Snowmen Are Soooo Outdated
I’m always astonished when we get a big snowstorm in the middle of April when the tulips are blooming. I shouldn’t be so surprised anymore because it happens year after year. It just seems so odd. Well Wednesday when it snowed we were a bit sick of it …not so sick of it that we wouldn’t play in it, but so sick of it that I refused to make a snowman. They are soooo outdated. So Corbin had a great suggestion to make an Easter Bunny. Here is our wonderful creation. We built it at 10:30 am and it was melted and gone by 2 pm. Notice the nice green grass around it.
Do you have any pictures of your snow creations taken during a Family Outing? If so send them in to Nature For Kids at shawna@natureforkids.net
snowman, snowmen, nature for kids, spring, family outing, Easter Bunny
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Filed under Snow | Comment (1)How To Build A Snow Fort
Today Nature For Kids is going to share with you how to build a killer snow fort! This specific type of snow fort we’ll be talking about is called a Quinzee. It’s not an igloo, which is made up of blocks of snow piled on top of each other in a circular pattern, and it’s not a snow cave, a naturally formed mound of snow that’s dug out, but it is a combination of the two.
Let’s go through the steps of how to build a quinzee together. Remember Boy Scout and survival expert credentials not needed, but you must be a kid …or a kid at heart to take part in this family outing. P.S. please excuse the graphics. I only know how to draw in 2D not 3D, but hopefully you get the picture.
- Mark a circle in the snow that’s about 10 to 12 feet in diameter
- Using a shovel pile the snow inside the circle, making a nice shaped dome, until the center reaches about 6 feet tall.
- Find some sticks and break them so each stick is about 1 foot in length. Poke them through the top and sides of the mound of snow until just above the surface. Be sure they are evenly distributed.
- Let your huge mound of snow settle for an hour or two. (Hot chocolate and marshmallows are advised)
- Grab your shovel again and dig your entrance to the snow cave. You want it to be only big enough for you to crawl in. The entrance should also sit a bit lower than the floor of the quinzee. This helps trap warm air inside the quinzee and keep wind out.
- Start hollowing out your quinzee. Once you reach the outer edges dig carefully, looking for the sticks you poked into the dome. Once you reach the sticks STOP! You want the walls and roof to be the width of the sticks (about 1 foot). This allows it to be thick enough to support itself but in the case of a collapse it’s easier to get out of. Just use caution by having adult supervision and not digging alone.
Now, just so your quinzee doesn’t look like any other on the block consider building a chair, bed, table or mailbox out of snow. Now you’re ready to spend the night in your own winter wonderland. Grab some candles and light inside for a soft snowy glow. Then grab a sleeping pad and sleeping bag. It will be warmer than you think!
Hint: Fill a nalgene with boiling water and hot cocoa. Sleep with it in your sleeping bag to keep super warm. In the morning you’ll have a yummy drink that’s the perfect temperature and you won’t even have to leave your quinzee to get it.
Quinzees allow for some fun winter camping and cover during snowball fights. Let’s hope for at least one more big snowstorm this winter so we can all practice our quinzee making skills. If you’ve already made a quinzee and have pictures of it send them in and we’ll post them at Nature For Kids!
Other points of Interest:
nature for kids, family outing, winter, snow fort, quinzee, how to, igloo, snow cave, winter camping
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Filed under Camping, Snow | Comments (5)Cross Country Skiing
Since the snow won’t seem to budge around here and the rest of the northern United States I thought here at Nature For Kids I’d hit on one of my favorite winter activities… Cross Country Skiing!!!
I can’t emphasize enough how much I love this activity and how great it is for all ages and abilities. I discovered it in college but really got into it when I was pregnant with my first child. It was a great way to stay in shape during the long winter months while I had a Buddha belly. And I was able to do it right up to the day before he was born.
Cross country skiing even rivals my all time favorite pregnant yoga video, “Prenatal Yoga“. Picture three pregnant ladies in leotards and one is named Poppy and she’s in her third trimester. 
