OutGrown Blog

Depending on where you live, it can be difficult to get your family and friends motivated to get outside in certain seasons. For those who live in the far north, winters can be brutally cold and icy. Summers can be unbearably hot and humid for those who live in the south. And for those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest, rainy season can kill our desire to get the kiddos suited up and out the door. So how can we keep our family, friends and ourselves motivated to get out the door regardless of the weather? Read on for some fun ideas to help take your mind off the weather conditions and focus on enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer all year round. HiB 30 Almost since the birth of Hike it Baby, we have brought you the Hike it Baby 30 challenges to help motivate families to get outside for 30 minutes 3 times a week or hike 30 miles in 30 days. These challenges, occurring twice a year in April and September, come with a unique and gorgeous challenge sticker, an amazing and supportive community on Facebook, and the chance to win some awesome prizes! If you are not a member of Hike it Baby, now is a great time to join and gain all the perks of finding a community of like-minded families like yours! 150 Hours Outside Project This brand new project, started by Leah McDermott of the popular blog Your Natural Learner, encourages families to commit to the goal of getting outside at least 150 hours throughout 2019. The 150 Hours Outside Project is free to join and comes with a supportive and motivating Facebook group along with weekly e-mails that provide helpful tips and encouragement to get families outside as much as possible. Bucket List Having a seasonal bucket list that includes some of your favorite activities to participate in as a family can be a fun way to get the kiddos excited for the upcoming seasonal changes. Whether it is to go sledding in the winter, search for wildflowers in the spring or splash in a creek in the summer, these lists can keep us motivated to seek out nature whenever we have the chance. Check out this fun bucket list for winter for some ideas on how to get your family outside this winter. Nature Scavenger Hunt Scavenger hunts are one of the most versatile options for sparking the interest of kiddos (and adults) of all ages! They can be tailored to the season, the environment, the intended age group, which of the five senses you are focusing on, you name it! For example, I created a scavenger hunt tailored to garden at a nearby park. We had the kiddos look for flowers of different colors along with animals they may see in the garden and pond nearby. Here is a nature scavenger hunt that focuses on using all your senses. You can read more about exploring the senses using scavenger hunts in this article, or find tons of links and ideas for other scavenger hunt options here. Bingo Who doesn’t love a good game of Bingo?! You can create a Bingo sheet with customized squares to include various outdoor-related activities from something as simple as "find evidence of wildlife" to "jump in a puddle" to grander goals such as “hike 2+ miles” or "go on a sunset hike." Or you can use one we've created, and maybe even add prizes for those who reach a 5-in-a-row bingo or a “blackout” bingo! I created a Bingo card for my family with the prize of a trip to the ice cream shop as our reward every time we reached a Bingo. 30 Things to do Outside Lists Similar to a bucket list, these lists include 30 fun things to do outside with your family. Looking for a list more tailored to the snowy winters of your area? Check out this fun winter list from Hike it Baby member Melissa Kindt. Make a snowman. Make a snow angel. Go on a hike. Go sledding. Find tracks and footprints in the snow. Go skating outside. Head out to the slopes for some skiing. Go snowshoeing. Shovel your neighbor's sidewalk. Make a snow kitchen. Go for a flashlight walk. Have a campfire and roast marshmallows. Use water and food coloring in spray bottles to color the snow. Build a snow castle. Find a frozen waterfall. Catch snowflakes on your tongue. Have a snowball fight. Go for a walk and look at holiday lights. Enjoy a warm drink outside. Set up some chairs or blankets and look at the stars. See ice sculptures. Build a snow fort. Make bird feeders to hang in your backyard or local park. [bird feeder blog] Make a snow volcano. Go on a winter scavenger hunt. Build colorful ice sculptures. Make a snow obstacle course. Build a mini sledding hill in your yard. Go ice fishing. Go to the playground. An Adventure a Day Why not put your list of outdoor activities into calendar form to tackle an activity a day for a month? I took a list of fun and wacky “holidays” that could be celebrated outside (such as Kazoo Day on January 28) along with the moon phases that we can observe and activities that we always enjoy (such as splashing in puddles and finding evidence of animals on the trail) and put them all on the January calendar with one “outdoor adventure” per day. We tend to switch around our “outdoor adventure of the day” at times to make them work with our schedule, but this has helped to inspire us to get outside as much as possible! You can find a list of fun holidays and a lunar calendar for moon phases. Here's an Adventure a Day template we've put together that you can download and customize for your needs.  Local Challenges There are many organizations that put on local outdoor challenges as well. For example, there is a waterfall challenge in the Adirondack Mountains of New York where you can visit a certain number of waterfalls to earn a patch. And in San Diego, the Missional Trails Regional Park Foundation puts on a 5-Peak Challenge to encourage hikers to explore the park. You can check with your local Hike it Baby branch or nearby parks to see if there are any local challenges in your area. How do you keep your family motivated to get outside and enjoy nature all year round? Do you have any favorite challenges? Let us know in the comments below! Read more: 8 Ways to get out and enjoy winter with kids Hiking groups and challenges to consider in the new year 10 Ways to get your kids out of the house when life gets busy Photos by Jessica Human and Laura Castro.  

