OutGrown Blog

Created in partnership with  If these last few years of dealing with a global pandemic have taught us anything, it’s that time in nature is more important than ever. When my city was shut down, I took refuge in my neighborhood parks and natural spaces. Like many, I felt safer being outdoors where exposure was minimized, and I could reap the benefits of nature during an extremely stressful time. In fact, more and more doctors are recommending time in nature as part of their patient’s mental health treatment. And the benefits don’t stop at mental health. In addition to an increase in overall happiness, various scientific studies have shown evidence that making outdoor time a priority improves sleep quality, enhances the immune system, and increases heart health. For more information on the many benefits of nature, check out these articles on how nature can play a role in disease prevention  and how nature contributes to your child’s health. With so many benefits, access to greenspaces (land that is partially or completely covered with vegetation) for everyone should be a no-brainer, right? Unfortunately, access to nature is not so easy for many in the U.S. For example, as my family works on finding parks for the 10 Park Challenge, I have discovered that we have no parks that are a safe walking distance from our home, forcing us to drive to every park we visit. This surprised me since we live in a fairly "green" area of our state. Read on to uncover the problems we face with greenspace availability and what you can do to help.     Greenspace Availability With so many science-backed benefits tied to getting outdoors and exploring nature, it’s disheartening that many people in our country don’t have access to safe local greenspaces. This is especially true for our under-represented and low-income communities that have historically low access to safe local greenspaces. Many in our community don’t have the option to just “jump in the car and drive to the park”. This is something that needs to change. We need to make it a priority for EVERYONE in our country to have safe, local access to natural spaces. Thankfully numerous mayors across the nation are answering the call by signing and implementing the 10-Minute Walk Initiative. What is the 10-minute walk initiative? According to their website, this movement seeks to “create a world in which 100% of people in U.S. cities have safe access to a quality park or green space within a 10-minute walk of home by 2050”. That means they are inspiring leaders across the country, from the smallest city to the largest metropolis, to ensure their citizens live within a 10-minute walk (or roughly half a mile) of a natural space they feel safe visiting. That’s no small feat with more than 100 million people across the U.S. lacking access to a park within a half-mile of their home. However, local green spaces provide some surprising benefits to both local and global communities. Local Greenspaces Can… Provide opportunities for locals to be physically active. Improve the environment as the trees and other foliage help to clean and cool the air. Provide opportunities for environmental education through programs and features within the greenspace. Build community through interaction with neighbors and provide opportunities to work together to improve the surrounding area. Improve the local economy by boosting nearby businesses.   How You Can Get Involved Here at Hike it Baby, our vision is a world where EVERYONE can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. That’s why this movement is near and dear to our hearts, and we hope you will join us in making the 10-Minute Walk Initiative a reality. Here are three ways you can help this cause and aid in the construction of natural greenspaces within all cities across the U.S. Write a Letter to Your Mayor. Click here to find out if your mayor has signed on to the 10-Minute Walk Mission. If they haven’t, write them to encourage their participation. Better yet, spread the word and encourage your friends and neighbors to flood their mailbox (or inbox) with letters asking them to join the cause. Participate in trail clean-ups, programs, or fundraisers to build new greenspaces. This helps improve current parks and programs and helps raise the funds needed to build new, quality green spaces. Need a place to start? Hike it Baby branches across the United States host trail cleanups in mid-July as part of our annual Together We Hike birthday celebration. Check out our events page to see if there is a trail clean-up near you. Support businesses that actively support local trails. There are companies out there who have taken up the call to improve local parks and build new ones. For example, the Two for the Trails program from Athletic Brewing Company aims to protect the outdoor places we love. This company donates 2% of their sales to protecting and restoring local trails. Last year alone, they donated $1 million to trail-based non-profits and IMPACT programs that work to protect outdoor spaces. Over 60 grant winners were able to earn funds to fuel their tireless efforts to improve natural spaces for us to enjoy.   How do you plan to get involved? Let us know in the comments below!     Photos by Michelle Pearl Gee 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 from  Photo by Deanna Curry Although summer weather often goes hand in hand with swimsuits and shorts as it heats up, it's time to re-think those clothing choices. Our Hike it Baby covers the basics of keeping cool all summer long by layering, planning out your adventures, plus our favorite parent tips to make getting outside this summer no sweat! So step out, embrace the season, and feel better once you do!  Download our Summer Adventure Basics here.   Descarga los conceptos básicos de la aventura de verano aquí.   For more information about summer layering and planning your outdoor adventures, check out this video!   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.

