Go Explore Nature

5 Apps for Connecting With Nature On the Go

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

First, a disclaimer: When it comes to technology, I’m a late adopter. And using a smartphone is certainly no exception. Sure, I’ve figured out how to make and receive phone calls, but apps? What do I need those for?!

But now that I’ve had my iPhone 4 for a few months, I’m beginning to discover ways to use it for connecting with nature when we’re on the go.

My small collection of favorites will continue to grow in time, I’m sure. But for now, here are my 5 favorite apps for getting in touch with nature when we’re out and about:

Geocaching ($9.99; iPhone, iPod touch & iPad, Android)
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played with a GPS device. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors.

How we use it: We don’t have a separate GPS device, so this app allows us to go geocaching anytime we have the phone. Which has translated into much more geocaching.

iBird Explorer Western (on sale for $4.99; iPhone & iPad)
There are five versions of iBird covering major regions of North America (and another in Canada). iBird offers identification, behavior, habitat and ecology information, plus photographs, range maps and playable calls.

How we use it: We’ve used iBird to help us identify backyard bird calls. And on the go to try to figure out the species of a bird we’ve spotted.

Instagram (Free; iPhone, iPod touch & iPad)
Snap a photo, choose a filter to transform the look and feel and share with friends. It’ll store all your photos in one handy location, too.

How we use it: Taking a picture on my phone is quick and easy – so much so that the kids and I are capturing many more moments in nature than ever before. Moments I missed in the past running off to find the camera.

MomMaps (Free; iPhone, iPod touch & iPad, Android)
MomMaps features more than 28,000 locations from 28 metro areas and counting. Search for kid-friendly parks, playgrounds, restaurants, museums and indoor play areas. You’ll find contact information, reviews by parents and directions.

How we use it: I search the Park category for new spots to explore near us before we head out. We’ve also used it on the go to find a park in an area we weren’t familiar with.

ParkFinder (Free; iPhone, iPod touch & iPad)
After you enter your zip code or city and select an activity – say bird watching, picnicking or hiking – ParkFinder directs you to nearby national parks, state parks, or national forests that fit the bill.

How we use it: So far, I’ve used it to plan future nature adventures, but I envision using it while we travel, too.

Your turn! What’s your favorite app for connecting with nature?

Kid-Friendly Tips for Backyard Bird Watching

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

In case you haven’t heard, this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) took place this past weekend. The annual four-day event encourages bird watchers of all ages to count birds in their own backyard. The goal: To create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent.

If you missed the big event, don’t worry! You can go bird watching with kids in your backyard anytime.

If you’re anything like I was when I first started paying attention to our feathered neighbors, you haven’t the slightest idea exactly how one goes bird watching – especially with kids.

Lucky for you, I’ve got some experience under my belt. That and a little help from my friend and fellow blogger, Michael, from Exploring Portland’s Natural Areas. Together, we’ve come up with a few ways to make the most of your backyard bird watching experience.

1. Create a bird-friendly backyard. It doesn’t take much to make your backyard a place birds will want to visit. We hang bird feeders and have a birdbath, both of which we clean and refill regularly.

2. Learn what birds live near you.
Certain birds will frequent your yard regularly; others seasonally. To learn what birds are native to your area, invest in a field guide. You can check out a few different guides from your local library to find the one that’s right for you. You can also use an online guide, like the one created for use during the GBBC.

3. Gear up.
My kids love having their own bird watching tools, including binoculars, a notepad and a field guide – even if they don’t actually use them. They also enjoy snapping pictures, which come in handy for making identifications later.

4. Know where to look.
You might be tempted to stare at your bird feeders. Don’t forget to check the trees, along fences and in bushes. We discovered nearly 20 house sparrows we could only hear until we came right underneath the tree they were in.

5. Listen up.
We do our best identifying by sound rather than sight. That’s because we’ve spent loads of time just listening to the chirps of our backyard birds. The result is that we can spot hummingbirds sight unseen. And out-of-place calls signal us to head outside to see who’s around. We’ve seen a group of crows chase off a wayward hawk and welcomed a solo Western scrub jay.

6. Keep watch from indoors, too.
This is especially helpful for younger kids who may have trouble keeping quiet outside (ahem, like The Little Explorer …). Hang bird feeders and birdbaths close to windows for better viewing. And have the binoculars handy.

7. Don’t worry if you don’t know a bird’s name.
What’s important is that you can recognize it if you see it again another time. Ask kids to spot the color of a bird’s beak and feet – both key details in identifying birds. You can look these up later to determine what you might have seen.

8. Record what you see.
And not just during the GBBC. Neither Michael nor myself keep tallies of the numbers of birds we see, but we do record what we’ve seen. The Big Explorer even created his own bird book for just that purpose. And Michael’s 5-year-old son Patrick had a great time writing down the names of the birds himself, since he's learning to read and write.

9. Have fun!
This is the single most important tip for bird watching with kids. It’s my goal whenever we see birds, in our backyard or elsewhere. Follow your child’s lead and enjoy yourself.

A few more places for tips on bird watching with kids:

9 tips for bird watching with kids
Backyard birding: Seeing the outside while staying in from OutsideMom.com
Backyard Birding Tips for Beginners from the National Wildlife Federation
Michael’s field reports for the 2012 GBBC, including day 1, 2, 3 and 4
The Great Backyard Bird Count for kids

What advice would you add to make the most of backyard bird watching with kids?

It's A Whole New Look

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Well, I finally did it. Went and had the blog professionally designed. Same great content, whole new look. I still have a little tweaking to do, but this is it. Welcome!

What’s New?
The thing I’m most excited about with the new look is the navigational bar with tabs to help you find things a little easier. Here’s a little about each:

Home: That’s an easy one, right?

About Me: The scoop on me and the fam, plus what I like to write about here and a few other places around the web where you’ll find my work.

Backyard Nature Fun: I’ve organized the more than 100 posts I’ve written featuring ways to explore nature right in your own backyard. You can even see the three most popular posts in each category

Adventuring Tips: You certainly don’t need to be an expert to head outside exploring with kids. But sometimes it’s nice to have a few ideas up your sleeve. These posts provide you with just that.

Product Reviews: I don’t intend for this to be a product review blog. But I do like to provide you with information about anything I think might be able to help you enrich a child’s experience of nature – be it a website, organization, book, DVD or product. Here’s where you can find featured reviews.

Favorite Resources: I’m extra proud of this collection. More than simply a list of blogs I read, this page includes my favorites, with an explanation as to why they’re worth a second look.

I’ve cleaned up the right-hand column a bit, too. You’ll still find links to Reader Favorites, LA-Area Day Trips and Nature Travels. Plus, you can search the blog by keyword. There’s even a fancy badge you can add to your own site.

I hope you’ll have a look around. Your regularly scheduled programming will be back again on Wednesday.

10 Great Nature Destinations in Malibu

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Leo Carrillo SB

I’m not going to lie to you: Living less than 30 minutes from Malibu is definitely a perk of life in L.A. – especially if you even remotely enjoy spending time outside.

At just 27 miles long and 8 miles wide, Malibu is packed with something for everyone – including beaches, hiking, surfing, swimming, camping and more.