The idea can conjure up images of dread for some parents. Piles of soaking wet clothes. Boots caked in mud. Tiny dirt handprints all over your car. As you buckle giggling children with dirty faces into car seats, you think about how you can quickly clean up the mess. Wash up those dirty little faces. Get the clothes into the laundry. Hose off the boots. Scrub off the handprints. Take a second to pause before you clean up all the good. Look past the mess. There are many wonderful benefits to letting your children step into puddles and jump into the mud every once in awhile. It's fun for the kids First of all, remember that it’s just plain fun for your kids. They get to break the rules, let loose and play. It brings them joy and teaches them proper outlets for their energy and stress. Remember that play is more than just fun … it's how they practice important skills to prepare them for adulthood. Each jump and splash develops their motor skills so one day they can run off to start their own adventures. It helps build immunity Letting kids jump in a puddle is a vital step toward building a healthy immune system. Right from birth, your body rapidly begins creating defenses for all things it will come into contact with. Each time children are exposed to daily germs, such as reasonable dirty and muddy surfaces, their immune system goes to work, essentially creating the codes to fight off sicknesses. In fact, exposing children to the dirt and germs in their normal habitat may be key to proper immune health. Check out this article from the New York Times, “Babies Know: A Little Dirt Is Good For You.” Think of your children’s immune system as potential skills, like painting. Every child has the ability to be a painter. But only those who have the opportunity to start small, paint a few simple objects and develop their skill over time learn to be artists. In the same way an artist practices their brush strokes, mixes colors and practices their art, children need to build their immune system. They need to fight germs with a fever, throw up to rid their stomachs of harmful contaminants and cough to remove germs trapped in their phlegm in their airways. It makes them stronger Think of each jump in the puddle as a chance for your child to grow. A chance for their legs to get stronger. An opportunity for their brains to learn coordination. A chance for their bodies to learn to fight off the germs in their own backyards. Look past the mess for a few minutes, and think of the potential for their bodies to thrive. National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day is January 16, and what a great time to get out and build strong, healthy bodies! Check out our calendar for a great puddle-jumping hike near you or add your own! Let your kids give their friends a little mud splash and build their immune system (and have fun!). Then pull out the hose and start the laundry as soon as you get home. How will you celebrate National Step in a Puddle Day? Share with us in the comments below. Read more: Nature babies: Why having young kids in nature is so important for their health The do's and don'ts of risky play Photo by Laura Castro. This post is sponsored by Merrell.

In honor of National Bird Day in January, we wanted to share these stories of Benjamin Birdie to help inspire littles to be brave, spread their wings and never give up when things get tough. Meet Benjamin Birdie, a little bird with a dream of flying. Despite his mother saying he's not quite ready, Benjamin decides to give it a shot. With the help of a menagerie of animals, Benjamin takes an adventure. Will he be ready to fly? Author Michael Dotsikas introduces readers to Benjamin Birdie in Benjamin Birdie's First Flight. Little Benjamin is anxious to use his wings and fly, so while his mother is away, he takes flight. While at first he has success, Benjamin quickly falls to the ground and is far from his nest. With the help of animals like the jaguar, snake, kinkajou and giraffe, Benjamin eventually makes it back to his nest and realizes that he's not quite ready to fly on his own. Bold illustrations and plenty of rhyme keep young readers engaged as they wait to see what happens to young Benjamin. Older readers will also enjoy learning some additional facts about the tree dwellers that help Benjamin in the appendix of animal facts, featuring illustrations and photographs of the animals highlighted in the story. A glossary is also included to help young readers expand their vocabulary. For readers wanting more of Benjamin Birdie, the second book in the series, Benjamin Birdie and the Tree Dwellers, is also available. A determined Benjamin has not given up on his dream of flight. Although unsteady at first, Benjamin doesn't give up, and he is eventually able to fly on his own and visit the tree-dwelling friends who helped get him home in the first book of the series. These tree dwellers are deeply inspired by young Benjamin and now have dreams of trying something new themselves. The second book follows in the first's footsteps with its clever rhythm and rhyme, an illustrated appendix on some of the new tree dwellers, and a glossary. Author Michael Dotsikas spreads his message of kindness and friendship while encouraging others to follow their passions in both of the Benjamin Birdie books. For more information on Dotsikas, visit www.MichaelDotsikas.com.

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 kid-friendly hikes in Nebraska to explore with babies and young children. Hiking with young children (under 5 years old) is different from hiking with school-age children. These three hikes in Nebraska offer families of young children beautiful trails to explore while considering the unique ways young children hike, wander and doddle. While there are hundreds of trails to explore in Nebraska, our local Hike it Baby branches recommend these three hikes that are close to metro areas, accessible by all-terrain strollers and beautiful to explore with young children. Tree Adventure/South Table Creek Trails (Nebraska City, NE) Arbor Day Farm, the place where Arbor Day got its start, is a 260-acre outdoor children's playground. Listed as a National Historical Landmark, Arbor Day Farm encourages people to "plant, nurture and celebrate trees." Aside from the many activities available on the grounds, such as gift shop, nursery, restaurant and lodging, Arbor Day Farm offers two trails for hiking. Tree Adventure Trail is a paved path that takes visitors to a 50-foot-tall treehouse and includes multiple interactive activities alongside the trail for kids to learn about animal and plant life in the area. Take a detour on the South Table Creek Trail for an additional 2/3-mile dirt trail that winds through the woods. There's a second tree house for kids to climb and the trail traverses over creeks as well as crosses several bridges. There are also two outdoor classrooms that offer hours of entertainment for the kiddos. Our family enjoyed Arbor Day Farm so much that after four hours, the kids still weren't ready to leave. With all the interactive learning opportunities on the trail, we spent a lot of time at each spot. My daughter really enjoyed mimicking bird calls; the boys had fun playing in the creek bed; and all three kiddos liked building and making music in the outdoor Nature Explore Classroom. It was a two-hour drive from home, but Arbor Day Farm will definitely be a yearly visit for us. – Vong