OutGrown Blog

Welcome to Part 2 of a three part series from our guest blogger, Mary Finley! Mary Shares her story of raising her kids to be outdoorsy through all of the challenges and changes that life has thrown their way.  Missed Part 1? Check it out here! Having spent much of our own childhood enjoying nature and the outdoors, I knew when I gave birth to my son in 2001 I wanted us to be active in the outdoors as much as possible. We spent the days of his early childhood enjoying long hikes and enjoying running free in nature without a care in the world. If this sounds a bit too easy and natural of a transition to parenting outdoors, it’s partly because it turned out to be exactly that. I had raised a mini-me with my dad’s love of the great outdoors. For my son, it was in his blood. Eight years later, I was married to someone new, and living on a rural property twenty minutes from the Shenandoah entrance station I was excited to be expecting my second child, a baby girl! I envisioned us, girl power style, hiking all those same trails, her brother leading the way! Funny things happen when you think you’ve mastered parenting. You get a second child… I found myself once again coming off bedrest, but this time I was also injured from a difficult birth experience (breech births are not mom friendly) and now with an active eight-year-old and a newborn. I will spare you the levels of difficulty it took to get through that first year, but know that if you are a struggling new mom, you are not alone, and you will get through this, mostly because you can and every day the sun rose I got up and forced myself to keep going. Days turned into months, and slowly I crept toward the end of the hardest year of parenting I had faced. I slowly began being able to walk further, this time using the stroller as a walker helping me creep toward normalcy rather than running through a natural recovery like I did the first time. See, that’s the thing about parenting. Each and every experience is unique. We all trudge through our mental and physical struggle and balance it with the days we soar on parenting victories. In our best moments we create a village of other parents who lift each other up and create a community of love and support, and let’s be honest, on our worst days we criticize, judge, and struggle to continue, and all too often that criticism and judgment falls on ourselves as well as others. Each day we get through and pick ourselves back up and recommit to that community of love and support, to and for ourselves as well as others, we win. That includes forgiveness and acceptance. Something that took a long time to get a hang of for myself, coming off the birth of my second child. I had to accept what I could and couldn’t do physically and forgive and accept what life had handed me. Slowly but surely, it came, and with it a greater depth of complicated understanding of myself, parenting, and life. By the time my daughter was school aged, I had recovered enough physical ability to start hiking again. In those in between years, I satisfied myself with long drives to overlooks where I could still see out at the world I loved to hike and explore, desperately waiting and working slowly toward a time where I could physically do it again. If you are new to getting outside, or physically easing into or back into physical exercise, don’t give up. Start small, it will come slowly, but in time you will amaze yourself. Slowly that time came for me, and it coincided with the realization that my oldest was suddenly going to be in dual enrollment soon (the last two years of high school taken with community college credits). It was now or never to fulfill those dreams I had of traveling, van life style, with my kids. Seeing all the world had to offer, sleeping under the stars, and hiking across new unseen places. I discussed it with their dad (my second child’s biological father). He was a teacher working full time, we had a dog, and truthfully, obligations, but I had switched to homeschooling my kids several years earlier and it appeared it was now or never. We got his blessing, and he begrudgingly agreed to walk the dog as soon after work as possible, water the plants, and basically make sure the house was still standing upon our return. Their dad had agreed, with the promise that we would be back by his birthday, June 3rd. I discussed it with my mom and am privileged to have the most adventurous parents ever. My mom’s response was, admittedly, not typical of most parents, but so typical of mine. She responded, “You are finally going to travel again!!! I didn’t think I’d ever get you back out on the road. What can I do to help? I know! You are turning 40! How about I give you gas money for your trip and maybe a bit to stock food? I am so glad you are finally going to do something again!” I wasn’t expecting to get called out for my struggle with recovery, fear that I wouldn’t physically be able to do it anymore, and my fight with anxiety and depression over my recovery after the birth of my daughter that had dragged on for years, but her financial support meant my “dream” trip had suddenly become a reality trip. Stay tuned for the final installment of Mary's story!   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Created in partnership with our friends at  While many would argue with me, winter is one of my favorite times of year for outdoor adventures with my kiddos. There are fewer crowds at popular parks, the quiet and freshness of snow makes the trails seem magical, and the post-adventure snuggles make this mama’s heart swell. With the right gear, we can extend our adventures longer than in years past. One of our current favorite products for kids are the balaclavas from Turtle Fur. They come in various weights in both toddler and big kid sizes  and are made from odor-resistant, quick-drying, breathable polyester fleece with a UPF rating of 50+. While having the right gear can be a game-changer during the chilly months, many across our nation don’t have that luxury. For them, winter brings on feelings of dread and worry for the safety of their family. Acquiring enough (or any) quality gear to keep everyone in the family warm can come with a price tag that is well out of reach. Thankfully, there are incredible companies out there that are willing to do their part in reaching the people who need it the most. Project Warmth One of those companies, Turtle Fur, created an initiative called Project Warmth to help those in need within their community and beyond. It all started when they found themselves with excess inventory and samples.  They would run an annual factory sale for their community so these extras didn't go to waste. In conjunction with the sale, they would reach out to local schools, homeless shelters, and community centers in and around their home base of Morrisville, Vermont, to see if there was a need for cold-weather hats and accessories. The need was there, and each year they expanded their reach to provide cold-weather hats and accessories to more areas. While this initiative started as a way to give back to Turtle Fur’s local community, they wanted to grow the program, which is when #projectwarmth was born on social media. The program has grown successfully, and Turtle Fur is now manufacturing products specifically to donate rather than relying on only overruns, samples, etc. How Does it Work? If a customer posts a photo wearing a Turtle Fur product on social media, tags them, and includes the hashtag #projectwarmth, a Turtle Fur product is donated. They wanted to get their retailers involved as well, so if a retailer is mentioned (tagged) – they double the donation and donate two items! Just follow these steps: Take a photo wearing your new Turtle Fur product (like the gorgeous HiB themed tube) Include the following in your post: @turtlefur and the hashtag #projectwarmth Tag the store you bought it from (for example @outdoorretailer) for double the donation! Share on any or all of your social media platforms Voila, it’s that simple! Who Receives the Product? To date, Turtle Fur has donated over 145,000 pieces of cold-weather accessories to over 400 organizations across 49 states and Canada. These organizations include shelters, schools, and hospitals. A full list of organizations can be found here. One incredible detail that sets Turtle Fur and Project Warmth apart from other retailers is that they don’t donate their products blindly. They contact each organization to discuss how they can customize their order. They personalize their shipments based on the number of people in need, the gender and age of the recipients, and any other important demographics.  