OutGrown Blog

You've packed the tent, the stove, the screen tent, the reusable camping dishware, the fuel, the hammock, and the cooler. You even covered your bases with flashlights, water bottle, rain suit and rain boots. You think you're ready to take your toddler on their first car camping trip, but are you? Camping with toddlers isn't scary. We just recommend being very, very prepared. Today we're going to focus on tips to make your next car camping trip with your toddler a huge success. One of the benefits of car camping is that you can bring the kitchen sink with you. While we don't recommend the kitchen, there are a couple things that will make your trip easier. Snacks, Snacks, Snacks We cannot overstate how important snacks are. Snacks will allow you to set up your tent, distract your child if they get 'hangry', and are a great way to spend part of your day. They are even more important camping than when you are at home. Precut fruits and veggies at home, or make your own trail mix. If your toddler is into applesauce pouches or juice boxes, now is the time to make sure you've stocked up. Find the treat that your kid doesn't get to have often and bring that along. It'll make snack time extra special. Toys I don't think you need to bring every toy you own, but having a few toys to occupy your kiddo while you set up camp is always helpful. We love toys that you can wash off once you get home. Green Toys are a great choice. Sand toys are also great for digging in the dirt. Keep in mind some quiet toy activities like coloring books, stickers, and a few sturdy books in case it rains. Plus we always bring the treasured blankie and one stuffed animal for night time. Reusable glow sticks My husband is the brilliant guy behind this idea. He insisted they were the perfect gift this past Christmas and he was totally right. We purchased ours here and they've pretty much been in constant use since our kids got them. They charge from the sun or a flashlight and make great nightlights. As a bonus the company makes large ones to act as tent nightlights. Campgrounds are designed by adults for other adults. With the exception of the playground, there is little that is kid size. You might want to consider a kid size chair, a kid toilet, perhaps even the kiddie picnic table. We do strongly recommend kid size sleeping bags. Kids just don't generate as much heat as adults, which prevents them from warming up an adult's sleeping bag. Wipes Reusable or disposable, everyone I've ever polled about taking a kid on a camping trip has mentioned bringing tons of wipes. Which is why they get their own mention. A place to put baby A carrier works great on hikes and it also helps you hold your kiddo while cleaning up camp or making dinner. We invested in a collapsible high chair for the baby, to help him eat at the table. Some friends bring the pack n play, which works well especially if you have a crawler. A blanket spread on the ground is a nice place to play with those toys you brought. Lastly, if you are still in the diaper phase do you have a place to change your kiddo? Extras It's no secret that toddlers can create a mess out of thin air. Bring a few extra clothes and hats just in case. Depending on where and what time of year you go camping you might want to think about a hat and extra layers for night time. The most important thing you can pack when camping with toddlers is a sense of humor and patience. It sounds totally cheesy but the more you are having a great time the happier your kids will be. Enjoy this quality time with your kid. Most kiddos love being outside and there is so much to do and see that you might find you don't use half of what you packed. Which is just fine. Images courtesy of Yazmin Palos, Melissa Hollingsworth and Heidi Schertz

For me personally, one of the hardest parts of heading onto the trail with a baby in a carrier is keeping warm and dry. While Wisconsin doesn't have as much rain as Portland, we do have plenty of wetness. Whether it's snowing in April (happened to us last year) or raining, getting Sky and me onto the trail and staying dry can be a challenge. Amy of Wanderling seemed to have the same challenges as she was getting outside in Colorado. Chris, Amy's husband, told me, "When Dylan, our girl, was a baby my wife got really into “babywearing”. Amy bought an Ergobaby carrier and carried our sweet baby where ever she would go. Living in Colorado, that presented some complications. Colorado is cold, even in the summer. She started to look into buying a jacket to protect Dylan from the elements while riding in the Ergo. At first she wore my jackets and found that they were not at all comfortable for her or Dylan. She tried several jackets and carriers that just didn’t work the way she thought they should. After our third child, Weston, was born she decided to sew her own jacket at home. She designed a jacket that had a zipper down the front and a zipper down the back. The jacket also had a removable panel that can be added in the front when she wanted to front carry and then in the back when she wanted to carry Dylan on her back. The same jacket could be worn while pregnant with the panel in the front. When removing the panel all together she could wear the jacket and always feel comfortable. " Amy has designed a truly reversible jacket to wear a little one or while pregnant. Inspired by the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Amy made the jacket from all weather fabric so it provides an impenetrable layer to prevent water and wind coming in, while still being breathable. Removable Panel The reason this jacket works so well is the removable panel. It's easy to zip the panel into the front or onto the back depending on what kind of carry I want to use. Since the panel is generously sized, I was able to carry my toddler and my friend Erin was able to carry her toddler while pregnant. Amy designed the zippers to have long pulls so it was easy to pull the panel up higher on my back when Sky was situated. The panel zips quickly onto the front or back, and all the zippers only go one way to make it easier to move the panel. As a bonus, you could use the panel as a changing pad if needed. It's water-proof on the outside and soft on the inside making it an easy changing pad to use on the trail. Erin wearing the Wanderling 4 in 1 Jacket. Erin is carrying her toddler while 6 months pregnant. All