Hamilton Tips: Fall is a beautiful time to visit with colors ablaze. Take time to go through the corn maze and apple orchard, take a hay ride and grab apple pie. Before you leave, visit the Greenhouse and learn about how tree seedlings are grown and take a free tree seedling home with you to plant. Take your time through the trail as there are hidden gems in the woods for the kids to spot. Fontenelle Forest Trail (Omaha, NE) With 2,000 acres of land and 26 miles of trails, Fontenelle Forest is an excellent choice for families with little ones if you are in the Omaha area. Fontenelle Forest Trail is a little over two miles, and if you want to go for a harder hike from this, you can venture off onto other trails. The trail is stroller-friendly but if you venture further to the forest trails, plan to carry kids. You can expect to see deer, rabbit, squirrels, wild turkeys, bald eagles, deer, turtles and raccoons to name some of the wildlife. Fontenelle Forest is also home to a raptor recovery program and they take in 400-500 birds a year from around Nebraska and Iowa. The Raptor Woodland Refuge is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Also look for a fun suspension bridge for kids to climb around on. Fontenelle Forest is one of our favorite hiking destinations. Depending on what level of difficulty we are up to that day, we can walk a couple miles around the boardwalk with the stroller or we can go “off road” on the miles of trails that wind through the woods. There is an outdoor children’s play area which includes a water feature, several tree houses, a digging area and wooden xylophones. Should the weather not cooperate, there is an indoor play area in the lower level of the main building. – Jessica Kadavy Tips: If you are visiting on a rainy day, the boardwalk can be slick, so walk slowly. Take time to read informational boards along the boardwalk trail explaining more about the wildlife in the area. There are benches all along the boardwalk portion of the trail that are great for breaks and nursing. Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Omaha, NE) The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge isn't a wooded trail, but it was worth mentioning here for its unique construction and short distance that makes it toddler-friendly. Affectionately known as “The Bob,” the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is a beautifully engineered suspension bridge that floats 60 feet above the Missouri River and connects two states: Nebraska and Iowa. The 3,000-foot-long walkway connects Omaha, Nebraska, to Council Bluffs, Iowa. There’s a spot on the Bridge that delineates the states' borders, which is a photo op hot spot where all visitors young and old straddle the state line - also called "Bobbing." Both sides of the bridge land in gorgeously landscaped all-access parks and link to over 150 miles of nature trails. The Omaha side boasts a splash pad and walk along the riverbank, while the Iowa side features a newly built amphitheater. The pathway is paved, generously wide and has gradual inclines to accommodate enthusiasts of all abilities. When in Omaha, there are some things you HAVE to do, like visit the amazing Omaha Zoo and walk The Bob. Because The Bob is a paved trail and a pedestrian bridge, you can rest assure that if your toddler gets a little bit ahead of you, you don't have to worry that he'll trip and get hurt. It connects to other trails on both the Nebraska and Iowa sides to make the distance any length you want. Plus, how often can you say you were in two states at one time by straddling the state line with one foot in Nebraska and the other in Iowa while suspended over a river? – Vong Hamilton Tips: In the summer, schedule your walk to coincide with one of the entertainment events on the Iowa side and make an evening of it for the entire family. Remember to pack swim clothes and reward the kiddos at the splash pad before heading back the way you came. The bridge is stroller-friendly and short enough for little legs to walk on their own. More Resources for Families with Young Children Nebraska state offers an abundance of trails for families with young children. For more family hike ideas, see: Hike it Baby calendar (or connect with the local branch) Outdoor Nebraska Hike it Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers – New Book by Hike it Baby Founder Shanti Hodges If you’re traveling through Nebraska and need more information or recommendations on trails or would like to join a group hike, the nearest Hike it Baby branches are in Lincoln and Omaha. Read More 3 Trails to explore with young children in Missouri 3 Kid-friendly trails in Kansas for young children 3 Kid-friendly hikes in Iowa to explore with young children What are your favorite hikes in Nebraska for families with babies, toddlers and young children? Leave a comment below! Trail contributions also provided by Jessica Kadavy and Christine Stewart. 

I am shifting my gaze between [the woman talking] and my little guy as we lumber down the trail, shuffling after our kids. I am trying hard to make eye contact as I stifle a yawn. My mouth and face contort, trying to play it off like I’m just, I don’t even know, stretching my face. That’s not even a thing. It’s awkward and conspicuous and clearly a yawn, but I don’t want to seem rude. I like this woman. She is telling me how she and her family ended up in Wisconsin all the way from South Africa. I am intrigued to hear that she was a hiker back home and was bitten early on by the “travel bug.” Something in her beaconed for the States. She traveled here alone and ended up in Utah, falling in love with the red and orange sandstone of the desert, sunny days and the outdoor culture. Once she met her husband and had her daughter she, like so many I’ve met here, moved to Wisconsin to be closer to family. Another transplant looking for community. This is the second or third time I’ve met and walked with her, but I still cannot remember her name. Like so many other moms I’ve met recently, we all fade into the background so our kids can be the focus. We are known only as “Blank’s Mom.” I’ve settled into this role now and find a sort of comfort in the anonymity. It’s not about me anymore. No one is looking at the outfit I’ve worn for the last three days or my bed head or counting my 4th cup of coffee. In asking about the kids and their interests, ours come up only inadvertently ... almost forgotten. I stumble over simple questions like “Where are you from?” and “What do you do?” Especially this one. What do I do? My brain seizes as I sift through a typical day of early wake-ups, spilled food, dirty diapers, play dates and laundry. None of it seems signifiant to mention. So, instead, I steer the conversation back to the little guy or the other moms. In doing this, I get to know these women, the story behind Oscar’s Mom or Lena’s Mom. I feel a bit like a detective piecing together the long forgotten background stories of these amazing mothers. All mothers have a background story, of course, but I have found that Hike It Baby mothers in particular tend to have some of the most adventurous and inspiring stories. We catch up with a few of the other moms on the trail. They overhear Armani’s Mom’s story and chime in excitedly. Reed’s mom talks about growing up in the Philippines, “…camping trips on Samal island as a teenager, complete with motorcycle rides, moonlit swims at waterfalls, and