Muddy Buddies
It’s time for another trail snack recipe! Today we have Muddy Buddies!
No, not this….
This…
It seems like I never keep the muddy buddies recipe available because I always think it will be printed on the Chex cereal box but it isn’t. So I’ll make a permanent copy of the recipe here on Nature For Kids for you and me!
Muddy Buddies
Melt in a large pot:
1 Cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 Cup peanut butter
1/4 Cup Margarine
1 tsp. vanilla extract
After it is melted and smooth remove from heat and pour in 9 cups of Chex cereal (corn or rice). Put 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar inside a large plastic bag. Once the cereal concoction is mixed nicely put it inside the bag with the powdered sugar and give it a good shake.
Place a couple hanfuls in a sandwich bag and throw it in your backpack!
Corn Flake Cookies
I thought every once in a while here at Nature For Kids I’d share some hiking snack recipes with you. To kick it off we have corn flake cookies! I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, Jinger. My kids love them! These are perfect portions and very packable for a great hike!
Corn Flake Cookies:
Melt in large pot:
- 1Cup Peanut Butter
- 1/2 Cub Corn Syrup
- 1/4 bag mini-marshmallows
- 1/2 Cup sugar
When sugar is dissolved add 3 cups corn flakes. Stir it up until the flakes are covered well with all that gooey yumminess and then spoon out heaping tablespoon fulls onto wax paper. Let cool and then place them in a container or plastic bag.
Do you have any kids’ treats to share that would compliment their outdoor fun?
Skeeter Camelbak
For our son’s birthday we got him a hydration pack, the Skeeter Camelbak. He loves it because he thinks it’s a jetpack like Jango Fett wears on Star Wars…and I guess because he can get a drink whenever he wants.
The Skeeter Camelbak product description says it fits kids 5 and up but Corbin just turned 4 and it adjusts small enough to fit him just fine. It also has a lifetime warranty on the reservoir. And it has wicking mesh to keep his back dry and comfy. It also has reflective strips on it for when it’s dark out.
We got this for him mostly because we want him to get used to carrying something on our outings. It’s also nice because he can drink whenever he wants and we don’t have to stop, take off our pack, unzip it and hand him his water bottle. I think it will help him stay better hydrated in the future.
At first I was frustrated that the Skeeter CamelBak didn’t have a sternum strap because I didn’t want it slipping off of his shoulders. But after going on a short hike this morning I realized it fits him just fine. No slipping, it’s fairly secure. Overall I like the new CamelBak, but don’t take my word for it…take his.
Me: “Corbin, do you like your new CamelBak?”
Corbin: “Yes, cause I love it. And I maybe can uh…uh….drink out of the hose. And I look like a hiking person.”
Me: “Is it heavy?”
Corbin: “No”
Me: “Does it make you tired”
Corbin: “No, when I’m sweating I get a drink out of the hose”
And there you have it from a freshly turned 4-year-old! I think Corbin’s older brother, Cru, will be getting a CamelBak for Christmas. I’m thinking I’ll get the larger capacity CamelBak for him however, the Mini-MULE, which has a waist and sternum strap. The Kelty Starfish is also a great option as a hydration pack for kids.
Filed under Biking, equipment, hiking | Comment (1)Hydration For Kids
One crucial aspect of hiking and enjoying time outside during the summer is staying hydrated. As a parent it’s important that we stay conscious of our children and the amount of liquids they are consuming. WebMD describes how kids are different than us adults when it comes to hydration, “Parents… should know that active children do not adjust to hot temperatures as well as adults. Their body surface, as a proportion of their overall weight, is much greater than an adult’s. So they produce more heat during physical activity and they sweat less than adults. This reduces their ability to get rid of body heat.”
One of my children will drink anything on the planet if it has some kind of color additive in it. But when it comes to clean and clear water he won’t swallow unless I’m hovering over him like a hawk. He has gotten better with time though and I think that has to do with the way we’ve learned to present it to him. We let him pick out his own water bottle from the store and then had him decorate it with stickers. That little bit of independence seemed to make him more excited to drink from his very own water bottle. Now when we go on hikes or to his baseball games he’s more willing to stop frequently and take a couple swallows.
We went and explored Goblin Valley in South East Utah this last summer. It is an amazing place that makes you feel as if you’re on another planet, with mushroom shaped sandstone scattering the landscape.
We were visiting in August! If you don’t already know it’s unbelievably hot there during this time of year. We decided to go during the cooler part of the day but it was still roasting. This was our setup…
It’s a good rule of thumb to take 16 floz. of water for each hour you plan to be outside in the heat. And that’s just per person. So as a family of five we had to organize ourselves a bit. We took our Kelty Kids pack that we carry our youngest child in. There is a built-in hydration reservoir on the pack which holds 70 floz. On this particular day we filled that reservoir and then we took another daypack, our favorite Lowe Alpine, which held two 32 oz. Nalgene water bottles, a Powerade, a first aid kit and snacks. So that was enough for us to stay out for about two hours. Also, waiting for us back at the car, we had two gallons of water. We try to always keep two gallons available in case of emergencies.