Organizations don’t just receive a random “box of hats,” they are getting hand-picked accessories that will make a true difference in the lives of people that need them most. What Else Can We Do? As the initiative gains strength, one of the main goals is to donate to locations in all 50 states, but they need our help. You can help by both utilizing the #projectwarmth hashtag and filling out the donation form to suggest a donation recipient. Do you know of an organization that serves people in need of cold-weather accessories? You can submit a quick form with their information here. The beautiful part about Project Warmth is that it’s a social movement, engaging people to participate through social media and also by suggesting donation locations on our website. It’s easy to help us donate, too, so anyone can do it! We ask that people share a photo on social media wearing their Turtle Fur, tag us @turtlefur, and use the hashtag #projectwarmth in the caption. We see it, and donate a product to someone in need. It’s been awesome to see how far-reaching this campaign has spread, with participation from all over the world. Goes to show that people everywhere are passionate about giving back and supporting those less fortunate. ~Tori Reynolds, Senior Brand Marketing Manager, Turtle Fur Let’s help this incredible company (which also happens to have amazing products) reach as many people in need as possible!   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach

To view our 2020-2021 annual report, please click here Unprecedented. Resilient. Pivot. Survive. 2020 and 2021 brought SO. MANY. CHALLENGES, both for organizations and individuals, but (and maybe I'm biased) ESPECIALLY for families. I've used those four words above to describe the situation and our response so often that I thought I would just get them out of the way from the start. There was a pandemic. It changed everything.  We're still here! That is what I want to focus on when I share what we have achieved in the time since our last report. Honestly, the pandemic sucked, but through it Hike it Baby has done a lot of growing. Similar to the developmental growth our kids experience, we have had some melt downs, regressed here and there, but ultimately, we're leaping to each new milestone. In the following pages you will read about that growth and the accomplishments we are proud of. I hope it excites you as much as it excites me! I think it is important to acknowledge that in early 2020 we spent a lot of time looking at our mission and thinking about what it really means to be a nonprofit organization that serves a community of people. We decided we want to be really action focused, which translated to removing barriers and creating opportunities for families to take their first steps outside together. Once we understood that, we were able to define the specific values we wanted to use to help us hold tight to our vision of a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside.  The next big step was for us to take a hard look at what we do and how we do it. Our traditional activities - community hike events, had to go on pause due to the pandemic so we could help families stay safe. I'm proud to say we came up with some quick and effective options to keep inspiring families and building community, even when we couldn't gather in person. We also used that shift to begin to build a new frame for our programming. Community hike events will always be part of our core identity, but the truth is not every family has the time, privilege, or ability to show up for a 10am hike on a Tuesday. Additionally, many families have never experienced the outdoors and don’t feel safe, included, welcome, or culturally connected to spending time in nature as a family. We asked ourselves how Hike it Baby could better serve and support a wider audience of families since we believe every family has the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. As we looked inward and thought about how we wanted to connect, empower, and impact families, three programmatic pillars took shape: Our Turn the Blues Green program is focused on maternal mental health and introduces new parents to the benefits of time spent in nature for both themselves and their babies. You really can start getting outside with your baby from birth and we want to help families feel confident and supported while doing just that. The Bring it Outside program develops tools, activities, and events that motivate families to get outside year-round, meeting them where they are and helping them get outside in the ways that work for their families. Let’s face it - we may know that it’s good to get outside, but as busy, tired parents, it isn’t always easy. Bring it Outside is our answer to help inspire and empower families to enjoy time outside together in whatever way that works for them.  With We’ve Got Your Back, we transform the power of community into a practical resource hub focused on helping families build confidence, have fun and find a sense of belonging in the outdoors. Kids don’t come with manuals, but as parents, it sure feels like we could use one! We’re here to help provide practical, how-to information, helpful gear (backpack, baby carrier, extra diaper or snack, anyone?), and a welcoming community that will meet you where you are to start or continue your adventures outside as a family, whatever they may look like.  We will continue our community development programming - supporting our branches and Ambassadors with grassroots efforts and allowing them to implement their own versions of our programming in their local communities, creating welcoming spaces and encouraging families of all kinds to get outside.  Our Family Trail Guide resource continues to grow and we’re thrilled. We hope it will keep helping families identify greenspaces in their neighborhoods and allow them to feel more confident to explore parks and trails where they live.  Have you met Wox, our Wander Walk Fox, yet? Wox came to life in 2021 as a supplemental event kit resource and has been making appearances in communities all over the US and will continue to do so. The Wander Walks program makes it easy for families to get outside and have fun together in nearby nature, local parks and green spaces. Wander Walks use activity-based signage that supports early childhood development and encourages nature-based play. They are bilingual (English/Spanish), accessible, created with multiple ages and abilities in mind and introduce concepts of environmental conservation and stewardship. 2021 brought some pretty extreme challenges including parenting through the pandemic, two thirds of our staff going on parental leave consecutively (but yay for 4 new babies to celebrate!), half our staff team leaving to care for their growing families or for jobs that can pay them better, all while we were navigating the ongoing design and implementation protocols for in person gatherings across 270 unique communities with differing mandates, recommendations and responses. (2020 was supposed to be the hard part, right?) Yet we have been able to implement new elements of all three program pillars, evolve and grow our supporting programs too.  