sleeping 50 feet above the ground in balete trees.” She is quiet and reserved and tells me that she has moved a lot, that it's become a bit of a hobby. She seems confident ... fearless. I offer stories of my life in Asia, hoping to connect and excited to have found someone else to share that experience with. In answer to the “What do you do?” question, Finn’s Mom tells me about Hippotherapy, something I’d vaguely heard of but thought was something only practiced in places conjured by Dr. Seuss, and of course done on hippos. Her whole face lights up when she tells me about working with horses to help her patients with emotional healing, motor skills and coordination. “The horse has a way of grounding us and keeping us in the present. I always feel better after being at the barn…” She goes on to tell me she works part-time now so she can be home with her two kids. To have such a significant career while also caring for not one but two small children, I find to be truly incredible. I really need to up my game! We stop abruptly at a creek that requires much inspection by the toddlers. As I am musing about how great this is, Wesley’s Mom tells me how this creek has transported her back in time to her simple and rustic upbringing in Northern Illinois. “As a kid, there was this small forest preserve, nothing fancy, but the highlight at the path entrance was this tiny natural water spring with the purest water!” We talk about her move to Utah and her love of the mountains. Something in me brightens; she gets it, a fellow lover of mountains! And even with three kids, she never seems frustrated or overwhelmed. She is the kind of friend who listens to you vent about your frustrations and then shows up at your door with soup for that cold or that book you were talking about, like some kind of altruistic magician. I’ve known these women for only a short time, but they’ve become my friends and community. Hike it Baby has made these friendships possible and linked us in ways I will forever be thankful for. It helps get families with zero to school-aged children outside to foster a love of nature; and it’s a place where families can find support and community and it’s been a life line for us. How has spending time on the trails with others benefited your family? Share with us in the comments below. To read the original blog post, visit Brenna's blog here. Photos courtesy of Brenna Jeanneret. Read more: Who inspires you: Gaining inspiration and perspective on trail Finding a hiking community - How to encourage others to hike with you Father finds inspiration and fun with Hike it Baby

It can be a never-ending cycle. You want to hike, but you don't feel “fit” enough to hike. Yet you feel you aren’t fit enough because you don’t ever hike. Here’s the thing: Hiking is an “everybody” sport. The mental and physical benefits of hiking are too numerous to ignore. Therefore, here are some suggestions for how to start hiking regardless of your current fitness status so that you can get out there and reap the many benefits that walking in nature has to offer. Let go of preconceptions of what makes someone a “hiker” This is the best place to start, and it is huge. Ignore the advertisements for hiking and outdoor gear that show ridiculously fit or slim women modeling clothing and equipment for hiking. The truth is that hiking is for everyone. All shapes, sizes, ages, gender affiliations, abilities, everybody. Numerous studies have shown that getting out in nature has restorative effects for the body and mind for all people. These benefits go beyond just simply “getting exercise,” and these benefits apply regardless of the weather conditions. You can read more about the benefits in the Hike it Baby blog here. So let go of what you envision a hiker should be and embrace the hiker you are going to be! I would encourage them to just get out there. If they wait until they are already fit, it may never happen. Sure, climbing a mountain may not be reasonable right now, but hikes come in all ability levels. I am 350 pounds with asthma, a bad knee and hip, etc. ... but I've routinely strapped 50 pounds of toddler and gear to my back and gone hiking for the last two years. Start small and push further and further and they will develop the strength for bigger and bigger hikes. They may be the slowest on the trail, but that still means they are infinitely faster than everyone who didn't try. ~ Jennifer from Snohomish, WA     Start slow and strive for progress, not perfection I recently sat down to watch an episode of my toddler’s favorite show with him, and one particular line really stood out to me: “Go slow until you know.” I find that to be true with most things in life. It is particularly important when first starting to hike. You can’t expect to climb mountains without first hiking a few hills. Start out with some short, flat trails to get some dirt on your boots. Then gradually increase your mileage and elevation gain over time. Those first few steps are the hardest, but they get easier with every hike! I learned this the hard way years ago when I was laid up in the hospital for a few months due to an illness. I lost most of my muscle mass, and it was really hard for me to cope with the fact that I had to completely build myself back up again, both in strength and confidence. My family kept reminding me, “One step at a time; it’ll come back.” And that’s exactly what happened! I gradually built back my muscle by first walking the hospital halls, then walking the neighborhood, and finally walking some trails. I suggest you “go slow until you know,” and you’re almost guaranteed to make progress! Something I learned from our wonderful guide when we were climbing Kilimanjaro: Pole, Pole (pronounced po-LE). It’s Swahili for “slowly, slowly.” That has stuck with me ever since, especially when there is something hard or that I don’t think I can do. Get out there and take the first step, and go slowly. You don’t have to go far or fast. It’s not a race, but get out there and take that first step. It’s not about the distance or the time, but the journey and always putting one foot in front of the other, pole, pole. ~ Keira from Lexington, KY Progress, not perfection. I think sometimes we think we have to be able to hike five miles and keep up with everyone right from the get-go. Hike 10 minutes if that's what your schedule/fitness level allows. Next time, hike 15 minutes. Just hike. ~ Cathy from Wishart, Saskatchewan Set goals and invite others to join you What is it you want to accomplish with hiking? Do you want to aim for hiking a few times a month or once a week? Build yourself up to hike three miles, five miles, or even 10 miles? Work toward reaching the top of a nearby mountain? Whatever it is, write down your goal and maybe even some smaller milestones to hit along the way. Find ways to stick to these goals, whether it be posting motivational sticky notes where you can see them or always having your hiking gear ready to go near the front door. My favorite way to stay motivated is to invite others to join me on hikes. That might be by posting the hike on the Hike it Baby calendar or asking some women in my neighborhood to join me in hiking a nearby trail. When I post my own hikes and invite others to tag along, I feel as though I am reducing the pressure of trying to meet the expectations of others since I choose the time, place, distance, etc. It also means that I can’t back out! Another