OutGrown Blog

Elicia Giffin has served as Office Manager at Hike it Baby for a year. Her main responsibilities are responding to emails, spending time preparing mailings, processing monthly bills, editing documents, and supporting the rest of the amazing HiB team where and when she’s needed. One of the most inspiring parts of Elicia’s job is the team she works with.  What is your favorite quote? “This is the shadow of HOPE. Knowing that we may never see the realization of our dreams, and yet still showing up.” -Austin Channing Brown How do you like to spend your free time? With friends! But lately, it's been a lot of time outside with my family, playing games or reading. What is something in the outdoor industry people have to deal with that you want to fix? Inequities around who is seen as "outdoorsy." If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? One Page At a Time: How The Stories I Read Changed My Own  Anything else we should know/you'd like to share?  Brene Brown's Unlocking Us podcast has been great. It's hard for me to pick a favorite book. I finished more than 100 last year! My husband calls me a "raging extrovert," so spending 2020 so far removed from most of my people, let alone strangers that I can befriend, was rough.           Hike it Baby relies on volunteers to help our growing non-profit meet our goal of connecting families with young children to nature and each other. We currently have over 70 national volunteers and over 370 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. Learn how you can get involved in Hike it Baby by making a donation or connecting with your local branch. ABOUT HIKE IT BABY Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at WeAreOutgrown.org, YouTube, and Pinterest. Photos courtesy of Elicia Giffin.

Hike it Baby's Winter Walk with Wox encourages individuals and families to head outside for a ten-minute walk every day in the month of February. The Winter Walk Challenge aims to get people outside during the part of the year where most of us could use extra outdoor time. February brings cold temperatures, more cloudy days, and snow and ice for many parts of the country, making it one of the toughest months to get outside. However, a ten-minute walk outside helps you gain both the mental and physical benefits of activity outdoors. Winter brings colder temperatures and sometimes extreme weather conditions. It brings more rain, wind, maybe sleet, ice, and/or snow, and it gets dark earlier. Many animals hibernate during the winter. Humans have a tendency to bundle up and hunker down as well. We may start to feel cooped up or notice that we have less energy and motivation in the winter months. When kids are kept inside and expected to sit still for too long, negative behaviors may appear, voices get louder, and everyone feels crankier. Through the holiday season it can be hard to maintain a routine of going outside or being active, especially with all the demands of family, entertaining, and celebrations to attend. A short, easy ten minute walk outside can help everyone reset and find their inner calm again. It’s also a great way to test and get used to winter gear like heavier coats, hats, gloves, and boots that might be challenging for younger children. How do you wear your baby and a winter coat? Is your jacket water resistant or waterproof? How much does that matter where you live? Does your baby need a fleece layer under their rain suit? Are those new boots from Grandma really waterproof and ready for puddle jumping? In the winter, we often have many questions and concerns about our outerwear, but it can be daunting to go out and try it if it means packing the car, traveling to a favorite spot, and spending a significant amount of time outside. Here’s where the Winter Walk With Wox Challenge can save the day. We’re encouraging you to take a ten minute walk outside every day for the month of February with your family. It doesn’t have to be far, it can just be out your back door into the yard or around your block. It can be a quick trip to the park on the way home from school. Or it can be walking to the library or grocery store nearby. Whatever it is, it should be short, sweet, and easy, but it should be outside. Join us and find a national community of like-minded families to help encourage you along the way. Share your triumphs and your challenges. Ask questions. Build a habit together! Most of all, have fun! Let's Start with A Walk Walking alone is good for your health. According to the CDC, physical activity accumulated in segments of at least ten minutes can improve a variety of health-related outcomes. Healthier Hearts Walking, as they say, "gets the blood flowing". It helps reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and lower blood sugar which can help fight heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Improves Brain Function A walk can help refresh your mind. Cognitive benefits including improved attention, concentration, and problem-solving. Better Sleep According to the Sleep Foundation, researchers have found that people who exercised regularly, including walking, fell asleep more quickly, slept longer, and had better quality sleep than those who did vigorous exercise or lifted weights. Reduces Anxiety and Depression According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, a simple 10-minute walk may be as effective as a 45-minute workout in terms of reducing anxiety and depression. Take Your Walk Outside There is plenty of research on the health benefits of spending time outdoors. Time outside is an immediate mood booster and has proven to be beneficial to mental health. Researchers from the University of Essex found that spending as little as five minutes doing “green exercise,” or activity in nature, was enough to boost study participants’ mood and self-esteem. Among office workers, even a view of nature out a window is associated with lower stress and higher job satisfaction. The outdoors activates all of our senses. When we walk outside the scenery changes as we move so we are more present in our environment. This practice of mindfulness has lasting effects on our overall mental well-being. How to Make Your Outdoor Walk a Habit Mix up your ten-minute family walks with these ideas, including playing a follow the leader game or looking for signs of nature. Mind, Body, Green offers a few simple ways to squeeze the walk into your day: 1. Go for a walk first thing in the morning (you won't believe how well this works to wake you up)! 2. Make your meetings walking meetings (instead of sitting meetings). 3. Go for a lunchtime walk. 4. Take public transportation or drive a few blocks away from your final destination and walk the last part instead. 5. Get in an after-dinner walk (this can feel great for digestion). Here's the best part, friends. That daily walk will become a healthy habit. And if you can make it happen in February, you know you can make it happen any time of year. Who's up for a walking streak?   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. Sources: https://www.thehealthy.com/exercise/walking/walking-benefits-15-minutes/