We worked with SCL Health in Denver to support postpartum moms with a series of new mama hikes, focusing on the benefits of hiking with baby, developing and distributing our Turn the Blues Green booklet which included tips, tricks, advice and journal prompts. In Oregon we were able to secure a generous $48,000 grant, (our biggest yet!), from the Oregon Community Foundation which allowed us to implement a series of Bring it Outside workshops. The program reached out to underserved communities to bring sixty families in two locations. Each family received over $250 in gear, bilingual resources, and participated in facilitated family group hikes over the course of six weeks. Thanks to connections made in the workshops we started a Spanish speaking group and a new branch in a rural community at the request of the participants, who were eager to continue enjoying the outdoors together. To show families We Got Your Back, we brought Hike it Baby and some of our community partners to their neighborhood, offering two different events at parks in high equity neighborhoods in the Portland Metro area. We worked with partners like the City of Gresham, Portland General Electric’s Project Zero, Access Recreation, the NW Family Daycation app, and a few of our corporate partners like Joules, Teton Sports, LL Bean, Turtle Fur, Merrell, Onya, Burley, Adventure Medical Kits and Sunday Afternoons to give away gear. Wox showed up with Wander Walks for families to try. Printed activity sheets and workbooks were available in English and Spanish. We brought a carrier library so families could try out different ways to wear their babies. My favorite part - we met families where they were and showed them we were there to help them have a good time outside, no strings attached. We didn’t ask them to come out of their way to find us. We didn’t ask them to do anything for us. We smiled, played, and had fun together, which I hope is a more meaningful way to start a beautiful friendship and ongoing sense of community and belonging.  Our vision has colored the ways we partner too. As you have read, we’re building new opportunities and asking our partners to join us in different ways. We’re committed to working with partners who believe in building authentic relationships and redefining what it means to be outdoorsy. In that vein, we are excited to work with our partners to elevate voices, telling the stories of a variety of families and their unique experiences, the barriers they’ve faced, and how finding a supportive community has helped them enjoy the outdoors with their families. We’re excited to come together and co-design content that highlights our values and helps families feel empowered to go outside. Finally, we want to learn together, exploring and discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors, understanding the historical context, the current experiences of marginalized communities and work together to take action to change that narrative so the next generation can feel the sense of belonging and love they will need to inspire them to take care of our outdoor resources for lifetimes to come.  2022 promises many opportunities for us to continue our work. Our goals are to: Put on three additional Bring it Outside Series Workshops in three new locations across the US to provide families with the resources and gear they need to get outdoors as a family. Partner with additional hospitals and healthcare systems to support new parents through booklets, hike events and community outreach.  Host We Got Your Back events with local community partners in at least two locations so we can meet new families who might not otherwise have opportunities or feel welcome to get outside.  Run four unique virtual challenge events for our entire community to help inspire time outside in the winter, explore the benefits of sensory play in the spring, find nearby parks in the summer, and explore neighborhood nature in the fall.  Continue to support our local communities through outreach and group hiking in 270+ branches  I know these are lofty goals, but we’re really excited about them. I see so much potential to touch more families than ever before, to inspire and empower them to enjoy time outside, to connect communities and create lasting friendships, all while raising a generation to love the outdoors. I hope you will join us! --Jessica For more information, check out our annual report here ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Welcome to this three part series from our guest blogger, Mary Finley! Mary shares her story of raising her kids to be outdoorsy through all the challenges and changes that life has thrown their way. Nature has always been a large part of my life. Growing up, we spent much of our time on our property on the Shenandoah River and camping and hiking in state and national parks, as well as swimming and camping at the beach. Those are some of my best memories from my childhood. In 2001, I found myself back at home, living in my childhood town with my mom in her house. I was in my mid-twenties and had given birth to my firstborn, my son, after being on bedrest most of my pregnancy. Before that, I had been a nanny in Southern California, spending weekdays by the ocean at Cardiff by the Sea and spending weekends doing anything and everything outdoors, so I knew being outside was something I wanted for my son and I. Not everyone who loves the outdoor life starts out this way, though. I have friends that are not naturally drawn to the outdoors and others who found it later in life, but I grew up with parents who would have fit into today’s “outdoor mold” perfectly. We grew up in canoes and kayaks on the Shenandoah River, and in our family van traveling on the  weekends to camp or go to the beach. My dad had us packing our backpacks before I stopped carrying a teddy bear and calculating water needs for a weekend trip for math exercises. A month into my son’s life, our understanding of a lot of things changed. I was a single mom with a new baby, and a lot of physical recovery was needed. My son was born, August 11th, 2001. On his one-month birthday, as with everyone in the United States, I found myself standing in my living room watching the world change while holding a tiny new life. It caused a strange reaction in me. I took action. Education was always important to my family and a heavy emphasis was put on graduating college, which was something I had not yet accomplished. I am privileged to have had a mom that fully supported my new motivation and goals, and I quickly found myself, having realized how unpredictable and short life can be after the tragedy of 9-11, a full-time college student and single mom… who still loved the outdoors! Luckily my mom lived in a townhouse neighborhood that sat within walking distance to a county park lake. Walking down and around the lake daily, however briefly, helped quell my obsession with being near the water and outside and helped give me brain breaks for trying to do it all as a new mom. Slowly but surely, my daily walks with my son to the end of the block transitioned to walks down to the lake, and then into laps around the lake. I quickly realized my everyday “city” stroller was not cutting it on the dirt trail riddled with tree roots and the occasional set of stairs. I upgraded to an off-road stroller with fat wheels like a mountain bike and a padded harness type strap for my little one to be securely fastened into while I went for my daily brain break of hiking, kid in tow, around our little lake. When I wasn’t in class, my son was along for the ride. Childcare is expensive and complicated and it varied over time what that looked like, from my grandmother watching him during each individual hour of class and me returning between each class to check in and nurse my little one while he was an infant to him slowly turning into an active toddler in full time daycare while I finished up that last bit of school, you can guarantee any time I wasn’t in need of required childcare, you found him, most days, literally strapped onto me along for the ride. When he wasn’t in the stroller on daily walks fit in between classes, homework, grocery shopping, or