I realize traditional camping isn’t for everyone. Heck in the 7.5 years since we’ve been parents, we’ve only taken the kids camping once. And we like spending time outside. I’m here to let you in on a little secret: There are other options. Like “glamping,” for one.What’s glamping? Think of it as glamourized camping. Where traditional campers sleep in sleeping bags on the … [Read more...]
My Friday 5: Exploring Nature at the Beach
It’s June and things are warming up around here. Last weekend we saddled up for a bike ride to the beach, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and some treasure hunting before heading home.There are seemingly endless ways to spend an afternoon at the beach. Here are a few of our current favorite ways to explore nature while we’re there - no tools required: Do some wildlife … [Read more...]
DVD Review: Frozen Planet
Having been to the far north to see polar bears in the wild, I guess you can say I have a special affinity for our planet’s more remote locations. In fact, seeing penguins in Antarctica makes my list of top 10 nature sights I want to see. No surprise then, that I jumped at the chance to review the seven-part nature series Frozen Planet, which explores life in the Polar … [Read more...]
Backyard Play Spaces: Nature Play Station
Earlier this month, I shared some of the summer backyard play spaces we’re planning. Today I’m ready to unveil the first of these spaces, our nature play station. How it’s made: I took a couple of unused wood planks we had lying around the backyard and placed them across some tree stumps we inherited last fall. The result is a shelving unit that makes for a perfect nature … [Read more...]
My Friday 5: Postcards From the Trail
Longtime readers of this blog know I’m all about connecting kids and nature. But what about us non-kids? How often do you spend time in nature, without the kids? At the start of 2012, I made a promise to myself: To spend more “me time” outside. For me, that meant heading to the trail. Since I prefer not to hike alone, I enlisted the help of two friends who were willing to … [Read more...]