It’s Been Quite a Year  Thanks 2020, it’s been real. Australian bushfires, a long-overdue cry for social justice and reform, Megan and Harry leaving the Royal family, a US Presidential election, and let’s not forget a global pandemic and all of the extra baggage that brought with it. The silver lining is that when we go through tough things it often brings clarity and helps us to focus on what’s really important.  At Hike it Baby, the tumultuous year brought changes both big and small. Some were reactive and some came from the knowledge we gained by looking at our organization through a different lens. Our actions intend to better serve our communities, our environment, and the many people we haven’t reached yet but hope to. Despite the hurdles, we made a lot of progress this year and we’re pretty dang proud of how far this non-profit has come.  A New Hike it Baby Mission Statement At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our communities were confronted with the need to stay close to home, local park and trail closures, and trails and outdoor areas that were too crowded for comfort or safety. The lack of access helped us realize how much we need time outside and what it feels like to lack open and safe outdoor space. And the unfortunate reality sunk in that many people never have access to outdoor space or feel welcome and safe in outdoor spaces. We amended our mission statement to focus on two matters that have become abundantly clear as we navigated this year: That all families with babies and children have safe, equitable, and welcome access to outdoor space That spending time outside in any form makes you “outdoorsy”. 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. Free Hike it Baby Membership In revising our membership and recognizing that there should be no barriers to the outdoors, we made the big decision to remove paid membership. Anyone, anywhere can join Hike it Baby for free.  Open Events Like membership, we want our programming and resources to reach as many people as possible. We opened Hike it Baby 30, our bi-annual fundraiser challenge event in April of 2020 to anyone, free of charge, during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. We quickly realized that instead of trying to tackle major goals or milestones, the goal should be to simply get outside. In our mission to remove barriers to getting outside, no-cost events, with a suggested donation for those who are able, make it accessible for everyone to benefit from event resources, community and increased outdoor time. Change to Virtual Events & Added Resources Due to the pandemic, we closed in-person, group hikes. To compensate for the inability to gather, local Branches organized virtual hike events in their Branch Facebook groups to encourage families to continue to get outside safely. Participants shared their experiences with photos and comments. We also created a national community Facebook group, open to everyone, where parents and caregivers can ask questions, learn from one another, and share their adventures.  Additionally, we built a library of downloadable activity sheets and articles that encourage and motivate families to get outside in a way that works for them.  Goals moving forward in 2021 We will continue our work to change the narrative on what it means to go outside and who is welcome there. 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. We hope to accomplish a number of milestones in 2021, including:      ♥️  Engage over 500,000 families so our message to normalize nature connects more families with the outdoors.      ♥️  Continue to grow our local communities with free membership.      ♥️  Provide diversity, equity, and inclusion training opportunities for staff and volunteers (over 400 people) and continue to develop and share diverse content with our community that reinforces our belief that all families have the right to connect with nature.      ♥️  Support our communities with resources that help families get outside, including workbooks, articles, virtual speaking events, and inspiring stories.      ♥️  Introduce an interactive, in-person guided walk program with the help of our partners and our local community leaders – more information to come soon! You can help achieve these goals by making a one-time donation or set-up a monthly recurring donation.  The Best is Yet to Come Despite the challenges of 2020, the Hike it Baby community continues to grow and we are grateful for the ongoing support of our mission. We’ve served over 275,000 community members and fostered over 16,000 hikes (read more in our 2019 Annual Report). Our communities rallied and made the best of this year, together. While we don’t believe like the lifting of a magic spell in a cartoon movie that when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st all will be right again in the world. But we remain hopeful about the future. Small progress adds up to big results, always. If we consider the added time we’ve spent outside, the more time we’ve spent at homes and with our family, the ways we found to connect despite the distance, and our ability to adapt, perhaps you can find a silver lining in this year, too. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby 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, Hike it Baby is a growing community of 270,000 families and over 400 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information, as well as outdoor engagement events, can be found at on our website, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Photos courtesy of Arika Bauer, Monique Vargas, and Jessica Human.   Editors Note:   We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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 Executive Director, Jessica Carrillo Alatorre, explains Hike it Baby's goal to change what it means to be "outdoorsy" as the first step in ensuring all families have the ability to create a connection with nature. The Traditional Picture of the Outdoorsy Type 2020 has been a year of reinventing, redefining, and resilience. To that end, I am proud that Hike it Baby’s 2020 contribution includes our work to change what it means to be outdoorsy. We’re all familiar with the epic photo ops used to represent the outdoor enthusiast ideal. Scenes of snow-capped mountain peaks, sunrises behind a breathtaking vista, or rushing rivers hidden deep in a lush, green forest. These images have historically featured white males. Over the years, small changes and subtle shifts occurred and now you see women and, sometimes, people of color represented here and there. Mostly, it is still an image of a fit, athletic, affluent, and well-equipped individual who has the time to enjoy the outdoors as a hobby, the money to buy the right gear for their adventures, and the freedom of knowing they belong in those out of reach places.  