It was a workout in itself just trying to hold the poses while keeping the laughter in check.
Like yoga, cross-country skiing is a low impact, whole body workout. Being low impact helps a lot, especially when pregnant because when you get closer to delivery your body releases a hormone that softens up the joints, and injuries can occur easily.
I also love it because you can see things you wouldn’t normally be able to see in the winter. And you don’t have to have the screaming engine or exhaust of a snowmobile to get you to the backcountry, just a good kick and glide.
After the baby was born I was able to carry him in a pack without any major wipeouts. I first used the front pack when he was an infant and then switched to the back-pack when he got older. Every time I started swaying back and forth he would fall fast asleep.
While outside in the cold, I always made a conscious effort to remember the comfort level of the baby. I had to learn to layer my little guy up really good. Check out the post “Winter Wear For Infants And Toddlers” here at Nature For Kids for some more great information.
After having my second child I desperately wanted a pull-behind sled so we could make it a family outing. The best equipment to make that happen is a Chariot Carrier. I’m drooling. They are so rad, and I use that word sparingly. They can be used for running, biking, hiking or cross country skiing!
(Pictures of Chariot courtesy of fellow outdoor nature mamma Katy Furniss - St. Anthony, Idaho)
Hopefully in the future we’ll get the Chariot Carrier for the little ones. Our two oldest kids however are big enough now that we’ve gotten them their own skis. We found some inexpensive used options on Ebay. I got some L.L. Bean skis for my 3-year-old. They have 
a snake on them and that alone made him fall in love with skiing. He wears his normal snow boots and then tightens the adjustable straps from the skis around them. My sister-in-law passed on a larger set of skis for my oldest. They’re the older three pin style of bindings but work as good as ever. We have hiking poles that adjust to their height that have an attachable basket. So they use those when they want to look like Mom and Dad. But most of the time they choose to not use poles. It seems to be easier for them to swing their arms. To teach them to cross country ski I have found that telling them to pretend like they’re kicking a ball with each step helps. I also taught them to sway back and forth putting their weight over their front leg.
The kids certainly don’t go as far or as fast as I would like but they’re learning. And if I’ve realized anything about kids, you can’t push them into anything or they won’t like it. So I get my longer trips in with my husband and then set out with my kids having a different goal or mindset… not distance but discovery!
If your interested in the Chariot Carrier or cross country skis check out the Nature For Kids Outdoor Store. If you found this cross-country skiing post to be helpful for your next family outing you may also like:
Exercises To Prepare For Snow Sports
Winter Wear For Infants And Toddlers
If you have any helpful cross country skiing tips please feel free to leave a comment. Enjoy the snow!
winter wear, nature for kids, cross country skiing, ski, winter, snow, pregnant, backpack, chariot, yoga, family outing
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Filed under Education, Snow | Comments (6)Take It Outside In 2009
Nature For Kids would like to share our outdoor adventures of 2008 with you. Take a look at the video we created below…
As you prepare for the New Year, we here at Nature For Kids hope you have a new found desire to take it outside in 2009. Resolve to take a family outing each week. As always, Nature For Kids will be here throughout 2009 to give you encouragement and ideas for wholesome outdoor recreation with your family! Enjoy!
nature for kids, family outing, outside, 2009, outdoor recreation, kids, family, new year, outdoor adventure
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Filed under Biking, Camping, Hiking, Rock climbing, Snow, Water | Comments (4)Winter Wear For Infants And Toddlers
Layers: This is the most important principle for enthusiasts of any age. The colder the weather, the more layers needed. Your baby will generally need more layers than you will, since he or she is not as active, therefore not producing as much heat. Start with one-piece undershirts and work your way outward. Synthetics like fleece are better than cotton, which is deadly when wet. For really cold days, be sure the outermost layer is wind- and waterproof or water-resistant. A snowsuit with a nylon shell and a heat-generating inner layer like fleece or wool (stack layers so that itchy wool won’t irritate your baby’s skin) should do the trick. If your child gets too warm simply take off one layer.