great way to stay motivated toward reaching a goal is to join a challenge. My family signed up for the 365-mile challenge for 2018, and we convinced members of our extended family to join us. Not only will we have the family motivation (and competition, of course), but we will also have the motivation of others on the 365-mile challenge Facebook page to keep us going. Check out a list of fun outdoor challenges to try for 2019 here. Make an “appointment” with yourself One of the biggest setbacks for many people is trying to find the time. Here’s what I suggest: Schedule it in. Make it an “appointment” with yourself and write it in your planner or in the calendar on your phone. Make it alert you when it’s time to start! This could be anything from scheduling a weekly hike with some friends to setting an alert to wake up 30 minutes earlier to get a quick workout in before the day gets busy. Commit to taking a walk on your lunch breaks or a morning/evening stroll with your kids. When you have it written down, you are much more likely to follow through! I try to schedule one or two “Solo-Saturday” hikes a month with my Hike it Baby branch. I leave my little dude to have some one-on-one daddy time and take a much-needed “mental re-charge” break in nature with some of my fellow moms. Those one or two “appointments” each month can make a huge difference in my mental health, and physically scheduling them means that I have committed to not backing out. I used to get up at 4 a.m. to get exercise in because it was the only time I could block out an hour that I could almost guarantee wouldn’t get interrupted (I say "almost" because sick kids happen and often at 4 a.m.). Sometimes it’s a 20-minute walk outside in between meetings or at lunch. Or breakfast or dinner in the stroller for the kiddos so I can walk while they’re somewhat occupied and we can still have that time together. ~ Susanne from Tulsa, OK Exercising to help improve your “hiking game” While we can generally agree that the best exercise to get into hiking shape is to hike, sometimes it’s not feasible to go for a hike in the time you have available. For example, you may only have the time (and energy) for a quick workout while your little one is napping or before they wake up, or a 15-minute time slot in between work meetings. This is a great time to exercise some of the main muscles used in hiking: the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes (your legs and backside), the hip muscles and the abdominals. You can do this simply by taking the stairs whenever possible or doing some lunges, squats or planks. When I was a teacher, I would take the long way to the copy machine or do some squats or lunges at my desk during break times. Now that I have my little dude, though I still may walk up and down the stairs while he naps, I prefer the calming effects of a short yoga routine. (He’s two; need I say more?) Yoga increases strength and flexibility while also improving balance and stability, all of which you can benefit from while hiking. Is the gym more your forte? Spending time on a StairMaster, climbing machine, elliptical, or incline treadmill can really work those muscles used for hiking. There are tons of options here. As long as you are moving, you can do whatever works best for you! Just be sure to warm up and stretch before the workout and cool down afterwards to prevent injury. Planks, as much as they suck ... I struggled with diastasis recti after twins, and doing planks helped a lot. Also yoga!! I loved power yoga before babies, but now gentle yoga is all I need to feel like I got a great workout. It works the entire body, not to mention it really does help with the mind (which is over half the battle to getting out the door and joining hikes, at least for me!). ~ Lindsey from Atlanta, GA Regardless how you do it, we hope you get on the trails and enjoy the benefits that come with taking a walk in nature. Curious about what to take with you on the trail? Check out our suggestions of what to pack here. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Bradwin and Rebecca Hosley. Read more: Hike it Baby High: 8 steps to help you hike after baby How did you first get into hiking? 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.  

After the stress of the holidays, warming up to a good book can be good for the soul. Check out these winter reads to calm your spirit and connect with your kids! Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner A cold and snowy day calls for snuggling in blankets with a good book. Over and Under the Snow is a great book to read with your little ones when the weather is a bit too cold for outside adventures or before bed after a long day of exploring. With beautiful illustrations and well-crafted words that appeal to all the senses, Over and Under the Snow is a wonderful book to help children learn about how animals survive during the cold, snowy months of winter. The book follows a boy and his father on a cross-country ski trip, and the father shares his knowledge of the secret kingdom of the animals in the winter. “Tracks always tell a story,” the dad tells his boy. The illustrations show what is happening both above and underground, allowing the reader to really take in what happens in the winter. Over and Under the Snow is written with language that children of all ages can understand, but the book also contains an author’s note with more scientific information on the subnivean zone, which is the network of tunnels between the snowpack and the ground. There is also a page that details what the animals addressed in the story do in the winter, which may satisfy the craving for more information of older readers. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats In The Snowy Day, Peter takes an outdoor adventure. Bundled up in a snowsuit, he explores the neighborhood, making snow angels, knocking snow off trees and dreaming of the day he is old enough to participate in snowball fights. Everything about the snowy day is magical to Peter, and he can’t wait to get back outside the next day with the fresh new blanket of snow. Peter’s sense of excitement over the snow is contagious, and reading this Caldecott Medal winner to your child or a group before a Hike it Baby adventure will create a sense of wonder and joy as the kids get ready for their own snow day adventure. Kids and parents alike will enjoy the simple colorful illustrations, which feature great contrast in color. Besides piquing your child’s interest about snow play, The Snowy Day was a trailblazer when it was first published in 1962. It was one of the first picture books for young children that featured an multi-cultural urban setting and an African-American protagonist. Despite its original publication date, The Snowy Day still gets children excited for winter and the accompanying snow! Baking Day at Grandma's by Anika Denise Join three little bears as they venture their way to Grandma's house for a baking day! Filled with rhyme, repetition and winter scenes, you and your toddler will imagine walking through the snow on a cold day. While the scenes outside are cold, the love and warmth in Grandma's kitchen will keep you warm. Best of all, the book ends with a recipe for a chocolate cake that you and your little ones can make at home! Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts!  Submit your review here for a chance to be included in an upcoming blog post! 