Creating a Connection with the Outdoors from Birth In my experience, going outdoors doesn’t require athletic ability, high-end gear, or hours of driving to find the perfect, picturesque location. I grew up with parents who believed that children belonged in the fresh air, outside playing, imagining, and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible. Yet, I was never an avid outdoor adventurer, just someone who enjoyed the benefits of fresh air and nature’s beauty wherever and whenever I could find them. When I became pregnant with my first child, I wanted to make sure she had the opportunity to connect with nature, but I also worried about keeping her safe and healthy. My postpartum body was nowhere near ready for treks of more than a mile of easy walking in those first few months after I gave birth. I didn’t have fancy hiking boots or clothes. Many of my old clothes didn’t fit yet and I didn’t have the energy or means to shop for a new wardrobe. Even so, when my baby was crying and inconsolable, when my nerves were shot and my brain fogged with a lack of sleep, my hormones raged, and my tears flowed, I found the trees and bushes of my front yard to be the kindest of friends. The fresh air brought comfort and new life. It swept away the fear, the frustration, and brought calm, allowing me to breathe deeply. The grass between my bare toes helped ground me and allowed me to re-center. As soon as I walked outside, my baby would quiet down, take her own deep breaths, and settle into me, relaxing as we both felt the sun wrapping us in comforting warmth.  The Disconnect with the Outdoors Of course, those images of sweeping views and stunning nature are inspiring. Yet for most of us, they feel unattainable in our everyday lives. According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s Outdoor Foundation 2019 Outdoor Participation Report, “just under half the U.S. population does not participate in outdoor recreation at all, less than 20 percent of Americans recreated outside at least once a week, and of the people who report they go outside, 63 percent report they go outside within 10 miles of their home.” With this information, it seems like we need to redefine what it means to be outdoorsy and how we represent that definition so more people can identify with it. At Hike it Baby, we believe we can apply our creativity and daring to shape a new definition of what it means to be outdoorsy. It is no longer that lone, perfect athlete in pristine, remote nature. It’s a mom with two kids playing in the mud at the park. It’s a new dad giving his baby a bottle on the balcony. It’s a grandfather examining leaves with a toddler at the library. It’s a babysitter taking kids to a picnic lunch. It’s eating as a family outside or sitting on the front steps and waving to the neighbors. The outdoors is within reach and anyone can enjoy it.  We're Outdoorsy We want everyone to see themselves as outdoorsy because ultimately, we all benefit from spending time outside. Our mental and physical health improves within just a few minutes of being outside. Our social connection is strengthened. Our stress levels decrease. Infant brain development is positively impacted. Simply put, we feel better and happier with more time outside. It is such a simple thing, yet still, so many people don’t have the opportunity to do it or don’t feel like they belong outside. We hope you will help us shift that narrative. By representing more families, more people, and more experiences in the outdoors, we will demonstrate that anyone can identify with being outdoorsy.  Normalizing Nature with the "We're Outdoorsy" Year End Giving Campaign Hike it Baby’s Year End Giving campaign for 2020 is the kickoff for our “We’re Outdoorsy” initiative. It is under this umbrella that we will continue our work to change the narrative on what it means to go outside and who is welcome there. We have a big list of goals that directly connect to our mission of ensuring every family with babies and children has safe and equitable access to the outdoors, and the support and resources make getting outside a regular part of their lives. In order to make this a reality, we know we have to normalize nature and change what it means to be outdoorsy.      ♥️  Engage over 500,000 families so our message to normalize nature connects more families with the outdoors.      ♥️  Continue to grow our local communities with free membership.      ♥️  Provide diversity, equity, and inclusion training opportunities for staff and volunteers (over 400 people) and continue to develop and share diverse content with our community that reinforces our belief that all families have the right to connect with nature.      ♥️  Support our communities with resources that help families get outside, including workbooks, articles, virtual speaking events, and inspiring stories.      ♥️  Introduce an interactive, in-person guided walk program with the help of our partners and our local community leaders - more information to come soon! Support Hike it Baby in Changing the Narrative on Nature You can donate to our Year-End giving campaign or support Hike it Baby with monthly donations here. You can also share how you are being outdoorsy across social media. It can be as simple as walking to the mailbox instead of pulling your car up next to it to get the mail or stepping onto your porch or balcony for 10 minutes for some fresh air. Tag it with #hibwereoutdoorsy and tag @hikeitbaby to help inspire others to get outside however it works for them.    Together, we can make sure everyone, starting at birth, can experience the benefits of the outdoors for generations to come. Thank you! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby 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, Hike it Baby is a growing community of 270,000 families and over 400 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information, as well as outdoor engagement events, can be found on our website , Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Image courtesy of Monique Vargas.

Emma Carsey, Membership Manager for Hike it Baby As Membership Manager, Emma Carsey is responsible for all major Hike it Baby events, including fundraising efforts. She manages event support and resources for Ambassadors, Hike Hosts, and branches, as well as oversees the technology department. She has been part of the Hike it Baby team for a little over a year and is inspired knowing she can contribute to helping children spend more time outside. Emma is a mother of two, with a third on the way, and is part of the Dayton, Ohio, branch. In her free time, she likes to get outside with her kids, cook and bake from actual cookbooks, practice yoga, and read. Below are some fun facts about Emma.   What is your favorite quote? "Feel the fear and do it anyway." - Susan Jeffers How do you like to spend your free time? Cooking. Baking. Eating. Being outside. Eating outside. What is something in the outdoor industry people have to deal with that you want to fix? The definition of what it means to be "outdoorsy". If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? Oh gosh, I have no idea! Probably just "Emma". Anything else we should know/you'd like to share?  I’ve been a vegetarian for 18 years. I’m a first-generation American and am conversational in French. I love Ben Rector music and Two-Buck-Chuck (Merlot), and I've never met a lazy morning I didn't like. Join a community of like-minded parents and caregivers with a shared mission of connecting families with babies and young children to the outdoors and each other. Get involved and join the fun for free today! ABOUT HIKE IT BABY Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating, and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram Photos courtesy of Emma Carsey.