Heads: Humans lose more heat through their heads than anywhere else. This is especially true for babies, who have proportionately bigger heads than adults. Don’t be afraid to use more than one hat, and hats inside hoods. Cozy-fitting fleece hats with earflaps protect the head, ears, and much of the neck. Velcro straps at the bottom of the hat are always a help keeping them on. This sort of hat makes a great combo with a hooded snowsuit. The fleece provides a warmth layer while the snowsuit helps keep out any wind.
Hands, feet, and legs: All of these extremities are places where the body loses heat fast. For babies, use snowsuits and fleece coveralls that have coverings instead of openings for the hands and feet. Under the one-piece, use extra mittens, socks, tights, or long underwear in cold weather. You’ll typically want something wind- and waterproof as the outermost layer, and remember that whatever you use, little boots aren’t always warm and often come off easily. Periodically check for any places where air might get to your baby, such as the face or hand or shoe openings of coats and pants. Make sure skin stays covered on cold days. Also keep track of runny noses, which can add to cold-weather discomfort.
Avoid the glare: Remember to protect your baby’s eyes. Glare can be especially bad on snow, so consider a pair of sunglasses or UV-protective goggles for your tot. Sunscreen might be needed as well.
Front packs: Front packs provide more of your own body heat and natural protection to your child than do backpacks. When using a front pack, it’s easier to keep a baby’s face protected from the wind, since he’s facing you. Another advantage to using front packs is that you can actually see your child. If you do use a backpack it will be helpful to have another person present to check that your child is happy and warm.
Testing: It can often be tough. You can’t ask a baby, after all, and you can’t always depend on signals. Crying is helpful, of course, but cold babies don’t always cry. Your child may even be sleeping through the cold. Periodically test your baby’s warmth by touching his nose, cheeks, or fingers. At the end of each adventure, as you unbundle your child in indoors warmth, immediately test his hands and feet, particularly to see if he’s been dry and warm. This is the test of whether your outing has been successful and will give you clues to what may be needed on your next winter trip.
Always stay in familiar territory: The last thing you want to do is get lost with your infant on a cold day. And if your baby is fussy, turn back. This isn’t the time to tough things out.
Keep outings short: The shorter family outing you go on and test layers in various temperatures, the better sense you’ll have of your baby’s cold-weather needs.
If you liked this post on winter wear for infants and toddlers you may enjoy these others from Nature For Kids:
nature for kids, family outing, winter gear, winter, winter wear, outdoors, layering, infant, toddler
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Filed under Equipment, Snow | Comment (1)Christmas Tree Hunt
Are you ready for the family outing of the year? It’s time for the great Christmas tree hunt of 2008! There are two ways you can go about it…
Option #1: Go to the garage and search through the mounds of stuff until you find the heavy dusty box. Open it to find a once $200 squished and mangled fake tree…along with other things (cob webs and petrified mouse turds) Mount it on a stand inside and spread out all the branches and limbs. Plug it in to find out the pre-strung lights no longer work. What a joyous and memorable occasion!
Option #2: Go to your local forest service office and give them five bucks for a permit. Pick up some free hiking guides and informative outdoor literature while you’re at it. Enjoy a scenic ride through the forest. Exit the vehicle to the overwhelming aroma of pine and fresh cool air. Hike amongst the tall swaying trees and soft pine needle floor. Search for the perfect tree that will grace your living room throughout this Christmas holiday. Smell the sawdust as you glide back and forth with saw in hand. Wait! You need a family picture before you tie it to the top rack. Bring the tree along with its reminiscence of the days events into your living room. Enjoy the outdoors in your home for weeks to come!
You may have noticed that I’m a bit biased when it comes to a Christmas tree hunt. For the past 8 years my family and I have cut our Christmas tree down ourselves. It’s a family outing that encourages nature for kids and one that I could never do without!