This blog is part of our Elevating Voices series in partnership with      Meet Dineo Dowd.  Dini is one of Hike it Baby’s Board of Directors members, and a former Branch Ambassador.  She’s an author of multiple children's books and has a 7-year-old daughter.  Her family lives in Madison, Wisconsin, but this wasn’t always the case! Growing Up I grew up in South Africa, but did not have a connection to hiking. Hiking was something tourists did. They carried their stuffed packs and headed out, and I always wondered what ARE they doing? What is even IN those packs? Hiking and camping just were just tourist activities, and I wasn’t involved in them at all until moving to the United States. Moving to the United States When I moved to Utah, my husband and I went hiking very frequently and became very outdoorsy. I was hiking regularly, camping all the time, and had an amazing group of friends to do all of these activities with. It was everything, and an important part of my identity.   My husband and I planned to keep up this outdoorsy lifestyle even after the birth of our daughter, Armani. However, once Armani arrived, I found that hiking with a baby was new and different. Those friends that I hiked with didn’t always want to listen to a baby cry, or wait for diaper changes and feedings. One day, my husband and I attempted a difficult hike with the baby, and I slipped and fell, breaking my camera. This left me frustrated and lacking confidence in hiking with my daughter. An important part of my life was gone and I felt defeated.              Enter Hike it Baby One day, I was chatting with a stranger who mentioned Hike it Baby. This mom mentioned a group called Hike it Baby, where moms and babies would go out for hikes as a group. This sounded amazing, and I looked them up for a hike to attend. I ended up going on my first Hike it Baby hike, which was also the first hike for the Salt Lake City branch. Hike it Baby changed my life. I began hiking five days a week with other parents, building my confidence in hiking with my daughter and spending time outside. Armani has had the opportunity to grow up outside, thanks to our adventures together and my deep desire to raise her with a connection to nature. In spending time in nature, I've learned the most important piece to getting outside with kids is just that – Get outside! Worry about the gear later. People get overwhelmed with all of the things and gear to get outside, but it usually doesn’t matter – just start going outside. Simply open the door and start exploring together. There are so many benefits to taking those steps outside and embracing nature. By stepping out of my comfort zone, I've had the opportunity to embrace nature, meet amazing new people, and travel to awesome places (next up, Mount Kilimanjaro!). Inclusivity in Nature When I first sought out diverse children’s books about hiking, I found that there simply were none on the shelves. I wanted Armani to be able to see herself in nature, and so I wrote a children’s book to make that happen. I'm now a published children’s book author with multiple titles, diverse books and is helping children everywhere see themselves in nature! I may have started with Hike it Baby Salt Lake City, but have since been involved in multiple Hike it Baby branches and my advice is that there are so many resources and ways to be inclusive, there is no excuse not to be inclusive in nature.  Just make it happen!       Watch Dineo's Story 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.

You wake up in the morning and go through your normal routine. It’s going to be a good day- you’re ready to adventure and explore with the kids and enjoy all the beauty that the summer has to offer. Before you get dressed, you decide to check the weather: “Alexa, what’s the weather today?” “Today, there will be sunny weather with a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 72 degrees.” WHAM- suddenly all your hopes and dreams of taking your family on a fun outdoor adventure seem to come to a screeching halt. But, never fear! While hot and sticky weather can put a damper on the plans you had for outdoor exploring with the family, as long as you plan your day appropriately, it will all be ok. One key to a successful outing in the heat is to set your sights on locations where you will have lots of opportunities to cool down. Then there’s no need to shut the door on family adventuring because of the heat (unless it becomes an unsafe level of heat). Other things to consider to help you have a more enjoyable experience are to time your outing during the coolest time of the day, pack lots of water, and wear hats and light clothing. Here are some additional tips on how to keep your kiddos cool while hiking during the summer. Photo Credit: Monique Vargas Incorporating water in your outdoor summer adventures is a great way to keep cool and have fun on those really hot summer days. Here are 10 super fun ways that you and your family can incorporate water fun to help keep cool while adventuring out and about during the summer: 1. Splash and wade hike: Choose a hike or location for your family that includes a clear stream or lake where you can put your feet in a refresh yourselves in cool water along the way (clear running water is the best for wading because it is more likely to be clean and safe). Make sure you have appropriate footwear figured out before the hike to help things run a bit more smoothly once you reach the water. 2. Waterfall hikes: Find a waterfall hike in your area and enjoy the sights, sounds, and perhaps even a little mist here and there to help cool you off. Some waterfall hikes may offer opportunities for wading or swimming as well. 3. Beach exploration: Plan a trip to a local beach and explore the surrounding area on foot with your family to get a little extra exercise and adventuring in. 4. Splash pad fun: Check out your local parks and see if any of them include a splash pad during the summer season.  The kids will love running through the cool spray on a hot day and moms and dads can cool off a bit too by standing nearby and enjoying some of the accompanying mist. *Be aware of fees, as some splash pads do charge for entry. Photo Credit: Anna North 5. Backyard water adventuring: All you need is a hose and something to hold water and you are all set for a fun time in the backyard with the kiddos. If you don’t have a pool or water table, grab an empty tote or bucket. You can have the kids test different items to see if they will float or not. Maybe use some aluminum foil, or use sticks and string to build your own boats. Or, you can even give the kids some kitchen utensils to play with if you don’t have any toys specifically made for the water. Play with water balloons or grab the hose and (on a low-pressure setting) take turns spraying each other. 6. Splash pad at home: Turn on the sprinkler and just let the kids run through and around it (or splash through the puddles, as my youngest prefers to do). To add a little extra fun, you can find creative and fun places to put the hose or sprinkler to change the height of the spray (make sure it is safe and secure) or even use it to make a water slide with one of your outdoor slides (test the bottom to be sure that it doesn’t get too slippery). 7. Neighborhood sprinkler hunt: Take a walk with the family with the intention of seeking out active sprinklers in the area and, perhaps, spending a little time in the spray. This might not work out timing-wise, but if that’s the case you’ll at least have had a lovely family walk around the neighborhood together. 8. Stone skipping: Find a local pond or lake where you can skip stones together. 9. Learning with water: Fill some cups with a little bit of water and add a couple of drops of various colors of food coloring. Let your little one explore how different colors combine with other ones to make new colors. Talk about it with them. 10. Puddle jumping: Just after the rainfall, take the kids out to search for puddles in the area to jump and splash in (rain boots and rain suits are helpful to keep the kids from getting too dirty and wet). Photo Credit: Anna North Let’s all get on our swimming gear and keep to good times rolling despite the heat in order to make summer memories with our kids that will last a lifetime!  Do you have any tips for beating the heat in the final days of summer? 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.

WHAT IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE Oh, wonderful summer! Just saying the word brings on thoughts of long days, short nights, and rising temperatures to enjoy. For those of us with kids, it also means early sunrises, late sunsets, and a lot of “but the sun is out!” arguments for waking up early or staying up late. But what is the summer solstice, and why does it mark the start of summer? Read on to find out more! On the summer solstice (also called midsummer in some cultures), one of the earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt (23.44 degrees) toward the sun. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this occurs on June 21 this year and marks the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Interestingly, countries and territories north of the Arctic Circle (such as Alaska) witness what is called the “midnight sun” where the sun is visible for a full 24 hours. While we consider this day the start of summer in the United States, other cultures consider it closer to the middle of summer. The summer solstice has been associated with everything from the start of the new year in ancient Greece to the feminine “yin” force in ancient China. Regardless of which way you look at it, this is a day worth celebrating! Here are some activities, crafts, and book recommendations to help your family celebrate the longest day (and shortest night) of the year.   Photo Credit: Jessica Human   ACTIVITIES Welcome the early sunrise with yoga —  Greet the sunrise or sunset with a few rounds of sun salutations to give thanks for the blessings the sun brings us. You can follow it up with a few poses depicting some of those blessings, such as tree pose and flower pose, or some fun animal poses to keep the kiddos interested. Discover more family-friendly yoga poses in this article. Sunrise or sunset hike — Usher the family out the door for an early-morning hike to welcome the sun on the longest day of the year. Don’t want to wake up that early? Aim for a sunset hike instead and stay to marvel at the starlit sky as it comes to life on the shortest night of the year. Create a summer-themed nature table — Creating an area where kids can place items that remind them of summer is a wonderful way to kick off the season! The area can be as small as a bowl with a few special items or as large as a table with numerous summer projects on display. A few examples to include are seashells collected at the beach, postcards from a vacation, summer crafts, or potted flowers. Any items that remind your family of the endless fun of summer will work! Spend time with the local flora — What better way to show your gratitude for the sunlight than by spending time in the garden or visiting a farm to give thanks for the bounty that is made possible by the sun? After all, without the sun, plants couldn’t exist, which in turn means that animals (like us) couldn’t exist.   Photo Credit: Ali Chandra   CRAFT IDEAS Construct a sun suncatcher — Capture the radiance of sunlight with a sun-shaped suncatcher to hang in your window! This craft is sure to brighten your day even when the weather turns gloomy. Make a flower crown — Celebrate the season with a bright and sunny flower crown. If dandelions are plentiful in your yard this time of year, here is an easy tutorial for a dandelion crown using no extra materials. Then you can harvest the dandelion greens to make a yummy salad! Looking to save the flowers and leave no trace, or you don’t have dandelions in your yard? Here is a tutorial that uses fake flowers to create a gorgeous summer crown. Create a sundial — Get in some stealth learning by teaching the kiddos how ancient humans determined the time of day by using the shadow cast by the position of the sun. This easy craft can make a great addition to your garden, patio, or outdoor play area. More sun crafts — Looking for more crafts to help your family celebrate the sun and the start of summer? Here are a plethora of easy options to try with your kids. Photo Credit: Ali Chandra   SUMMER BOOKS TO READ As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” These beautifully illustrated books help children of all ages understand what happens as spring turns to summer. BIRTH– 3 YEARS I See Summer by Charles Ghigna — Pea pods, cucumbers, and strawberries provide plenty of opportunities for counting in the garden! This brilliantly illustrated, summer-themed book gives readers an opportunity to search and learn with hidden numbers on every page. Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Ye — Follow a spunky little girl as she finds ways to entertain herself and stay cool on a hot summer day. From catching butterflies to searching for frogs, the author focuses on appreciating the small but special details that define the summer season. Summer Is Here by Heidi Pross Gray — Read along as the author covers some of the best highlights of summer, from picking blueberries to diving into the water on a hot day. Amazing watercolor illustrations and rhythmic, whimsical text lead the reader on a summer adventure in this book. The Wonders of Summer by Kealy Connor Lonning – Follow an adventurous little girl and her father as they experience the wonders of summer, from wading in a river and catching fireflies to enjoying ice cream. This heartfelt book will inspire families to get outdoors and appreciate the wonders and beauty of nature in summer. 4 YEARS AND UP The Longest Day – Celebrating the Summer Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer — This book takes readers on a journey through the history and science behind the summer solstice, with a focus on summer celebrations from various cultures around the world. The author also uses kid-friendly language to describe the science behind summer phenomena, such as the growth of a butterfly and the longer day length. Summer Sun Risin' by W. Nikola-Lisa – Join a little boy as he spends an activity-filled summer day helping his family on their farm. Feeding animals, mowing hay, picking vegetables, and eating freshly caught fish fill the hours on a summer farm in the 1950s. And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner — Lyrical text is used to describe the sights, smells, sounds, and favorite outdoor activities of summer. The book is accompanied by cheerful illustrations depicting the joys of summer and is enough to get anyone excited for the warmest season of the year! Under Alaska’s Midnight Sun by Deb Vanasse — See summer through the eyes of an Alaskan girl as she enjoys the “midnight sun” of her region. With beautiful illustrations, follow along as she dances, watches wildlife, and stays up late with the sun that doesn’t set. How does your family celebrate the start of summer?  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.

This Father's Day, we would love to take a minute to share the story of one of our Board Members and Hike it Baby Dad Julio Soria.  Read below to learn about Julio, how he found Hike it Baby and his thoughts on being a dad. (en español abajito!) How has nature been a part of your life? Where do you find your family exploring nature the most? I was very fortunate to grow up with parents who took me camping at a young age. My grandfather would also grow a variety of fruits and vegetables on his property, a tradition that he brought with him from growing up on a ranch in Mexico. That planted a seed within, a love for connection to soil and the food that grows from it. Now I practice urban farming at home, complete with backyard chickens and incorporating native plants and wildlife ponds for the benefit of the wildlife. Our backyard became an oasis and provided escape from the pandemic lockdowns, a privilege that unfortunately many didn’t have in Los Angeles. People think of Los Angeles as a city devoid of nature, but the opposite is actually the truth. LA is NOT A DESERT! We live in a Mediterranean climate and our region is within a biological hot spot known as the California floristic province. LA is bisected by two transverse mountain ranges, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. We have miles of coastline dotted by tide pools and kelp forests. We also have urban rivers to recreate in. All these places have not only set the backdrop for my career but provided many sites to recreate in. I also can't not acknowledge that all this “public land” sits on the unceded territories of the Tongva, Kizh, Tataviam, and Chumash peoples. These days my family and I find ourselves exploring the tide pools most often. My son loves looking for critters, especially sea hares!   How did you learn about and get involved with Hike it Baby?   I first learned about HiB in 2014, when my son was born. I was an experienced naturalist and   outdoorsman. I was not so much looking for tips on how to hike with a child, but for a community of parents who liked to hike. Since HiB had just been founded, there were no groups in Los Angeles (originally Tovaangar, home of the Tongva people) where we live. Fast forward seven years and a career working for intersectional environmental organizations that guide young adults from historically excluded communities on a pathway to careers in parks and conservation. I joined the HiB Board of Directors this year and I am very happy to bring my experience as an outdoor professional and as an outdoor parent!     Why is it important to you as a dad to raise your child to love nature and being outdoors? That’s a layered answer for sure! I am the proud father of a beautiful child who happens to be on the autism spectrum. We have found that nature provides a therapy that he can’t get anywhere else. Being outdoors calms him down. He seems to get grounded. The stress of city stimuli melts away. So first and foremost nature provides socio-emotional, mental health, and physical exercise benefits. My son is 7 years old. He faces a changing planet challenged by extreme weather events driven by climate change. Have you studied the 2022 IPCC report?! The only way we humans can turn around this course is by all of us pitching in. By raising our children to love and appreciate nature and the outdoors, we raise the next generation of stewards to care for the planet.       What has surprised you most about being a dad?  Every day presents a new surprise, a revelation! This question is probably best answered by a book. I think for me it would be my ability to be more sensitive around him and to sense what he needs. It’s true, we dads get a sixth sense at child birth. I think mine has evolved more  to meet his emotional needs above all. We know that Dads are sometimes perceived in society as ‘babysitting’ when taking care of their kiddos.  However, we know that Dads aren’t babysitters, they are involved parents! Can you share your perspective?  I’m definitely more than a “weekend dad” who only takes him on outings. For me, being a dad mostly means advocating for him at school, therapy, and at doctor’s visits. Being involved in IEP meetings. Not giving in to endless requests for screen time all the time. Desperately trying to encourage him to eat healthy. Teaching my son to have body positive values, especially to respect women of all shapes. Teaching him to respect his elders. And teaching him the values of tending the land. But I don’t do it alone. I have an amazing support system in my parents and partner.   Welcome to the Hike it Baby Board of Directors, Julio!         Este Día del Padre, nos encantaría tomarnos un minuto para presentar a uno de nuestros nuevos miembros de nuestra Junta Directiva de Hike it Baby y padre, Julio Soria.  Lea a continuación para aprender sobre Julio, cómo encontró Hike it Baby y sus pensamientos sobre ser padre.   ¿Cómo ha sido la naturaleza parte de tu vida? ¿Dónde encuentras a tu familia explorando más la naturaleza? ¿En qué partes de la naturaleza se encuentra explorando más tu familia? Fui muy afortunado de crecer con padres que me llevaron a acampar a una edad temprana. Mi abuelo también cultivaba una variedad de frutas y verduras en su propiedad, una tradición que trajo consigo al crecer en un rancho en México. Eso plantó una semilla en mi, un amor por la conexión con la tierra y la comida que crece de ella. Ahora practico la agricultura urbana en casa, mi jardín está completo con gallinas e incorporando plantas nativas y estanques de vida silvestre para el beneficio de la vida silvestre. Nuestro jardín se convirtió en un oasis y proporcionó un escape de los bloqueos por la pandemia, un privilegio que desafortunadamente muchos no tenían en Los Ángeles. La gente piensa en Los Ángeles como una ciudad desprovista de naturaleza, pero lo contrario es en realidad la verdad. ¡LA NO ES UN DESIERTO! Vivimos en un clima mediterráneo y nuestra región se encuentra dentro de un punto caliente biológico conocido como la provincia florística de California. LA está dividida por dos cadenas montañosas transversales, el Área Recreativa Nacional de las Montañas de Santa Mónica y el Monumento Nacional de las Montañas de San Gabriel. Tenemos kilómetros de costa salpicados por pozas de marea y bosques de algas marinas. También tenemos ríos urbanos para recrearse. Todos estos lugares no solo han establecido el telón de fondo para mi carrera, sino que también han proporcionado muchos sitios para recrearse. Tampoco puedo no reconocer que toda esta "tierra pública" se encuentra en los territorios no cedidos de los pueblos Tongva, Kizh, Tataviam y Chumash. En estos días, mi familia y yo nos encontramos explorando las pozas de marea. A mi hijo le encanta buscar criaturas, ¡especialmente liebres marinos! ¿Cómo aprendiste y te involucraste con Hike it Baby? Aprendí por primera vez sobre HiB en 2014, cuando nació mi hijo. Era un naturalista con mucha experiencia. No estaba buscando tanto consejos sobre cómo caminar con un niño, sino una comunidad de padres a los que les gustaba caminar en la naturaleza. Desde que HiB acababa de ser fundada, no había grupos en Los Ángeles (originalmente Tovaangar, hogar del pueblo Tongva) donde vivimos. Avance rápido siete años y una carrera trabajando para organizaciones ambientales interseccionales que guían a adultos jóvenes de comunidades históricamente excluidas en un camino hacia carreras en parques y conservación. ¡Me uní a la Junta Directiva de HiB este año y estoy muy feliz de aportar mi experiencia como profesional y como padre! ¿Por qué es importante para usted como padre criar a su hijo para que ame la naturaleza y estar al aire libre? ¡Esa es una respuesta con capas! Soy el orgulloso padre de un hermoso niño que está en el espectro del autismo. Hemos descubierto que la naturaleza proporciona una terapia que no puede obtener en ningún otro lugar. Estar al aire libre lo calma. Parece estar conectado a tierra. El estrés de los estímulos de la ciudad se desvanece. Entonces, ante todo, la naturaleza proporciona beneficios socioemocionales, de salud mental y de ejercicio físico. Mi hijo tiene 7 años. Se enfrenta a un planeta cambiante desafiado por eventos climáticos extremos impulsados por el cambio climático. ¿Has estudiado el reporte del IPCC de 2022?  La única forma en que los humanos podemos cambiar este curso es mediante todos nosotros colaborando. Al criar a nuestros hijos para que amen y aprecien la naturaleza y el aire libre, criamos a la próxima generación de administradores para que cuiden el planeta.   ¿Qué es lo que más te ha sorprendido de ser padre? ¡Cada día presenta una nueva sorpresa, una revelación! Esta pregunta es probablemente mejor respondida por un libro. Creo que para mí sería mi capacidad de ser más sensible a su alrededor y sentir lo que necesita. Es cierto, los papás tenemos un sexto sentido. Creo que mi sentido ha evolucionado más para satisfacer sus necesidades emocionales por encima de todo.   Sabemos que los papás a veces son percibidos en la sociedad como "niñeras" cuando cuidan a sus hijos.  Sin embargo, sabemos que los papás no son niñeras, ¡son padres involucrados! ¿Puedes compartir tu perspectiva? Definitivamente soy más que un "padre de fin de semana" que solo lo lleva de excursión. Para mí, ser padre significa principalmente abogar por él en la escuela, la terapia y en las visitas al médico. Participar en las reuniones del IEP. No ceder a las interminables solicitudes de tiempo de pantalla todo el tiempo. Tratando desesperadamente de animarlo a comer sano. Enseñarle a mi hijo a tener valores positivos para el cuerpo, especialmente para respetar a las mujeres de todas las formas. Enseñarle a respetar a sus mayores. Y enseñándole los valores de cuidar la tierra. Pero no lo hago solo. Tengo un sistema de apoyo increíble en mis padres y mi pareja.   ¡Bienvenido a la Junta Directiva de Hike it Baby, Julio!   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.

In May, Hike it Baby attended the Children & Nature Network Inside Out Conference in Atlanta, Georgia which is "is the largest gathering of children and nature advocates in the world. Leaders from a broad range of sectors—all committed to the health and well-being of children and communities—come together to explore best practices for turning our indoor society back out to the benefits of nature."   Although we had a booth at the event and were able to meet many other organizations, one of the highlights was our Board of Directors Member & Treasurer Dineo Dowd presenting her story  and how she found her place in nature. At the end of the conference, Hike it Baby hosted a Bring it Outside Family Festival at Rodney Cook Park in Atlanta.  The event included nature crafts, family friendly hiking, games, activities, plus free outdoor gear and giveaways. We even had a pop up camp site for the kids, courtesy of Teton Sports, plus a smores kit for little ones to have some fun pretend camping play! Thanks to several generous prize sponsors, we were able to provide families with not only an awesome outdoor experience, but plenty of resources and free gear!  This included a Burley Honey Bee, Sunday Afternoons hats, Turtle Fur Beanies, Solly Baby Wraps, Onya Baby carriers, fiftyfifty water bottles, and rain suits from Oaki. Several Atlanta based organizations also showed up and shared great activities like nature bracelets (WAWA), sidewalk chalk (Children & Nature Network), and a nature wagon (Trees Atlanta). Hike it Baby’s Executive Director, Jessica Carrillo Alatorre, and Dini Dowd were interviewed by the local news, and had the opportunity to share about Hike it Baby, and our mission to connect kids and families to nature.  Check it out here to learn more about the conference, our family festival and Hike it Baby’s mission to help families bring it outside!     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.

“I want to go home!” whined my almost 3-year-old as he sat down in a huff on the trail. My usually adventurous little dude had lost his desire to explore, and I couldn’t blame him. It was a hot, humid summer morning in upstate New York, and we were only about a half-mile into our hike. I realized then that I had made a number of mistakes when planning this adventure: 1) I chose a trail that had little shade and no water, 2) We started the hike later than expected and it got hot FAST, and 3) There wasn't enough water. I decided to forgo the rest of the hike, strapped my kiddo on my back in a carrier, and quickly made my way back to the air-conditioned car. I needed to re-think and better prepare for hiking in summer and the weather it brings! Whether you are hiking, camping, playing at the beach or taking in a gorgeous sunset, summer is a wonderful time of year for families to enjoy outdoor fun in the sun. However, as temperatures increase, it can be hard to enjoy the outdoors with the constant “it’s too hot!” complaints coming from our tiniest explorers. Whether you have a baby in a carrier or an older child, here are some tips and tricks from our Hike it Baby community for keeping your kiddos cool on the trail in summer. Location and timing are everything We started doing shorter toddler walking/carrier hikes to alpine lakes where we can take a nice break to cool down! – Shari, Reno-Tahoe, NV I have a 1.5-year-old who is mostly in the carrier. We go early in the morning to beat the bugs and heat, and typically go for a trail with a water source. This time of year, we stay away from the beaches because of tourists, so we cool off in streams and freshwater ponds. – Lauren, Rhode Island We go in the morning and try for shaded trails or trails near a splash pad for the kids to get wet after. I also want to add that kids who wake up at the crack of dawn helps. LOL – Tracy, Louisville, KY Water parks and shorter hikes that begin or end somewhere with A/C, such as a coffee shop. – Jeannie, Kansas City, MO We include water of some sort in most of our hot-weather hikes. Hikes that don't include a water element start earlier. I like to be done or onto the water portion by 10:30 a.m. We wear loose-fitting natural fibers and hats. And of course, we pack plenty of water. We usually fill our water bladder with ice on hot days. – Courtney, Charleston/Lowcountry, SC Peppermint oil on the back of the neck! Hikes near creeks or shaded places. We also tend to hike earlier in the morning, but we are from the land of the midnight sun. So it’s hot all day! – Juliana, Fairbanks, AK Carrier tricks When putting the kids in soft carriers, I tend to strip them down to just shorts (and sunscreen). That way they have fewer layers. Mine get super hot easily and this seems to help. In strollers (if they let me), a muslin blanket helps shade them and keep bugs out. – Tracey, Anchorage, AK A towel wrapped in an ice pack between baby and me while I wear her. – Martha, Annapolis, MD For my son, I 86 the pants and shoes and utilize the sunshade on our pack. I carry a water bladder that we share to keep us hydrated and him entertained. – Lauren, Rhode Island My second child was born in May and she went hiking a lot her first 6 months. I could not have lived without our Luv Bug UPF towel. It is thin and light, has a hood, and is UPF 50+. I'd have baby in a onesie, put her in our wrap, put the towel hood over her head, tie the side corners around my waist, and then tuck the bottom corner under the carrier. Her entire body was protected from the sun and we were both comfy! – Vanessa, San Diego, CA I’d use the Osprey sun shade so she didn’t have to wear a hat.– Sandy, South King County, WA The mesh Lillebaby toddler carrier has helped keep us cool on long hikes. – Cherise, Eugene, OR For carriers, I stick to single layer carries in a cotton or linen woven wrap and ring slings, and my husband uses a Kinderpack with koolknit. While babywearing in the heat, especially with younger babies, dressing them in one less layer of clothing than yourself (often just a diaper) and frequent breaks are the best way to prevent over heating. – Courtney, Charleston/Lowcountry, SC Clothing and accessories to keep you cool Two favorites: misters and umbrellas. I bought this professional hair mister on Amazon. It provides continuous fine mist for 3 seconds each spray. I've found some pretty cool pump misters on lanyards at the county fair; there’s so many misters you can’t just have one. Evapotranspiration baby. Also a rain umbrella shades you and baby WAY better than the hat they will pull off. – Christine, Reno-Tahoe, NV We have been using a Luv Bug towel with a hood. SPF 50 makes me feel like he's protected on the beach and in the sun. When we hike in full sun, we toss it over him. If you get it wet first, it adds a layer of cooling moisture. It's a swimsuit-like material so it's very lightweight. – Kyla, Vancouver, WA Frogg Togg neck coolers, a portable fan that can clip on either stroller, frame carrier and even SSCs. If I can find breathable sunshirts, I try to use those. I keep myself as cool as possible so I’m not sweating on them. I sometimes wear a sun shirt that is very breathable meant for horseback riding. – Keira, Lexington, KY Hats, popsicles, Frogg Toggs! – Mindy, Myrtle Beach/Conway, SC I've been known to soak the hat before putting it on to keep my 3-year-old cool. Also, use bandanas you can get wet and wear around your neck. It's not heat-related exactly but I also prefer using a zinc stick sunscreen on my kids' faces (mine too). I've found it runs less with sweat than other options even if they do look like Casper when I put it on. – Jeannie, Kansas City, MO Cold snacks End with getting ice cream! – Juliana, Fairbanks, AK Cold, juicy fruits to snack on. – Martha, Annapolis, MD Frozen yogurt tubes are our go-to summer snack. While on the trail they melt a bit but still end up being a cool snack. – Jennifer, Houston, TX Frozen grapes! – Lacey, Kanai Peninsula, AK Be prepared I’d carry 3+ liters of water for a day hike, 2 liters in a bladder and the other in a water bottle. Leave a couple hydroflasks in the car full of ice water for a refreshing drink when you get back to the trailhead! Hike to lakes so you can all cool off when you have lunch and bring extra socks for yourself, putting sweaty wool socks back on is terrible. – Sandy, South King County, WA We like to freeze small Gatorade bottles and take them with us to enjoy in the middle of the hike or at the top of a peak. They are super refreshing! We also try to keep a small cooler with colder drinks and snacks in the car to enjoy a picnic after the hike. Be sure to know the signs of heat exhaustion and how to treat it just in case. – Becca, Kistsap Peninsula, WA How do you keep your little explorers cool on the trail in summer? Let us know in the comments below! Read more: Benefits and Tips for Enjoying Water Play this Summer 10 Fun Ways to Keep Cool this Summer How to pack trail snacks for hiking in summer Photos by Kyla Phillips and Arika Bauer. 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

This post (Activities for Toddlers) is a continuation of our Outdoor Activities series. Our goal with this series is to provide you with a resource of simple activities to do with your little ones. Check out the other post in our series: Infants. Next month we'll bring you ideas for Preschoolers. Here are some fun ideas to get outside with your 1-3 year old and enjoy the beautiful summer days to the fullest. Hike/Explore/Immerse The easiest and arguably best option for an outdoors activity with your toddler is to take them somewhere in nature and let them find their own activities. Find a safe hike and let them take the lead on their wobbly little legs and see what interests them most along the way.  Take note of some of their favorites. (Do they always carry around rocks or would they rather watch birds?) When you get home, make a nature play area in your own backyard out of whatever is most exciting to them. Bonus: by letting them choose the activity you can avoid the infamous toddler meltdown Sensory Bins Toddlers still learn a lot through experiential learning with their senses, but it is fun to provide a little bit of extra imagination aspect to sensory bins for them. Create a beach at home with a small tub, sand, and seashells. Next, add a bucket of water and shovels.  Fill a bin with rocks and give them small trucks and excavation tools.  Add pretend animals to a bin of mud to stimulate imaginary play. Water/Ice Play Most kids seem to love water and adding ice to water play is a fun twist. There are tons of ideas that range from as simple as giving them a bucket of ice and some cups and spoons or those that require more preparation.  You can freeze toys or fruit into ice, make colored ice for painting, or create ice boats. Here are some examples and tutorials from Happy Toddler Playtime. These are perfect for a hot day! Nature Rubbings All you need is paper and crayons and random items in nature and you can discover what patterns they make. Leaves, bark, flowers, grass, or even hard-packed dirt make simple and interesting rub patterns. This is a great way to practice Leave No Trace, since the item can stay in nature, and the rubbing can come home with you! Animal Tracks You can get an online guide or pamphlet (often found at your local nature center) and go searching for animal tracks. Since toddlers are low to the ground they are actually some of the best spotters of animal tracks around!  If you don’t have access to an area where you can see the real thing, you can make your own with stamps or drawings. Hannah Pruitt from HiB Birmingham came up with stamping animal prints in clay or modeling dough. A great homemade dough recipe can be found here. For those avoiding gluten, try this one.  Hannah recommends the Terra Animals for footprints. Story Time Outside Bring reading outside. Whether the story is nature related or just any favorite book, bringing books outside allows you and your little one to enjoy nature and stories together. You could even bring a smaller book along on hikes for a fun break when those little legs need to sit down. Need ideas for a book? Check out our book reviews! Movement Games Get a group of friends together. This can be at a local park, trail, or someone’s backyard and have everyone come prepared with a simple and active game or dance. It doesn’t have to be fancy at all – Simon Says, Hokey Pokey, or “racing” from one spot to another are all a blast for little toddlers.  An added bonus is that everyone has some of their favorites and then you get to learn more ideas to get the wiggles out when your child tires of just running around in circles.  Guaranteed that this activity can be just as entertaining for the adults as well! Bubbles There are so many ways to play with them – make your own, bubble machines, wands, sock contraptions, and giant ones. There's no denying the fact that toddlers just love bubbles.  Bring some to a local playground and you are sure to make friends fast! Arts and Crafts We tend to think that arts and crafts can be messy, require lots of materials, and lots of preparation. Try adding a nature aspect to your crafts. It makes them more fun and manageable. Buy some contact paper and collect small leaves and flowers and then stick them together to create cool window hangings. Bring out the washable paint and paint rocks, sticks, or pinecones to keep the mess outside and limit what supplies you need. You can use these items as stamps on a large sheet of paper to make a nature mural. Give your kiddo a paintbrush, water, and some stones and let them discover how they change when they get wet. Family Outside Time Finally, taking your toddler outdoors doesn’t have to be all about them all the time. Sometimes just bringing them along for the ride for whatever you want to do or older kids happen to be doing can be the most fun and open them up to new experiences.  Don't underestimate your toddler's ability to participate in family activities! Do you have an activity your toddler loves to do outside? Share with us below! And check back next month for Preschool ideas.  Photos Courtesy of Kirby Crawford, Hannah Pruitt, and Ali Chandra 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

Our friends over at Sierra Designs and WildKind recently released an informative video highlighting some super helpful tips on how to backpack with kids! Eager to hit the backcountry with little ones? If you’ve been exploring the idea of elevating your kid camping experience to a backcountry trek, this is for you! Sierra Designs teamed up with Heather Balogh Rochfort, co-founder of Wildkind, to help families gain confidence in hitting the trails this summer with the whole family. Heather explains helpful tips like: Starting Small - recommendations on types of trails and their terrain & milage, how far to travel & how for many nights Stay Organized - recommendations on ways to pack using stuff sacks, how to pack & organize them, etc. Focus on Kid-Friendly Dining - recommendations on types of meals to pack for your kids that you know they’ll like Don’t Forget the Fun - recommendations on how to keep the experience enjoyable and fun!   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 had the pleasure of hosting a Bring it Outside event in Elizabeth New Jersey, in partnership with the Elizabeth Urban Wildlife Partnership, Groundwork Elizabeth, Union County Parks, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, and Friends of Great Swamp.   Our “Mother’s Day at the Park” event gave families the opportunity to spend a morning outdoors and enjoy free food, drinks, outdoor gear, bilingual resources and prizes. Thanks to the help of all of these local partners, we were thrilled to welcome special guests from Josephine’s Place by providing transportation to and from the park for these women and their families. Josephine’s Place is a safe, welcoming space based in Elizabeth, where underserved women have access to programs that enable them to grow in confidence, develop competencies and life skills, realize their potential, and uplift their families, communities, and future generations. Although Mother Nature gave us us some challenging weather conditions with a very rainy day, families still had the opportunity to get out into nature, and walk away with some awesome gear to help them get outdoors!  Guest speakers included Anna Harris, Deputy Refuge Manager at the Lenape National Wildlife Refuge; Lucy Crespo, the Youth Leader from Groundwork Elizabeth as well their Executive Director Johnathan Phillips; Jessica Carrillo Alatorre, Hike it Baby’s Executive Director and special guest New Jersey Senator Joe Cryan.  These speakers shared stories, the importance of getting outside and spoke to the shared goal of supporting the community. We also had plenty of activities for families to enjoy! Groundwork grew plants on their micro farm so kids could decorate flower pots, plant flowers and give these to their moms for Mother's Day.  There was a pop up campsite furnished by Teton Sports, complete with pretend smores, for kids to play in.  We also set up an infant carrier station, so parents could try on wraps, frame carriers, and soft structured carriers for their little ones.  There was a Wander Walk set up for families to walk through and try out the activities on the signs when the rain let up as well. To celebrate these special moms, everyone who attended the event received backpacks from Teton Sports, water bottles from FiftyFifty, bug repellent from Sawyer, as well as Hike it Baby resources, activities and stickers. We know how overwhelming it can seem to get outdoors with the whole family, and we understand that outdoor gear and resources can go a long way in making the first few steps outdoors attainable.  Lucky giveaway winners received Sunday Afternoons hats, Turtle Fur beanies, Oaki rain suits, a Burley Honey Bee, Joovy stroller, Onya baby carriers, and Solly baby wraps. We also want to extend a very special thank you to Athletic Brewing Co, Hike it Baby’s title sponsor for the event, who generously donated non-alcoholic beverages for families to enjoy.   We are so grateful for all of our amazing partners and sponsors who helped make this event a reality! It was a Mother’s Day to remember, and we were so honored to spend it with the families in Elizabeth New Jersey this year! 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.

From school to activities, the workweek to weekend adventures, life as a family is always in motion. We believe in the importance of being active, of spending time together, and being outside. And we know that it's super important that we keep our kiddos (and ourselves!) fueled for our adventures. In fact, snacks are often our favorite trail motivator when our kiddos hit the wall and we are a mile from the car. But did we mention, life is busy (understatement alert!).  This is where our Life in Motion Initiative comes in. Life in Motion is our favorite parent-sourced adventure-snacking tips rolled into fun activities, complete with new printable activity pages and our Biking Workbook. It's all you need to kick off your summer fun, so get out and get moving! Fruit Snack Power-Ups "My kids LOVE fruit snacks because they are a treat they only get when they are hiking.  When they were littler, I used to hand them a fruit snack to "power them up" and then they would run like crazy on the trail, and stop when they were out of power. Then I'd give them another one to power them up and keep moving.  This saved us on many hikes!" -Jen, HiB PA Cheers to Nature "We do toasts on the trail when the kids are “not thirsty.”Clinking water bottles to the trees, animals we've seen or talked about, and the adventures yet to come." It's a fun way to keep kids hydrated on adventures. -Elicia, HiB WA " Set a Snack-Spot "When we go on hikes, I always tell my kids where the snack time stopping spot is.  The faster they get there, the sooner they snack. This works because they know most of our local trails by now and are SUPER food motivated." This is also a great way to get your kids an extra boost of energy part-way through your outing, and will keep them going until the end! Find Your Favorite Trail Snack "Pouch/packet snacks like apple sauce and fruit slurry's are our favorite. These are good because they are malleable and can really fit anywhere and not get crushed like crackers or goldfish. Also, I've had a baby food pouch save a mama from passing out on a really long hike- she was getting light-headed we stopped several times to help her get her bearings, finally I was like hey I have this baby food pouch want to see if it helps- sure enough it did the trick!" "Trail mix is a favorite of the 3-year-old. It's only a stop snack, but makes everyone happy, especially when there are chocolate treats." Snack Break! Download our newest activity pages for some extra fun on your next adventure! English: Español:   My Biking Workbook Summer have you in the mood for a family bike ride? Download our My Biking Workbook 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.