The Wonder of Winter Hike it Baby and Joules have partnered to create a free, downloadable My Winter Workbook (available in English and Spanish) with activities to make this winter a season to remember. Winter gets a bad rap. Once the holidays are done and we are into the new year, people tend to get over the cold, wet winter weather pretty quickly. But, when you take the time to experience the coldest season of the year you'll find there's a lot to love about the winter season. Free My Winter Workbook Download We want everyone to experience all the wonderful things about winter. And the free My Winter Workbook from Hike it Baby and Joules makes it easy to take your first steps outside this season. The My Winter Workbook includes activities that will help your family get outside more often and make lasting memories. The My Winter Workbook includes: Color by number page Winter sensory walk Build your own birdfeeder Winter scavenger hunt Design your own Joules wellies     Share to Win & Plant a Tree As an added bonus to the activities, Joules is giving away a $500 shopping spree. To enter to win snap a picture of your family doing one of the activities in the My Winter Workbook, share the image on social media between now and January 15, 2021, with the hashtag #HiBExploreandRestore, and tag @JoulesUSA and @HikeitBaby. Be sure to share the workbook with your friends and family to extend the impact. For every social media share, Joules will plant one tree with the non-profit organization American Forests. It's part of Joules commitment to protecting and restoring our wildlife habitats now and for generations to come. Let's Get Outside this Winter! As the old saying goes, if you can't beat it, join it. Getting outside more this winter can help you overcome seasonal depression, feel more refreshed, reduce your stress, and more! You might just find winter is your favorite season after all. Helpful Articles Top Three Things to Pack on Your Next Winter Hike with Your Toddler How to Keep Your Family Warm on Trail this Winter About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby 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, Hike it Baby is a growing community of 270,000 families and over 400 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information, as well as outdoor engagement events, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photo courtesy of Brandi Rondinelli. My Winter Workbook cover design by Alex Wong. This post is sponsored by Joules, however, we would not recommend something that our children do not love. Our opinions are our own. 

Make Spending Time in Nature a Priority this Holiday We have reached that busy, exciting, tiring time of year again, but with an extra twist of stress. Not only are the holidays fast approaching, we also have virtual learning, social distancing, and drastically changing holiday plans on our minds as we weather the storm of this global pandemic. So how do you stay sane and calm with so much uncertainty surrounding you? That’s where the power of the outdoors comes in. Whether your family could use an attitude adjustment, a sense of normalcy, or the therapeutic effects of spending time in nature, stepping out your front door can make all the difference. Our community members share how the power of the outdoors has helped them through the stress of this year. We hope this gives you inspiration to continue to get outside safely in the coming weeks and beyond.  The Therapeutic Effects of Spending Time in Nature “Getting outside is incredibly therapeutic for us. There's no dishes or laundry, there's no distracting tv or tablets. Just us exploring, talking & exercising. We are always calmer and happier on days we get outside! Rain or shine, beach or mountains...we love it all!” -   Anastasia from Boring, Oregon “Outside time for us as a family is like therapy. Everyone's mood is better, irritability is much less, we can all feel less tension and stress; even our kids notice it. Each of us has something we love to do by ourselves; whether it's fishing, digging in the dirt, hiking, or painting the landscape. Then we come together to enjoy those things as a family and it reminds us that we DO get along and we DO still like each other.” -  Alex from Salt Lake City, UT "Simply by being outside for hours and hours and days at a time engages all of my senses – particularly sight. There are so many views to behold and be grateful for." - Mirna Valerio “Being outside is a stabilizing force in our family. It gives us an outlet for excess energy, it brings joy when we are feeling sad or grumpy, and it spurs our imagination and creativity. If we’re in an ugly place by mid-morning or post-nap, it's time to strap on shoes and throw on jackets.” - Megan from Colonie, NY “I notice how much better my 3-year-old (and I!) sleeps if we have spent a few hours outdoors. And although in-person hikes are currently paused, I love having the Hike It Baby community to get ideas of where my family can explore in our local area. Especially as the seasons change!” -   Emily from Tokyo, Japan “Getting outside is like hitting the refresh button. It’s a time to explore, relax, listen, run, and play. It’s fun exploring new places and watching the seasons change.” -  Beth from Pittsburgh, PA   An Instant Attitude Adjustment “Starting our mornings outside changes our entire mindset for the day! We put life and responsibilities on hold to take care of ourselves first. We bond, enjoy what nature has in store for us and usually end up in good moods that last throughout the day.” -  Lynze from Richmond, VA “Instant attitude adjustment—for me! Going outside and moving around gives me a reset to my mood and energy.” -  Jocelyn from Framingham, MA “We definitely notice a difference in mood on outdoor vs indoor days - I think he sleeps better and has a cheerier demeanor the days we get in at least an hour of outdoor play, less meltdowns etc! He hardly notices rain, cold or dark (now that the days are getting shorter) he’ll play until we can barely see each other.” - Mayrita from Capital Region, NY "Ruby comes alive in the outdoors. I can tell she feels free and I watch her take it all in. Rocks, sand, dirt, leaves, trees, you name it she will touch it." Melody Forsyth “When you have toddlers, emotions get big. Going outside seems to help, as if the walls keep their feelings from dispersing. Going outside helps with my high energy kids, too. As they say, ‘kids can’t bounce off the walls if there are no walls’. I feel it too.  Even just going outside to blow a few bubbles or walk to the end of the street and back makes a huge difference. When we don’t do these things, everything just seems like a bigger struggle. To be completely honest, I feel like I yell more when we don’t get enough outdoor time.” - Nicole from Knoxville, TN “My children have better focus and I have more patience when we get outdoors!” -  Karen from Lancaster County, PA A Sense of Normalcy During Chaos “Though we've always enjoyed time spent outside, it has felt even more imperative to our overall well being during this pandemic. Most days feel so mundane and routine, but the possibilities in nature are endless (especially with a toddler with an ever-expanding imagination), and seeing the landscapes and seasons change is a much-needed reminder that this, too, will [hopefully] not be permanent, as much as it may feel that way at times.”  - Kristen from Chicago, IL “Our kids ask to go outside almost every day, so I didn't spend much time thinking about the impact it had on our life - until the wildfires this summer caused the Air Quality Index in Seattle to be the worst I've ever seen and kept us inside for a week. That first walk outside after a week of it not being an option felt almost giddy and I've made more of an effort to emphasize outside time in the evenings now. I think it makes our family of four kinder, more patient, and better sleepers when we get outside time on a regular basis.”  Shannon from Seattle, WA “Hiking has kept our family from going crazy during the pandemic. Seeing the natural landscape reboots our brain, the fresh air makes us feel rejuvenated. We are socially isolated because we want to protect my 83 yo mom (lives with us) and my 89 yo dad (he is still independent!).” -  Emma from San Diego, CA “We love being able to go hiking and forget about our worries of rising COVID cases, schools going back to remote, and other issues. We have found many trails that aren't frequented by others and it feels so safe just being out in the woods by ourselves.” - Valerie from Adirondack Coast, NY “Being outside has given our family a sense of normalcy. When we are out playing, as long as we are far away from others, it’s like nothing in our world has changed.” - Emylee from Mukilteo, WA For more inspiration to take advantage of the amazing, restorative power of spending time in nature head over to L.L. Bean Outside.  You'll find inspiring stories of the power of nature and community along with tips and tricks for fulfilling new outdoor experiences. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby 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, Hike it Baby is a growing community of 270,000 families and over 400 volunteer branch ambassadors. More information, as well as outdoor engagement events, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Photos courtesy of Jessica Shaefer Human, Krystal Weir, and Tais Kulish. This post was sponsored by L.L. Bean. Editors Note: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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.

We are heading into the holiday season of what has been one of the most stressful years for many of us. Perhaps that's why so many decorated their homes on November 1st. We could all use a little holiday cheer.  This year, we created a holiday gift guide that we hope simplifies gift giving. Here's our list of useful items for the outdoorsy loved one in your life.  Water Bottle A water bottle is not only a practical gift it is also an environmentally friendly one. Stopping the use of single-use plastics will help clean up our waterways, reduce landfill bulk, and save the lives of countless animals that fall victim to ingesting or otherwise getting harmed by plastics. However, which water bottle  do you choose? A few factors to consider are: Material (hard plastic vs. stainless steel) Size (how many ounces/milliliters) Shape (not all bottles fit into standard cup holders) Lid type (screw-off, straw, or flip-top) You can even get a bottle with a built-in water filter! We recommend stopping into your local sporting-goods store to check out the options available. You could even include stickers to help the giftee decorate their new gift (such as our We're Outdoorsy campaign sticker!). Fleece for the Whole Family You may  have heard the phrase “cotton is rotten” when talking about layering up and insulating for cold weather. Cotton will absorb moisture and keep it close to the body, which causes the wearer to rapidly lose body heat. Materials such as wool and synthetics wick moisture and insulate body heat. While there are other material options available, fleece is generally a cost-effective, lightweight, warm, and super comfy option for the whole family. We love the breathability and softness of L.L. Bean’s new Fitness Fleece, which comes in sizes for infants , toddlers, and kids. For adults, L.L. Bean carries options for trail fleece in both men’s and women’s sizes. Hammock Whether you have a camping guru on your list or a family who would love a special spot to relax in their yard, a hammock makes a wonderful gift. A few features to consider when purchasing a hammock are: Material - Quick-drying nylon is perfect for camping, but you can get away with cotton and other materials for backyard use. Size - Single or double, depending on how many kiddos you have piling in with you. Be sure to look at the weight tolerance as well. Location it will be set- up - You may need a stand if trees aren’t present. There are some hammocks on the market that even double as a large blanket for use on the beach or at the park! Shoes for New Walkers Quality shoes are a must when our kiddos start to walk, especially in colder months. Choosing a shoe that has good traction, a wide toe-box, ultra-flexibility, and alternative closures will help little walkers “gain their footing” while walking in the outdoors and on trails. For more information on choosing the right shoe for beginner walkers, check out this article. We love the  Bare Steps® Line  from Merrell, which was developed with a child’s growing feet in mind. For colder months, the Little Kid's Bare Steps® Boot 2.0 Jr. and the Little Kid's Bare Steps® Cocoa Jr. Boot are great options that are also made with environmentally friendly materials. Multi-use Blanket This is one of those gear items that you wouldn’t think you’d need but end up using ALL of the time, which makes it the perfect gift. There are tons of options to choose from based on the features you are looking for. For example, some fold up into a pocket that easily fits in the palm of your hand and makes for an excellent hiking companion for those times you need to change your baby, have a clean spot for a picnic, or just want to sit on a dry surface when taking a break. Other options are a bit bigger with weighted corners or stakes and attach nicely to a hiking pack or stroller for those times you want to head to the beach or have a picnic in the park without worrying about a fly-away blanket. Baby Carrier This is an especially great gift for a new parent or a family member who wants to get outside more or is unhappy with their current carrier. Carrying your littles not only frees up your arms and gives you a workout, it provides that close connection between child and caregiver (you can read more about babywearing in this article). With so many baby carrier options out there (wrap, sling, soft-structured, framed, etc.), we recommend seeking out a babywearing group or consulting a store that carries multiple varieties to determine which option will work best for the child and the caregiver.  