Weather Fabric The jacket is made of polyester, spandex and polar fleece blend with a waterproof shell. I tested this coat in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin winter with temperatures from 20F to 45F. Since the coat does a great job of keeping warmth inside, I was able to wear only a cotton t-shirt while walking in 35F. Front Carry Doing a front carry in this jacket is a breeze even with a toddler. The zipper pulls are very long which make it easy to work around bigger children. The jacket has a hood and two snaps at the neck so it was great for keeping me warm as well. Back Carry Figuring out how to get the jacket on by myself in a back carry was difficult. Once I was able to figure out the best method of getting the coat on, walks became a lot easier. Just dress both of us in light layers and go. This coat works with any carrier and fits around us both comfortably. Long Lasting This jacket is designed to be the only jacket you will need as a parent of young children from pregnancy through toddlerhood (possibly preschooler). You can wear the jacket while pregnant, while front carrying a child, while back wearing a child, and then when wearing no child. It's extremely versatile and I used it to take my daughter to her sitter and then walk home. I could easily roll the panel into the carrier when not in use. This would be an excellent coat to use for anyone who wants to try backpacking with little kids since it's pretty lightweight as well. Wearing Sky around our neighborhood. This coat was designed in Colorado. Wanderling is small business owned by a wife and husband with three kids. In addition to owning Wanderling, Amy is a registered nurse with over 17 years of experience. I really loved utilizing this coat for regular trips around the neighborhood and out on hikes. I would suggest this coat to anyone who is pregnant and would like to carry their child in fall, winter, and spring. This does have a higher price point of $250.00, so it's an investment. That being said, this one coat will last you as long as you have children who want to be carried and beyond.       Some of the brands listed in this piece are sponsors of Hike it Baby. We may have received financial compensation and/or product from the company but did not ask for this for inclusion in this blog. We are writing this blog based on personal experience. We do not review products we have not personally used. We stand behind all of the products we share with you because we think they will make your life on trail a little bit easier. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When I found out there is a National Nap Day my first thought was: That's hilarious. I mean, in all honesty, the only time you could ever consider scheduling a day dedicated to naps came far prior to the days of motherhood, career, wife, etc. You get the picture. My second thought was: Go take a Hike! No, seriously, go for a hike. In my time hiking with kiddos I have learned so much. Sunscreen will eventually ooze all over in at least one pocket of your pack, you will eventually forget the snack back in the car, there is never a bad sight when your child is in the realms of nature, and (one of my all time favorites) hiking can completely exhaust your children while fully energizing yourself! Here's how I make "National Nap Day" happen There are three different categories of "needing a nap" in my house. A mother who is just plain struggling to keep her energy up, a 4-year-old who becomes very needy and sensitive, and a 1-year-old who stops every 10 feet to rest his head on anything soft nearby. Typically, the solution for each category is as follows: Mother re-heats her coffee for the sixth time that day, 1-year-old is wrangled into the crib where he can finally rest unbothered by the rumpus of his older brother, and older brother is sent to his room for some quiet time that involves reading, puzzles, and eventual snoozing on the middle of the floor. I believe that a holiday brave enough to call itself "National Napping Day" deserves a special nap routine. I give you the "Take a hike" nap. On the days that I plan to use a hike to its full napping potential I revolve around the most consistent napper in the house: the baby. In order for this to work, I aim to arrive at the parking lot of a hike about 15 minutes before a typical nap time. In my case this is 9:45. That 15 minute window gives me time to gear up the pre-schooler (water, hat, sunblock, random little toy that we couldn't leave the house with that day), load up the baby (hat, sunblock, snap into pack), and head to the trailhead. Breaking it Down There is just something about the rocking of a mother's (or father's) stride, the sound of shoes on dirt, and the chirp of nature that seem to lull many babies to sleep in a pack. There have been times where I have been able to steal an hour-long nap for the baby while hiking. While baby brother naps, I get the chance to soak up some one on one time with big brother on the trail. His excitement leads the way up, over, under, and across every which way. He really enjoys the hikes where he can be in charge and the adventure is about his curiosities of the moment. Soon, I can see that big brother is beginning to wear down as well and this is when we make our way back to the car. Both boys will usually get a snack before loading into the car. My 4-year-old will talk about the hike we just took on the drive home. He asks questions about what we saw throughout our journey or where our next one will take place. His turn for a nap comes when we arrive back home. I can see the weariness in his slightly droopy eyes and his freshly sun kissed cheeks. In his room, I lay him into his bed and turn on some quiet music. He will tell me once or twice that he is not tired. It never fails, he is asleep before the first song has finished. A post hike nap can last up to 2 hours around our home, which is something I like to call: Success. Reflections of  Success As I return to sit with the baby, giving him his moment of one-on-one time, I reflect on the hike we got to take today.  The endorphins from the hike give me the energy boost I needed, as if I was able to take my own little nap. Knowing that I have created a connection with my boys over nature and all of its beauty and joy gives me peace. With that I feel rested, ready for the remainder of the day. A near perfectly timed hiking nap for the baby. An exhausted 4-year-old snoozing away. A mother that feels refreshed. That is taking full advantage of National Napping Day. Photo courtesy of Jessica Burns @gironsy