chores he was  strapped into a front carrier then quickly switched to a hiking pack. My first born was not small! By a few months old he was nearly twenty pounds. Luckily for this hiking mom, being a do it all single parent meant he was always on a hip, in a front pack, or in a backpack. As he grew, so did I, learning more about parenting and hiking with babies, and growing in my strength and ability physically going from near total bedrest to mile long hikes with kid in tow. I think the hardest things about those days became the greatest. Being the sole caregiver meant I grew along with him. Not having the choice to “handoff” to someone else, or trade who carried him meant every trip out the door I discovered new ways to “make it work” and new muscles I didn’t know I had! I learned that I could stick a few diapers and snacks and a bottle or cup in the zipper pouch of a backpack, or in  the pouch of the stroller and my son was pretty happy to be outside and on the go. By the time my son was mobile, he was running ahead of me on the trails and scrambling rocks alongside me on trails in our local parks all the way up to trails like Little Stoney Man in Shenandoah National Park at three years old.       Tune in next week for the second blog in this three part series! ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Let’s face it. As the temperature drops, so can our motivation to bundle up the family and get outside. The same can be said for other “less than ideal” weather conditions. However, getting outside is wonderful for the soul as a stress-reliever and a memory-maker. Use these tips to enjoy the outdoors with your family even in unfavorable weather conditions.  Dress Appropriately “I’m cold, I want to go home!”. These words are enough to shatter plans and kill the joy that comes from exploring nature. That’s why our number one tip for enjoying the outdoors with kiddos is always to dress appropriately. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have a young baby or are just starting to warm up to the idea of “all-weather” exploration (pun intended). However, a few key clothing items can make all the difference!  Two phrases to remember are “cotton is rotten” and “layers, layers, layers!”. Cotton is a non-wicking material that will keep the moisture next to your skin, chilling you quickly in cold temperatures. Better materials include wool and synthetics, which wick moisture away from the skin and insulate the body, keeping you warm and dry. This is true for hats, gloves, and socks as well. Layering these materials is a great way to keep everyone comfortable in chilly temperatures. For example, a wool base layer followed by a fleece mid-layer (such as these options for kids, women, and men from L.L. Bean) and a weather-resistant or waterproof outer layer can do the trick in most conditions.  We highly recommend a fleece bunting mid-layer to keep babies nice and cozy in cold temperatures. For more information, check out this article on keeping your family warm on the trail in winter. Start Slow, Short, and Close to Home While epic adventures in the snow can make for incredible memories, we recommend starting with short adventures close to home. Start with a walk around your neighborhood, and ease into rainy-day hiking at a nearby trail or testing out snowshoes at a local state park. This gives everyone time to acclimate to spending time outdoors in cold or rainy conditions. It also gives the caregiver time to ensure their family has the right gear to keep them comfortable. For example, I learned the hard way that my younger son needs both a warm mitten liner and an outer mitten waterproof “shell” to satisfy his need to play in slushy puddles while also keeping his little hands warm and dry. Try a New Outdoor Activity  Growing up I remember dreading going outside in the snow for a walk, but the minute my dad said the word “sled”, I was up and dressing in my warm gear within seconds. There is just something magical about an activity that can only be done in less than “ideal” conditions!  Whether it’s sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or even ice skating on a frozen pond, adding in the extra equipment can be just what you need to motivate your family to get outside. Many places will rent equipment, such as snowshoes and ice skates, for you to test out.  Looking to buy? Check out these equipment options from L.L. Bean. Bring Along a Favorite Warm Beverage or Snack There’s nothing better on a cold outing than a nice warm drink or snack to stave off the chilly temperatures! Before heading out, grab a thermos of hot chocolate, cider, or tea for the family (or coffee for the adults) to enjoy on a hike or sledding break. A favorite soup, stew, or even oatmeal works well as a nice warm snack that can be easily carried in a thermos. Another great option is to plan an outing within close proximity to a favorite cafe or coffee shop so that you can run in and grab a warm treat before continuing on your way. Peak Their Interest with a “Themed” Outing If you have ever tried to motivate your kiddos (or partner for that matter) to get outside in unfavorable weather conditions, you may be familiar with the “are you crazy?!” glares and the epic groans that follow. However, adding a theme or activity to your outing can pique their interest enough to get them moving out the door. It can be anything from a hunt for the deepest puddle to a scavenger hunt challenge or stargazing adventure. Check out our free Winter Workbook to get you started with your family. For more fun ideas, check out this fun Winter Scavenger Hunt/Sensory Walk printable. Looking for more tips to help you get outdoors with your family this winter? Check out these tips and hacks from our wonderful Hike it Baby Community for hiking and getting outdoors with your family this winter. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach

We’ve all heard it before: “It’s too cold to go outside.” However, we believe that getting outside and enjoying nature is important all year round, regardless of the weather. As Alfred Wainwright so eloquently put it, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” But how do you dress the kiddos so they will be comfortable when the temperature drops? Check out this handy guide to give you an idea on which layers and materials work best to keep your kids cozy in all temperatures, and dry when those first snowflakes fly. Get ready to make some fun outdoor family memories this winter! THE BASICS Layers can be broken into 3 main categories: BASE LAYER This is the layer closest to the skin. It wicks sweat away from the skin to keep you warm and dry. Best Materials: Merino wool is our favorite, but synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon can work as well. You’ll want to AVOID COTTON! It collects and holds on to moisture which can then chill the skin when it’s cold and lead to a drop in body temperature.   MIDDLE LAYER (ALSO CALLED “SECOND LAYER”) This layer goes right on top of the base layer and it retains body heat to provide an insulating layer of warmth. It is generally thicker and “fluffier” than the base layer Best Materials: Thick knit wool, polyester fleece, down insulated, and synthetic insulated are all great options. OUTER LAYER This shell layer shields you from the elements such as wind, rain, and snow. Best Materials: Depending on the weather, you’ll need water-resistant or waterproof, breathable shells. LAYERING BASED ON TEMPERATURE CHILLY (50-60 DEGREES F) While this temperature range may not seem concerning, it’s important to remember that children (especially babies) are not as efficient at regulating their own body temperature. Start with a base layer such as a bodysuit for babies or long-sleeve shirt for older kiddos made with Merino wool or synthetic materials. Add pants and a sweater, and top it off with a light wind or rain jacket if needed. Be sure to add a thin hat for babies (especially the adorable hairless cuties) and socks with shoes or booties to keep extremities warm. COLD (40 – 49 DEGREES F) As it gets colder, clothing materials become more important to keep kiddos warm and dry. Comfortable kids mean you won’t have to cut outdoor adventures short due to discomfort. Start with a quality bodysuit for babies made from merino wool or long johns for older kiddos. Add a mid-layer such as a fleece sweater/jacket and pants. You can then top it off with a wind or rain jacket medium-warmth hat, a neck warmer, thin mittens, shoes or booties. FRIGID (20-39 DEGREES F) Having fun outdoors in these temperatures is definitely doable with the right layers. Start again with a bodysuit or long johns made from Merino wool or synthetic material. Layer on a thick wool or synthetic sweater and pants. For the outer layer, we recommend a well-insulated jacket or snowsuit. Top it off with a thick hat, warm mittens, a neck warmer and winter boots.   