Important things to remember:
- Be dressed in appropriate winter gear
- Don’t forget a saw and tie downs
- Objects in forest are larger than they appear (it may not fit in your living room)
- Have an emergency kit in your vehicle
- Four-wheel drive is always nice
- Follow Forest Service guidelines (some trees are not to be cut down and others are encouraged)
- Be sure no critters hitch a ride to your house on the tree
- Rather than take your tree to the dump consider composting or mulching your Christmas tree at home or use it as firewood for those summer camping trips to come. Maybe plant a tree in its place as well.
Have a great Christmas everyone and I hope we’ve encouraged you here at Nature For Kids to go on your own fun family outing. I leave you now with a tribute to “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation”. Oh the things we can all learn from Clark W. Griswold.
family outing, nature for kids, outdoor adventure, christmas tree, forest service
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Filed under Education, Hiking, Snow, Uncategorized | Comments (2)Exercises To Prepare For Snow Sports
Nature For Kids would like to share a great winter resource with you today. There is a website called Winter Feels Good that encourages winter sports (snowshoeing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing) for old and young. It provides equipment information, How To information and interactive online exercises to prepare for snow sports.
You and your child can work on things like balance, strength and agility together. Each snow sport has it’s own specific exercises. The exercises are led by four fun cartoon characters 
Snowshoe Roo, X-Wolf, SnowBall and Snowboarding Beaver
Nature For Kids loves snow sports and the idea that it gets kids outside during a time when most want to stay in the house. So take a look at Exercises to prepare for snow sports and then head outside!
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Filed under Snow | Comment (0)Winter Gear For Kids
It’s time to think about winter gear for kids! Most of you will find that the ski boots from last year pinch your child’s toes and the snow pants look like they’re waiting for a flood.
The best time to find new/used winter gear for your kids is now…before the snow flies. Your best bet for ski or snowboard gear is a fall gear swap. Usually the kids’ gear is in great condition still and there are many sizes to choose from.
When looking for ski or snowboard equipment have this information about your child available:
Age
Height
Weight
Shoe Size
From coats to ski boots, growing kids can be a costly problem. At the Nature For Kids Forum I created a forum called Winter Gear . If you have something to sell or swap go there to post your info. And hopefully you can find something there that will be useful for your kids this winter or sell whatever is cluttering your garage.
For those of you living in Utah like me, I also started a forum called Fall 08 Gear Swaps. It has a list of several gear swaps coming up in the near future. SkiTiger.com also has a list of swaps going on in the Pacific Northwest.
For the rest of you open up your newspaper or search online because the time is now to find winter gear for kids!
ski swap, winter gear, snowboard, kids, nature for kids, outdoor gear
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Filed under Equipment, Snow | Comments (2)Getting City Kids Outside
CBS news put together a great segment on getting city kids outside. I tried to embed the video here but wasn’t able to, so here’s the link to the video. It’s only 2 minutes and it’s worth taking a look at.
We live in a small town surrounded by lots of nature and recreation possibilities. I can’t imagine the challenge that inner-city kids have in connecting with nature especially during this day and age.
In San Francisco there is an organization called R.O.C.K. (Real Options for City Kids). They take city kids on outdoor adventures. Most of the people that make the program successful are volunteers. I love the concept and hope many parents are taking advantage of this program or taking the time to take their kids out themselves.
Photos from SFGate.com
If you’re from an urban area leave a comment about getting city kids outside. We’d love to hear your ideas at Nature For Kids.
outdoors, adventure, kids, activities for kids, activities for children, outdoor recreation, city kids, outside, SanFrancisco
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Filed under Biking, Camping, Education, Hiking, Rock climbing, Snow, Uncategorized, Water | Comments (2)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!
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Filed under Biking, Camping, Education, Equipment, Hiking, Rock climbing, Snow, Water | Comments (2)