Whether your goals for the New Year include getting healthier, losing weight, getting outside more or finding better balance in your life, starting the year off with a trip into nature for a First Day Hike is a wonderful way to kick-start those goals! While the holiday season can be a rewarding time to get closer to family and friends and enjoy the many festivities happening around us, it can also be an extremely stressful period. Between travel, shopping, cooking, traffic, etc., it can be enough to raise your blood pressure and lower your mood! So how do you get rid of this stress? The answer can be as simple as (not to mention affordable) stepping outside! There is overwhelming evidence that getting out into nature has countless benefits for both body and mind. For that reason, doctors in Scotland have even started prescribing nature to their patients to help manage a myriad of health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and depression! Join a First Day Hike With New Year’s Day marking the end of the holiday season, it is the perfect time to start reaping the benefits of nature to help us let go of that holiday stress and get back to the balance of life. That’s where First Day Hikes come in. What started as a local movement in Massachusetts in 1992 grew into a nationwide program in 2012. On New Year’s Day, State Parks in all 50 states offer free, guided hikes and walks within their park boundaries. The intention of these hikes is to provide a means for individuals and families to celebrate the New Year by getting outside and connecting with the nature and history of their area. According to the America’s State Parks website, “People are invited to savor the beauty of the state park’s natural resources with the comfort of an experienced guide so they may be inspired to take advantage of these local treasures throughout the year.” Check out their interactive map to find a First Day Hike at a State Park near you. Adopt a new family tradition The First Day Hike movement has shifted beyond just state parks to individuals starting their own traditions everywhere. Here are just a few examples from members within our Hike it Baby community of how they have made (or plan to make) First Day Hikes a tradition in their own families: • Patricia, Montgomery and Chester Counties Branch: We have been doing free hikes at state parks for the past few years. We do different parks every year. We live in Pennsylvania but are thinking of trying a new park in Delaware this coming year! • Elizabeth, Holland MI Branch: Since age 18 (almost twenty years ago), I’ve ended and began my years with hikes. On New Year’s Eve, I like to go to the beach for a hike, sit on the beach with my boys, and take some moments to reflect on the past year and upcoming year. It’s a beautifully peaceful way to close out a year, and especially those that were more difficult years than others. We wake up New Year’s Day and go right back out to start our year on the trail! • Becca, Kitsap Peninsula Branch: Growing up, my family would take long walks/hikes on January 1, planning out our “New Year’s Resolutions” and discussing how we plan to make the year a great one. I have continued this tradition with my own little family, and we try to plan out some small goals (like hike as many new trails as possible) and some bigger ones (like partaking in the 52 Hike Challenge or hiking a bigger mountain) as we enjoy our “nature therapy.” • Vong, Kansas City Branch: Even though we just spent the entire evening on New Year's Eve together, the whole extended family - ages ranging from infant up to 70 - gets out for a first-day hike at a local nature sanctuary and get in a few miles. Consequently, everyone feels so renewed during and after the hike. • Laura, La Crosse Branch: Our branch is joining my favorite local hiking spot - Perrot State Park - for their First Day Hike/Snowshoe event! I’m excited to hopefully get some new families out on the trails with us who have the day off work! 2019 is going to be full of adventures - I can feel it! • Suzanne, Tulsa Branch: This year I might do a moms-only sunrise hike with my branch! Do you have any First Day Hike traditions? Do you plan on hitting the trails on January 1 with a local state park or with your family? Let us know in the comments below! Read more: 8 Ways to get outside and enjoy winter with kids Hiking groups and challenges to consider in the New Year #Optoutside with these great hike ideas for the entire family Picture by Stephanie Jacobson.

Looking for that perfect hike in Michigan 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 Michigan to explore with babies and young children. Hemlock Crossing County Park (West Olive, MI) If you're looking for an explorative but kid-friendly hike, Hemlock Crossing County Park is the place to go. You'll find trails that meander through different wildlife habitats, offering you and your little ones a learning and adventurous hike. The trails at Hemlock Crossing County Park is about six miles. However, if you're hiking with children, especially ones in a stroller, you may want to stick to the paved trail. It's roughly one mile roundtrip. It starts at the park entrance and navigates through the southern part of the park. You can follow the paved trail through the wetlands and nature center, where they offer fun kids' activities. Tips: During winter, the park offers programs and events you can sign up for. Winter time may be hard for you and your little ones to get out and hike. The Keep It Active Winter Walk motivates you to stay active during the cold season. Remember to bring your snowshoes! If you're hiking with older children (5 years and up), make your hike a fun, learning experience for them. The Winter Tree Walk offers the opportunity to hike the trail and discover the deciduous trees throughout the park. Registration is required for these events, so sign up on their website. When you're done hiking, there's a Nature Education Center with a Wildlife Den full of kids' activities and a picture window that looks out over a bunch of different bird feeders. It's a great nature experience! –Avril Wiers Photo courtesy of Miottawa.org. The Arb Walking Trail at Nichols Arboretum (Ann Arbor, MI) Nichols Arboretum offers wide, stroller-friendly trails with scenic views of the glacial topography of the area. It features a variety of walking trails of varying technical difficulty levels. Easy trails are flat, wide and ideal for walkers and runners alike. Medium trails may be more narrow and include some inclines. The easy trail is located along the Huron River, which makes it a fun place for your kids to stop and throw rocks in or watch kayakers paddle by in the summer. But your kids can do more than hike. There are fallen trees for them to balance on and fun hills to climb and run down. Rest from your hike and bring a picnic to bask in the sun in the dale! Tips: Trails are gravel, compacted soil, wood chipped or grass. Stay on the trails to avoid poisonous plants on the grounds. Monitor young kids around the river and steep slopes. Photo by Annie Fortunato. Pond Trail at Maybury State Park (Northville, MI) Imagine yourself hiking along rolling hills and lush wooded areas. Pond Trail is about one mile roundtrip and provides a relaxing hiking adventure for you and your little ones. The trail provides a semi-loop through the oldest forest and around a small scenic pond. Parts of the trail follows alongside an equestrian trail, so your kids will be in for a surprise when riders happen to gallop by. Additionally, the park offers six miles of paved and dirt trails for hikers of all ages. Not only that, but in the spring the area is filled with trilliums, making it a beautiful sight while hiking. Tips: A recreation passport is required for admittance. The best trailhead to begin at is near the Walnut Picnic Shelter at the west end of the park. You can find parking, picnic tables, drinking water and restrooms here. Hiker-only trails are always marked with green intersection markers or posts. Trail maps are also posted at each intersection. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources. MORE RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN Michigan offers an abundance of trails for families with young children. For more family hike ideas, see: Hike it Baby calendar (or connect with the local branch) Michigan State Parks Hike it Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers – New Book by Hike it Baby Founder Shanti Hodges READ MORE: 3 Hikes in Wisconsin to Explore with Young Children 3 Beautiful Hikes in Ohio for Young Children 3 Kid-Friendly Hikes in Iowa to Explore with Young Children What are your favorite hikes in Michigan for families with babies, toddlers and young children? Leave a comment below! Trail reviews contributed by Avril, Amanda Gittleson and Annie Fortunato. 