Would you hike the Appalachian Trail with a toddler? Sure, a bit of it. Why not? How about the whole 2,000 miles of it? Meet this South Carolina Hike it Baby family that is doing just this. Here's their story: It all started as I was driving to a Hike It Baby trek with my 2-1/2-month-old baby girl, Ellie. It was a 40 minute commute and Ellie was asleep, so I had some time to think. I had left my job as an Outdoor Adventure Guide in Greenville, SC to be a full time mom and I missed outdoor adventuring. This was going to be my fourth time on the trail since she had been born and I craved more and more time outdoors with Ellie. Both of us got cranky when we stayed inside for days on end and I noticed how much happier we both were when we were on the trail. It got my wheels turning…how can we do this more as a family? My husband, Derrick, has aspired to thru hike the Appalachian Trail since he was 15 years old. It ran through his hometown and he would spend his free time exploring the local AT sections. I made a promise to him at our wedding that we would thru-hike together one day. Three years of marriage came and went and we decided it would be a good time to have a baby. Sweet Ellie came along and there was no way we could stand leaving this sweet baby girl for a 6 month hike. Thru hiking the AT could wait until we were empty-nesters. Now here we are, a few conversations later and we’ve sold our house and many possessions, left full time jobs, and registered 3 thru-hikers for a 2017 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike. Myself, Derrick, and Ellie will head out in 3 weeks and here’s what we’re doing to prepare for taking a 1 year old on the trail for 2,185 miles. Route planning. While the AT is pretty straight forward, we want to avoid starting with the big surge of thru-hikers in March and April. Therefore we decided to do a flip flop hike starting in Virginia (vs. Georgia) heading south. We’ll take our time averaging 12 miles a day. Packing re-supply drop boxes. The AT goes through dozens of towns providing so many food options that the average thru-hiker can get away without a single drop box. The average thru-hiker also doesn’t need diapers! In order to accommodate to Ellie’s diaper and nutritional needs, we are currently packing about 30 boxes of food and supplies for all three of us that will be sent to various hostels and businesses along the trail for us to pick up along the way. These boxes consist of 4-5 days of supplies including home-prepared dinners and breakfasts, snacks and lunches(bars, tuna, jerky, granola, etc.), disposable/compostable diaper inserts, vitamins, and toothpaste. The boxes will be left open until a week before shipment so anything can be added or changed last minute. Here are the steps we are doing to get ready: 1. Lots and lots of hiking. We took Ellie on a 1-week backpacking trip in the Smokies to test gear and see if our idea was realistic. Ellie did even better than expected! I’m constantly surprised at how well babies do outdoors in any type of weather. Recently we’ve been going on local day hikes up to about 10 miles at a time to get physically prepared and get Ellie accustomed to sitting in the backpack. 2. Why we sold our possessions. A thru-hike is expensive and one of the top reasons hikers have to stop is because they run out of money. We don’t want that to happen! So on top of saving extra cash here and there, we’ve also sold a lot of our things. Including our house. This also minimizes our responsibilities while we’re on the trail. 3. Requesting sponsorships/donations. This has been very time consuming, but well worth the time. We are incredibly thankful for our food sponsors and hopefully gear/clothing sponsors on the way. As of now, we have about 1/4 of our trail food accounted for by sponsors. Thank you all so much. 4. Route planning. This is just a rough layout because I’m sure our route plans will change 562,345 times along the way. But in our circumstances, we need to know exactly where we have our resupply packages sent, how to avoid crowds so Ellie can get a good night’s rest, and how to time our trip with seasonal weather changes. We currently live right by the trail in VA. Over this winter we plan to complete a small amount of the local trail in day trips to get Ellie accustomed to being outside all day long and to test out some gear before we head out for 6 months. This will also help us get some miles under our belt in case we take extra long with Ellie. An “official” thru-hike is completing the trail within 1 calendar year. 5. Getting physically ready. I don’t suppose it’s a good idea to be a couch potato all winter then put 45 lbs. on my back and expect to feel amazing. This week I plan to start carrying Ellie in the backpack on my neighborhood walk instead of pushing her in the stroller and slowly add more weight to the pack each week. All 3 of us have been going to the most amazing chiropractor to get our bodies ready! Along with getting physically ready, mental readiness is just as important. I don’t really have any ideas on how to get mentally ready…but birthing Ellie unmedicated is a pretty good test, right? 6. Trial and error. There are still so many things to figure out…cloth diapers or disposable? What kind of dinners should we cook? 2 or 3 sleeping pads? Down or synthetic baby bunting? Is a solar charger necessary? Last week we worked on the diapers…bags of poopy and pee diapers are going to be so fun to carry around. 7. Connecting. Did you know there’s a Facebook group just for those who plan to thru hike the AT next year? And #appalachiantrail2017 is becoming more frequently used. We have been in touch with The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and spoken with other individuals and families who have thru-hiked together. I’d love to find other families who have brought a baby on the entire AT, but no luck there. My hope is to be a resource for other families in the future who desire to take a baby to thru hike the trail. Our hope is that through this trip we can be a resource to other families who dream of extended adventure trips with little ones. You can follow our story on Instagram: @ellieontheat or our blog www.ellieontheat.com.

Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland Celebrating St. Patrick's Day on the Trails I never noticed how many shades of green existed in the world until traveling to Ireland. There was something magical about hiking through Killarney National Park in County Kerry. From the luscious shades of green to the grand Torc Waterfall, the park was a hidden gem for my husband and me during a trip in 2011. Fast forward to 2017. Our family has now grown to include a toddler and an infant, and the drab winter doesn’t lend itself to much greenspace. So this year, bring Irish culture to you! Instead of international travel, there are many activities you and your family can take part in this year to celebrate all things Irish.   Host a Leprechaun Hike or Story Hike Legend says that when you trap a leprechaun, he will have to tell you where his gold is hidden in return for his freedom. What better way to get the kids out on the trails than searching for a leprechaun and his gold? Leave a trail of gold coins leading to a leprechaun trap at the end of the hike. (To create a leprechaun trap, use a green box or decorate a shoe box with shamrocks, rainbows, and a variety of green.) Your trap may have some gold coin chocolates, Lucky Charms, green grapes, or raw broccoli that your little hikers can indulge in after they’ve finished the hike. Not interested in leaving a trail of coins? Instead, try a story hike! After your welcome circle, lead the group in a story about catching a leprechaun. When the book is over, head out on your hike, and you can finish up your day with some St. Patrick’s Day treats. Book Suggestions: There are plenty of books about St. Patrick’s Day you can explore, but you might want to try How to Catch a Leprechaun (Adam Wallace), Clever Tom and the Leprechaun (Linda Shute), or Leprechaun on the Loose (Marcia Jones). Create Your Own “Blarney Stone” If you’re not able to travel to the Blarney Castle in County Cork, Ireland, consider creating your own Blarney Stone! Hit the trails or the beach and look for larger, smooth rocks. Once you return home, it’s time to decorate. Paint your rocks with white, green, and orange to make an Irish flag. Decorate it with colorful rainbows or shamrocks. Dress the rocks in gold yellow paint and glitter to create your own pot of gold. Who knows? Maybe your little ones will acquire the gift of gab after creating their own Blarney Stone. Plan a Scavenger Hunt To help get you in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, you can also host a scavenger hunt hike. As searching for four-leaf clovers can bring you luck, the task may be too overwhelming for the younger hikers. Instead, try to find the color of the rainbow while hiking! Look up, down, and all around as you search for items in nature that are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (or just use purple instead of indigo and violet). Maybe you’ll see a blue jay, cardinal, leaves, or other wildlife that will help you complete your rainbow. Point out your objects as you notice them, or for a more structured scavenger hunt, you can create a paper checklist for older kids to use, or hike leads can write down the objects as they’re discovered in the parks or on the trail. Another option for a scavenger hunt would be to find as many green objects as you can while you out on your hike or at a park. They say that on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish. So whether you’re watching a parade, catching a leprechaun, eating corned beef, or enjoying the day outdoors, may the luck of the Irish be with you.

Long before Pokémon Go came along and encouraged youngsters to get off the couch and go outside, geocaching was providing real treasure hunt adventures for little kids and adults alike. While Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game that will have you walking around in circles at your local park, geocaching gets you into the wild and out of your comfort zone, with some tangible treasure at the end of your quest. What is Geocaching? In short, it’s a modern-day treasure hunt, where players use GPS receivers to navigate to geocaches hidden all over the place by other players. There are almost three million geocaches hidden globally, with over a million of those in the USA, so there is almost certainly a cache hidden within a few miles of your house. The adventure can be as big or as small as you want it: from a Tupperware box hidden in the local forest, to an ammo can hidden at the top of an imposing mountain. How Do I Get Started? You can sign up for a free account at geocaching.com, then either download caches to your handheld GPS receiver, or download one of many apps available on your smartphone. You can search for geocaches around your current location, or somewhere else you’re planning to visit. Once you’ve found your target, you can start navigating using your device, which will have both a map and a compass. Keeping Kids Interested There are several container sizes that you can look for. Micro caches will likely just contain a log sheet, but small, regular and large caches have the potential to contain ‘swag’ - small items for trade, such as key rings or plastic toys. The name of the game is to trade up or even, so make sure you bring small some things to trade. Little kids generally love the trading part of the game - this is the real treasure for them! I recommend taking along two bags of stuff: one that the child knows about and has decided they want to use for trading, and another secret stash with things that you can put in the geocache for them to trade out, if it turns out there’s no swag inside (unfortunately, this happens often as not everybody follows the trade up or even rule!). Me at a geocache on the Atlantic coast in Ireland Using the compass screen on the app and watching the distance go down to single digit feet can be fun for kids too. The great thing is, a longer walk can be broken down into shorter sections when you’re navigating between certain points, so try to pick somewhere with a number of caches, preferably in a loop. Why Go Geocaching? Geocaching is a great way of motivating both kids and adults to get out and start exploring outdoor locations they may otherwise have never known about. Caches are hidden by other geocachers, who can act like your tour guide to some hidden gems, either at home or further afield. The incentive of finding that treasure at the end of a walk or hike can really motivate little ones to keep going! So if you’re looking for a way to get your kids excited to get outside, why not give geocaching a try?