Watch for these signs of dehydration - dry mouth, tongue and lips, no tears when crying, sunken eyes and grayish skin, decreased urination, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, headache, fatigue, muscle cramps.
Other helpful hints
- Plan activities during the cooler part of the day.
- Have your children wear clothing made of a good wicking fabric that keeps them cool and doesn’t trap the heat.
- Kids can get the liquids they need from other things like popsicles, juice and fruit. Have them available for quick access.
Do you have any tips concerning hydration for kids?
Nalgene Water Bottles
When children play outside, usually the first necessity considered to bring along is a water bottle. With all of the talk about polycarbonate and other different types of plastics it leaves many parents wondering whether their child’s water bottle is safe.
Our three kids each have a Nalgene water bottle made of polycarbonate, which has a key element of a chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA). It is said that BPA mimics the femal hormone estrogen and has been shown to cause defective cell division during development. Nalgene presents a wealth of information including the results of several studies done on this subject on their site. It’s really worth checking out if you have any questions.
Nalgene and many other manufacturers have decided to discontinue their polycarbonate bottles. At first I thought it was because they believed them to be harmful. But as I read into it further they are simply doing it because consumer demand is weakening for that product.
Nalgene says they have reviewed the studies and tests done by several agencies, administrations and councils and they claim to have proven BPA to be safe. These studies can be found on the site I linked to above as well. To keep in step with what consumers are seeking Nalgene has decided to transition from polycarbonate to Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, a BPA free alternative.
Overall the studies say that the amount of BPA leaching into the liquid inside a polycarbonate bottle is so minimal that there is no risk involved. As a parent it’s comforting to hear that statement ”no risk involved”, but the idea of even a minimal amount going into your child’s body is somewhat unsettling.
So it seems our choices when coming to polycarbonate water bottles are either over cautious parent or trusting consumer. Which one are you?
Find BPA-Free Water Bottles at REI
Forum
Watch Out! The Nature For Kids outdoor Forum is now fully operational. It’s a great place to share and recieve information. Login to share directions to a specific place you’ve explored, discuss gear you like or dislike, find out more about a specific outdoor activity or just to converse with people like you…people who make nature a priority for kids and themselves! We’re hoping that over the next few months we can have a good crowd gathered, so spread the word!
Kelty Child Carrier
One of our readers here at Nature For Kids, Kris from Utah, did a nice write up about his new Kelty FC 3.0 child carrier. He graciously let me use the review as a post today. Take a look…
I skipped out of work early a few weeks ago to take Rosie out on her inaugural hike in our brand new Kelty FC 3.0.
We only hiked for a few miles, but Rosie was entertained the entire time by the two travel toys I hooked onto the backpack’s toy loops. The included sun shade (which is optional on other Kelty FC models) kept the bright sun off her little head, and we lubed her up with plenty of baby sunblock to protect her exposed skin. 
Despite the warmish weather we opted to put her in a sweat shirt to keep the sun off her arms. In the future I’ll buy a lighter weight cotton jacket for her to wear.
I was impressed by the backpack, it was easy to get Rosie strapped down and secure. The waist strap is very padded, and the sliding back panel ensures that both my wife, Lissa, and I get a perfect fit despite our different torso lengths. Since we were going on such a short hike I didn’t load much gear into the pack (just the baby and a few diapers), but it seems like it will have plenty of cargo space, and I think I’ll be able to tie a sleeping bag and sleeping pad onto the frame kickstand for overnight hikes. The child carrier is also adjustable, so when Rosie gets bigger I’ll be able to lower the seat so that she still fits into the pack. The only drawback is that the mesh bottle holders are behind the seat area, which makes them impossible to reach without taking off the pack.
The carrier came with a mirror that tucks away into the right shoulder strap, perfect for checking on Rosie when she’s uncharacteristically quiet or noisy.
Photos taken by Lissa.
Thanks Kris and Lissa! I know you’ll probably have more to say about your pack after using it throughout the summer, so we’ll check in with you then. Your daughter is well on her way to becoming a Nature Kid.
Check out Kris and Lissa’s other great adventure pictures .
Send in snapshots of your Nature Kid to shawna@natureforkids.net and we’ll post them on the Your Adventure Page! Or if you have a review to share about kids outdoor equipment send them in and we’ll get them posted.
Filed under equipment, hiking | Comments (3)
Vegetate vs. Recreate
On one particular morning we were having troubles getting motivated to accomplish anything in our day. Picture me and my three children lounging in our pajamas until 11 a.m., blinds drawn, watching television with unbrushed hair, picking at a Tupperware full of cookies we made the night before. Our activity level was, needless to say, ranking at the bottom with rats and other sewer dwellers. Eventually our lack of nourishing food and recreation led to grouchy interactions amongst us. The kids were arguing over what to watch and the baby was clinging to me.
