Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints. When it’s time to go outside adventuring with young children, even as an outdoor playgroup, there are so many gear options to consider bringing with you. In an effort to be minimalists and still have on hand what you need let’s show you what’s in…
Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints. I have been inspired by a mom on our Forest Friday Facebook post, where readers can share their recent family outdoor adventures. This mom talked about how fun it was that her son walked across a river, given that the first time they visited the…
Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints. Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. – Fred Rogers In a world with generally less time for free play, fewer opportunities for risky play…
Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints. Hand-in-hand with heading outdoors, is often the consideration of what gear to bring along for the ride. I have a backpack full of what comes with us almost every time. Weather checks help inform if we should bring rain gear, sunscreen, woolen layers, and so forth.…
Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints Being out in nature is beautiful. It is also filled with potential risks. How we approach those risks, though, determine what children get out of the experience. There’s been much talk lately about some of these risks as not just elements to be managed, but…
Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints. There is something beautiful and powerful about watching a child explore a natural setting. Forget about expectation, about having a plan. Kids rarely go outdoors seeking to discover or create or even come away with any feelings those actions impart. But sure enough, those things happen.…
Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints. No big secret. We love outdoor play groups – in the woods, free-play, exploration kind of play groups. The one we joined this year has been a most enriching, ongoing experience for our young family. It’s a fun, adventurous, creative and empowering time, filled with…
Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints. For those of you who celebrate Father’s Day, this weekend may already be filled with traditions. If you are still looking for ways to do something special with the dad in your little one’s lives, consider spending time outdoors as a way of combing all…
Photograph Courtesy of family+footprints. Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. I see you over there reading all about the benefits to the outdoors. Kids running free in the woods. Climbing trees. Splashing in puddles. Overturning rocks. You want to love it. You really do. It looks like everyone is having a great…
Last week we talked all about the different ways semi-structured activities can have a powerful impact on a child. Yes. To complement that, though, of course we want to talk about all the ways in which structure is not necessarily needed in outdoor play. The forest is filled with millions of…