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." Looking out the window at two feet of snow blanketing the backyard and icy tree branches sparkling in the morning sun is magical and reminds me of my childhood. It makes me want to go outside and play! But then I think of how much work it will be to change all of my clothes and all of my one-year old's clothes... I take a deep breath, think of how beautiful the woods will be, and I start getting all our gear together. Norwegians have a great saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." There are few things more miserable than freezing cold water sloshing around in your shoes. Being prepared with the right clothing can literally make the difference between tears and smiles, between "how did I get myself into this mess" and "just another day in the office." Layering basics I start by dressing myself, because I don't want my kid to get sweaty from being overdressed inside. I make sure that the layer closest to my skin is a wicking layer - a synthetic sport material or wool, but never, ever cotton. Since we're still breastfeeding, I also make sure that these layers can open easily. I have a specialized nursing sports bra from a maternity store, but it turns out that any "front crossover" sports bra works as a nursing bra (Ex Officio GNG crossover bra). For my top, I use quarter-zip shirts (REI Co-op screeline hoodie, Smartwool NTS Mid 250 zip). For hiking in 25-35 degrees F, I put my down jacket directly over this base layer, because I'm carrying my one-year old on my back and warm up really quickly. For below 25F, I'll layer with a down vest or a light sweater before putting on my jacket. Pants My go-to winter hiking pants are a fleece-lined soft shell model from Eddie Bauer. I don't think I can say enough about how magical it is to be out on the trail and have a warm layer of fleece hug your entire leg. You could also combine base layer pants or long underwear with soft shell pants, rain pants, or lightweight ski pants. It's easy to overheat when hiking, though, so if you're layering, I recommend experimentation! Socks For socks, I use calf or knee-length wool socks (Smartwool or Darn Tough). For gloves I use fleece or something relatively lightweight. My down jacket's hood is often enough for keeping my head warm, and it often comes off once I break a sweat, but for cold days I'll wear a hat. Footwear Footwear is probably the #1 most important consideration for winter hiking. You can survive if you're slightly under or over-dressed, but if you don't have the right shoes, you're probably going to get cold, wet, and miserable. This layer has to be waterproof, and that means not using stylish city boots but more heavy-duty winter boots. Personally, I invest in real winter hiking boots (I'm using Salomon Kaina mid CS waterproof winter boots and love them, and they're currently on clearance at REI.com). Any waterproof winter boot can work for hiking, but make sure it's flexible enough to allow for some ankle movement. Traction If you're hiking in just a few inches of snow, or on mixed terrain with dirt, snow, and ice, you should definitely look into getting either coils or spikes for your shoes. Coils (I use Yaktrax) are good for really mixed conditions, but if you're looking at a lot of ice, you need to go to the more heavy-duty microspikes (I use Kahtoola) that will allow you to literally walk on a sheet of ice as if it were a regular dirt trail. They both come with a pouch so you can carry them with you and decide whether or not you need them. I also always hike with hiking poles in the winter, because you never know when you might come across a patch of ice, and this extra stability gives me the confidence to go out in all conditions with a baby on my back. Snowshoes More than 6 inches of snow is where hiking definitely gets tricky. With every step you're going to sink into the snow, and this quickly becomes an insurmountable obstacle. That's when I pull out my snowshoes. It's still hard work if the snow is deep, but at least walking is physically possible! Mine are Pathfinder snowshoes from L.L. Bean, but anything lightweight and intended for combination walking-hiking will do–just don't get anything too technical, unless you're planning on climbing real mountains, because these can get pretty heavy. Dressing the baby Dressing my pre-walking baby, who's just coming along for the ride on my back, is pretty straightforward. Just as with myself, I dress her in a wicking base layer (we have an Ella's wool set and also a Patagonia synthetic set). For her second layer, I use pretty much any long-sleeve shirt and pants. Next come the wool socks and fleece booties–followed by fleece pants if it's below 25F–and then a hat and winter bunting. Other winter weather gear tricks For really sunny days, I use a winter hat with a visor to keep the sun out of her eyes (Patagonia baby reversible shell hat). If it's brutally cold, I put a Cozey7 Trailhopper right over the bunting. But if we're going to play in the snow, I use an Oakiwear rain suit over the bunting instead! I also like waterproof mittens and booties (we like Stonz) for extra warmth and protection. One more trick I've found useful is taking an umbrella out if it's snowing - that way snow doesn't pile up between the two of us when she's on my back! It's definitely a lot of gear, but as long as it's kept in the same place, either in the same drawer, or in a special box or pouch, then it's pretty easy to get it all on in 5 to 10 minutes and get out the door! And while I've definitely longed for the outdoors when sitting inside, I have never regretted spending time outside! It takes preparation and practice, but there's no reason for northern Hike it Baby branches to shut down in the winter if parents and kids have the right gear!