For more tips on layering, check out these articles: Keeping your Family Warm on the Trail in Winter How to Layer When Babywearing in the Cold Winter Gear for Adults   (Photos Courtesy of Michelle Craig) ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Winter is upon us, and as much as this weather makes us want to hibernate and never leave the house again, at some point, we have to venture out in the cold. And that might mean bringing baby with us, too. Babywearing is a great way to keep babies safe, dry, and warm in winter weather. Here's everything you need to know about layering when babywearing in the cold. Basics of Layering The most important thing you need to do is to maintain a normal body temperature for both baby and you. For the same reason you must put your own oxygen mask on first in a plane emergency, you need to have all your faculties to properly care (or wear) a child. So take care of yourself and make sure you are bundled up before you get baby ready. In the winter, both the cold and sweat are your enemies. Too cold and you risk health issues like hypothermia, frostbite, extreme dry eye pain, even trench foot.  Too many layers can cause you or your baby to overheat, leading to sweating (your body’s natural cooling-off mechanism). Once the sweat touches the cold air, you'll begin to cool down even faster, speeding up the cold risks mentioned above. The key to keeping both you and baby warm is layering. Wearing layers help trap in heat, keep the sweat away, and can be removed/added as needed to keep you both at the optimal temperature. Here is a wonderful infographic from an Antarctic travel site. In a nutshell, you and baby need a base layer to keep you from sweating, an insulation layer to keep you warm, and a waterproof layer to keep you dry and cover all your extremities. The layers can vary depending on the weather outside. For example, a raincoat would be perfect for a typically cool, drizzly Portland winter day but not warm enough for snow at Timberline. Here is an infographic from an outdoor sports retailer on layering for different temperatures. Now that you get the basic layering idea, you may be wondering how to apply this to your baby. The most important thing to remember when wearing in the cold is that the carrier counts as a layer. And, if you are using a wrap, multiple pass carries count as multiple layers. You need to adjust your layering accordingly. Less clothing or a different carrier may be necessary to keep a normal body temperature. For example, if it’s cool and rainy, a base layer, jacket, and a waterproof SSC is a good combination. If it’s snowing and windy,  base, insulating, outer, hats/gloves and a thick woven wrap in a double hammock would be a great option. Below are some examples of layering for a baby in different winter weather types. Cool When it’s above freezing, but not warm by any means. ​Or maybe it is freezing, but you aren’t going to be outside long; for example, running into the store. First photo: Base layer of a thicker long sleeve onesie and thick pants. Wool pants are a great choice. Second photo: Add warm gloves and socks. Third photo: Warm, but not bulky coat. Fleece and wool work well. Add a hat if no hood. Fourth: Carrier, no need for multiple passes. For a quick babywearing up, try a ring sling if you're just taking your baby out of the car seat and into a store. Total: 2 clothing layers, plus extremities covered, and one carrier layer. Cold When it’s cold, closer to freezing, and no precipitation. Making sure extremities are well covered will keep baby warm. First photo: Base layer of wool socks and a long-sleeve onesie. Second photo: Warmer layer, I did overalls, but a shirt and pants would be great as well. Wool is a great fiber for this layer. Third photo: Leg warmers/more socks over feet and legs to keep ankles from being exposed. Fourth photo: Outer layer of a fleece one-piece suit. Make sure it is on the bigger side so it doesn’t pull on baby’s feet in the spread-squat position. ​Fifth photo: Carrier, with multiple passes, as needed for warmth. Total: 3 clothing layers, extremities covered, and 1-3 carrier layers. Colder When it very cold or just above freezing, layers under a snowsuit are a great option. First photo: Base layer of a thicker onesie. Second photo: Warm pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Wool is a great fiber for this layer! Third photo: Leggings or long socks and gloves. Fourth photo: Warm, waterproof one-piece suit. Hand and feet covers. Make sure it’s a little on the bigger side for baby to move freely in the spread-squat position. Fifth photo: Carrier with multiple passes. Total: 3 clothing layers, plus extremities covered, and 2-3 carrier layers. Below freezing or snowing: When it’s below freezing and/or snowing. An extra insulation layer keeps baby warmer and a waterproof layer keeps you dry. First photo: Base layer long shirt, long pants, and socks. Second photo: Thermal shirt, warm pants, and thick socks. Wool is a great fiber for this layer. Third photo: Wool or fleece jacket. Fourth photo: Waterproof jacket, hat, boots (or covered feet for non-walking child), and gloves.  Waterproof pants are also a great addition if your child will be out of the carrier to walk. Fifth photo: Carrier that you don’t mind getting damp. A waterproof SSC is a great option, especially if your toddler might be getting out to walk occasionally. A woven wrap with multiple passes will add layers of warmth. Total: 4 layers of clothing, plus extremities covered, and 3 carrier layers. Now that you've learned how to layer for the cold, stay warm and wear those babies! Read more: Hard-framed carrier: improve the quality of your hike 5 Comfy and cozy winter carriers for babywearing How to carry supplies when hiking with a soft-structured carrier ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Okay, moms, let's be real, being motivated to hike when you’re pregnant can be really, really hard. If it’s not the terrible nausea you’re dealing with, then it’s the various aches and pains that come with pregnancy. And let’s not forget the shortness of breath and sheer exhaustion that creating life within your body brings. Then, add caring for your little(s) on top of all of that discomfort, and it might just seem like getting out is an unreachable goal. Despite the understandable temptation to give up, the truth is that you don’t have to let those two pink lines on that stick stop you from adventuring in the great outdoors. If you can find the motivation and are able to exercise caution while out on the trails, you will likely find that the payoff is ultimately greater than the struggle.   