OutGrown Blog

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.  

Want to learn more about using the outdoors as a learning tool for your whole family? Check out these books to help inspire you to bring nature into your child’s education. Walter Payton Edwards @shootsipeat   Homeschooling If you have made the decision to homeschool your kiddos or are considering it, check out these books for inspiration, encouragement and resources to help you along your way. The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in your Child’s Education By Ainsley Arment  This versatile book offers information, advice, and encouragement for caregivers that are considering homeschooling, looking for inspiration for their current homeschooling approach, or even those who simply want supplementary resources to enhance their kids’ traditional educations. The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life By Julie Bogart  Bogart takes a child-centered approach to schooling by showing parents how to make education an exciting experience for their kids and create an environment that naturally moves learning forward. She encourages caregivers to make room for surprise, mystery, risk, and adventure in their routine so their kids can approach life with curiosity, joy, and the courage to take learning risks. Ideas for Getting Kids Learning in Nature These books offer a plethora of fun and engaging ideas, tips, and activities, to help you get your kids outside to learn and have fun in nature. Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life By Richard Louv This practical guidebook includes over 500 activities for children and adults along with down-to-earth advice for connecting with the power and joy of the natural world right now. You will also find thought-provoking essays and informational websites on everything from outdoor activities to choosing nature-smart resources such as schools and medical professionals. The Green Hour: A Daily Dose of Nature for Happier, Healthier, Smarter Kids By Todd Christopher  Here you'll find a range of easy science lessons,  projects, and fun facts meant to engage and energize your child, as well as the practical advice for caregivers that makes getting outdoors less stressful. There are options for all age levels along with book recommendations and tips to help make your nature exploration more meaningful. Play the Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Craft for Adventurous Kids By Jane Worroll and Peter Houghton This outdoor adventure manual encourages self-esteem, confidence, and social skills through engagement with nature. It is loaded with ideas from making nature jewelry and whittling a bow and arrow, to building a shelter and foraging for food with variations based on age group and group size. A Year of Forest School: Outdoor Play and Skill-Building for Every Season By Jane Worroll This book follows the previous “Play the Forest School Way” guide with brand new games and activities. It is structured around the four seasons with each chapter packed full of step-by-step Forest School games and activities that harmonize with the weather and what’s happening in nature at that time of year. Guides that Inspire Kids to Explore Nature These fun guides speak straight to the kids. They include things like fun outdoor projects, seek-and-find lists, photo scavenger hunts, and kid-friendly recipes to try. These are great to throw in their backpack on a hike or take along on your next outdoor adventure. The Kid’s Guide to Exploring Nature By Brooklyn Botanic Garden Educators This beautifully illustrated guide inspires kids to look closely at the world around them and teaches them how to observe environments as a naturalist does. This book shows how the complex ecosystems of plants and animals in the woods, at the beach, and in a city park change with the seasons, and includes fun activities that encourage families to explore nature in new ways. Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail By Editors of Storey Publishing This take-along field guide is designed for kids aged 4-8 and includes seek-and-find lists, on-the-trail art projects, and discovery games to get kids engaged in hands-on learning about nature. It even includes a pull-out magnifying glass to give a close-up look at the tiny aspects of nature such as tiny insects and seed pods. Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids: 50 Creative Projects to Spark Curiosity in the Outdoors By Kim Andrews  This gorgeously illustrated activity book includes 50 amazing outdoor projects that are designed for a variety of seasons, regions, and age ranges. The hands-on, get-dirty approach of this book encourages natural observation, exploration, and learning in the outdoors. Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy with Your Children By Adele Nozedar This fun, useful book encourages families to interact with their environment and gain knowledge and practical understanding of the natural world by foraging for 50 easy-to-identify plants. Once they have foraged their plants, children will be amazed by the diverse practical uses that they can set them to, from making soap or stopping minor cuts to creating delicious meals. Why Learning in Nature is so Important These titles delve into the research and science about why getting kiddos outside is so important. They also include tips, advice, and family activities you can do right outside your door. How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature By Scott D. Sampson Sampson, the host and science advisor for the tv show “Dinosaur Train”, makes a compelling case for the importance of fostering a “nature connection” in children in the age of boundless technology. He also provides a variety of ways to explore and enjoy nature starting in our own backyards.   Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children By Angela J. Hanscom  This book, written by a pediatric occupational therapist, shows how unstructured freedom of movement and outdoor play is vital for the cognitive development and growth of our children. Hanscom offers tons of fun, engaging ways to get our kids outside and help ensure they grow into healthy, balanced, and resilient adults. There’s no Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids By: Linda Akeson McGurk  This personal narrative illustrates how Scandinavian culture could hold the key to raising healthy, resilient, and confident children in America and beyond. McGurk helps us get over our fear of exposing our children to “poor weather conditions” in order to let them have the freedom to grow and explore in nature. Did we miss any books? What books would you add to the list? Looking for more information? Here are some other Hike it Baby posts that may be helpful. 10 Ways to Combine Nature and Virtual Learning Nature-Rich Resources for Distance Learning and Homeschooling 9 Diverse Children's Nature Books to Add to Your Collection Learning in Nature: Programs that Promote Love for Nature Epic Adventures Begin Right Outside Your Door with The New Outdoor Activity Booklet Series The Dos and Don'ts of Risky Play   Hike it Baby works to be the most effective hub of tools, information, and community inspiring all families with babies and young children to get outside and connect with nature. Learn more about Hike it Baby’s mission and how you can get involved. ABOUT HIKE IT BABY Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Editors Note:   We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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.   This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of those links you won't pay more but Hike it Baby will get a small commission which helps us further our mission. Thanks!