“Okay, get dressed and get your shoes on, we’re going outside!” I said, surprising myself more than anyone. “We have to get outside of this box!”After a good fifteen minutes of moaning and complaining we were standing in the garage as the door slowly rose, the light blinding us as it trickled in. It was like a scene from a bad vampire movie.
The previous day we had gone to the library for reading time. The kids played some games and each received a prize, a bug catcher with a magnifying glass, tweezers and a net. So we took the new prize and our dog with us in search of bugs dwelling down by the river.
I pushed the baby in the stroller. Cru and Corbin began scowering the ground like metal detectors, in search of bugs. Skadi, our dog, was curious to find out what the boys were doing. She stayed close to them with the occasional inquisitive cock of her head. As the boys began turning over large rocks in search of anything moving Skadi would get her muzzle right in the action. In fact, the first rock they turned over Skadi sniffed an ant up her nose. She let out a repetition of convulsive sneezes. After one last sneeze with the simultaneous shake of her head I could almost see the ant comically flying out of her nose through the air.
With each rock that the boys turned over a new colony of bugs was discovered; roly polies, earwigs, firebugs, millipedes and ants. At first the boys were a bit reluctant to get near the bugs, let alone grab them with their tweezers, which they called grabber nabbers. Eventually they got use to the scrambling insects and got a system down. “Okay mom, you lift the rock and I’ll pick them up with my grabber nabbers,” Cru said. Corbin was designated as the container carrier and net trapper. “1,2,3 go”, I said “Ah, grab them grab them hurry they’re getting away!”
After lots of turned over rocks and giggles we peered through the magnifying glass at a container full of bugs staring back at us. The kids seemed amazed by the detail that the magnifying glass gave to the bugs. They could almost count each individual leg of the millipede. They cringed at the sight of the front pinchers of the earwig, and were entranced by the red design on the fire bug’s back. But their favorite seemed to be the rolly poly bug. They were in awe of it’s ability to change from a crawling bug to a rolling ball. They dubbed it what any young boy would, the transformer bug; finally something to compete with Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee.
We had gone almost a mile along the river and been outside for almost two hours and not even realized it. It was amazing. We seemed to have gone from the likes of sewer rats to actual human beings; discovering, laughing and (gasp) doing!
After adding a homey atmosphere to our bug container with some grass and leaves we headed for home. On our way Cru found a tiny orange ball in the crack of the sidewalk. It looked like a pellet from an air soft pellet gun. His eyes brightened as he said, “Hey, I have an idea. They can play soccer together.” Cru put the ball in with the bugs.
Once we got home the boys eyed the bugs carefully. “They look sad inside this tiny container mom,” Cru said. “They’re not even moving.” “Well, we better let them go,” I said. “They don’t like being trapped inside little boxes. They were meant to be outside in the fresh air, with lots of open space. It makes them happy.” They were reluctant to let their prized catches go but they knew it was the right thing to do. As they tipped the container over the bugs began to scramble out and head for a group of rocks and grass nearby. Cru took the small ball he had found and set it by the rock near the bugs. “Here you go little bugs,” Cru said. “Have fun.” Once the bugs were out of sight we all headed back inside the house.
In my mind I could picture those bugs peeking out to see if we had left, and once the coast was clear them laughing as they grabbed the ball and organized their own game of soccer.
If you haven’t already guessed what I learned from this experience I’ll tell you. The bugs and my family are very similar. Not only do we both love soccer but we also don’t belong in a box! It makes us unhappy if we’re inside too long. So now on those days when we’re feeling low, we put on our shoes and open the door.
When you’re feeling like a vegetable what are some of the things you do to brighten your day?
“Man must live, not only exist; he must do, not merely be; he must grow, not just vegetate.” - Spencer W. Kimball (Miracle of Forgiveness)
“The healing powers of nature are only limited by man’s idleness.” - Mystical Batwoman
Filed under hiking | Comments (2)SPRINGboard For Conversation
Kids go through many changes in their lives, some more drastic than others. Spring is a great time to talk about these changes. On a quick hike outside they can experience the world changing; birds returning, green buds slowly opening to leaves, snow melting away to rivers and streams, and so on. These natural changes help open a door to talk about some very difficult subjects like: death, divorce, moving, newborn babies, changing schools, etc.
I have often asked two basic questions of my clients 1) what changes do you see happening in nature? 2) What changes do you see happening in your life?
It is amazing how deep and heartfelt young kids can experience change and get at least a small sense of understanding through this activity.
Check in again for more ways to use Nature For Kids in daily life. Contributed by Damon
Filed under education, hiking | Comment (0)