This piece is part of OutGrown’s evergreen content. We regularly revisit and refresh these resources to ensure they remain helpful, relevant, and rooted in care.   Finding a balance between hiking and working. Like many of you who are reading this, I am a mom. I am also so many other things: a wife, an employee, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and in my spare time...I hike. Oftentimes, I get asked how I have the time to do so much and still work a 40+ hour-per-week job. Frankly, the only way I am able to do so much is by planning. You must be thinking that I'm telling you something you already know in the basic mommyhood world, but I’m not talking about having a big calendar on my wall or having a strict system that requires more than just sitting down for a few minutes to look at the week or month ahead. Every month I look at my phone calendar and I consider four things: my work schedule, my second job schedule, any birthday parties or activities my son may have, and my hiking schedule. Oh yeah, and we like to travel, too. Then, of course, there are family events that kind of sift themselves through the planning process and settle themselves in a spot on the calendar, as if it were their very own game of who can fill this time slot first. Over time, this system has proven itself useful in our chaotic lives. We live in a city full of events, where both of our extended families and childhood friends also live. Mix those combinations with work and our love for hiking and well, it can get busy. So how do I do it? I think the better question is, why do I do it? I initially started the Atlanta Hike It Baby branch when my son was one year old. With the thought of committing myself to a hike once or twice a week, I was off to create a branch that has changed my life with self-fulfillment and brand new friends. After all, my (overly used) motto is: I don’t want to live my life because of my child, I want to live my life WITH my child. Now that he is three and hiking is such a big part of our lives, it has become very challenging to “do everything,” but we definitely do try. Since I have a full-time job at an office and a part-time night job, I am subject to depending on my weekends (and weeknights during summer) for hiking. There are definitely times after a 13-hour working day that I do not look forward to getting myself and family up early to prepare for a hike the next day. All I want to do is cancel the hike and sleep in...but I don’t. I set my alarm and begin playing the events and commitments of the weekend in my mind until I fall asleep. The next morning we hike and we explore and laugh and sometimes cry, but we always feel better at the end. Hiking has become our way to relax and get away. All that I do, all the stress, all the running around, the self-persistence….ALL of it is worth it in the end. Yes, sometimes having to step back and say, “Sorry, we have plans to go hiking,” to the disappointed sighs of friends and family is not fun but does that bring regret? Absolutely not. Inspiring happiness throughout the work week. On Monday mornings, I walk into my office and smile at all the things that keep me inspired through the week. A map of the Appalachian Trail, pictures of my family, a quirky collection of artsy postcards, and a big canvas stamped with music lyrics of my favorite songs - all there to remind me that I truly love our semi-planned life.  Sometimes when it gets too stressful I close my eyes and imagine the smell of the sweet Georgia red clay or the giggle that my son gets by watching the leaf boat go downstream at our favorite creek. It’s a reminder that another great memory is a few days away and motivates me to keep going. We know our limits and we know that our bond as a family is stronger with every hike we plan. Although we do not hike as often as we would like, we carry all the lessons we’ve learned from our adventures in hopes of applying them to our daily lives. Reflect + Takeaway Even a short weekday hike can offer a powerful reset. For working parents, nature is more than a break. It is a way to reconnect with joy, presence, and purpose. Whether you lead others or simply step outside for yourself, these moments matter. Your hikes do not have to be long to be meaningful. Keep showing up. You are making space for happiness, one step at a time. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building a world where families with babies and young children can grow up connected to nature and to each other. We focus on the earliest years of life, providing families with the support, community, and resources they need to feel welcome, included, and confident outdoors. Through volunteer-led communities, nature-based programs, and family-centered tools, we help remove barriers and expand access to outdoor connection. Since our grassroots start in 2013, OutGrown has reached more than 300,000 families across the country, supported by a vibrant network of over 300 volunteer leaders. Learn more at WeAreOutGrown.org EDITOR’S NOTE Thanks for taking the time to read this piece. At OutGrown, we create content rooted in real life, built to support families, reflect lived experiences, and celebrate the small, meaningful ways we connect with nature. Every article, guide, and reflection is part of our mission to make the outdoors feel possible, welcoming, and worth showing up for. If this resource helped you feel more confident, seen, or inspired, we invite you to support our work. We are a small team building something lasting. Your contribution helps us reach more families and keep this work going strong. Donate or learn more at WeAreOutGrown.org.