As parents, focused on being outdoors and immersing our children in nature, we often tend to bring the outside indoors through books. Books offer a way for our children to experience diverse aspects of nature they may not otherwise be exposed to and allow parents to introduce new experiences to their children in a safe environment. In other words, nature books are an amazing addition to any household, even for families that aren’t always able to get outside. The majority of nature-focused children's books may share the diversity found in nature, but fail to portray the diverse families that enjoy the great outdoors. Representation matters. Here are nine diverse children's nature books, with each featuring children of color as a main character. This list is by far not a comprehensive one. There are other amazing inclusive nature books for children, but these offer a great place to start in creating more diversity on your bookshelf. Explorers of the Wild, Cale Atkinson Age Range: 4-8 year-olds Follow the adventures of a boy and a bear as they explore the nature around them alone and then, once they accidentally meet, together. If you enjoy this book, Atkinson has written and illustrated a couple other children’s books with a nature-theme as well. Fly, Firefly! - Shana Keller Age Range: 5-7 year-olds A child and her aunt witness a firefly and mistake the sea’s bioluminescence for other fireflies and dive into the water. This book follows the child and her aunt as they help save the misguided firefly. Hi, Butterfly - Taro Gomi Age Range: 2-4 year-olds Follow the adventures of a boy as he tries to capture a yellow butterfly and finds many other yellow butterfly-looking objects along the way. Hike - Peter Oswald Age Range: 4-8 year-olds This picture book follows a father and child as they enjoy a hiking adventure. While the book has no printed words, the illustrations provide a great depiction of getting ready for a hike, the actual hiking activities, and the return home. The Hike - by Alison Farrell Age Range: 3-5 year-olds Join three friends as they set off on a hiking adventure together. The book follows their experiences but also details some of the plants and animals along their path. Over and Under the Pond- by Kate Messner Age Range: 5-8 year-olds As a child and her mother sit in a boat on a pond, they see and talk about what is above and below the pond’s surface. If you enjoy this fact-filled book, Messner has several other nature-focused books in this same style, including Over and Under the Rainforest, Over and Under the Snow, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt. Snowy Day - by Ezra Jack Keats Age Range: 2-5 year-olds This award-winning classic 1963 children’s book follows a young boy as he explores and experiences his neighborhood after it snows. Check out this book review for The Snowy Day. Sunset Hike - by Dineo Dowd Age Range: 4-8 year-olds This book written by a Hike it Baby community and board member follows young friends as they experience a sunset hike together. One friend is unsure of many things and one friend is quick to help her overcome these fears. If you enjoy this book, Dowd has other wonderful nature-centered children’s books you can check out, including Spring Hike, Adventure Day, and Summer Camping. Check out this book review of Adventure Day. Wild Berries - by Julie Flett Age Range: 4-8 year-olds A young boy and his grandma spend the day picking blueberries, while also encountering and enjoying the wildlife around them. Flett has written many children’s books with nature woven in, so if you enjoy this one be sure to check out her others as well. Looking for some other children's books? These lists may be helpful. Share your favorite diverse children's nature books in the comments. Books to Help Your Kids Engage with Nature Explore the National Parks through Books "Take it Outside" with Good Books Hike it Baby works to be the most effective hub of tools, information, and community inspiring all families with babies and young children to get outside and connect with nature. Learn more about Hike it Baby's mission and how you can get involved. ABOUT HIKE IT BABY Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of those links you won't pay more but Hike it Baby will get a small commission which helps us further our mission. Thanks! Editors Note:   We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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 no secret that our planet needs help. It needs people who will strive to protect and nurture the earth in ways we have failed to do in the past. That’s why here at Hike it Baby, we are striving to raise a generation to love nature and the outdoors. Our children are our future, and teaching them to respect the environment from an early age is the first step to ensuring the future is a bright one for our planet. That being said, it’s not always easy to help kiddos growing up in a technology-heavy lifestyle to step back from the screens and engage in the natural world. That’s why we have compiled this list of books to add to your collection to help you motivate your family to step out into nature, even if it’s the nature you find in your own backyard. Children’s Books Younger Kiddos Spring Hike by Dineo Dowd - This story helps children understand the change of seasons, the excitement of hiking, and the importance of what it means to “leave no trace." This is the third book from Dowd, all of which were created to inspire children to go outside safely and enjoy all that nature has to offer. Get Dressed Sasquatch by Derek Sullivan and Kyle Sullivan - This silly story follows a sasquatch enjoying his home in the Pacific Northwest when a rule-touting forest ranger comes along to tell him to put on some clothes. Laugh along with your kids as you read this fun, rhyming tale about being free to be yourself.  