A Desire to Explore

I believe that it is extremely important for children to develop their own desire to explore. While I strongly believe in the Leave No Trace philosophy, I also believe that if you are in the right area it is important to leave the trail and just explore.

When we camp as a family the girls always beg for special time exploring with dad. They love to leave mom back at camp and head out where dad will encourage them to (safely) push themselves and improve their confidence and rock climbing skills.

Together we find new things, discuss the rock formations, work on climbing harder and harder rocks, and usually see more wildlife than if we just stayed at camp or on the trails.

I also usually 'pretend' to be lost at some point and test the girls sense of direction. The thrill and excitement of being lost and having to find our way back to camp is the best part. It is a great time to introduce route finding skills such as looking where the sun is in the sky.

I always have fun on these little exploring sessions but when I hear them tell mom the stories when we get back to camp and then hear them tell the story to their friends when we get home, I know it was a blast for them too. I love that they beg to go explore nature again.

Stay Warm

Obviously in cold weather we tend to spend more time inside where we are comfortable and warm but adults and children need to continue getting fresh air, exercise, and connected to nature even through the winter months.

If you bundle up with plenty of layers you can have some fun times outside in the snow before you have to go inside and warm up. My kids love running around the house in summer dresses and bare feet all winter long but they know that when we go outside it takes layers of clothing to have a good time. Here are some suggestions on necessities for keeping little ones warm:

Good Base Layers. Depending on the temperature you can go from just pants and a long sleeve to long underwear, pants, and long sleeve shirt plus an additional sweatshirt. The key is to know how cold it is outside but remember it is always easy to take a layer off but much more difficult to add a layer once you've left the house.

Water Proof Jacket and Snow Pants. If you are out in snow the kids are going to be in it. They will be covered in snow and need to stay dry. Water resistant pants may work but for wet snow or prolonged times in snow it is necessary to have water proof clothing such as Gore-Tex.

Warm Hat and Gloves. Yep. Just like mom used to say, "You lose heat from your head". It is important to keep the little ones ears warm as they tend to be one of the first things to really get cold. Water proof gloves are very important too. Cotton or wool gloves may work on a warmer day but water proof is a necessity if the kids are going to play in snow. Nothing will make them want to go inside quicker than cold fingers.

Warm Socks and Boots. We've got to keep those toes warm. A good wool sock will keep toes warm and dry much longer that a cotton sock and obviously a waterproof boot will keep your kids feet dry and warm.

If you take the time and spend the money on quality outdoor gear you and your kids will have a lot more fun and will be able to spend more time playing in nature.

Father Daughter Snowshoe

Like most kids, my daughters aren't always excited about going for hikes or other outdoor activities. Cold weather doesn't make the battle any easier but I have found that once I get them outside they start asking questions, naturally find things to do, and begin the enjoy themselves.

On this particular day I was determined to get my daughter out in some snow. We live on the Colorado Front Range where it is often warm and dry during the winter but deep snow is a short drive away. We grabbed our snowshoes and headed for Rocky Mountain National Park where we were sure to find plenty of snow.

When we pulled into the parking lot at Bear Lake it was snowing and the wind way blowing directly in our faces. My daughter told me again that she didn't want to do this. She just wanted to go home. I stayed positive and assured her that we were going to have a bunch of fun once we got out there. We put on our hats and gloves and walked straight into the wind.

Once we got to the trail head and had our snowshoes on we didn't think about the cold. We quickly got to the lake and walked right out onto it. In the deep snow it wasn't easy to tell that we were walking on a lake. I stopped, brushed some snow out of the way to show my daughter the ice and she was amazed. She lit up and asked question after question about how a lake freezes, what the fish do, and if we were in danger.

We saw animal tracks, examined our own tracks, threw snowballs, and even climbed on rocks. A few times we started to feel cold so we ran a little ways. It doesn't take long to warm up when you are running in snowshoes.

As we headed back to the car she was feeling cold but was too busy talking about how much fun we were having to worry about some cold fingers. Back at the house she told her mom and sister about the ice, snow, and how much fun we had. She was reluctant to go out in the cold but in the end she had a great time, learned a little about nature, shared some laughs with her father, and made some valuable memories.

Don't let your child's petty complaints stop you from spending time in nature as a family. You'll all enjoy the time together, learn a lot, and each time it will be easier and easier to get them excited about nature.

A Winter Walk

This time of year it is easy to find excuses to stay inside. It's cold, snowy, and the sun sets so early in the evening. Many families get in the routine of coming come from school and going straight to the T.V., computer, and video games. It is easy to increase your 'screen time' without really thinking about it.



My kids may complain at first about going out in the cold but once they are out exploring they don't feel the cold anymore. They are running around and next thing you know they are taking off their hats, gloves, and even wanting to take off their coats.

It doesn't take much time for a child to discover a fun new game once they are surrounded by nature. A stick quickly becomes a writing tool, sword, or a magic wand. Animal tracks in the snow lead to many questions about what kind of animal passed through here, what they were doing, and where are they now.

We are lucky to live on the edge of town where the current lack of development has left a few open fields just a short walk out of our door. You don't have to make a weekend trip to a National Forest just a stroll down the street, a trip to the neighborhood park, or an afternoon in your own backyard can lead to a really fun time for children and hopefully a connection to the nature they discover.

Occasionally they discover things that don't belong in these open spaces such as trash or even a discarded car tire. The questions my kids ask about how and why the trash was left in this open field lead me to believe that humans naturally know right and wrong about littering but some adults forget the importance of these natural places as they grow up. The chance to have these conversations with our children are priceless.

Make a commitment to yourself to get your children outside this winter even if only for a short time. Remember, you can always rush in for some hot cocoa. I guarantee it will be worth it.

~Andy