Family Bike Gear  Who says babies, toddlers, and little kids are too young to go on bike adventures? You just need the right gear for whatever adventure you have in mind. If the giftee on your list enjoys family rides around the neighborhood or trail, a child bike seat that attaches onto the bike is a great option. Burley offers both frame mounted and rack mounted options to ensure a good fit for most bikes. If longer mileage is on the agenda, consider a bike trailer that attaches to the back of an adult bike. Most, Like the Honey Bee™ from Burley, also convert to a double stroller, so you have two great uses out of one comfortable, safe piece of equipment. Is a kiddo on your list ready to get out of the seat and onto their own bike? Balance bikes, such as this style available in December, offer a great beginner option, and make for an easy transition to a pedal bike. A Donation in Someone’s Name If you have a person on your list that is passionate about a particular cause, such as cancer or disease research or a non-profit organization they love, consider making a donation in their name. This is a wonderful way to show that you support them and want to help them bring awareness to a cause you know they care deeply about. We're Outdoorsy Campaign Hat, Mug or Sticker Support Hike it Baby in our mission to change what it means to go outside and who is welcome there with a financial donation. Help make it easy for all families, particularly those with babies and young children, to develop a connection to nature, benefit from time outside, and create a better future for all children for generations to come. As a thank you for your donation, we've designed these exclusive gifts to show your support – and share our new definition of what it means to be "Outdoorsy". The hat is also available in a men's and childrens's style. Hike it Baby SWAG  For the fellow Hike it Baby friend or family member on your list, head over to our Hike it Baby Bonfire SWAG shop for shirts, hats, and other goodies! Both youth and adult sizes are available with multiple styles and designs to choose from. We wish you a safe, happy and healthy holiday season. Take some time to get outside. Even just a step out of your door and a few minutes under the sky can do wonders for the mind and body. Cheers! Hike it Baby works to be the most effective hub of tools, information, and community inspiring all families with babies and young children to get outside and connect with nature. Learn more about Hike it Baby's mission and how you can get involved. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby 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, Hike it Baby is a growing community of 270,000 families and over 400 volunteer branch ambassadors. More information, as well as outdoor engagement events, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photos courtesy of L.L.Bean, Michelle Craig, Burley Editors Note:   We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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.

Celebrate Nature with the Thankful for Nature Journal 2020 has been a year like no other. Between a global pandemic with no end in sight, an extreme wildfire and hurricane season, and various other difficult factors, it can be hard to find the good right now. However, spending time in nature can help us find the silver lining to a tough year. Time in nature helps us find the beautiful, calming, and restorative aspects of life we desperately need right now. Even just venturing into your backyard or patio can relieve stress and provide a sense of calm when you need a break from the chaos inside.   That’s why we are focusing on the things we are thankful for in nature this month. It can be something as small as the sound of autumn leaves crunching under your boots or the smell of marigold flowers outside your doctor's office. We have created a Thankful for Nature Journal for your family to jot down your thoughts and have some fun finding the beauty in nature this month. Download the Thankful for Nature Journal Need some inspiration? We reached out to our wonderful Hike it Baby community to see what they are thankful for in nature: The Calming and Restorative Effects of Nature "I’m thankful for the mental clarity it provides and the beautiful views in my own backyard and beyond." - Michelle, Collingswood, NJ "I'm grateful for how nature just brings a breath of peace." -  Caroline, Berkeley, CA "I’m thankful for the changing seasons, the reminder that things don’t always stay the same, good and bad. It gives me something to look forward to year round!" -   Jessica, York, PA "I'm thankful for a chance to take a deep breath and appreciate all the ways nature shows us beauty, especially the beauty of difference and imperfections in all of the wonders we see." -  Jessica, Beaverton, OR "Our house looks out to a big field, and no matter what chaos is inside the house, that field is always calming and beautiful, and I can always take a minute to breathe and appreciate the colors, wildlife, and light. I am so grateful for that view 100 times a day." -  Elizabeth, Brockville, Ontario, Canada "Getting outside in the midst of the chaos and stress of remote learning just relaxes everyone. It’s amazing to see how my kids relax and just have fun in nature. In the PNW so many of our hiking trails were packed, so we stayed closer to home and explored the green areas around our city that were often empty. We explored creeks and streams and spent hours in nature's playground as all the city playgrounds were closed." -  Paula, Seattle, WA "I'm thankful that even after being destroyed, there's always hope in nature. We've had a rough fire season here. Friends lost their homes. We were stuck inside due to smoke for days on end. On top of everything else that has happened this year, it was a lot. When the smoke cleared and we were able to get outside we went to one of my favorite hiking spots. Years ago, it too had burned but has begun to regrow. It reminded me of how even after trauma and devastation, good things can form. That, for me, has always helped me to feel more at peace." -  Kate, Grants Pass, OR "Personally I’m thankful for the reset button. It completely takes me out of that monotonous routine and gives me a moment to breathe. I’m able to absorb earth’s energy, feel the shifting wind on my face and return home with a different mindset. You realize what’s important, and what matters most to you. Colorado girl here! Trying to soak in all of that nature therapy!" -  Shara, Colorado Springs, CO "I’m thankful for the shift in perspective, we slowed down our pace, our exhausting social calendar and really just spent time together, especially more time outside!" -  Mayrita, Capital Region, NY   Making Family Memories in Nature "I’m grateful for where we live; very close to beautiful outdoor spaces and trails. We are grateful for how Covid forced us to find new outdoor spaces to explore in an effort to get away from over-crowded trails. It forced my kids to actually recognize how relaxed and unwound they feel after spending time outside. I’m grateful for how the outdoors has brought my family closer together." -  Alexandra, Salt Lake City, UT "Grateful we were still able to take a short family vacation to the beach. Such a calming retreat & brought us all closer together!" -  Anastasia, Boring, Oregon. "I'm thankful for all the new