There’s certainly no bad time to visit Malibu, but we find ourselves there much more often in the winter and spring months, when summer crowds have forgotten all about it. Here are a few of our favorite places to explore in Malibu.

BEACHES
While Surfrider and Zuma rank highest in popularity, we prefer these family-friendly spots.

El Matador State Beach
Visit during the winter and El Matador State Beach is a quiet spot great for bird watching, sand play and cave exploring. Just be sure to check the tides before you go – arrive during hide tide and the beach will be inaccessible.

Leo Carrillo State Beach
Leo Carrillo State Beach has 1.5 miles of beach with tide pools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring. In addition to tide pooling, we’ve also camped here. Nature walks and campfire programs are offered and a small visitor center has interpretive displays.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach
This is a wildlife hot spot. We’ve been bird watching on several occasions, but there’s plenty more to see and do. Guided tours of the wetlands and other natural elements such as grunion, the monarch butterfly, tide pools and the gray whale are scheduled seasonally.

Malibu Lagoon SB

Paradise Cove
The Paradise Cove beach is pristine, the tide pool discoveries plentiful and the views beyond magnificent – especially on a clear, sunny day. The downside? Parking is a whopping $25. To avoid the hefty fee, spend at least $20 at the Café and you pay only $3 for 4 hours on the beach.

Point Dume State Beach
Point Dume features cliffs, rocky coves and vast beach access. It’s also a perfect place to watch for California gray whales during the winter migration. Views from the top of the cliff are said to be unbeatable.

NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Even the community parks in Malibu are amazing. Thankfully, anyone can enjoy them!

Malibu Bluffs Park
The 6-acre Malibu Bluffs Park is what I wish every park could be – a combination of traditional playground features and plenty of amazing natural elements. Like hiking trails, a whale watch lookout station, wide-open grassy spaces and more.

Legacy Park
Across the highway from Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Legacy Park features four important native coastal habitats. Put your bird watching skills to the test, take a short “hike” around the park and play on the mosaic sculptures in the children’s area.

Legacy Park

NATURE PARKS
Don’t let all the beautiful beaches deter you from checking out the trails, too. Here are a few on our to-do list.

Arroyo Sequit
Arroyo Sequit features a stream, loop trail, rocks and meadows that are blanketed with wildflowers come spring. It’s also a great spot for stargazing.

Circle X Ranch
Rumored to have some of the best hiking in the area, Circle X Ranch is tucked in the canyons above Malibu. Stroll the trails, spot native California plants or enjoy a creekside picnic.

Point Magu State Park
Point Mugu State Park features five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, two major river canyons and wide, grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and more. Oh yeah, and there are more than 70 miles of hiking trails, too.

Happy exploring!

Things To Do
Malibu

eBook Review: Orange Moon - Grandmother Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Marghanita Hughes

When I started blogging some 2+ years ago, I fell in with some amazing people. I mean, truly amazing souls. Marghanita Hughes is one of those people.

From the moment I read her quote “when children and nature mix, something magical happens,” I was hooked. Her passion and love of all things nature is infectious. And her commitment to inspiring the next generation of nature lovers and stewards for the planet is unwavering.

Among other things, Marghanita is a children’s author and illustrator and creator of the award winning children’s brand The Little Humbugs.

Her latest work, Orange Moon – Grandmother Tree, is the first in the Orange Moon book series, and introduces us to Elloise (a.k.a. Orange Moon). Here’s a little look-see:

As with all of Marghanita’s creations, the words and images in Orange Moon – Grandmother Tree take us to a magical place filled with innocence, playfulness, wonder and love.

The story centers around Elloise, a sweet-spirited girl who is at home outdoors in nature. One summer day, she meets an old man who has just lost his dog. The story teaches us about friendship, grief and the healing power of nature.

Orange Moon – Grandmother Tree struck an extra-special chord with me. After all, it was nature I turned to for comfort as I coped with the loss of my dad some three years ago. It is nature I still turn to for inner peace, strength and constancy.

Elloise put into words something I have not as yet been able to convey to my kids: That when you open your heart to someone or something, you are connected forever. And that connection can be “felt” every time you are out in nature – it surrounds you and is with you always.

And as I read this heartwarming story with The Big Explorer, I knew he got the message.

The Nitty Gritty on Orange Moon – Grandmother Tree
Yes, it’s an e-book and I love traditional books – the ones you can snuggle up with. But that only seems to be an issue for me; The Big Explorer thought it was cool to read a book on mom’s computer.

This is the first book in the Orange Moon series, introducing us to Elloise (a.k.a. Orange Moon) & her innocent, loving take on the natural world
37 pages, including enchanting full-color illustrations
Includes several nature craft projects & play ideas inspired by the story
There is no recommended age, but I’d suggest it for young readers or those who can sit patiently & listen (not my 3.5-year-old!)
Best suited for families who can either print the story out or don't mind reading it in an electronic form
E-book is available in pdf format
Sells for $4.99

The Giveaway
I am beyond thrilled to offer you a chance to win your own copy of Orange Moon – Grandmother Tree, courtesy of the lovely Ms. Marghanita. She’s also been gracious enough to include one of her gorgeous color illustrations from the book!

To enter, leave a comment sharing one thing you do that makes you feel connected to nature. Good luck!

This giveaway will run through midnight PST on Sun., Jan. 19, 2012.
This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents.
The winner will be chosen using the nifty random number generator at random.org.
Winner will have 24 hours to reply to my notification; if I don't hear back after that, I'll pick another winner.

Note: I received a free copy of Orange Moon – Grandmother Tree in exchange for providing my honest review with you. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Heart Rocks: A Random Act of Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

One of the items on our list of 10 ways to explore nature in February was to practice a nature-inspired random act of kindness.

The idea we chose this month wasn’t actually my own (thanks to Pinterest for leading me to this wonderful post on Color Me Katie), but I knew we had to try it the minute I saw it.

The concept is simple: Paint hearts on a handful of rocks, return them outside in places where they almost blend in so that discovering them will bring a smile to someone’s face.

When I explained all of this to The Big Explorer, he was excited. I made sure to let him know that we weren’t leaving the rocks on people’s porches or waiting to see someone actually discover our creations. The joy was in the giving – leaving a little piece of nature to make someone else’s day a little brighter.

We’ve painted plenty of rocks before (a set of alphabet rocks for The Little Explorer at Christmas and more recently for our nature-inspired Valentine), so the fun this time came in figuring out where to place them.

The Little Explorer didn’t quite understand the backstory, but he and dad were more than happy to join us on our adventure. They even pointed out spots they thought we should place the rocks.

We decided we wanted to place our rocks close to home, so we brought them along on one of our many neighborhood walks.

It felt a little funny at first – maybe because we didn’t quite know where to put the rocks. But after placing the first few, we really got into it, trying to find fun spots to place our treasures.

We placed them in cracks in the pavement, at the base of a tree, in a flower pot and alongside weeds growing in a driveway.

We hope they are met with a smile.

Happy exploring!

Note: This post is part of the Outdoor Valentine Link Up over on ActiveKidsClub.com. Head on over for more ideas for outdoor fun with a Valentine's twist.

Field Report Friday: Polliwog Park

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Along with plenty of traditional park features – like multiple play structures, picnic tables, park benches and an exercise course – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park also has a lot to offer nature lovers.

There’s the large pond that takes center stage within the 18-acre park. It’s home to migratory birds, making it a great spot for little ones to practice their bird watching skills. During our visit, we spotted coots, gulls, crows and several different types of ducks.

Another gem for nature lovers visiting Polliwog Park: The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden, which sits at the southwest corner of the park.

Although the garden space isn’t very large, there’s plenty to see. Features include a children’s garden, a meditation garden, a waterfall, a wildflower meadow, an amphitheater, and a bird and butterfly habitat. It’s a pint-sized space that’s great for kids.

The multiple grassy areas at Polliwog Park are expansive, making the park a great space for kids to run. There are all kinds of trees providing shady areas perfect for picnics.

And there’s a sloped grassy hill adjacent to the pond that’s made for rolling down. Or in the case of The Explorers, lying down and starting up at the sky for awhile.

Date of most recent visit: Tues., Feb. 7, 2012

Who: Mom & The Explorers

Weather: Drizzly with dark clouds, low-60s

Highlights

Wandering through the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden
Playing on the U.S.S. Polliwog – the ship-inspired play area adjacent to the pond
Chasing birds into the pond
Lying down on the grassy hill & staring up at the dark, cloudy sky

Practical Matters

Polliwog Park is an 18-acre park with a large pond, multiple play areas, picnic tables, grassy expanses, an exercise course, a 9-hole disc golf course & more
Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden is open dawn to dust; entrance is FREE
Garden features include a children’s garden, a meditation garden, a waterfall, a wildflower meadow, an amphitheater, and a bird and butterfly habitat
Curbside parking is available along Redondo Ave. & Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Restrooms located in the middle of the park
Be advised that Polliwog Park sits alongside a school; students swarmed the play areas when school let out during our weekday afternoon visit

Polliwog Park is located at:
1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Things To Do
Manhattan Beach

Give a Kid a Camera: February

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

On the second Wednesday of each month, I invite you to join the Give a Kid a Camera series. Come share photos of nature taken by the children in your life! No worries about sticking to a certain theme each month; just head outdoors and let your kids snap away.

Tip of the Month: Focus on the Familiar
To kids behind a camera, the whole world is exciting. You don’t need to venture very far beyond your own backyard to find plenty of images worth capturing.

Here's one The Big Explorer took earlier this month at a nearby neighborhood park.

Mound of Mushrooms (The Big Explorer, age 7)

Need ideas for getting outside this month? Check out 10 ways to explore nature in February.

To join the fun:

Post a photo (or photos) of nature taken by a child on your blog. (Please only share photos that you have permission to share.)
Feel free to write about the photo – where you were when it was taken or why your child chose to take it in the first place. Just a picture and a caption are fine, too.
Link back here in your post so your readers can check out other photos and join the fun, too.
Add the link to your post to the list below.
This link will close on Wed., Feb. 29, 2012.

Happy exploring!

Our Nature-Inspired Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

While reading the February issue of Ranger Rick magazine, The Big Explorer was enthralled by the images of hearts in nature, which were cleverly turned into Valentines. I suggested we try making one of our own.

After mulling over a few ideas, we agreed on painting a heart on a rock, taking a photo and adding the phrase, “Valentine, you rock!”

We only needed a few items to make it happen: acrylic paint, a paintbrush, a black sharpie and a rock.

Of course, the real fun came in searching our backyard for the perfect rock.

When the rock was painted and ready for its close up, The Explorers went crazy taking pictures of it in all sorts of scenarios until we found just the right one.

Sometimes connecting with nature can come in these silly moments. Don't miss them!

Happy exploring!

10 Ways to Explore Nature in February

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Don’t let Punxsutawney Phil’s recent prediction of six more weeks of winter get you down! Most of North America is experiencing its warmest winter in years.

If it is cold in your neck of the woods, remember my motto for getting outside: Keep it simple and have fun!

Since last month’s 10 ways to explore nature in January list was such a hit, I thought I’d make it a regular feature – along with the free printable. Print it, post it and cross the items off as you go. And don’t forget to add your own ideas to the list!

1. Try animal tracking.
Animal tracks are much easier to see in snow and mud than at other times of the year. Do a little homework to discover what local animal tracks look like before you head outside.

2. Do some backyard bird watching.
This year’s Great Backyard Bird Count takes place on Feb. 11-17, 2012. Your task is to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the event.

3. Create a “nature” Valentine.
I’m waiting to unveil The Explorers’ Valentines until tomorrow, but I can tell our project involves rocks. Here are a few inspirational ideas for creating “nature” Valentines worth checking out.

4. Make sand angels.
Sure, it’s fun to make sand angels at the beach. But if you can’t get to one, the sandbox at your local park works well, too. (Of course, snow angels are fun, too!)

5. Have a winter picnic.
Who says summer should get all the fun? Eating outside in the winter is an extra-special treat. Keep it simple by skipping a full meal in favor of a snack. And don’t forget to dress for the weather.

6. Go on a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt.
Liven up your usual nature walk with a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt, where spotting hearts in nature is your task.

7. Grow something indoors.
We recently joined the Dinosaur Train Nature Tracker’s Club and this month’s challenge is to make a terrarium. It only requires a few simple ingredients you can find right in your backyard.

8. Practice a nature-inspired random act of kindness.
This month’s idea? Paint hearts on a handful of rocks and place the rocks in places where people will discover them. We hope our heart rocks will make someone’s day just a little brighter.

9. Go nest spotting.
Bare, leafless winter trees make for easy nest spotting.

10. Visit a new-to-you neighborhood park.
Earlier this month, The Explorer’s discovered their own “dark forest” at the outermost edge of a park we visited. What might your explorer uncover?

Need a few more ideas?

Read 50 ways to explore nature in your own backyard.
Check out my Winter Outdoor Activities board on Pinterest.
Download a FREE copy of the Nature Rocks Winter Activity Guide.

Your turn! What’s your favorite way to explore nature in February?

Field Report Friday: Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The 33-acre Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is home to several unique, hillside specialty gardens, a hiking trail and more – all tucked away amid the mall, mountains and freeway in Thousand Oaks.

Although there are plenty of specialty gardens to see here, our primary reason for visiting was to explore the Kid’s Adventure Garden. It’s a magical space dedicated to helping kids learn about nature and gardening. The garden features a tree house, zoo garden, pirate cave and more.

At the far edge of the garden is an entrance to the Nature Trail, a ¾-mile kid friendly path that meanders through native oaks and willows, around a chaparral hillside, and down along a streambed.

One of the best features of this nature walk are its trail signs, which point out things you might otherwise miss. We discovered that the holes we saw in one tree were actually used by a colony of woodpeckers to store food. We also spotted volcanic rock hideaways where coyotes and bobcats made their home.

We walked right alongside several of the specialty gardens as we made our way out of the main entrance and over to the Conejo Community Park. Here you’ll find an expansive grassy area, play structures and plenty of picnic tables. It all makes for a wonderful day out in nature with the kids.

Date of most recent visit: Sun., Jan. 15, 2012

Who: Mom & The Explorers

Weather: Warm & cloudy, mid-60s

Highlights

Exploring the Kid’s Adventure Garden, especially the tree house & pirate’s cave
Hiking the Nature Trail, where we learned about lava rock & lemon bottle brush
Finding a “puzzle” rock – one broken up into small pieces that fit back together perfectly, just like a puzzle
Enjoying a picnic in the Kid’s Adventure Garden
Playing at the Conejo Community Park

Practical Matters

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan.-Dec., except during inclement weather; closed on most holidays
Garden features include several unique, hillside specialty gardens, a bird habitat, rare fruit orchard, trail of trees, hiking trail & more
Kid’s Adventure Garden is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays only
Admission to the garden is FREE
The kid-friendly ¾-mile Nature Trail meanders above a creek through oaks & willows; trail is unpaved, narrow & not stroller-friendly
Ample free parking available directly across from the Kid’s Adventure Garden; take the footpath at the far end of the parking lot to the main garden entrance
Restrooms are located in the parking area outside the garden
There is a small eating area within the Kid’s Adventure Garden; many more tables are located at the far end of the parking area in Conejo Community Park

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is located at:
350 W. Gainsborough Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 494-7630

Things To Do
Thousand Oaks

Product Spotlight: naturebag

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

When the kids were both under the age of 5, I was the one schlepping any “gear” we took with us on our nature adventures – be they in the backyard or beyond. (I even wrote about what we kept in our adventure bag back in the day.)

But now that he’s 7, The Big Explorer prefers to have his own things. Sometimes he’s even willing to carry them. And I’m sure The Little Explorer isn’t far behind.

So when I was approached by one of the creators of naturebag to field test their product, I was intrigued.

What, you ask, is a naturebag?
It’s a kid-sized, organic shoulder bag (with an adjustable strap, I might add) that’s packed with hands-on nature-based tools and activities.

I just think it’s cool that the idea was born of then Vancouver-based moms Sylvie de Sousa and Katharine Byers. The two friends shared a vision similar to my own – to help children and their families reconnect with nature.

They wanted to create something that would make it simple for busy parents to get their kids outside having fun in nature without too much fuss or complaining. The idea is that you can hang your naturebag right by the front or back door, making it simple to grab and go.

Oh, and did I mention that the materials used in the naturebag are recycled and organic? Yeah, cool. I know.

Anyway, here’s exactly what comes in every naturebag (which retails for $34.95):

1 rubber wood magnifier
1 box of soy-based crayons
Hemp twine
8 recycled cardboard color cards
2 recycled cardboard leaf viewers
1 recycled notepad
1 recycled jeans pencil
1 organic cotton blindfold
1 all-season activity booklet, which guides you through activities you can do with the contents of the bag (plus more!)

The Nitty Gritty on naturebag
I’ll be honest: When we received our naturebag, The Big Explorer promptly emptied it out, filled it with his own set of tools (a magnifying glass, camera and bug container – he kept the notepad and pencil) and proclaimed it his “adventuring bag.” He has since used it on the trail, to sketch backyard birds, climb trees, take photos of nature and more.

Believe it or not, we haven’t even had a chance to put all the other amazing tools the naturebag comes with to use! Our verdict?

The comfortable, kid-sized shoulder bag is adjustable, lightweight & looks cool!
Contents provide a self-contained kit for a wide variety of nature-inspired activities you can do in your own backyard (think: leaf viewing, blindfold walks, leaf & bark rubbings, making a dreamcatcher & more)
Materials are environmentally conscious & high quality
Designed for kids 3 to 12

The Giveaway
I’m thrilled that naturebag co-creator Katharine has been gracious enough to provide a free bag to one lucky reader. I hope you’re as excited as I am!

To enter, leave a comment sharing one way you and your family played in nature in January (or hope to in February!). Good luck!

This giveaway will run through midnight PST on Sun., Feb. 5, 2012.
This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian residents.
The winner will be chosen using the nifty random number generator at random.org.
Winner will have 24 hours to reply to my notification; if I don't hear back after that, I'll pick another winner.

Note: I was given a complimentary naturebag to field test in exchange for providing my honest review with you. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Get Up, Get Outside & Get Into Nature With Dr. Scott Sampson (Part II)

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Part II of my interview with paleontologist and Dinosaur Train host, Dr. Scott Sampson. In Part I, Dr. Scott shared how he became involved with the show and how he’s helping to get kids off the couch and outside making their own discoveries.

With his catchy tagline, “Remember, get outside, get into nature, and make your own discoveries,” I knew Dr. Scott was passionate about connecting kids and nature.

And after reading a couple of posts on his blog, The Whirlpool of Life (namely Dinosaur Train Gets Into Nature! and Holiday Nature Connection), I knew I wanted to talk more. Here’s what he had to say.

Why do you think it’s so important for kids to spend time outside exploring?
It’s a need that might even parallel the mother/infant bond. In that case, if a child doesn’t have its mother during vital stages of development, there are consequences later.

There is evidence mounting that the same is true of spending time in nature. If we don’t form bonds when we’re young, we won’t be healthy adults. I would argue that we have a genetic predisposition to bond with nature – especially to our local places.

Which means that getting kids abundant unstructured time outside is critical to their mental health. I think few things are more important in this century.

Getting kids outside is also essential to our sustainability. How will kids care about our natural resources if they don’t experience them?

I think the issue of sustainability is less a crisis of technology and more of consciousness. We must see ourselves as embedded in nature. That starts with kids having local abundant experiences in nature.

What’s your advice to parents wanting to connecting their kids with nature?
I’m working on a book on this topic right now! Two things: Abundant multisensory experiences outdoors and a mentor. This mentor doesn’t need to actually know anything or be an expert, but he or she must be willing to explore with the child.

These are the key ingredients; if you do both enough, children will naturally form bonds with nature. You can build on experiences with age, but the simplest foundation is instilling a sense of wonder.

When it comes to getting outside, we don’t need to make it more complicated than it is. Bring binoculars and a magnifying glass with you and head to the park. Write in a nature journal about what you see and feel. Little, simple things done a few times a week after school is great.

What’s your favorite way to explore nature with your daughter?
I’m a big hiker, but that’s less her thing. She has taught me that I need to focus more on the trail and less on the destination.

As parents, we need to keep it fun, active and playful. Like putting on a blindfold and having them walk or crawl along a trail. It requires a little bit of imagination sometimes, but this kind of play-based learning will help kids thrive.

And last but not least, two very important questions from The Big Explorer …

What’s your favorite type of dinosaur?
When I was little, it was a stegosaurus – you know, the one with the spiky plates on its back. Today it’s an animal I had the honor of naming: Kosmoceratops, which had 15 horns on its head!

How many dinosaurs have you dug up?
Kids always want to know that! I couldn’t even guess – I’ve been doing this for 25 years. I’ve found hundreds of dinosaurs and named 15 or 16, with more to come.

Every animal we name is new to science. Science is a growing body of knowledge – there’s tons we don’t understand and lots to discover. Which means there is still plenty for kids to do!

I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Scott for a wonderful interview that I hope you all found as inspiring as I have.

Scott D. Sampson is a professional dinosaur paleontologist and science communicator. He was the science advisor and on-air host of the Discovery Channel series "Dinosaur Planet," and is presently serving the same pair of roles for the hit PBS KIDS series "Dinosaur Train," produced by the Jim Henson Company. He recently completed a general audience book—"Dinosaur Odyssey: Fossil Threads in the Web of Life," and he is presently working on another book about connecting kids with nature. He writes a blog, "The Whirlpool of Life," and regularly speaks to audiences of all ages on topics ranging from evolution to education.

Note: I was not asked by PBS, The Jim Henson Company or Dr. Scott Sampson to write this post and I am not receiving any compensation for doing so. You can read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Get Up, Get Outside & Get Into Nature With Dr. Scott Sampson (Part I)

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If you have a child under the age of 6 who watches TV, chances are you’ve heard of the PBS KIDS show, Dinosaur Train.

The show, which combines two things many preschoolers love – dinosaurs and trains – encourages basic scientific thinking skills. Kids learn about life science, natural history and paleontology through the adventures of a set of preschool-age dinosaurs.

Each of the half-hour episodes features two 11-minute animated stories, along with brief live action segments hosted by renowned paleontologist Dr. Scott Sampson (yes, a real-live dinosaur discoverer!).

Dr. Scott first caught my attention shortly after I started this blog two years ago. While watching an episode of Dinosaur Train with The Big Explorer, I heard him say his catchy tagline, “Remember, get outside, get into nature, and make your own discoveries!”

So imagine my excitement when Dr. Scott started following me on Twitter last December. Thinking it was a long shot, I asked him if he’d be willing to talk to me about his involvement not only with Dinosaur Train, but with the children and nature movement as well.

To my amazement, he agreed.

Before I share the details of our wonderful chat on kids and nature (more on that tomorrow), I thought I’d let him tell you a little bit about his involvement with the show.

How did you come to be involved with Dinosaur Train?
I got a call from a woman at The Jim Henson Company (which produces the show) who wanted to know if I’d be interested in a show about a dinosaur train. I was worried initially because paleontologists have long being trying to convince people that dinosaurs and people didn’t co-exist. Then she told me the train would only have dinosaurs on board and I thought it was a great idea – like mixing chocolate and peanut butter, two things kids love.

I came on initially as a science advisor, then eventually to serve as a host. I consult on every script and I’ve had a great time ever since.

How do you think watching a television show – which is clearly an indoor activity – can help get kids outside?
There is always a risk when you create a program that has the potential to addict kids to screens. As part of the initial planning process, I told the producers that I wanted to have some kind of line to remind kids to turn off the TV and get outside.

Thanks to my wife, we ultimately came up with the tagline, “Remember, get outside, get into nature, and make your own discoveries!”

But I didn’t know if it would work. Can you encourage kids to get up and get outside on TV?

I’ve heard back from so many parents telling me that kids are doing it – digging in the backyard for fossils and identifying birds in their backyard. Which means there is the potential for TV to inspire kids to get out and into nature.

Making the Backyard Nature Connection
Dr. Scott says that by the time the second season of Dinosaur Train rolled around, the idea of connecting kids to nature took on a central theme. The main characters started their own nature club and spend much of their time building nature collections and making their own observations about their surroundings.

Logo courtesy of PBS KIDS

Fans of the show can even join the Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers Club. It’s a virtual nature club that encourages kids to get outside exploring in their own backyard. There are monthly challenges, ideas for daily nature activities, even free printables. Go check it out!

Stay tuned for Part II of my interview with Dr. Scott tomorrow!

Scott D. Sampson is a professional dinosaur paleontologist and science communicator. He was the science advisor and on-air host of the Discovery Channel series "Dinosaur Planet," and is presently serving the same pair of roles for the hit PBS KIDS series "Dinosaur Train," produced by the Jim Henson Company. He recently completed a general audience book—"Dinosaur Odyssey: Fossil Threads in the Web of Life," and he is presently working on another book about connecting kids with nature. He writes a blog, "The Whirlpool of Life," and regularly speaks to audiences of all ages on topics ranging from evolution to education.

Note: I was not asked by PBS, The Jim Henson Company or Dr. Scott Sampson to write this post and I am not receiving any compensation for doing so. You can read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Field Report Friday: Hopkins Wilderness Park

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Hopkins Wilderness Park is an 11-acre slice of nature smack dab in the middle of the otherwise urban setting of Redondo Beach. It’s easy enough to pass right by without a second glance. But wow! What you’d be missing!

Hopkins Wilderness Park was created in the late 70s as a center for camping, nature study and conservation. The park features four ecological habitats: forest, meadows, streams and ponds. Dirt trails meander through the park taking you seamlessly from one habitat to the next.

But to a 3.5-year-old, it’s just one big nature playground.

I let The Little Explorer take the lead during our visit, which was a rare playdate for just the two of us. He enjoyed following each of the “trails” to discover where it took us – and we didn’t miss a spot.

This nature park is a rare find in a place like Los Angeles. Your usual park amenities – like play structures and sandboxes – give way to more “wild” environments. Kids can practice balancing skills on logs carefully placed across streams, get up close and personal with any number of birds that call this place home, even go “hiking.”

Our visit was a quiet one on a weekday morning. We saw no campers and only a few other visitors. Given that there are several campsites throughout the park, I imagine you might not have such a serene experience on weekends and holidays.

Date of most recent visit: Mon., Jan. 9, 2012

Who: Mom & The Little Explorer

Weather: Sunny & clear, about 60 degrees when we arrived, 70 when we left 1.5 hours later

Highlights

Gathering tons of “perfect” sticks
Talking to the ducks, turtles, butterflies & birds
Balancing on logs – to cross streams or just for fun!
Following trails (and so many to choose from!)
Putting sticks in the water to see what happens next (hint: if you let go, the stick will “swim away”)

Practical Matters

Hopkins Wilderness Park is open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting); closed Wednesdays
Park features include two ponds, two streams, a “forest,” a meadow & several trails throughout
Entrance to Hopkins Wilderness Park is FREE
Three sets of restrooms available within the park
A Visitor Center at the entrance to the park is used for nature-related classes & meetings
Limited free parking is available
Dirt trails are flat & stroller-friendly
We had the place pretty much to ourselves on a weekday morning; I expect it may be busier on weekends & holidays
Bring an extra set of clothes – if all goes well, your explorer will be plenty dirty after your visit
Overnight camping within Hopkins Wilderness Park is available by reservation only

Hopkins Wilderness Park is located at:
1102 Camino Real
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 318-0668

Things To Do
Redondo Beach

What Was Your Favorite Place in Nature as a Child?

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome to another edition of “Readers Weigh In,” where I pose a question on the Go Explore Nature Facebook page and you respond. Then I feature as many answers as possible with everyone here (along with a link to your wonderfully amazing blog if you have one).

The question I posed this week was actually inspired by all the amazing and thoughtful comments left in response to the eBook review of “A Tree for Max.”

What Was Your Favorite Place in Nature as a Child?

The Explorers on an annual trip to Yosemite

Here’s what some of you had to say.

Anne:

As a child, one of my favorite outdoor spots was an old apple tree we had in the backyard. There was a tire swing hung in it and I just loved to go climb it or swing and watch the birds that would come to the nearby feeders. I also spent a lot of time at the beach during my childhood because my grandfather had a trailer and camped there all summer. Great times those were …

Beverly H.:

My backyard!!!

Brandy R.:

The creek down the the dirt lane from our home.

Chelsey:

When I was little, we had a big white birch tree in our yard. I loved climbing it and hanging out in it. One year a small tornado went right through our neighborhood and knocked it down, but my parents had it pulled back up with cables and it survived!

Janie R.:

My favorite place in nature was climbing trees – the view from 15 feet up was amazing and, fortunately, no falling accidents!

Ken M.:

My grandparents’ farm in Indiana.

Lisa E.:

My favorite place was actually in my friend's back yard up in her orange trees. There were two different ones and they were our homes, offices, airplanes, you name it. We went out to our trees everyday and let our imaginations run wild. Haven't thought about those trees for a long time.

Mel from Traveling Mel:

My favorite place as a kid was a big oak tree behind a friend's house. And the beach. And big granite slabs in the Sierra ...

Rebbecca J.:

I grew up in trailer parks in upstate New York so needless to say finding an escape was crucial for me! Thankfully we lived near a bit of forested land, if you went down into the forest you came across a large stream that was always running and had many trillums, skunk cabbages and other beautiful plants growing. I would adventure up and down the stream for hours and no one worried about me. It was pretty magical.

Sarah from The Cabin Path:

My favorite tree when I was growing up was a huge, curved oak tree. I would get up early, pack a snack and a book, and ride my horse, Penny, down to the old tree. It was curved like a huge lounge chair, and I would have to slide off her back onto the tree, but it was the most comfortable place to lean back, read, and let Penny graze around on the grass. I spent many hours on that tree ... watching clouds and critters and nature.

Many years later, I learned that my old tree was a Native American signal tree. It had been bent and tied to grow crooked when it was a sapling, and it marked a ceremonial rock circle on a hill not far away. It was documented by the Mountain Stewards. 54 years later, I still live on the property, although the old curved tree blew down several years ago in a storm. I have pictures of my old friend, but none compare to the memories I have forever etched in my mind!

Susan Mary R.:

A field of daisies at the end of our road

Walk Simply:

I grew up a block from the beach and spent a lot of my time there.

If you want to get in on future conversations, be sure to "like" the Go Explore Nature Facebook page.

Now it’s your turn – what was your favorite place in nature as a child?

Urban Nature Spotting With Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

When you live in a concrete-filled city like Los Angeles, sometimes connecting with nature can seem … a little challenging.

Then again, sometimes you just have to slow down and take a closer look.

How exactly do you do that? Lucky for you, we’ve developed a few skills that come in quite handy when you’re trying to connect with nature when you’re not actually in nature.

Develop a ‘nature radar.’
Okay, I made that up! But I think this is probably one of the most important things you need to do to appreciate nature in an urban setting. A “nature radar” allows you to connect with nature even if you’re somewhere you wouldn’t expect to be inspired.

Case in point: Last week while picking up The Little Explorer from preschool, I noticed there was a gorgeous sunset in the making. On our way back to the car, the kids and I stopped to stare up at the sky for a minute and spotted the most wonderful tree – bare save a single nest.

Set against the dusk, it was a beautiful sight. And a wonderful few moments for us to share.

Don’t count out the concrete.
The other day we spotted a row of dandelions growing right alongside the curb where my car was parked. Before getting inside the car, we spent a few minutes looking at the flowers, stems and leaves growing out of apparently thin air.

Use your commute time to your advantage.
Have you ever noticed what’s going on in nature right outside your car window? We’ve pulled over more times than I can count because one of us spotted something worth watching. Cool cloud formations, gorgeous sunsets and make-you-smile rainbows. And the birds – oh, the birds – they never disappoint!

Get to know your local critters.
We talk to the crows that live in and around our house. So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that The Big Explorer gives me regular updates about the bird activities he sees while he’s at school. Stuff like which direction the birds are flying, how many of them are gathered and whether they’re quiet or noisy.

Take a closer look at the things you see every day.
Like the roses outside our front door, which one afternoon housed a critter that sent The Big Explorer over the moon with excitement.

Last fall, we spotted all kinds of cool spiders and webs in the shrubbery right in our driveway. Don't forget to take a second look now and again at the things right under your nose. You never know what you might discover!

How do you like to discover nature in an urban setting?

10 Places to Explore Nature in Los Angeles This Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Shortly after I started this blog some 2+ years ago, I wrote a post about the best spots in Los Angeles for winter outdoor fun. We’ve explored a lot more places since then, so I figured an updated version was in order.

BEACHES & TIDE POOLS
Beaches are overlooked (read: empty) during winter. Bring a jacket – and maybe a kite – and take advantage of having the place practically to yourself.

Leo Carrillo State Park

Leo Carrillo State Park
Winter is the time to head to the tide pools. And Leo Carrillo State Park is one of our favorite spots. There’s some 1.5 miles of beach, tide pools & coastal caves here – plus a kid-friendly beach that’s not too bad, either.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Malibu Lagoon State Beach is a great spot for sand play, tide pool exploring and bird watching. Take advantage of free family bird walks provided by the Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society every fourth Sunday of the month at 10 a.m., rain or shine.

Paradise Cove
The Paradise Cove beach is pristine, the tide pool discoveries plentiful and the views beyond magnificent. Don’t forget to enjoy a meal with a view at the Paradise Beach Café while you’re there.

HIKING
Winter’s mild temps are the perfect time to hit the trails. In fact, we’ve been exploring all kinds of new places this month! (Check out 5 great places for a Christmas Day hike in Los Angeles for more inspiration.)

Will Rogers State Historic Park

Ernest E. Debs Regional Park
There’s lots to enjoy at the Audubon Center at Debs Park, including a children’s woodland area (translation: a nature playground) and pint-sized trails. The 280+-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park has plenty of other trails just waiting to be explored.

Will Rogers State Historic Park
The 3-mile Inspiration Loop Trail is our favorite hike at Will Rogers State Historic Park. But you might want to try geocaching, enjoy a picturesque picnic or fly a kite.

NATURE PARKS
Nature parks and preserves are worth a visit any time of the year as the scenery changes from one season to the next.

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area has a number of different areas to explore – including a duck pond, a stream with waterfalls, a forest, hiking trails, toddler play structures, picnic sites and more.

Legacy Park
Think of the 15-acre Legacy Park as a nature playground – do some bird watching, take a short “hike” around the park and play on the mosaic sculptures in the children’s area.

Temescal Gateway Park
Sure, there’s lots of great hiking here. But we go for the atmosphere. Temescal includes some 140 acres of oak and sycamore canyons, which feature streams, sticks, tree branches and other natural elements that make it a real nature playground.

WHALE WATCHING
The gray whale migration along the California coast takes place during the winter months. The toughest decision is choosing whether to head up the coast or down to see them!

Malibu Bluffs Park

Aquarium of the Pacific
Enjoy a 2 to 2.5 hour voyage out in the open Pacific. Your ticket price includes admission to the Aquarium. Tours depart daily at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., with an additional 9 a.m. departure on weekends.

Malibu Bluffs Park
If you prefer to stay on land for your whale watching, head to Malibu Bluffs Park, where there’s a perfect spot to hang out and enjoy the view. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Your turn! Where do you like to explore during the winter?

Things To Do
Los Angeles

eBook Review: A Tree for Max

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Jerry Halberstadt

This is definitely a first for me – reviewing an eBook, that is. Call me old fashioned, but I still read books as … you know … books. Especially with my kids.