Here’s a list of ways you can keep yourself motivated to continue to get out on the trails while you’re pregnant: It’ll be good when you get there: Remind yourself that once you are out and actively hiking, you will benefit immensely from not only the breath of fresh air but also the break from all the busy day-to-day stuff you may otherwise be doing. Keep yourself fueled on the trails: Keep yourself going with lots of water and snacks on hand. There’s nothing more difficult than trying to hike not only pregnant but also hungry or thirsty. Fuel yourself and baby along the way and it will be a much more enjoyable outing all around. Make it a bonding experience: View this as a special bonding time for you and your kids, as well as the little baby on the way. If your spouse is able to join you on a hike, allow it to be some special time for you both as a couple before things get a bit busier at home with another little one to care for. Remind yourself that it’s good for you and baby: It’s widely known that exercise and activity are great for a healthy pregnancy- let the idea of taking care of yourself and your baby help to keep you motivated and active. Embrace the season you’re in: Let the joy of the current season (whichever season you’re in) drive you- whether it’s taking in the beauty of the color-changing trees in fall, the picturesque look of the snow-covered trails in winter, the allure of watching as new life begins in spring, or the myriad of different adventures that can be undertaken during those beautiful summer days. Seize the opportunity to be with family: Remind yourself that these are the last opportunities you will have to enjoy hiking with your family in its current capacity before the addition of a new member (or members) will change the dynamic a bit (ultimately for the better, of course). Pace Yourself: Don’t push yourself too hard while you’re pregnant. It’s important to listen to your body and make sure you don’t overdo it. It’s okay to dial back on the activity level a bit, after all, you are creating a human along with everything else that you are doing.  Keep in mind that a shorter hike is still a hike and getting out and enjoying yourself is the ultimate goal. Invest in really good hiking shoes: There’s nothing worse than being pregnant and being nervous about falling or slipping around in the mud on the trails. It’s so important for you to feel comfortable and secure out on the trails and a solid pair of hiking shoes will likely help you to be more confident taking on the trails in all kinds of conditions and terrain. Make sure you’re supported all around: As you get further along in your pregnancy it’s so important to make sure you have proper support for your growing baby bump. A solid pregnancy belt is a great investment to help you be fully supported and comfortable on the trails. Do it for a good night sleep later on: A nice walk will likely wear you out a bit so that, come bedtime, you will hopefully sleep like a baby (no pun intended).   If all else fails, let the stories of other pregnant mamas taking on the trails inspire you to know that it is possible and that it will benefit you immensely if/ when you do it.   Photo Credit: Deanna Curry & Michelle Craig   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

What is the Winter Solstice? It’s beginning to feel a lot like winter in many places across the United States. The temperatures are dropping and the landscape has transformed into dull greens and browns as the deciduous trees are now mostly bare. Probably most noticeable of all are the short days and long nights. We are approaching the winter solstice (also known as Yule for some cultures). On this day we have the shortest day and the longest night of the year as one of the earth’s poles (the north pole for those of us in the northern hemisphere) tilts furthest away from the sun at 23.44 degrees. It also marks the first day of winter—December 21 in the northern hemisphere. Celebrating Winter and the Return of Light Celebrations of the winter solstice date back to ancient times. From Soyal, the winter solstice celebration of the Hopi Indians of northern Arizona to Dong Zhi, the “arrival of winter,” in China, people around the world observe the solstice in unique and special ways. Although it's the shortest day (and longest night) of the year, this important astrological occurrence is viewed by many cultures as the return of the sun. After all, the days grow in length and light starting on December 22. We think this transition from fall to winter on the longest night of the year is worth a celebration! Check out these activities, crafts and book recommendations to help your family celebrate the winter solstice. Activities Night Walks and Hikes: Nature transforms at night with different sights and sounds to experience. Winter offers the unique opportunity to partake in night events without having to throw the kiddos routine out the window. Check out this list for ideas on how to take advantage of the long nights of winter. Sensory Scavenger Hunt: Welcome winter with each of the five senses. Review this printable checklist or create your own based on your region. Create a winter nature table: Creating a space where your kids can place items that remind them of winter is a great way to kick off the season! It can be as small or big as you want, and the items that you place on it can vary widely. You can include pine cones, pine needles, twigs, winter crafts (see below), etc. Or better yet, following principles of “leave no trace”, you can take photos of these items in nature to include on your table. Read this article for more creative ways to enjoy the outdoors with your family this winter. Craft Ideas Stick Art: Sticks and pinecones are plentiful this time of year. Here are 4 easy winter crafts to make using materials you can find in your own backyard. Craft or Bake a Yule Log: The Yule Log tradition started as a medieval Nordic tradition. The yule log was lit as a symbol to entice the sun to return and lengthen the days again. Check out this article for a fun Yule Log craft. Looking to add some baking into your winter solstice celebration? Check out this recipe for a yummy Yule Log cake! Winter Solstice Lanterns: Bring light to the longest night of the year by creating a nature-inspired lantern. Books to Read As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” These beautifully illustrated books help children of all ages understand what happens as fall turns to winter — starting with the shortest day of the year. Birth - 3 Years Winter in the Forest By Rusty Finch - Follow two little raccoons as they learn about winter in the forest. Even the littlest kiddos will enjoy lifting the flaps to discover hidden surprises in the snowy landscape. Winter Board Book By Gerda Muller - This chunky board book shows the joys of winter through beautiful illustrations. This book is part of a four-part, no-text series on the seasons. One Short Day in December By Lilith Rogers - This fun book follows a deer family of two moms and their baby deer as they celebrate the Winter Solstice. 4 Years and Up The First Day of Winter By Denise Fleming - Follow a little boy as he discovers all the trimmings needed to make a perfect snowman. This cumulative tale will have children chanting along to the tune of “Twelve Days of Christmas” starting with the first day of winter. Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter By Kenard Pak - Join a sister and brother as they greet the signs of winter while they explore nature and take a stroll through their town. The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice By Wendy Pfeffer - This book explains the science, history and cultural significance of the winter solstice in lyrical prose that kids can enjoy. How does your family celebrate the winter solstice? Let us know in the comments below!   Photos courtesy of Krystal Weir, Deanna Curry and Jessica Human. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