state parks me and hubby took the kids to while he was forced to take off 2 days each week during quarantine. It was like a little vacation each day we discovered something new while he was losing his vacation days involuntarily." -  Patricia, King of Prussia, PA "I’m grateful for the retreat it has been for my family, even when it’s just our backyard. We may not have been able to do anything we planned or spend time with the people we love most, but our little family of four did a lot of growing and loving just sitting in the yard this summer." -  Paige, Cleveland, OH "When schools (and just about everything else) closed this spring, I began taking my kids on local hikes every weekday after lunch. Even rotating through the few parks near us that remained open repeatedly, these hikes became a bright spot and something to look forward to in an otherwise stressful time." -  Genevieve, Virginia "Our trails were jam-packed when Utah shut down, leaving us to have to find new escapes and adventures. We ended up trying out kayaking at a lesser-known spot at our lake and we fell in love. We became a 2-kayak family over night and this would not have happened had Covid not forced us to explore other adventures!" -  Joey, Utah County, Utah The Endless Beauty of the Outdoors "Thankful that Nature is both a comforting constant yet also an ever-changing source of excitement. Just today, I saw the sun setting over the highway and nearly pulled over (yet again) to take a picture. City, country, or suburbs—nature always has something to offer to those who seek it out. I love seeking it out alongside my family. I also love that you don’t need anything special for a basic hike. You can go on a moment’s notice, and my toddler generally loves being outside once I manage to wrangle her out of the house." -  Erica, Houston, TX "I'm thankful for the sun. Living in a perpetual summer town, I didn't realize how much I took it for granted until we lived inside for months. The sun warms up both my body and soul." -  Vanessa, San Diego, CA "I’m thankful for clouds and their ability to spark your imagination. We have created whole stories based on the pictures we see while lying in the grass and watching the clouds." -  Becca, Bremerton, WA. "I am thankful for the endless discoveries that spark curiosity. Whether it’s watching leaves float down a stream, searching for cicada shells, or noticing the lengthening and now shortening days, the learning never stops!  I’m also thankful for the storms. There have been so many storms in 2020, but it seems like every single one is followed by a rainbow. I feel like nature is reminding us that things will get better." -  Corey, Wilmington, DE "I loved being able to get outdoors and see and smell and hear something other than sites, and scents and sounds of my home (of all boys). It was like hitting a reset button. Also got to enjoy 3 seasons of changing scenery, and enjoy both lake and wooded areas." -  Kim, Erie, PA Download Your Free Thankful for Nature Journal Celebrate the benefits of nature and find inspiration to get outside more this November with Thankful for Nature Journal. The free download includes: A November 2020 and blank monthly calendar page to use however you'd like - track miles or minutes, mark every day you got outside or write down a word of thanks. Gratitude alphabet activity page A Thankful Year activity page Daily pages to jot down something in nature or life that you are thankful for along with an area for your child to draw a picture or attach a photo. A coloring page Special thank you to Joules USA and Natrapel for their support. Be sure to tag @hikeitbaby and @hikeitbaby and share why you're thankful for nature this month on your favorite social media channel! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Photos courtesy of Rebecca Hosley.   Editors Note: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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.

Voting is one of the most fundamental actions of a democratic system.  In 2016 only 46% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 turned out to vote. It's important that we teach our kids from a young age how voting works and why it's important to their community. Most children learn about voting from watching their parents participate in the process. Here are three easy ways to teach your kids the importance of voting. Hold a Mock Election There are a few ways to you can simply and easily show your kids how the voting process works. Hold your own election and vote on what's for dinner or the family movie for the night and have a conversation around it. Another option, create a stuffy election like Portland Hike it Baby member Kaleigh did with her 6-year-old son. She walks you through the stuffy election they held in the video below. [embed]https://youtu.be/Z4Ak_hkSvnc[/embed] Read a Book About Voting There are a number of books available to teach your children about voting and the election process. Two big favorites in the Hike it Baby community are Grace For President and Grace goes to Washington. Both offer a simple narrative of the election process through a short story and pictures. If you're looking for more in-depth information for young elementary-aged children, What's the Big Deal About Elections, is filled with facts about the history of elections, voting booths, campaigns, national and local elections, and more. (Be sure to shop at Amazon Smile to support Hike it Baby with your purchase.) Check with your local library. With the upcoming national election, they will likely have books on display about voting, democracy, and elections. Involve Your Kids When You Vote In the future, when COVID-19 isn't an issue (hopefully), you can take your child to the polls with you to vote. Especially if you can vote in an off-peak time or live in an area where your polls are less busy, taking your child or children is a great way to show them first hand how voting works. If you are voting absentee ballot, show your child the ballot, what's on the ballot such as those running for elected positions and proposals, and talk about how the process works. You can also talk about the duties and activities of our elected officials and how they directly affect the local community. According to Parents Together Action, the top 5 reasons to vote with your kids are: Kids learn by doing It helps your kids feel powerful You are sharing a sense of history and an understanding of how many have fought for the right to vote To inspire others with your actions And of course, the free "I Voted" stickers! What kid doesn't love a sticker? Check out this article for more resources and tips to make your plan to vote as a busy parent. Find your local Hike it Baby branch to create a connection with like-minded parents and caregivers and stay up-to-date on current virtual events as well as future in-person hikes when we can once again join each other on the trail.   About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Photo courtesy of Monique Vargas. Video courtesy of Kaleigh Boysen. Editors Note: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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.