But when author and grandparent Jerry Halberstadt offered me the opportunity to preview his eBook A Tree for Max: A Fable, I decided to give it a go.

This story centers around a 3.5-year-old boy named Max whose family moves to a new home, forcing him to leave behind his beloved “forest” (a stand of trees in his old backyard).

Enter a variety of unusual characters – including Grandfather Apple Tree, the King of the Trees, all the forest trees, messenger swans, and a dog – to figure out a way to help Max adjust to his new home. The book includes a whopping 64 color photographs to help bring all the characters and their voices to light.

Weaved into the story are all kinds of interesting details about different kinds of trees (my favorite!). Most of all, this tale is full of lessons about the natural world and our place in it.

I’d love to tell you how this lively cast of characters comes together to help Max, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.

The Nitty Gritty on A Tree for Max: A Fable
The Big Explorer and I read A Tree for Max: A Fable (in pdf format) together on my computer – definitely not the best setting for a good snuggle. He has since asked me to print out a copy so he can read it on his own, which is a good idea since The Little Explorer would enjoy hearing the story as well.

135 pages, including 64 color photos
The story gives voices & mannerisms to natural entities, which both The Big Explorer & I found entertaining, educational & just plain fun
There is no recommended age, but my 7-year-old was able to read it on his own in one sitting; it also makes a great picture book for younger kids
Best suited for families who can either print the story out or don't mind reading it in an electronic form
Available in several formats, including EPUB, Kindle & pdf
Sells for $9.99

Photo courtesy of Jerry Halberstadt

The Giveaway
Author Jerry Halberstadt has been kind enough to offer one of you a free copy of A Tree for Max: A Fable in your choice of format. Yay!

To enter, leave a comment telling me about your favorite place in nature as a child. Good luck!

This giveaway will run through midnight PST on Sun., Jan. 22, 2012.
Sorry, but this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
The winner will be chosen using the nifty random number generator at random.org.
Winner will have 24 hours to reply to my notification; if I don't hear back after that, I'll pick another winner.

Note: I received a free copy of A Tree for Max in exchange for providing my honest review with you here. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

How to Start Your Own Family Adventure Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

When I put together my list of 12 resolutions for getting outside you can keep earlier this month, one of the items on that list was “start (or keep) a nature journal.”

We’re not new to nature journaling. In the past, we’ve created a backyard field guide, a bird book – even a summer adventure journal. While each of these featured nature observations and wildlife sightings, none of them captured the spirit of fun and adventure I’d hoped we’d record.

Thus the idea behind our family adventure journal. Basically, it’s a scrapbook of our outings in nature. It’s where we’ll record not just what we did or saw, but how it made us feel. Our best memories from our nature experiences in 2012.

In deciding just want we wanted our family adventure journal to be, we considered a few things:

Why should we keep a journal? It’s a place to record our experiences in nature. At the end of the year, I’m hoping we’ll have a scrapbook of outdoor adventures to look back on and inspire us to keep it up in the years ahead.

What kind of nature journal should we keep? There’s no right or wrong way to keep a nature journal. It can include sketches, notes, bits of nature, pictures and more – whatever feels right to you.

The format doesn’t really matter, either. Choose a pre-formatted journal with fill-in-the-blank pages, a sketchbook with blank ones or a spiral bound notebook with lined pages. Again, pick what feels right to you.

With one child who’s 7 and another 3.5, I wanted to keep it simple. In fact, all we needed to get started was a medium-sized spiral bound notebook and a pen.

What should we record? The sky is the limit! To keep it simple, we decided to focus on just a few pieces of information:

Location visited
Date visited
Who went
Weather
Highlights
New discoveries
Photo, sketch or other memento

Who will do the recording and where? Is your journal for one person to use or for the entire family? Will you take it with you and seek inspiration from nature or maybe record your findings after the fact when you’ve had a chance for your experiences to sink in?

It’s not very practical for us to make our recordings during our outings, but so far we’ve been able to do so later that same day. And we always work on our journal entries together. That’s the fun part!

The Explorers choose a photo and together we fill in all the information. Sometimes I do the writing; sometimes The Big Explorer does. All that matters is that everyone shares at least one thing they want to remember about our adventure. Even a 3.5-year-old can do that!

Ready to create your own? Here are a few more resources to help you get started:

Create your own nature journal from the National Wildlife Federation
FREE, downloadable Kid’s Adventure Journal from REI
Intro to nature journaling with kids from Frog Mom

Happy exploring!

Field Report Friday: Legacy Park

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Thanks to my friend Michele of Fun Orange County Parks for turning me on to this hidden gem.

We’d been to nearby Malibu Lagoon State Beach several times, yet had no idea Legacy Park was right across the highway. Until Michele and her kids joined us for a playdate this summer and suggested we check it out.

We loved it. So much so that we thought it’d be fun to see how the place had changed since that initial visit some 6 months ago.

The 15-acre Legacy Park is a sort of central park in the heart of Malibu. There’s a flat path that meanders through the park, which features four important native coastal habitats – coastal prairies, coastal bluffs, Southern California native woodlands and riparian/wetland.

There are informational signs throughout the park providing education about local flora and fauna. There’s also a small outdoor amphitheater and beautiful mosaic animal sculptures scattered throughout.

Not that you needed any more reason to visit, but there’s also this: Legacy Park just happens to be an environmental cleaning machine – capable of capturing stormwater and urban runoff for treatment and disinfection, then reusing the clean water to irrigate the park.

While some of these impressive features may be lost on the youngest explorers, Legacy Park is a serene spot to enjoy some quiet time in nature. Consider it a nature playground! Put your bird watching skills to the test (we spotted a great egret), take a short “hike” around the park and play on the mosaic sculptures in the children’s area.

Date of most recent visit: Sat., Jan. 7, 2012

Who: Mom & The Explorers

Weather: Breezy, high 60s

Highlights:

Seeing a great egret (and what we think was a young one, too)
Running along the trails
Getting our feet (and shoes, and pants) muddy
Climbing on all the mosaic animals found throughout the park
Watching the day’s light and color change right before our eyes (we visited close to sunset)

Practical Matters:

The Legacy Park children’s play area consists of several mosaic creatures that kids can climb on
This is a great spot to put your wildlife spotting skills to the test
Walking path is level & stroller friendly, but be prepared for some muddy patches
The children's play area is located on Civic Center Way; parking is available here or a short walk away at Malibu Country Mart
No restrooms available at Legacy Park; the closest are at Malibu Country Mart
This is a great stand-alone outing, or you can combine it with a stop at the Malibu Country Mart’s playground or a visit to Malibu Lagoon State Beach just across Pacific Coast Highway

Legacy Park is located at:
23500 Civic Center Way
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 317-1364

Things To Do
Malibu

Give a Kid a Camera: January

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The Give A Kid a Camera series is an opportunity to share photos of nature taken by children.

Welcome to the new home for the Give a Kid a Camera linkup. On the second Wednesday of each month, I’ll be opening up this space for you to share photos of nature taken by your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews and so on.

No worries about sticking to a certain theme each month; just head outdoors and let your kids snap pictures of whatever inspires them.

January
We spent the first few days of 2012 in a (rental) beach house in Oxnard, Ca. We were super excited to catch the first sunset of the year. I’m thrilled that The Big Explorer snapped this shot (even if we don't know who that is running toward us).