Family photographs. Does the thought make you cringe? Having to coordinate outfits, choose a location, choose a photographer, and hope that everyone is in a good mood and stays clean for a set time can be stressful–let alone fun. Arika Bauer is  an outdoor-influencer that Hike it Baby follows because of her unique photographs that inspire families to get outdoors. “I am a mother of 3 littles living in Southern Utah," said Arika. "The outdoors feed my soul and photography feeds my creativity so I decided to start a business doing the two things I love the most.” Shanti Hodges, founder of HiB, asked her some questions about capturing these unique family portraits on the trails. 1. How did you get into photographing families? Like many other momtogs out there I got into photography after having my first child. After 5 years of growing my passion for photography I started toying around with the idea of starting a photography business. For two years I came up with names, designed logos, and bought numerous domain names, but something was always holding me back. It just never felt right. After having my third baby and moving from northern Utah to southern Utah I did a lot of soul searching to figure out what to do with myself. I knew that for me to be the best version of myself and to be the best mom to my three littles I needed something fulfilling outside of being a mom. I was reading a lot of personal growth books and one day the idea hit me. I loved the outdoors. Zion National Park was such a magical part of my childhood and I found so much joy being there. So I decided to combine my two passions, lifestyle photography and Zion, and the rest is history. 2. Tell us what it's like to live near Zion National Park! Growing up in Southern Utah I never fully appreciated the beauty that surrounded me. It wasn't until about 3 or 4 years ago when I was home visiting my parents that it hit me how amazing and beautiful this area is. Ever since then I've been obsessed. I can't seem to get enough. 3. How did you come up with the idea to shoot families on trail? Once I honed in on the idea to combine my love for photography and my love for the outdoors I did a lot of research online to see if the idea even made sense. I found that there was indeed a market out there for families and travelers wanting more than just selfies and mediocre photos to remember their hard earned adventures. I spent a lot of time hiking around Zion developing my idea and decided that the best way to really capture these memories for people would be to hike along side them. 4. Do you find shooting families on trail is different than shooting them in more traditional spots? It is so much more rewarding for me but the best thing is that it is so much less stressful for the families. The kids get to play and be themselves and you can see it in the photos. The smiles are real. 5. Are there certain spots that everyone wants to shoot at in Zion? Classics? There are definitely Zion classics. I actually designed my packages around those classics. I have 5 different hike packages and then a custom package. My 5 hike packages are what I consider to be some of the best and most photogenic hikes in Zion and they are all excellent hikes to do with kids. 6. What's your one tip as a trail photographer for families trying to get a good look? Be yourself...that is always the best look. Be in the moment, take it all in, and enjoy yourself. 7. Do you ask them to dress down for their photos or be more natural? I tell families to dress however they want. When hiking, comfort is key but I know families want to look good. Luckily it isn't too hard to find cute clothes that are comfortable. 8. Do you often get wildlife in the photos too? We have run into wild turkeys, mule deer, mountain sheep, squirrels, and tarantulas. Getting pics with wild life is so much fun. Whenever it happens it is always icing on the cake. Arika's photography can be followed on Instagram and on her website: Instagram: @zionadventurephotog Website: zionadventurephotog.com

Every time a Hike it Baby 30 Challenge rolls around, many people see the 'What Counts?' poster and ask, "What is skinning?"  I recently had the chance to chat with Mel Bourassa, a Branch Ambassador for the Front Range Foothills branch in Colorado. She and her husband, Dave, enjoy the hobby of backcountry skiing, so they go skinning frequently, but she mentioned that they are by no means “experts” in the field. She gave me the answers to some commonly asked questions related to skinning. What is Skinning? Skinning is the act of skiing up a hill or on a level surface. If you want to skin, you have to have special bindings on your skis. The bindings are different than normal alpine ski bindings in that the heal releases and the toe portion pivots so that you move your foot up and down like you are hiking but the skis are still on your feet. Skins are two pieces of material – one for each ski – that make it possible for your skis to move up the hill without you sliding back down. One side of the skin is a mohair or a nylon blend, and the other is sticky. The sticky side sticks to your skis and the mohair part goes on the snow and glides along as you do. The skins also clip to your skis so they don’t fall off. Skinning is also called touring. When you go out into the backcountry for a skin – you are also going touring. [gallery link="file" columns="4" size="medium" ids="554658,554656,554657,554649"] Where do you put the skins when you're ready to ski down? In your backpack. Some backcountry specific jackets have large pockets to put skins in. Why would someone want to go skinning? Mainly to access backcountry skiing. Exercise is a secondary benefit but I don’t know anyone who just goes skinning for exercise. The equipment is expensive and the equipment and knowledge required are all centered around backcountry skiing. If you wanted to do something similar just for the exercise, you could snowshoe or cross country ski. What kind of experience do you need to go skinning? NO ONE SHOULD GO SKIING OR INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY WITHOUT BASIC KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM BACKCOUNTRY-SPECIFIC EDUCATION.  There are many levels of classes. Every state with snow and mountains should have some kind of backcountry travel group/program which you should be able to find through your state government. Here in Colorado we have the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), which is a non-profit partially funded by the state, and it is a good place to start when looking for legit education in backcountry travel. Do you need any kind of special equipment to skin? Yes. You need Alpine Touring (AT) Bindings. There are two kinds of AT bindings. There are bindings that when in the locked or ski position look very similar to regular alpine bindings and then the entire binding unit lifts off the ski while it is in tour mode. You can wear your regular alpine ski boots in bindings like these. Then there are more technical backcountry bindings that are super light and made of very little. You must have specific ski boots that fit into the metal parts of these bindings, and these setups can get pretty pricey. These boots are typically not as stiff as regular ski boots, they usually have fewer buckles, and they have different settings that make them much more comfortable to use for skinning. If you are traveling in the true backcountry where there are avalanches, you will also need a backcountry shovel, a beacon, and a probe. Backcountry travel is no joke and it is irresponsible to travel in the backcountry without these items as well as the education and training to know how to use the equipment properly How expensive is it? Can you rent the equipment and just try it out without committing to buying everything? Some places may rent equipment, and while the initial investment in backcountry skiing is expensive, once you have the gear and education, it will only cost you energy. Can you do this activity with kids? Is it family-friendly? You can do this with kids, however it does make an already demanding physical activity more challenging just due to the weight of the child. You can skin with a baby in a pack or pull a sled like a Chariot or Kindershuttle, but you have to keep in mind that you have to ski back down whatever you skin up. You want to make sure you are comfortable with both the up and the down when you have your kid with you. You can always just skin a flat area like a meadow or road, then you never ski and only skin. I will say however, if you were just going to skin a road or a meadow trail, you might as well snowshoe or cross country ski. Do you have to go straight up mountains, or can you do it on more flat ground? You rarely go straight up a mountain simply because it is too hard and too steep. Generally, you move up a mountain in a zig-zag pattern (like a hiking trail up a mountain) so that the incline you are skinning seems more moderate. You can also skin flat ground such as roads that are not plowed or maintained and/or hiking trails that are wider and covered in snow. What should you wear while skinning? Winter layers. I get really hot when I skin since it is a more strenuous activity, so I take layers to wear both at the transition (when you stop and take your skins off your skis), and the ski down. Disclaimer: I am not a certified backcountry guide nor am I an expert on backcountry skiing or snow. Backcountry skiing is inherently dangerous and you should choose to proceed at your own risk.   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.

