported my new motivation and goals, and I quickly found myself, having realized how unpredictable and short life can be after the tragedy of 9-11, a full-time college student and single mom… who still loved the outdoors! Luckily my mom lived in a townhouse neighborhood that sat within walking distance to a county park lake. Walking down and around the lake daily, however briefly, helped quell my obsession with being near the water and outside and helped give me brain breaks for trying to do it all as a new mom. Slowly but surely, my daily walks with my son to the end of the block transitioned to walks down to the lake, and then into laps around the lake. I quickly realized my everyday “city” stroller was not cutting it on the dirt trail riddled with tree roots and the occasional set of stairs. I upgraded to an off-road stroller with fat wheels like a mountain bike and a padded harness type strap for my little one to be securely fastened into while I went for my daily brain break of hiking, kid in tow, around our little lake. When I wasn’t in class, my son was along for the ride. Childcare is expensive and complicated and it varied over time what that looked like, from my grandmother watching him during each individual hour of class and me returning between each class to check in and nurse my little one while he was an infant to him slowly turning into an active toddler in full time daycare while I finished up that last bit of school, you can guarantee any time I wasn’t in need of required childcare, you found him, most days, literally strapped onto me along for the ride. When he wasn’t in the stroller on daily walks fit in between classes, homework, grocery shopping, or chores he was  strapped into a front carrier then quickly switched to a hiking pack. My first born was not small! By a few months old he was nearly twenty pounds. Luckily for this hiking mom, being a do it all single parent meant he was always on a hip, in a front pack, or in a backpack. As he grew, so did I, learning more about parenting and hiking with babies, and growing in my strength and ability physically going from near total bedrest to mile long hikes with kid in tow. I think the hardest things about those days became the greatest. Being the sole caregiver meant I grew along with him. Not having the choice to “handoff” to someone else, or trade who carried him meant every trip out the door I discovered new ways to “make it work” and new muscles I didn’t know I had! I learned that I could stick a few diapers and snacks and a bottle or cup in the zipper pouch of a backpack, or in  the pouch of the stroller and my son was pretty happy to be outside and on the go. By the time my son was mobile, he was running ahead of me on the trails and scrambling rocks alongside me on trails in our local parks all the way up to trails like Little Stoney Man in Shenandoah National Park at three years old.       Tune in next week for the second blog in this three part series! ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Let’s face it. As the temperature drops, so can our motivation to bundle up the family and get outside. The same can be said for other “less than ideal” weather conditions. However, getting outside is wonderful for the soul as a stress-reliever and a memory-maker. Use these tips to enjoy the outdoors with your family even in unfavorable weather conditions.  Dress Appropriately “I’m cold, I want to go home!”. These words are enough to shatter plans and kill the joy that comes from exploring nature. That’s why our number one tip for enjoying the outdoors with kiddos is always to dress appropriately. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have a young baby or are just starting to warm up to the idea of “all-weather” exploration (pun intended). However, a few key clothing items can make all the difference!  Two phrases to remember are “cotton is rotten” and “layers, layers, layers!”. Cotton is a non-wicking material that will keep the moisture next to your skin, chilling you quickly in cold temperatures. Better materials include wool and synthetics, which wick moisture away from the skin and insulate the body, keeping you warm and dry. This is true for hats, gloves, and socks as well. Layering these materials is a great way to keep everyone comfortable in chilly temperatures. For example, a wool base layer followed by a fleece mid-layer (such as these options for kids, women, and men from L.L. Bean) and a weather-resistant or waterproof outer layer can do the trick in most conditions.  We highly recommend a fleece bunting mid-layer to keep babies nice and cozy in cold temperatures. For more information, check out this article on keeping your family warm on the trail in winter. Start Slow, Short, and Close to Home While epic adventures in the snow can make for incredible memories, we recommend starting with short adventures close to home. Start with a walk around your neighborhood, and ease into rainy-day hiking at a nearby trail or testing out snowshoes at a local state park. This gives everyone time to acclimate to spending time outdoors in cold or rainy conditions. It also gives the caregiver time to ensure their family has the right gear to keep them comfortable. For example, I learned the hard way that my younger son needs both a warm mitten liner and an outer mitten waterproof “shell” to satisfy his need to play in slushy puddles while also keeping his little hands warm and dry. Try a New Outdoor Activity  Growing up I remember dreading going outside in the snow for a walk, but the minute my dad said the word “sled”, I was up and dressing in my warm gear within seconds. There is just something magical about an activity that can only be done in less than “ideal” conditions!  Whether it’s sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or even ice skating on a frozen pond, adding in the extra equipment can be just what you need to motivate your family to get outside. Many places will rent equipment, such as snowshoes and ice skates, for you to test out.  Looking to buy? Check out these equipment options from L.L. Bean. Bring Along a Favorite Warm Beverage or Snack There’s nothing better on a cold outing than a nice warm drink or snack to stave off the chilly temperatures! Before heading out, grab a thermos of hot chocolate, cider, or tea for the family (or coffee for the adults) to enjoy on a hike or sledding break. A favorite soup, stew, or even oatmeal works well as a nice warm snack that can be easily carried in a thermos. Another great option is to plan an outing within close proximity to a favorite cafe or coffee shop so that you can run in and grab a warm treat before continuing on your way. Peak Their Interest with a “Themed” Outing If you have ever tried to motivate your kiddos (or partner for that matter) to get outside in unfavorable weather conditions, you may be familiar with the “are you crazy?!” glares and the epic groans that follow. However, adding a theme or activity to your outing can pique their interest enough to get them moving out the door. It can be anything from a hunt for the deepest puddle to a scavenger hunt challenge or stargazing adventure. Check out our free Winter Workbook to get you started with your family. For more fun ideas, check out this fun Winter Scavenger Hunt/Sensory Walk printable. Looking for more tips to help you get outdoors with your family this winter? Check out these tips and hacks from our wonderful Hike it Baby Community for hiking and getting outdoors with your family this winter. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach