Even if you don’t live near a National Park and can’t take advantage of the free admission this week, don’t let that stop you from soaking up the gorgeous spring weather.
Now that warmer days are here there’s no excuse for you to stay cooped up inside. Grab the kids, ditch the winter gear and get moving in the great outdoors. Children especially love exploring nature; however, too much too soon can be a recipe for disaster.
While you may be itching to trek the entire afternoon away, if your children are young and not used to hiking, don’t force them to walk for miles and miles. Rather, start off small with an easy stroll at a nearby park. Once they get used to moving around in nature after a winter spent bonding with their indoor video games, then you can consider tackling a longer trail.
If you struggle to extract your children from their rooms, plan your outdoor adventure with their reluctance in mind. For example, if your son can’t live without his electronic devices, then have him bring along a digital camera and allow him to snap photos of his favorite outdoor scenes. Likewise, if your daughter has a gift for the arts, have her bring along a sketching pad and some drawing supplies, then give her a chance to work her magic near a lake or in a grassy meadow. Younger children can also be enticed by the prospect of collecting nature’s bounty, such as pine cones, sticks, branches, rocks, or small insects.
Regardless of how you spend your time outside this spring, don’t forget a few essentials that can go a long way, especially if you have children. Bottled water, bug spray, sunscreen, snacks, and dry socks are must-haves if you are planning a day trip hiking, biking or simply strolling away from home. Finally, consider infusing your outdoor jaunt with some lessons in ecology by bringing along some pocket guides. The miniature books will help you identify plants, birds and other natural specimens you encounter during your outing.
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