Sunset on the Beach (The Big Explorer, age 7)

Need ideas for getting outside this month? Check out 10 ways to explore nature in January.

To join the fun:

Post a photo (or photos) of nature taken by a child on your blog. (Please only share photos that you have permission to share.)
Feel free to write about the photo – where you were when it was taken or why your child chose to take it in the first place. Just a picture and a caption are fine, too.
Link back here in your post so your readers can check out other photos and join the fun, too.
Add the link to your post to the list below.

This link will stay open all month,, closing on Tues., Jan. 31, 2012. February's link up will be ready not long after!

Happy exploring!

10 Ways to Explore Nature in January

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

January is full of hope and potential for the year ahead. But spending time outside and in nature can get a little more challenging as temperatures drop.

The trick is to make sure you and the kiddos are dressed for the weather, keep it simple and have fun!

To make getting outside this month a little easier, I’ve created a free printable version of this list. Print it, post it and cross the items off as you go. Don’t be afraid to add your own ideas!

1. Go on a winter nature scavenger hunt.
A winter nature scavenger hunt can turn a routine walk around the neighborhood into something a little more adventurous.

2. Head to the beach.
I realize this isn’t an option for everyone. But if it is, take advantage of beaches, which tend to be practically empty this time of the year. Go tide pooling, make sand angels, search for seashells or enjoy a picnic.

3. Be a treasure hunter – in the snow!
I haven’t tried this, but doesn’t treasure hunting in the snow sound fun? Sprinkle a few sparkly favorites out after a snowfall, then let your kiddos go searching.

4. Feed your backyard birds.
Finding food gets tougher for your feathered friends this time of year. Make a pine cone bird feeder, then watch to see who visits.

5. Go on a winter color walk.
Color is usually associated with spring, so a winter color walk is an exciting challenge. How many shades of white, brown and green can you spot?

6. Fly a kite.
Breezy January days are made for kite flying. Look for wide-open spaces like parks and beaches.

7. Hit the trails.
Cool temps make for great times (and fewer crowds) on the trail. Got snow? Go snowshoeing instead.

8. Watch a sunset.
Since the sun is setting relatively early, seize the opportunity to watch a sunset this month.

9. Check out the night sky.
Another advantage of earlier sunsets is earlier nightfall. Make a date to go stargazing in your jammies.

10. Go on a photo safari.
Bring along a camera and head outside on a photo safari. You could even pick a theme – like animals or trees.

If you need a little more inspiration, check out 30 ideas for winter backyard nature fun.

Your turn! What’s your favorite way to explore nature in January?

Field Report Friday: Paradise Cove

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Paradise Cove holds a special place in my heart; it’s where the hubby and I got married some 10+ years back. Unbelievably, this was the first time we managed to take the kids out to see our special spot.

Nestled in the heart of Malibu, Paradise Cove consists of a private beach and the thriving Paradise Beach Café. Our pre-kids MO was to enjoy lunch at the Café, then stroll the beach for a bit. Turns out, it’s lots more fun to go with kids (albeit less romantic).

The Paradise Cove beach is pristine, the tide pool discoveries plentiful and the views beyond magnificent – especially on a clear, sunny day. There’s also a pier here with views from Palos Verdes to Point Dume, which the website says you can walk down, even fish off of – though I’ve done neither.

The catch here is that parking is a whopping $25. To avoid the hefty fee, spend at least $20 at the Café and you pay only $3 for 4 hours on the beach. Let me let you in on a little secret: it’s totally worth it.

The wait for a table at the Café was 45 minutes when we arrived at lunch time, so we opted to order from the Paradise-to-Go menu, cutting our wait down significantly and allowing us to eat right on the beach.

We followed up with a long walk along the beach, some tide pool exploring and much discussion of that extra-special day when dad and mom got married.

Date of most recent visit: Mon., Dec. 26, 2011

Who: The entire family!

Weather: Sunny, warm & clear, low 70s (don’t hate me!)

Highlights:

Enjoying lunch restaurant-side on the beach under the gorgeous sun (on the day after Christmas!)
Watching seagulls & pelicans play chase
Walking along the shore chasing waves
Making cool discoveries in the tide pools
Dragging seaweed to make tracks in the sand

Practical Matters:

Paradise Cove beach is open daily, sunrise to sunset; Paradise Beach Café is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Parking: $3 for 4 hours with restaurant validation (minimum $20 purchase); $25/day without validation
The Cove has a few special rules: no dogs, surfboards, beach boat launching or BBQs
Restrooms with showers are available beachside; Paradise Beach Café also has restrooms available for customers
Crowds get plentiful on weekends & holidays; weekday or evening visits tend to be slower
Beds, beach chairs & cabanas are available for rent; check here for pricing

Paradise Cove is located at:
28128 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-2503

Things To Do
Malibu

Product Spotlight: Life is Good Flower Cord Cinch Sack

noreply@blogger.com (Debi) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I’m hoping to bring you a few more product reviews and giveaways here in 2012 – the kind that will make it a little bit easier for you to head outside exploring with your kiddos.

First up: The Life is Good Flower Cord Cinch Sack.

Why this product? With it just about time for me to give up the backpack/diaper bag that has so long accompanied me on our outdoor adventures, I’ve been on the lookout for a smaller, lighter substitute.

Lucky me, the folks at Appalachian Outdoors asked me to field test any of their Life is Good products.

I chose the Flower Cord Cinch Sack hoping it could fit the bill as my new go-to adventuring bag. (And yes, I admit I liked the hot pink corduroy, too.)

Here are a few specs on the bag:

Made of 100% cotton corduroy
Dimensions: 17.5” x 12.5”
Drawstring closure
Adjustable straps
Small zip pocket in back (none inside)
Machine washable
Retails for $25.95

Field Test Results on the Flower Cord Cinch Sack
I took the Flower Cord Cinch Sack out on a few test runs while putting this review together. The verdict? It’s a good option for short outings that don’t take you too far from the car (think: park or beach). But made-for-the-trail it is not. Some specifics:

Lightweight, comfortable and cute!
Sample cargo the bag could comfortably hold: two kid-sized jackets, camera (with case), cloth diaper and snacks
Handy zip pocket in the back is perfect for keys or a small wallet
The machine washable feature comes in handy for post-beach clean up
Since this is a cinch sack, it’s pretty much a catch-all – which can make finding things in a pinch tricky (like when your 3-year-old is screaming at you for a snack that’s fallen all the way to the bottom of the bag)
Lack of a firm bottom means the bag doesn’t stand upright on its own
No comfortably spill-free place to carry water bottles

The Giveaway
You know I love to share the goods around here. So guess what? I’m giving away a Flower Cord Cinch Sack to one lucky reader. Excited? I hope so!

To enter, leave a comment below telling me about one fun outdoor adventure you have planned for 2012. Good luck!

This giveaway will run through midnight PST on Sun., Jan. 8, 2012.
Sorry, but this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
The winner will be chosen using the nifty random number generator at random.org.
Winner will have 24 hours to reply to my notification; if I don't hear back after that, I'll pick another winner.

Note: I was given a gift certificate to pick any product(s) from the Life is Good line available at Appalachian Outdoors. In exchange, I agreed to field test the product and share my honest review here. You can read my full disclosure policy for more information.