My favorite spot in the San Francisco East Bay to take kids for a nature walk is Redwood Regional Park, but, for a variety of reasons, we haven’t visited the park for a few months. We had a break in the rain late this week, so we headed to the park for a walk … Continue reading »
I’m happy to report that our first letterboxing experience was (mostly) a success. For our first outing, I wanted to do a search that was, 1) relatively easy, and 2) close to home. After searching on letterboxing.org for boxes hidden in Dublin, California, I was glad to find there was a box hidden in Dublin … Continue reading »
Letterboxing has been around forever (well, at least, a few hundred years), but I just learned about it within the past year. Though I’ve been interested in trying it out with my son, it somehow seemed a bit overwhelming just to get started. But now I’m ready to begin. If you’re new to letterboxing, like … Continue reading »
For a few years now, I’ve been wanting to see the cherry blossom trees while they are in bloom at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. I walked by the gardens a couple weeks ago on our way to the California Academy of Sciences, and poked my head in to see if the trees … Continue reading »
I’m convinced that all a kid needs to have fun in nature is a stick, some rocks, a body of water, and a friend or two (or five) to play with. Nothing more. Photos taken this morning at Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, Pleasanton. Continue reading »
Climbing has become a new passion for my son in recent weeks. I signed him up for some classes at a local climbing gym this month, and, with only three lessons so far, I’m surprised at how much his climbing has improved. He would be ecstatic if we could go to the gym every day, … Continue reading »
This afternoon we attended a family nature walk, a free naturalist-led event held in the Tilden Nature Area in the Berkeley hills. I couldn’t resist the event description… “Natural beauty, strange creatures and curious plants reveal themselves to those who seek such wonders.” We walked for two hours, slowly ambling along, observing the little things … Continue reading »
We all know that it’s not OK to approach a wild animal out in nature, so how can we provide opportunities to nurture our children’s curiosity about these animals and provide the hands-on learning our children love? We’re fortunate to have many programs in the San Francisco East Bay which allow our children to experience … Continue reading »
We’re on day four of much-needed rain here in the Bay Area. My son didn’t feel like going outside today at all, preferring instead to remain inside, constructing Lego farm buildings. I was able to coax him out for a few minutes between rain showers to look for water drops on the plants. Now … Continue reading »
As someone who leads a lot of hiking outings with little kids, today I’m going to address a question I’m frequently asked by parents…. “How do I get my child to enjoy hiking?” Listed here are what I believe to be the five most important tips: Keep it short: The first thing you must do … Continue reading »
For a quick, easy outdoor activity, I keep a bag of sidewalk chalk on our front porch. We were home sick yesterday, and drawing on the front walkway with chalk was about the only outside activity my son felt up for. I like this kind of art for its simplicity. Give child chalk, send outside, … Continue reading »
Touching animals, whether farm animals or ocean creatures, is an experience all children should have the opportunity to enjoy. Watch the faces of the children around you at a petting zoo, and you’ll see joy, amazement, intense focus, or wonder. A child may giggle when an animal licks their hands, or may jump back … Continue reading »
Reblogged from LEARN FROM NATURE: Tell me here or at Learn From Nature According to Richard Louv, you are part of the New Nature Movement if … You want to reconnect with real life in a virtual age. You’re a student who’s decided to build a career connecting people to nature. You’re an entrepreneur who … Continue reading »
My boy wasn’t feeling well yesterday and didn’t have much energy. After playing inside the house all morning, by the early afternoon, he was ready for some fresh air. He asked to go on one of our favorite outings… a walk around the neighborhood. We’ve put together several walks from our home over the past … Continue reading »
We’re lucky to live in California newt country. These magical little creatures can be found throughout the hills in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We’ve had luck finding them in Jewel Lake at Tilden and crossing the trails in Las Trampas. Our favorite place for newt viewing, however, is in the Japanese Pool at the … Continue reading »
When we feel the need for a touch of Yosemite, but can’t get away for the weekend, we head, believe it or not, to our local park. Emerald Glen Park in Dublin has a great faux granite rock climbing area. Check out this picture. Doesn’t it look like the Sierras? Kids seem to especially enjoy … Continue reading »
Today is Read Across America Day, and the forecast is for sunshine throughout the Bay Area. We’re going to celebrate by taking reading time outside today. Join us! Pick a favorite book or two, find a sunny, warm location, and, well, simply read to your child. Not sure where to go? Here are a few … Continue reading »
Allow your child to channel their inner Jackson Pollock with this fun, messy painting activity. This art is made to be done outside, as no sane parent would allow it to take place in the house! Materials: Tempera paint Containers for paint (plastic cups, recycled jars, etc) Large paint brushes Masking tape Large plastic sheet, … Continue reading »
