My son collects soooo many sticks, rocks, feathers, nuts, and other cool stuff during our outings that his “treasures” have become a bit overwhelming. In order to provide a space for his favorite discoveries, I gave him a basket. We call it his “nature basket”, and it’s where the best finds are kept. *** WordPressContinue reading “Treasures: A Nature Basket”
Category Archives: Family Nature Tips
Want to be Happier? Take a Walk in Nature
Within moments of beginning my walk around the grounds of the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley this morning, I began to experience that wonderful feeling of peace and calmness that washes over me me when I’m out in nature. Whenever I begin to feel stressed, overwhelmed, quick to anger, or anxious, I’ve learned the bestContinue reading “Want to be Happier? Take a Walk in Nature”
The Importance of Outdoor Time
As I enter 2014, I feel the need to answer the question, “Why do I blog?” When I created “A Nature Mom”, my vision was clear. My goal was to inspire other families to get outside and play. I already had created a real-life social Meetup group, Nature Time! The Bay Area Outdoor Playgroup, aContinue reading “The Importance of Outdoor Time”
Silent Saturday: Nature Journaling
“The most important thing we can teach our children is to observe well.” -Ernst Mayer, Evolutionary Biologist Learning about animal tracks and signs, and journaling their observations. *** An awesome, free, naturalist-led class! Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley *** Interested in learning more about nature journaling? I highly recommend the book, Keeping a Nature Journal: DiscoverContinue reading “Silent Saturday: Nature Journaling”
Greenopedia: A Source for Practical Ideas, Tips and Advice for Sustainable Living
As someone who’s concerned about the environment and the future health of our world, I try to live in a way that limits my impact on our Earth. As a mom, this way of living extends to my family and how I run our household. Plus, as a parent, I want to ensure I’m providingContinue reading “Greenopedia: A Source for Practical Ideas, Tips and Advice for Sustainable Living”
Our Favorite Camping Treat: Nutella S’mores!
It’s always frustrated me a bit that when making s’mores while out camping, the chocolate just doesn’t melt. I know how to roast a perfect marshmallow, melted completely in the middle, wonderfully gooey and creamy, with a nice, light brown shell. But the chocolate has always been an issue. Now, don’t get me wrong. ChocolateContinue reading “Our Favorite Camping Treat: Nutella S’mores!”
Connecting Kids With Nature: How Grandparents Can Help
Are you a grandparent who would like to help connect your grandchild(ren) with the natural world? Check out these great tips from Richard Louv… Grand Ideas! 21 Great Ways Grandparents and Grandfriends Can Connect Kids to Nature. What wonderful ways to bond! My dad and my son, then three, gardening together (Tip #9: Create aContinue reading “Connecting Kids With Nature: How Grandparents Can Help”
Three Classic Backyard Games: Fun For Kids and Adults
It can be tough to find outdoor games that are truly fun for both children and adults. Here are three of our family favorites…. Croquet, Bocce, and Cornhole. My brother and his wife always have these games set up when they have parties at their home. So fun! Croquet I grew up playing Croquet inContinue reading “Three Classic Backyard Games: Fun For Kids and Adults”
Great book! Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism
In preparation for Earth Day next month, I’m currently reading a wonderful book… Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism by Pat McCarthy. The book, written for children ages 9 and up, introduces the efforts, struggles, and triumphs of men and women (scientists, artists, authors, naturalists) who dedicated their lives to protecting theContinue reading “Great book! Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism”
Photography for Kids: Fun with an iPhone
I enjoyed a fun walk around our neighborhood on Monday with my son, looking for signs of spring. My son loves to take photos, but he’s become frustrated with the quality of the images he takes on the kid camera we gave him for his birthday last year. He wants to be able to takeContinue reading “Photography for Kids: Fun with an iPhone”
The Calming Effect of Nature on Children
One of the great things about playing in nature is that bouts of exertion and excitement are often interspersed with quiet, contemplative time. I don’t have to recommend these quiet moments… my five-year-old sits down and calms himself entirely on his own whenever he’s inspired by the beauty around him. I often wonder what he’sContinue reading “The Calming Effect of Nature on Children”
Top 5 Nature Activity Books for Families
Looking for a book filled with activities and advice to help you get into nature with your kids? I’ve listed five of my favorites here. I refer to these often in my daily outdoor activities with my now 5-year-old, and have been using a couple of these books since he was two or three. WhileContinue reading “Top 5 Nature Activity Books for Families”
Article: 6 Tips for Outdoor Adventures with Kids
My article about getting outside for a hiking adventure with the kids has been featured on The Roundup at Circle of Moms! To read the article and pick up some tips about how to have a fun family hike, click on over to Circle of Moms here… 6 Tips for Outdoor Adventures with Kids. HappyContinue reading “Article: 6 Tips for Outdoor Adventures with Kids”
Want to be more social? How to find your tribe!
Five years ago, about six months after my son was born, I became desperate to find people to hang out with during the day. Being at home all day with a baby and having little other social contact was beginning to wear me down. My solution was to do what I normally do… search theContinue reading “Want to be more social? How to find your tribe!”
Connect with Nature: Find Your Sit Spot
I’m currently reading the book, What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World, by Jon Young, which is about awakening our awareness of the behavior of birds in order to deepen our connection with all the wildlife surrounding us. Ultimately, the author is helping us to reconnect with our ownContinue reading “Connect with Nature: Find Your Sit Spot”
10 Things To Do In Yosemite Valley With Little Kids
I’ve been visiting Yosemite National Park my entire life. My adventures there began at a young age, with my first backpacking trip at three, followed by many more family camping, hiking, and backpacking trips throughout my childhood. As an adult, I’ve regularly visited the park three-four times per year. Before having a child, Yosemite, toContinue reading “10 Things To Do In Yosemite Valley With Little Kids”
Kids ‘n Cameras: Five Tips for Introducing Children to Photography
Just in the past few months, my son has become interested in cameras and photography. Both my husband and I are into photography, so he sees us using our cameras a lot. He loves to sit on my lap and watch me while I’m reviewing photos on our computer. He adores the images of theContinue reading “Kids ‘n Cameras: Five Tips for Introducing Children to Photography”
My Childhood Play… My Love of Nature
This is the backyard of my childhood home. These are the places I played as a child, building forts, climbing trees, scaling mountains, running from dinosaurs, becoming a world explorer, digging like an archaeologist, wading in the creek, catching crawdads, watching frogs lay eggs, and observing the development of pollywogs. This was the play ofContinue reading “My Childhood Play… My Love of Nature”
First Time Camping with Kids? 5 Tips!
It’s that time of year when parents with young children are beginning to plan that very first camp trip with their young child. Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve read a ton of articles about camping with kids. What can possible be added to the discussion? I have a few extra tips forContinue reading “First Time Camping with Kids? 5 Tips!”
Attract Wildlife to Your Home – Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
After struggling with what to do with our little backyard for the last several years, I think I’ve finally found a solution. The main constraint for us is an oak tree that covers our entire yard with shade, making vegetable gardening difficult. The only plant thriving in our yard is rosemary. Kale does pretty well,Continue reading “Attract Wildlife to Your Home – Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat”