Keira Wickliffe Berger Branch Ambassador for Westchester County, NY, Co-Team Captain for the Family Trail Guide team, volunteer on tech support and HiB30 teams Hike it Baby Westchester County, NY Keira Wickliffe Berger has two boys (5 and 2.5 years). Prior to being a SAHM, Keira worked as an infectious disease epidemiologist, which also utilized her nursing training (ER/disaster). She loves spending time outdoors for any reason — whether it’s to take her boys on a hike or riding horses when she can. She’s an amateur photographer who would love to go pro one day and dabbles in ceramics and glasswork. Keira was working on her master naturalist program in Kentucky prior to her recent move to New York and looks forward to re-starting the program. How long have you been a Hike it Baby volunteer? Since March 2016 How did you get involved with Hike it Baby? When my son was 6 weeks old, we moved to Lexington, KY. I was having trouble meeting people who wanted to be outside. In another group (Healthy Habits Happy Moms), someone mentioned Hike it Baby and that sounded perfect for me! I went to see if there was a branch near me and there wasn’t, so I started the branch with my Co-Ambassador Laurie. Being part of HiB helped me so much that I wanted to give back and volunteer at the national level. What motivates you to volunteer with Hike it Baby? I truly believe in the mission behind Hike it Baby. It has made such a huge impact on my and my family’s life that I wanted to give back as best as I could. WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT BEING ON A HIKE IT BABY TEAM AND WHY SHOULD OTHERS WANT TO JOIN YOU? The Family Trail Guide has become so important to Hike it Baby and it's future. It has so much potential to not only help get families out hiking but to decrease the workload on hike hosts and better prepare families to join the right hikes for their family and feel prepared for it. We have great members on our team who work well together. It’s also cool to see so many trails and add more to my own travel wish list. Hike it Baby relies on volunteers like Keira to help our growing non-profit meet our goal of connecting families with young children to nature and each other. We currently have over 70 national volunteers and over 370 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. Learn how you can get involved in Hike it Baby by making a donation or connecting with your local branch. ABOUT HIKE IT BABY Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photos courtesy of Keira Wickliffe Berger.

This is the first part of a two-part series about nature journaling. In this article, we'll cover the benefits of fostering a nature journaling habit in kids. In part two I'll overview how to get started and foster a nature journaling habit with your children. Let me share a little secret with you. Nature journaling can be easy and incredibly beneficial for both you and your children. What is nature journaling? Photo by: Katie Fox The art of nature journaling is really not about the art at all. It is a science-based process. Journaling is a huge part of the science community. It is how data is tracked, how observations are recorded, how information is compared, and how hypotheses and ideas are remembered. I cannot stress this enough. It is not about the beautiful pictures! Though if you are artistically gifted please enjoy making your journals beautiful too. Nature journals are literally a place to record your nature observations. Think about it as a place for you and your kids to record the things you see, smell, touch, feel, and maybe even taste while on your nature adventures. Benefits of nature journaling with kids There are so many benefits that come from spending time nature journaling. Here are a few: Spending time outside is good for us and nature journaling literally gets us outside and connects us to nature in ways we may otherwise miss. Nature journaling forces us to slow down and fosters the ability to focus on things. This is where the Sherlock Holmes quote is particularly spot on. The practice of sitting in nature and recording your observations, literally trains you to better notice what you’ve always seen. Since we are forced to slow down, it enables us to be more present in the moment. Thus, nature journaling also enables us to learn mindfulness practices that can be fostered and used throughout life. Through simple observation, nature journaling can deepen our observation and learning skills. Drawing requires looking at an object many times, which helps boost your memory, and writing helps us learn to better organize our thoughts. And using numbers can reveal patterns and so much more. Nature journaling also engages us with real scientific practices. It makes actual scientific methods accessible to anyone. When children (and lets face it, most of us) can see science happening all around, it makes science focused learning activities more fun. There is a plethora of research on this topic and if you really want to dig deeper, I encourage you to read How to Teach Nature Journaling by John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren. You can download a free PDF of the 282 page book or purchase a printed copy from their website or Amazon. A lot of the above information was pulled from this book. Although it is geared toward teaching school-aged kids, it provides a foundation to create and foster a nature journaling habit with kids of any age. Additional Resources: Can You Take a "Hike" in the City? Introduction to Nature Journaling - John Muir Laws Nature Rich Resources for Distance Learning and Homeschooling Words, Pictures, and Numbers - John Muir Laws  What are your favorite nature journaling adventures? About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Editors Note: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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.