Recently I told Mason I wanted to take him on an adventure to backpack. He bounced up and down around the room and saying, “Yay, yay, we’re going backpacking!” Here’s the thing: This will be his first actual backpacking trip ever. If you knew me, you might be surprised to hear that because, if you follow us on Instagram or Facebook, it looks like we sleep outside all the time. Sure, we sleep in tents, but have yet to try backpacking with our now 5-year-old because it always seemed like it would just be too hard. Then I went backpacking with a single mother of five. Autumn started backpacking with her kids, who range from 4 to 12 years old, because she wanted to make sure they got to experience nature as she did when she was a kid. She doesn’t travel far – maybe two miles at the most from the car – and has only been for one night at a time. Regardless, she’s still doing it. Redefining adventure Since having Mason, I’ve done what I call “redefining adventure.” To me, this means building up an adventure base first with Mason ... to help him understand and love getting into the outdoors. Then I will push it further. For some people, getting out backpacking early on might be what they are comfortable with. But for Mark and I, backpacking is something we’ve done a bit, but not tons of, so thus far it has just felt easier to car camp and go rafting. Or we just do day trips. But all of this counts toward instilling adventure in our son in my book. Through any kind of exploration of nature and giving children the opportunity to take the lead, I feel, with even a mile out, you can teach trail awareness; sleep under the stars; respect land, water and animals; and more. But gauge what works for you and your family makeup and really consider your kids. Push them a little, but not too hard so that you turn them off from the outdoors forever. The key is always to start them as young as you can. For my family, not pushing Mason too hard means we’ve carried Mason long past when many people felt we should be carrying him. But this has allowed us to hike 5-10 miles, where he can experience being deep in the woods all day. I feel, for us, this gentler approach to adventure helped turn Mason into such an outdoor fan. When I say “Let’s go for a hike,” he doesn’t pause a beat but is already getting his shoes on before I’ve even picked the trail, regardless if five minutes earlier it was all about the latest episode of Octonauts. Introducing adventure It’s easy to get caught up in feeling like your kids should love the outdoors if you can’t imagine anything more fulfilling than getting out into nature. It’s also easy to turn your kid away from the outdoors when you try too hard with long hikes, bad weather and pushing them when they aren’t interested. Want your kid to love adventuring? Here are a few suggestions: 1.     Pick your adventures wisely. Just because you are excited to go backpacking to a cool lake you did pre-kiddos, it doesn’t mean it’s kid-friendly. I have definitely returned to adventures that I did pre-Mason and thought they were kid-appropriate only to discover that I forgot about the long, boring 2-mile approach in on a trail that can kill a little child’s enthusiasm to get to the good stuff. 2.     Ask friends for recommendations on what adventures they've been on with their kids. You'll get better backcountry advice from friends who have tried out trails over following suggestions online. While online guides are stacked full of great information, this information is often not geared toward families. And if it is, a young child may not have been taken into consideration when considering “family” dynamic. 3.     Don’t cheap out on kids' outerwear! This is not to say you need to go buy high-end products, but pick your gear carefully for kids. It may seem like it’s hard to find quality goods, but if you tap into groups like Hike it Baby, Adventure Mamas and all of the local outdoors communities, you can find little known brands that work well like My Mayu and Muddy Buddy. Or look for used big-name quality brands like Merrell, L.L.Bean and Columbia that you know can stand the test of rough and tough kids. Also consider what gear you'll need for the season. 4.     Do test runs when going for it! If you are planning to get into backpacking with kids, start small. Pick a 1/2-mile hike in with your gear and pack like you're going for a few days so the family can feel what that’s like. Make sure you're within walking distance of the car so you can hustle out to get things you forgot. Or you can take a quick jaunt in the car to get ice cream as a reward for your kiddo. 5.     Go with others. Kids help kids adventure further. Backpacking with a group can make a journey (and carrying things like tents, pots and pans, food and a stove) easier if you have a little group joining you. Also when you forget something, another parent is bound to have remembered the forgotten item. 6.     Download a map so you don’t have to rely on cell service. It’s always good to find a map of the places you are adventuring. That way you'll know the distance you'll be going and what features are in the area. 7.     Pay attention to adventures your kid seems to enjoy and replicate more of those. If your kiddo loves splashing in creeks, look for more creek hikes. Or find campgrounds or backpacking spots with water features to splash in. 8.     Don’t skip seasons. Try to get out a little bit every season to help encourage kids to think of the outdoors as a year-long goal versus something you just do in the summer.  9.     If you are trying something totally new to you, do your research and check the weather. Getting out there on a sunny day that suddenly switches to a lightning and thunder storm can scare a little kid away from the outdoors because they will pick up on how nervous you are. 10.  Pay attention to changing of the seasons. First snow, leaves falling and massive flower fields exploding are all great ways to teach your child about nature. It helps get them excited about seeing the trails or campground in a different way. Plan your adventures around those key weekends so that kids are extra delighted with a beautiful landscape. How does your family redefine adventure? Share with us in the comments below! Read more: First time hiking with kids? Helpful tips to get out on trail 6 Tips for hiking on difficult terrain with kids 5 Ways to get kids outside during the school year Photos by Arika Bauer and Melissa Hollingsworth.