Sometimes the weather just isn’t cooperating, sometimes your allergies are acting up, and sometimes you just can’t (or don’t want to) go outside. Not to worry. We’ve got you covered. Here are 10 easy ways you can bring the magic of the outdoors inside with nature-inspired activities for kids.   Nature Sensory Bin What better way to explore nature indoors than with a sensory bin full of nature items? This is a favorite activity for kids of all ages. Go on a nature walk and collect fallen leaves, sticks, rocks, and other nature items of all textures and sizes. If you have permission and access to fresh leaves and flowers with strong fragrances and colors, add those too. The point is to offer a variety of nature items for you and your little ones to explore. There is no right or wrong way to create this and can be done during any season. Leaf Activities Leaves offer a variety of wonderful art opportunities. Create leaf rubbings, arrange them to construct leaf people and animals, paint and use them as stamps to make leaf prints, or attach them to some paper and make a leaf crown. Need some other ideas on exploring leaves with kids? Run Wild My Child's leaf fun for kids blog post is full of leaf crafts, activities, science, books, and more! Many of these could be done indoors and would be a great way to bring the outside in. Caterpillar Metamorphosis Want to bring this magical experience inside where you can watch every step? It is easier than you may think. All you need is a large jar or terrarium, caterpillars, and the specific plant the caterpillars need to eat. If you need more information, this Joyful Butterfly article lays it all out for you.  Playdough Nature Art Looking for something to do with all the nature treasures your children bring home? One exciting way to explore them is with playdough. Press your nature finds into the playdough to make imprints, use the nature pieces to make letters or pictures, use the playdough to recreate the nature treasures, combine the nature finds and playdough to construct more elaborate images, and so much more. Color Changing Flower Science Do you have access to white daisies or carnations? Then this flower experiment is for you. Add the white flowers to different colored water sources and watch as each flower begins to change color! It is fun for all ages and Fun Learning for Kids has the experiment and free printables available to use. Remember Leave no Trace principles and to use only the flowers you have permission to use. Harvest Edible Plants and Make Food Learning which plants are edible and how to eat them is really a great way to bring the outside in. Consider making pine needle tea, adding dandelion petals to your next batch of cookies, mixing fresh rosemary into biscuits, using lavender in lemonade, or spicing up some soup with wild onions. Make sure to do your research and ensure the plants you are using are edible. There are a variety of books and online resources to help you learn more. Make a Biosphere Want to add some science to your indoor nature activities? Creating an ecosystem that stays inside your home is pretty easy and would offer a ton of learning opportunities. The Science Classroom as the details on this one. Paint a Branch This easy activity not only brings nature inside and offers some entertainment, but also can double as decoration to spruce up your living space. You can create this Art Bar activity, or use it as a launching off point to create you own works of stick art. Wrap different colored yarn around your branch or use glue to attach different nature treasures or art supplies. The options are endless. Create Flower Arrangements Focus on fine motor and creative skills with this simple activity. Provide your children with some fresh flowers, greenery (think rosemary, basil, or other leafy greens) scissors, and a small jar or vase. Let your little one cut and put together the flowers and greenery in any way they want to create their own flower arrangements.  Make Suncatchers These make for beautiful window decorations and are so easy to make. Collect colorful nature pieces and arrange them in different designs on contact paper to form nature suncatchers. There are many ways to do this. Here is one way by The Artful Parent. There are so many ways to bring the outside in! What are your favorite ways to do it?   Photos courtesy of Katie Fox.   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.    

Winter's cold temps tend to keep people indoors for the warmth of the fireplace, but despite that, this time of year also brings out people’s creative juices. Everyone becomes a baker, inspired by visions of tasty cookies and the fantastic smells coming from the kitchen. And crafts bring a hint of nostalgia as parents watch their kids create masterpieces that will be hung in the home, taped to the door or dangled from windows and be cherished for years to come. These craft ideas are fun to make and will keep your little one busy this winter. Let’s craft! STICK SNOWFLAKE Materials: Sticks and Twine Gather sticks of the same size and spread them out, keeping them together in the middle. Tie twine around and through the sticks, making sure the snowflake keeps its shape. This craft is super easy and can be made in all sizes. For smaller sizes, instead of sticks, use twigs.   SNOWY PINE CONE Materials: Pine cone, White acrylic paint, Paintbrush, Epsom salts, Twine, Hot glue, Wooden bead Apply white paint to the top of each scale of the pine cone. While paint is still wet, grab a handful of Epsom salts and sprinkle over the pine cone. The salt will stick to the paint, giving your pine cone a frosted look. Let dry. Glue a wooden bead sideways onto the top and loop twine through and tie a knot.   TWIG CAMPFIRE Materials: Handful of twigs, Coaster or another sturdy base, Battery-operated votive, Craft glue Glue along the length of your first twig and press onto your base. Add another layer, applying glue so it affixes to the bottom layer, forming a rough circle. Continue to glue and build your layers of twigs until the structure is about 2 inches high. Turn on your votive and drop it into your campfire.   REINDEER Materials: Twigs, Red felt, Googly eyes, Yarn, Hot glue Cut the twigs so they're the same size. Lay them in a triangle, placing the long ends over the short end, and glue the ends together. With the felt, cut a small circle for the nose and glue it to the bottom of the triangle. Glue googly eyes on to finish the look. Finally, attach both ends of the yarn at the ears. Read more: 4 Fall Crafts You Can Make Using Leaves 10 Easy Outdoors Activities for Toddlers Written by Vong Hamilton and Kristin Hinnant. Photos by Deanna Curry, Kendra Reeder and Kristin Hinnant. What are your favorite winter crafts? Leave a comment below!    ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.  

It’s officially winter! While many people cringe at the thought of trying to convince our kids (and ourselves) to layer up and get outside, there are numerous benefits to getting outside in the cold! Between fewer crowds on trails, a boost to your mood and a reduction in stress, getting outside in the winter months is absolutely worth the extra effort! However, we know that this can be easier said than done. That’s why we have compiled this list of tips, tricks and hacks from our awesome Hike it Baby community to help make it easier to gear up for winter and keep the whole family motivated to enjoy all that these colder months have to offer. General Clothing Tips My favorite hack is putting my socks on my babies/toddlers so they go up to the knee and pull the pants down over. I also use my socks on their hands instead of mittens when they are little so the socks go up to their elbows and the coat pulls over. That way they aren't constantly taking them off. My favorite are my fleece-lined, knee-length boot socks. – Nicholl, Charleston/ Lowcountry Branch I've stopped fighting my kids to wear coats, hats and gloves. I offer them right off and have them readily available for them when they are ready. It beats forcing my boys to wear them and having them be miserable because they are dressed correctly. 