Check out these other great titles for younger children: Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots by Carmela LaVigna Coyle  Fur, Feather, Fin - All of Us are Kin by Diane Lang Secrets of the Apple Tree (and other Shine-a-light books) by Carron Brown Forest Baby by Laurie Elmquist Adventure to the Top of the Mountain by Nataliya Moon Whoo’s There by Heather Zschock Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff Wild One by Jane Wittingham The Adventures of John Muir by Kate Coombs  A Walk in the Forest by Jaye Garnett  Adventure Day by Dineo Dowd Sunset Hike by Dineo Dowd Older Children Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner - Discover the animals and plants that make up the rich, interconnected mountain pond ecosystem. This book is part of the highly recommended Over and Under Series which also includes “Over and Under the Snow” and  “Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt."  The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry - This story depicts a man who grows tired when trying to chop down a Great Kapok Tree in the Amazon RainForest. As he sleeps, the creatures of the forest whisper to him about the importance of trees and how “all living things depend on one another." This book provides a wonderful starting point for a discussion on conservation with your kids.  Check out these other great titles for older kiddos: When we Go Camping by Margriet Ruus The Lost Book of Adventure by Unknown Adventurer  Tracks, Scats, and Signs by Leslie Dendy  Insect Superpowers by Kate Messner  Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail by Jennifer Thermes Books with Advice on Getting your Kiddos Outside (and why it’s important) There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk - The author sets out to discover if her native Scandinavian philosophy of “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” could hold the key to raising healthier, resilient, and confident children in America. This memoir is filled with ideas that will get your kids outside, reaping the many benefits of nature with more confidence and independence.  The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids by Helen Olsson - Does the idea of camping with kids elicit feelings of dread or anxiety? If so, this book is for you! It is filled with tips and tools to make your next campout enjoyable for the whole family, and it even includes recipes, activity ideas, games, and checklists for your next adventure. Check out these other great options that are filled with advice and tips for getting your kiddos outside: Hike it Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers by Shanti Hodges h Let Them Be Eaten by Bears By Peter Brown Hoffmeister Balanced and Barefoot by Angela J. Hanscom  How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson  Vitamin N - The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life by Richard Louv Books Filled with Activities to Inspire Outdoor Play The Outdoor Toddler Activity Book by Krissy Bonning-Gould - This book includes a diverse collection of activities geared toward getting toddlers outside to explore and grow in nature. The chapters are split into types of outdoor activity (such as messy play and outdoor art) and includes skill-building icons that show what each activity teaches your little one. The Green Hour by Todd Christopher - This book is based on the recommendation from the National Wildlife Federation that every parent should give their kids a “green hour” every day for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. It is filled with activities designed to encourage discovery, creative play, and a wonder of nature for families with children of all ages.  Check out these other titles for more outdoor activity ideas: Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids by Kim Andrews The Rainy Day Adventure Book by Steph Scott and Katie Akers I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Jennifer Ward  Click here to download the list of Books to Help Your Kids (And You!) Engage In Nature to keep as a handy reference! Want to dig into more books about nature? Join the Hike it Baby online bookclub!  ABOUT HIKE IT BABY Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Hosley. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of those links you won’t pay more but Hike it Baby will get a small commission which helps us further our mission. Thanks!  

August kicked off with World Breastfeeding Week and ended with kids heading back to school. Wherever your child falls on this feeding to schooling spectrum, we've got you covered with some books! Mr. Bear's New Baby by Debi Gliori Mr. and Mrs. Bear have a new baby! While everyone else in the forest is asleep, Mr. and Mrs. Bear are trying to calm the new baby. The new parents try to decide what the new baby needs, and Mr. Bear suggests some milk from her mommy. This can help lead in to a conversation with your children about how other animals also feed their babies. They may also have some other questions about breastfeeding too. As the night goes on, other forest animals help the new parents try and get baby bear to sleep. In the end, it is the advice of Small Bear that helps the family get some much-needed rest. If you have a new baby at home, your children may enjoy hearing what life is like from the animal perspective. We Have A Baby by Cathryn Falwell This simple text book will help young children understand everything to expect with a new baby in their home. Large images dominate the page, including an illustration of the mother breastfeeding the new baby. This book would be helpful to those children awaiting the arrival of a new baby so they can see what a new baby will need and talk with their parents about how they can help. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn If your child is a little nervous about starting school this year, this book may help to ease some anxieties. Mrs. Racoon helps ease the fears of Chester as school is starting in the forest. Mrs. Racoon shares a special tradition with Chester that will help him as he transitions from days at home with mom, toys, and books to starting the new school year. Meet some other forest animals along the way as Chester's feelings change from anxious to excited. Timothy Goes to School by Rosemary Wells Timothy is about to start school! Join him and the other animals as they navigate their way around the start of the new year. When things don't go the way Timothy expects, he's ready to quit school. Discover the true meaning of friendship with Timothy and how to deal with tough situations at school. Hike it Baby has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts.  Submit your review here for a chance to be included in an upcoming blog post!   

Planning a camping trip this summer? Or just wanting to know more about what to expect when camping? These selections will give you a taste of camping without even leaving your home. Monster & Mouse Go Camping by Deborah Underwood Join Monster and Mouse on a camping trip! When Monster is a little hesitant to accompany Mouse on a camping trip, Mouse has some convincing to do! Despite the promises of hiking, sleeping in a tent and telling campfire stories, Monster is not convinced he wants to go until he hears about the food involved. While their packing list will likely be much lighter than yours (the two only pack two sleeping bags, a tent and a lamp), you can discuss with your little ones about what your family needs to take on a camping trip, which likely will vary greatly depending on the ages of your little ones. When Monster gets hungry along the way to the campsite, the supplies begin to disappear! Find out what happens to them and how they survive the camping trip by checking out this book! When We Go Camping by Margriet Ruurs When We Go Camping takes readers young and old on a journey to experience a day in the life of camping. Follow two children as they experience a day of camping from sunrise to sunset through beautiful painted illustrations. These paintings take up most of each page of the book, creating stunning visuals while still teaching camping tips like putting food up high to keep it from animals. Explore with the family as they catch and cook food, hike in nature and enjoy the natural resources camping has to offer. End your journey by seeing a campfire and the sunset with the characters. After the story, there is also a legend at the back of the book that teaches more about the animals featured in the paintings. Along with the information on the animals is a seek-and-find for each painting, asking readers to look for other objects or notice shapes in the paintings. Cool Maps & Geocaching: Great Things to Do in the Great Outdoors by Katherin Hengel If you're heading on a camping trip with older kids, this book gives some great ideas that will keep them busy while enjoying the great outdoors! After giving explanations of geocaching and a safety guide, there are plenty of activities you can plan to do on your next camping trip! The book provides a list of materials needed, so preparation is key as you may not be able to buy some items like tape and glue once you're at your site. Create geocache bottle caps, adventure journals, plastic bag compasses, cube walkers and much more. Make your camping trip memorable and unique by creating some of these projects. Follow the Trail: A Young Person's Guide to the Great Outdoors by Jessica Loy Be prepared for your camping trip by checking out Follow the Trail. Here, you will get tips from young explorers, identification pages on types of trees, wildflowers, animals, sounds, animals tracks and more. The book also includes a safety section with materials listed to make your own first-aid kit. This would be a great activity to do before a camping trip so you're able to bring the kit to the woods with you in case of any injury. For those new to camping, there is also a section in the book that teaches you how to set up camp. Reading this before heading to the campground will help ease any anxieties young campers may have and give them an idea of what they can expect on their adventures! Hike it Baby has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts!  Submit your review here for a chance to be included in an upcoming blog post!   

Back-to-school time is upon us! Whether you're sending your child off to school for the first time, or you're a seasoned veteran, the return of school can bring a range of feelings and emotions as well as challenges. This month, check out these books for kids and adults! 100 Days of Real Food on a Budget by Lisa Leake As a teacher, back-to-school time can be an extra challenge. Meals can be one of the biggest challenges since I'm away from the house all day. This book not only breaks down the cost of ingredients for each meal, but also comes with a comparison chart of the same ingredients from different stores. However, the section I've used the most is the slow cooker section. Both recipes I've tried have involved very little prep work (great time saver!) and were delicious. The Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken doesn't even require the chopping of any ingredients! It's not overwhelmingly spicy, so it was a hit with the kids too. An added bonus is that the leftovers freeze easily, so you can store some away for the future. The Slow Cooker Cuban Pork only requires minimal chopping and can freeze easily as well. With the upcoming Hike it Baby 30 Challenge approaching, slow cooker recipes make dinner easy and allow you to hit the trails and come home to a complete dinner! Another good recipe is for Oatmeal Cookie Energy Balls, which are easy to take on the trail for a quick and easy snack that doesn't make a mess and uses minimal ingredients. If you have older children, there's also a school lunch section to help make packing lunches fun and easy. My favorite feature of the book is that there is a picture for each recipe. Kids can look at the pictures and help decide what to make for dinner or snacks. I've been including some pictures of what I've tried on my Instagram for those interested in seeing the final products. The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing Do you have a little one starting preschool this fall? Is he/she nervous about what lies ahead? This book may help calm the jitters of anxious kids about to start their school journey. Told through rhymes, this book will engage young students beginning school. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are by Maria Dismondy School can be difficult for kids as they navigate friendships and try to have the courage to do what is right. This book also empowers kids to be who they are despite the opinions of others. This book would be great for kids to hear before the start of the school year or for teachers to use in their classrooms to teach character traits and encourage positive behavior. What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick What If Everybody Did That? helps kids see the consequences of their actions. Great for showing kids how their actions can impact a community, this book gives kids something to think about as they start a new school year. Fourteen examples of cause-and-effect behavior are given, so there is something for all kids to be able to relate to. The mixed media and illustrations make this book visually appealing to kids as well. Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts!  Submit your review here for a chance to be included in an upcoming blog post! 

Our members have shared many books about nature with us. We thought it would be helpful to compile one comprehensive list of our nature-themed books for you! Use this list at the library, for gifts, or to share with friends and family! A Little Bit of Dirt: 55+ Science and Art Activities to Reconnect Children with Nature by Asia Citro Need inspiration to go play outside or to get your little ones excited about a hike? Try an activity from this awesome book! From mud faces to rain drums, this book provides easy, inexpensive and fun activities to do with your kids in nature. One thing I love about this resource is that they offer simple ideas (great for toddlers and preschoolers) with ways to add on to the activity for older kids. Additionally, we’ve used this resource for our Hike it Baby hikes. We have also found fun ways to explore our own backyard. BACKPACKER ABCS BY HEATHER LEGLER Backpacker ABCs is a great way to introduce your young ones to adventures in backpacking, and it encourages them to “Hike your own hike.” Whether or not you want to backpack with young children, this book is a great way to introduce this adventure to your child. From packing up the car to a quote from John Muir, this book will show young hikers all the beauty that a backpacking trip can offer. Filled with beautiful illustrations and rhyme, Backpacker ABCs makes an excellent read aloud for children from birth through preschool and beyond. For free printables, coloring book, read-along video, and parent and teacher resources, visit backpackerABCs.com. Author Heather Legler is also the host of The First 40 Miles, a podcast especially for those new to backpacking. The Barefoot Book of Earth Poems by Judith Nicholls This is a beautifully illustrated collection of poems that celebrates our wonderful planet. Some poem themes include respecting nature, conservation and how to celebrate its beauty. Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd This enchanting picture book explores the question, “What is wild”? With bright and lively illustrations, the author takes us on a journey of all things wild and entices us to find it for ourselves. This book is perfect to bring on any outdoor exploration of your own with your little wild-lings. Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel by Paul Meise Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel is a beautifully illustrated story about a bat and a squirrel who learn to share a home together. At first the duo have a hard time communicating clearly and living together. But after several days, they sort their differences and learn to enjoy each other’s company. This is a really nice book about learning to communicate clearly and being open with others who may be very different from you.   Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan Has your child ever asked what animals do at night? Little Owl’s Night helps answer this question as readers follow Little Owl through his evening of visiting friends before the morning sun shines and he has to head back home to sleep. Different from your typical bedtime story, Little Owl’s Night does not feature rhyming or any human characters. Instead, the story takes the reader through a journey in the night forest as Little Owl observes plants and animals in the night. The story winds down as Little Owl returns to his mother and he falls asleep while she tells him a story with the sun coming up for the day. Children will love the cute illustrations on each page, and older children can have conversations with you about how the night forest is different from the day forest they are accustomed to hiking. Readers can also compare their bedtime routine to how Little Owl prepares for bed. Little Owl’s Night is available as a board book, e-book or hardcover book. Author Divya Srinivasan also has a companion book, Little Owl’s Day, if your reader wants to travel through the forest with Little Owl again! Maple by Lori Nichols Meet Maple. She is a spirited girl named after a tree. Maple’s parents plant a tree before she is born, and the tree becomes inspiration for her name when she enters the world. Maple shares many adventures with her tree, which vary depending on the season. As Maple grows, so does her tree. Seasons go by and Maple is presented with a surprise. Her life is enriched by its new addition and Maple uses her tree to practice sharing. Maple is a great book that connects childhood to becoming an older sibling. Try reading the book and planting a tree and observe its growth to bring the book to life! Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis A stick is a stick … until you use your imagination. Anything can happen when a stick is discovered, from fishing poles to battle swords. This book is short and to the point. An easy read for preschoolers. After reading, head to the trails to find out what else a stick can be. Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner A cold and snowy day calls for snuggling in blankets with a good book. Over and Under the Snow is a great book to read with your little ones when the weather is a bit too cold for outside adventures or before bed after a long day of exploring. With beautiful illustrations and well-crafted words that appeal to all the senses, Over and Under the Snow is a wonderful book to help children learn about how animals survive during the cold, snowy months of winter. The book follows a boy and his father on a cross-country ski trip, and the father shares his knowledge of the secret kingdom of the animals in the winter. “Tracks always tell a story,” the dad tells his boy. The illustrations show what is happening both above and underground, allowing the reader to really take in what happens in the winter. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen A wonderful family classic story/spoken word poem about a family wandering the world around them searching for a bear, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is visual as well as auditory. Just reading the story is enjoyable with kids of all ages. The story is experiential with the sound and motion words, creating a world for children. Even if you’ve never felt snow or mud, the descriptions help you understand and use your senses to feel what the characters are experiencing. When you add in motions and play along with the story, this becomes a full-body experience! We love going on a bear hunt at the park or on our local hikes to act out the story. It is so much fun inside and outside! Pond by Jim LaMarche From the striking illustrations to the lyrical text, this book covers all the bases for me as a reader. The young boy, Matt, and his friends, Pablo and Katie, restore a pond that had a lot of garbage in it. The book speaks to the power of the young to change the world in a positive way. It also shows how the connections we have with nature deepen when we care for it. This book does have a lot of text, so it’s great for our preschool-age group. The illustrations are simply breathtaking. Rain! by Linda Ashman In this charming and colorful book about the rain, we’re reminded that our positive attitudes (about the weather – and anything in life) can have a big impact on others. This is a fun book to read before you go out and play in the rain. The River: An Epic Journey to the Sea by Hanako Clulow Stunning artwork in this picture book allows children to follow a little fish’s journey down river. This book features a migration story through snow-capped mountains, frozen rivers, woodland forests to reach the sea. Follow the magical holographic fish on every page until he reaches his destination. The River allows children to explore how migration works and how other animals migrate. Perfect for a hike along a river! The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle Our seeds' journey begins in the fall. As the wind blows the flower seeds high and low, some survive and some perish. Those that survive the long winter and cold will sprout flowers in the spring and summer before the cycle begins again in fall. In The Tiny Seed, readers follow the journey of one seed in particular as it escapes being eaten by a bird and burned by the sun. Illustrated in classic Eric Carle fashion, children will love hearing about the seed’s journey and enjoy the colorful illustrations. Besides making a good bedtime story, reading this book before a hike may inspire young readers to look for the stages of a seed’s life cycle while on trail! No matter the season, the life of a new flower is taking place. Parents or hike hosts may also wish to plant seeds with young hikers and watch the life cycle take shape at home. Worm Weather by Jean Taft This book, from first-time children’s author Jean Taft, for ages 3-5, is a delight. Its premise is simple: kids and earthworms love the rain. A brother and sister gear up for play time during a rain shower (“Coat. Hat. Rain goes splat!”), only to head inside when the weather gets a bit too ominous (“Bright flash. THUNDER, CRASH!”). When the thunderstorm moves on and the sun appears, they head back outside (“Birds fly, rainbow sky!”). Worm Weather, with minimal rhyming text and fantastic illustrations by Matt Hunt, treats young readers to the wonderful world of weather by encouraging them to experience it. Hike It Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers by Shanti Hodges No matter where your travels take you, keep this resource handy to help you find toddler-friendly trails anywhere in the U.S. With vivid photos and recommendations provided by locals from each state’s Hike it Baby community, you’re sure to add these trails to your family’s bucket list. In addition to trail reviews, 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures also provides tips for families, such as how to use the restroom on trail, nursing during a hike, making homemade granola bars and inspirational stories from families who also share the love of the outdoors. Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts!  Submit your review here for a chance to be included in an upcoming blog post! 

Summer is here, which means travel and vacation season is upon us! While beaches and resorts may scream summer vacation, there are plenty of ways to get in a good adventure that will bring your family memories for years to come! Let the following books inspire you for an adventure-filled summer. Backpacker ABCs by Heather Legler Backpacker ABCs is a great way to introduce your young ones to adventures in backpacking, and it encourages them to, "Hike your own hike." Whether or not you want to backpack with young children, this book is a great way to introduce this adventure to your child. From packing up the car to a quote from John Muir, this book will show your young hikers all the beauty that a backpacking trip can offer. Filled with beautiful illustrations and rhyme, Backpacker ABCs makes an excellent read aloud for children from birth through preschool and beyond. For free printables, coloring book, read-along video, and parent and teacher resources, visit backpackerABCs.com. Author Heather Legler is also the host of The First 40 Miles, a podcast especially for those new to backpacking. National Parks Guide U.S.A. by National Geographic Kids Is your summer traveling taking your to a national park this year? If so, grab a copy of National Parks Guide U.S.A., the kids' companion to National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the U.S. In this guide, you'll be able to read about the different regions of the country and the national parks that find their homes in each region. Within each region, there is a guide for the specific national parks where readers will find pictures, history, and websites. The individual sections also provide ranger tips, where to find the best views, checklists for what to do, and maps showing some of the sites you don't want to miss! Readers will also be able to discover what plant and animal life to expect in each of the parks. This guidebook would be especially helpful in getting older children excited for a trip to a national park, and it will have them planning trips for the future too! Kids' Guide to Camping by Cherie Winner If you're taking a camping trip this summer, this book will be great for your older kids. Focusing on answering questions including Where Can I Go?, What Will I Eat?, and How Do I Make Camp? allows readers to be prepared for their wilderness adventure. Pictures and lists accompany each section of the book as well as tips (including not offering food to raccoons and what gear to include in your first aid kit). Recipes are also provided so you can bring the comforts of home to your campsite. The book also includes a real working compass to help guide you on the trails! Oregon and Washington 50 Hikes with Kids by Wendy Gorton If you're a Pacific Northwest family, or traveling out West this summer, this helpful and beautifully designed trail guide will inspire you to explore all that Oregon and Washington has to offer. This colorful and engaging trail book covers 50 hikes in Washington and Oregon for families with kids. All hikes are easy to moderate hikes under 4 miles, and it includes fun scavenger ideas for each hike! The author provides an estimated time to hike and explore, an elevation gain map, fee and bathroom information, and fun things to look for on each hike. However, the times to complete the hike seem to be more geared toward older kids, so be sure to add more time on to the hike if hiking with young walkers. Hike It Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers by Shanti Hodges No matter where your travels take you this summer, or any time of year, keep this resource handy to help you find toddler-friendly trails anywhere in the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska. With vivid photos and recommendations provided by locals from each state's Hike it Baby community, you're sure to add these trails to your family's bucket list. In addition to trail reviews, 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures also provides tips for families, such as how to use the restroom on trail, nursing during a hike, making homemade granola bars and more, and inspirational stories from families who also share the love of the outdoors. "Oregon and Washington 50 Hikes with Kids" review by Christina Merhar, and "Hike it Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures" review by Vong Hamilton. Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts!  Submit your review here for a chance to be included in an upcoming blog post! 

Earth Day, celebrated each year on April 22, has been around since 1970. While we tend to think about recycling, caring for the earth and planting new flowers on Earth Day, there are some books you can read year-round with your children to instill a love of the earth and to teach them how to protect it. Earth Day: An Alphabet Book by Gary Kowalski This simple alphabet book will show children various animals, plants and nature-related words for each letter of the alphabet. Simple yet colorful illustrations accompany each letter as the author creates a list of what we should be thankful for and appreciate in nature. While most of the letters present familiar words for young children, other words, like nasturtiums and persimmons, will allow for vocabulary growth in preschool-aged children. Age recommendations: Birth through preschool Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals This is an alphabet book with a twist! While still following the ABCs, items listed are "ingredients" that can be used in making compost. Rhyme and repetition are incorporated into the text, making this book a fun read aloud for younger children. The unique illustrations are collage-like and focus on recycling. Newspaper is used throughout in different ways to demonstrate how to reuse items. While the text focuses on what to include in a compost pile, there's also a note at the end of the book telling you what does not belong in a compost pile. Older children may enjoy taking the lessons of the book and creating their own compost pile with family. Age recommendations: Toddlers through early elementary Earth Day, Birthday! by Maureen Wright On Earth Day, the animals in the jungle want to celebrate the earth. But Monkey just wants to celebrate his birthday. While Monkey tries telling the other animals it is his birthday, the phrase, "It's Earth Day, not your birthday!" is repeated. The animals celebrate Earth Day by recycling, using reusable shopping bags and composting, allowing this book to be silly while providing tips that young readers and their families can use to help the earth. The fun rhymes make this a great read aloud that young children will enjoy. Age recommendations: Toddlers and preschool Earth Day Every Day by Lisa Bullard Part entertaining and part educational, this children's book is divided into three short chapters narrated by a young Earthling Trina. The first chapter begins with some of the problems humans create for the earth. As you progress to chapters two and three, suggestions are given for how to celebrate earth day, like planting trees and having an Earth Day trade where you could trade unneeded items with your neighbors for something you may use instead. Throughout the story, tips and suggestions are given on how to help protect our planet. The book concludes with a composting with worms activity, glossary, index and a list of resources to learn more about our environment. Age recommendations: Preschool through early elementary The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle by Alison Inches Written in diary form from the perspective of a plastic bottle, this clever book teaches young readers about the formation of and recycling of a plastic bottle. Beginning as crude oil, the bottle informs the reader how it is formed into a plastic bottle, how it is later reused and ultimately the recycling process. The fun illustrations and the excitement the plastic bottle exhibits keep children engaged. Combining the technology of creating the bottle and the recycling process with a care-free narrator, this book is enjoyable for both children and adults. It even helps young children understand why it's important to get that old plastic bottle in the recycling bin instead of in the trash. Age recommendations: Preschool through elementary Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts!  Submit your review here for a chance to be included in an upcoming blog post!   

When the temps are cold outside, it's a great time to curl up with a good book, and our Hike it Baby members have some recommendations to help you make it to spring and warmer weather! HIKE IT BABY COMMUNITY BOOK REVIEWS KRISSA DEANS OF THE VANCOUVER, WA, BRANCH REVIEWED THIS BOOK FOR US! Tallest Tree by Robert Lieber While visiting the Redwoods in October 2017, we decided to buy souvenirs that would do more than sit and collect dust. We picked up a board book titled Tallest Tree and a set of stacking blocks. They both feature a poem, pictures of native wildlife and counting. These proved to be useful in keeping our toddler entertained the remainder of our camping trip and fit right in with our books at home. The book is nice when we want to snuggle in for a bedtime story. The stacking blocks are a blast when we want to make a three-foot-tall tree and be hands-on with learning the different animals, plants and insects native to that area. Although my child will not have the strongest memories of our trip, knowledge of and respect for the environment we visited will be reinforced with every read.   MEG KEARNEY OF THE NORTH SHORE, MA, BRANCH REVIEWED THIS BOOK FOR US! Maisy Goes Camping by Lucy Cousins Maisy Goes Camping is a really sweet book about Maisy and her friends finding a spot to camp, the struggles of putting up a tent, teamwork and how many friends you can fit in a tent! It’s silly and sweet! Great read for a new camper.   BECCA FROM THE YOKOSUKA, TOKYO, BRANCH REVIEWED THIS BOOK FOR US!  We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen A wonderful family classic story/spoken word poem about a family wandering the world around them searching for a bear, We're Going on a Bear Hunt is visual as well as auditory. Just reading the story is enjoyable with kids of all ages. The story is experiential with the sound and motion words, creating a world for children. Even if you’ve never felt snow or mud, the descriptions help you understand and use your senses to feel what the characters are experiencing. When you add in motions and play along with the story, this becomes a full-body experience! We love going on a bear hunt at the park or on our local hikes to act out the story. It is so much fun inside and outside!   SAMANTHA MANBURG, OF THE NEW BRUNSWICK BRANCH, REVIEWED THIS BOOK FOR US! Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi and Brendan Wenzel My son has loved this book since before he could hold it, and it continues to be a favorite. It has whimsical, colorful, fun artwork, and at the end of the book, it identifies all of the buggies. I love the idea of normalizing bugs for children instead of instilling fear. I can't recommend this book enough!   Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts!  Submit your review here to be included in an upcoming blog post!  Beginning next month, our book review posts will focus on a theme. April's theme is Earth Day. Make sure to check it out!

Have you read any good books lately? We like to share reviews on books that our members have read that are hiking – or outdoors – related. From infant board books to adult page-turners, we love to hear about what you are reading! I’ll also include a review of my own in each blog post. Share a book review with us on this form and we may feature it in an upcoming blog post! The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats In "The Snowy Day," Peter takes an outdoor adventure. Bundled up in a snowsuit, he explores the neighborhood, making snow angels, knocking snow off trees and dreaming of the day he is old enough to participate in snowball fights. Everything about the snowy day is magical to Peter, and he can't wait to get back outside the next day with the fresh new blanket of snow. Peter's sense of excitement over the snow is contagious, and reading this Caldecott Medal winner to your child or a group before a Hike it Baby adventure will create a sense of wonder and joy as the kids get ready for their own snow day adventure. Kids and parents alike will enjoy the simple colorful illustrations, which feature great contrast in color. Besides piquing your child's interest about snow play, "The Snowy Day" was a trailblazer when it was first published in 1962. It was one of the first picture books for young children that featured an multi-cultural urban setting and an African-American protagonist. Despite its original publication date, "The Snowy Day" still get children excited for winter and the accompanying snow! HIKE IT BABY COMMUNITY BOOK REVIEWS LISA MUSALL, OF THE LONG ISLAND BRANCH, REVIEWED THIS BOOK FOR US!  The Curious Garden by Peter Brown "The Curious Garden" is a wonderful picture book for ages 4 and up. It's about nature and green space in a fully urbanized world. Little Liam dreams big and starts out not knowing anything about his new interest (gardening). Through research, trial and error – and lots of hard work – he and the rest of the city earn a huge reward. The illustrations are beautiful, becoming more colorful with every page as the garden grows. JESSICA KLEIN, OF THE LANCASTER BRANCH, REVIEWED THIS BOOK FOR US! Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel by Paul Meisel "Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel" is a beautifully illustrated story about a bat and a squirrel who learn to share a home together. At first the duo have a hard time communicating clearly and living together. But after several days, they sort their differences and learn to enjoy each other's company. This is a really nice book about learning to communicate clearly and being open with others who may be very different from you.  Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts! Want to share a book that you love about the outdoors? Submit your review here to be included in an upcoming blog post!