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). Check out the vast selection of high-quality base layers from L.L Bean. Mid-layer: This layer goes over your base layer and keeps you warm (think fleece sweatshirt). I prefer a full-zip option (such as this super comfy sweater fleece from L.L Bean 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 like this Wildcat Jacket. Check out these gear reviews for packable down jacket and stylish women’s winter jacket options. 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 (such as these) 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 (such as an OAKI 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 (such as this adorable option from L.L.Bean with rollover cuffs at the hands and feet) 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, layering for all aspects of motherhood (pregnancy on up), and 5 winter carrier options that we love. 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, such as the All-Conditions Waterproof Day Pack from L.L.Bean. 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 such as Yaktrax or Stabilicers 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? Check out the various high-quality classic and modern sled styles and snow tubes available from L.L.Bean that will be sure to last for years with family memories that will last a lifetime! 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. This post was sponsored by L.L.Bean.

This year, Dec. 21, not only marks the first day of winter, but also the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. While those long hours of darkness can make us want to take after the bears and hibernate inside until spring, we have another suggestion for you: Get outside and enjoy it! Need some ideas? We've compiled a list of fun ways to take advantage of the long nights of winter while making family memories that last a lifetime. Recommended items to bring on winter night hikes/walks are flashlight/headlamp, extra layers (the temperature can drop rapidly once the sun goes down), warm beverages (such as hot chocolate or cider) and reflective gear (especially if you are walking in areas where you may be close to passing vehicles). In addition, we recommend the newest addition to the BOB stroller lineup: the Revolution Flex Lunar. This unique stroller is outfitted with ultra-reflective fabric to help keep you safe and visible on your early morning and evening adventures. How cool is that?! 1. Sunset Hikes Longer periods of darkness mean earlier sunset times. This makes enjoying the beauty of a sunset much more feasible for families with young children. (Pre-dinner sunset walk, anyone?) Winter sunsets can occur as early as around 4:30 p.m., whereas a summer sunset can occur as late as 8:30 p.m.! 2. Sunrise Hikes Longer nights also mean later sunrise times. In other words, instead of trying to get the kids ready and out the door before 5:30 a.m. for a summer sunrise, you can wait until around 7 a.m. to catch a winter sunrise. Why not welcome the day on a positive note by getting some fresh air and enjoying a gorgeous, colorful sunrise! 3. Full Moon Walks Full moon walks can be a fun lesson for kids to learn that even though the moon makes no light of its own, it can shine bright by acting like a mirror and reflecting the light of the sun back to us. When the moon is at its fullest, it is receiving light from the sun across its full face, making it shine brightly in the night sky. Not only that, but winter has some of the BEST full moons since the tilt of the earth’s axis has us pointing toward the moon and away from the sun. (Hence, the short days.) This means the moon is up for a long time and takes a high path through the sky. The full moon may even be bright enough for you to be able to turn off your flashlight/headlamp and follow the light of the moon along your walk/hike! There will be a full moon on January 21, 2019. What better way to kick off the year than with a full moon walk or hike? 4. New Moon Walks I like to call these my stargazing walks. Since moisture can add a hazy appearance to the air, winter is an ideal time to stargaze as cold air is much drier. When you add that to the complete darkness of a new moon, the stars are much more visible and vibrant. Grab a star chart and make it a fun scavenger hunt. Kids can see which constellations they find along the way. The next new moon will fall on January 6, 2019. 5. Glow Stick Stroll Are you struggling to get the kiddos out the door for a nighttime stroll due to complaints of it being “too cold” or “too dark”? Add in some glow sticks and you may see their complaints quickly turn to excitement. Grab some inexpensive glow sticks or glow wands at the dollar store and watch their faces light up as they parade around with their bright colorful accessories! 6. Listening Hike It’s amazing what you can hear at night without the constant distractions and activities that occur in the daytime. Take the family on a night hike on a favorite trail and challenge the kids (and yourself) to close their eyes and just listen for 15-20 seconds. Then ask if they can name what they heard. You may be amazed by what you hear. 7. Scavenger Hunt Make a list of items and critters you may find or hear at night and watch as your kids excitedly explore their surroundings. This can be tailored to the age and ability of the child. For example, younger kids can point out things like an owl, the moon, stars and the sound of night insects. And older kids can draw the shape of the moon, find a constellation, search for a shooting star or airplane, or search for the tracks of nocturnal animals. 8. Pajama Walk After a day full of activity and excitement, kids may not be ready to “call it a night.” That makes the bedtime routine seem endless and full of tears. Winter is a perfect time to change up the routine a bit. With the longer nights, it is almost guaranteed to be dark out around bedtime, so why not take the bedtime story on the road? Get the kiddos ready for bed, with their teeth freshly brushed and pajamas on (along with extra layers depending on where you live), grab a favorite bedtime story (and a headlamp to make reading easy), and head out the door for a bedtime stroll. My little guy especially loves his “Goodnight Moon” walks. We read the bedtime story beloved by many kids and let him say goodnight to the moon, stars, trees, critters etc. By the time we make it back home, he is struggling to keep his eyes open, making the transfer to his bed seamless! Read More: 6 Reasons Evening Hikes Are Good For Little Night Owls & Parents Alike The Art of the Night Hike, Courtesy of a former Y camper How do you take advantage of the long nights of winter? Let us know in the comments below! Photos by Jessica Featherstone and Amy Diebold.