9 times out of 10 coats and hats go on within the first 10-15 minutes. – Jessica, Winchester Branch We are on a super-tight budget so spending the money on proper base layers seemed superfluous, but once we finally did, it was pretty much life-changing. I was still nursing my son when I got some of mine, so I got a 1/2 zip base layer and 1/4 zip fleece from REI so I could nurse without having to pull my shirt up. I've cheated and bought cheaper base layers for my kids since they outgrow them so fast, but I still follow the 3-layers rule – a wicking layer, a warm layer, and a weatherproof layer – for all of us, and it has allowed us to camp in 30-degree weather and hike in the single digits. Also a fun hack I got from an old neighbor: use babylegs on toddlers' arms to keep their gloves on! Put on the gloves, then a pair of babylegs overlapping their hands but leaving their fingers free, then their coats. Since it's hard to find good snow gloves for tiny hands, that keeps them from sliding off/being pulled off as easily. – Stephanie, Chattanooga Branch I love this zip-in panel for my coats from Make My Belly Fit. I've used it with two kiddos and through one of my pregnancies. As long as I can wear on the front, they stay toasty warm and can nap inside my coat. I also love this baby-wearing hoodie where my daughter has a little hood, too. – Lindsay, Front Range Foothills Branch My son was miserable when I dressed him in ski bibs and coat; he could barely move. I decided to layer up and use his rain suit and, man, it was a full game changer! No more snow getting in the waist and wrists! We use a wool or synthetic (cuddlduds or 32°) base layer, then a fleece layer, then his Oaki suit. If it's colder than 30° then I add his puffy coat over the fleece layer. We've always used smartwool socks, Veyokids Mittyz or Stonz Mittenz, fleece hat or fleece-lined knit hat and Columbia or Stonz snow boots. When your kid is comfortable, dry and warm ,they will play outside for hours! – Joey, Utah County Branch Clothing on a Budget Last winter I bought a yard of 5-6 designs of fleece material on sale and made my own seamless two-layer neck gaiters. They act as both scarf and can be folded up to cover head and ears. I made around 15 so there's plenty to go around for the whole family and cost much, much less than buying. – Vong, Kansas City Branch Kid gear is expensive and they grow fast. Adult wool socks can be used in so many ways! Tied or cuffed around the head or neck as a head warmer or scarf. Pull them on arms and legs to basically cover the entire limb while holding the layers in place and offering easy access to diapers. Even over boots of small kids in a carrier to keep the shoes on. And a pocket stove is small enough to carry anywhere for access to instant hot cocoa. – Elizabeth, Gettysburg Branch Due to kids growing so quickly, I love using fleece sleepers as a base layer when they’re really little. We picked some up cheap from Walmart specially for a camping trip when my oldest was little. Worked like a charm! – Rosalind, Calgary Branch I’d say a special incentive helps!! HiB Tokyo, Japan Branch did a “Mottanai Fest”! It’s a freecycle event where we brought all our kids/babies clothing to a park n play and swapped. It was 4-8C but we had a bunch of families come, and everyone really enjoyed it!! We also had three pregnant moms come and get s bunch of used clothes for their babies!! – Joelle, Tokyo Branch Schedule Your Outings Ahead of Time Schedule the month ahead of time; it will help you not make excuses. I have some parents who plan which hikes they will attend at the beginning of the month so I know they are counting on me. – Lacey, Kenai Peninsula Branch I try to host a hike at least once a week. Sometimes the day I choose ends up not being the nicest day, or maybe I'm not in the mood to get off of the couch, but because I committed to hosting, we show up. And I am ALWAYS glad that we did. – Shannon, Lehigh Valley Branch I schedule all my hikes a month in advance. If it’s on the calendar, I’m much more likely to get out and do it than make some excuse. I also keep all of my little guy's outside stuff in one place where he can help get it out and get ready. I do the same with my stuff. When we don’t have to look for anything, it makes it much easier to get out the door. – Ann, Bucks County Branch Provide Incentives Hot chocolate hikes. Even when I'm ready and willing to hike, that doesn't mean my kids are! So I promise hot chocolate or having a picnic (lunch or dinner as opposed to just snacks), and that usually gets them really excited. We use our 50/50 bottles since it keeps their cocoa warm until it's time to stop and it don't leak in their backpacks. – Stephanie, Chattanooga Branch Post-hike goodies! We brought hot cocoa and cookies after our first official snow play hike. The mamas and kiddos both enjoyed the refreshments! – Shari, Tahoe Branch We use Smarties, I have a friend who uses M&Ms, and we call them moose poop. We go ahead a little bit and put on a rock for the little ones to find. It helps keep them going once out. The main incentive to going out in the first place is seeing and meeting new friends. We also like to go and look for animal prints in the snow. – Rosalind, Calgary Branch Plan Fun Cold-Weather Activities Last winter, we hosted a "Nature Craft and Snowshoe Hike" at a state park near our branch. The Environmental Educator who works in the Creekside Classroom (similar to a nature/discovery center) let us use her classroom space. The BAs teamed up to provide a different nature craft every week and then we were allowed to borrow the snowshoes for FREE. We were able to get the kiddos all bundled up in the classroom and then headed out for a VERY short snowshoe hike. It was a wonderful experience for everyone involved and we are planning on doing it again this year! – Natalie, Capital Region and Southern Adirondacks Branches A few years ago we hosted a "muddiest hike" event. We get rain, not snow. We encouraged puddle jumping and playing in mud. The winner got a little crown made of sticks. – Samantha, Portland Branch An easy and cheap winter activity is to fill small spray bottles with colored water to decorate the snow. It helps kids practice their fine motor skills while they squeeze. And for the younger crowd, a travel shampoo or lotion bottle can be used instead to drip colored water onto the snow. No cleanup and it is easy to do again and again! – Kate, Morrison County Branch First, we like to aim for “first tracks” on trails after a big snowfall. My school-aged kiddo loves this, especially on snow days. It motivates us to get out of the house right after breakfast and spend hours outside instead of inside with TV, etc. Second, we hike some areas only in winter due to how busy they are in summer. Sometimes we are the only hikers or we’ll see maybe a handful of other hikers when we visit the popular places in the off-season. The feeling of solitude is so rewarding, especially when it’s a super crisp and quiet day! – Elizabeth, Holland, MI Branch Adjust Your Expectations We make it an adventure and set no expectations on distance or accomplishing any more than enjoying the fresh air and getting outside. Because we live in a “snow belt” with cold snowy winter weather from late October to early April, so we dress as waterproof and warm as possible and just have fun. Making sure we get outdoors is very important, even if it’s a “hike” we’ve only traveled 200 yards playing in the snow and snowmelt. – Corie, Cleveland and Akron Branches We completely throw distance and time expectations out the window and focus on taking in the nature around us. We like to choose some of our favorite trails and bring along photos of them in different seasons so we can compare what we see in spring/summer vs. what we see in winter in the same spots. On particularly chilly days, we will stay close to the parking lot and just explore the nature nearby or look for signs of animal life. – Becca, Kitsap Peninsula Branch Do you have any tips, tricks, or hacks for getting your family outdoors in the winter? Let us know in the comments below! Read more: How to layer when babywearing in the cold 8 Ways to get out and enjoy winter with kids How to keep your family warm on trail in winter Photos by Amy Diebold, Laura Castro and Kim Ives.     ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.