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 infants board books to adult page-turners, we love to hear about what you are reading! Share a book review with us on this form and we may feature it in an upcoming blog post! Reviews: [gallery link="file" columns="3" size="medium" ids="550656,550655,550654&"] Michael D. Barton, from the Portland, OR branch, reviewed the following three books for us! Pipsie, Nature Detective: The Disappearing Caterpillar by Rick DeDonato A big fan of nature. A good friend. And a mystery. Sounds like the recipe for a fun story! And it is. Pipsie is a young naturalist who, with her little friend Alfred the turtle, finds herself in the role of a nature detective. Soon after meeting a young caterpillar, Frannie goes missing. Decked out in her outdoor boots and backpack, with a magnifying glass in hand, Pipsie searches for clues around her home and backyard to Frannie’s whereabouts. Her and Alfred even seek out information about one clue at their local zoo’s insect garden, and gain another piece of advice from an educator there. Will Pipsie and Alfred solve the mystery of the disappearing caterpillar? 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. The Specific Ocean by Kyo Maclear The Specific Ocean is a favorite in recent books that show how fun spending time outside really can be for kids. For some, the idea of going on a family vacation that does not include a theme park or some kind of flashy screens is scary. The young girl here has created for herself a daily moping schedule (while her older brother happily heads to the beach), which includes time allotted for watching dust, playing chess alone, pulling loose thread, and staring at the wall. Horrible vacation, indeed! But she soon has a revelation, and her brother has to catch up with her on the way to the ocean. This “specific ocean” becomes a magical place for her, and she becomes reluctant to head home. While the author titles her book The Specific Ocean because of how some kids might say “Pacific,” the word “specific” for me gives the sense that there is no single experience of a place in nature. Everyone will experience a beach or forest differently from others, and that experience is specific to them on an individual level. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="medium" ids="550657,550658"] Kristen Griggs, from the Austin, TX branch, reviewed this book for us! Into the Outdoors by Susan Gall This is a fun picture book about a family going camping and hiking. It's great for practicing nature words and preposition. The artwork is cool and engaging and there are lots of cute critters to spot on every page. My toddler loves this book. Erin Pennings, from the Anchorage, AK branch, reviewed this book for us! Beauty and the Bees by Aaron Burakoff First and foremost, I can see why "Beauty and the Bees" has been called a "buzz-worthy" fairy tale! It's so incredibly timely with the issues our world seems to be facing with bees. And, in our home, even though some of us *ahem* (me) *ahem* have an unnatural bee phobia, we are big into gardening, so we ultimately love bees and want their populations to remain healthy. As a HiB Branch Ambassador, I appreciate the bee lessons, and I can see building some incredibly fun hikes around the book - do story time, and then explore a field of flowers, a honey "farm," or even botanical gardens. I'd love to get one on the calendar in celebration of National Honey Bee Day and perhaps other areas will want to as well. I have never been so excited to receive a children's book in the mail. It came while my almost 3-year old came was napping, so I started to read on my own. He must have heard the box open, because he shot out of his room, and saw the beautifully illustrated book. "New book!" he shouted! We have read "bee book" 3 times now in the space of 90 minutes. Which is really telling, I think. We count the bees on every page as we read. And, I think it will be good for kids quite a bit older than mine as well. The illustrations do a wonderful job of balancing the message of the story with something engaging for younger kids. All in all, I really love this book and its message. And since so many HiB families are like-minded in terms of nature, bee status, and conservation, I think that many will enjoy it as well. But the fun is not just limited to our own budding naturalists... it provides a strong lesson for kids of all ages. 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!

Combination hikes and the art of compromise. Combination hikes are a blend of kid paced or play and adult pace. It's the art of compromise that allows everyone to be satisfied and have a great time. Expecting the worst but finding magic instead. We showed up to one of our most recent hikes, fully expecting to gently coax our one and three-year-olds to walk about a mile in two hours. That night had been a rough one and we were expecting meltdowns. The trail conditions were a bit icy so our youngest was for sure going up in a carrier. I was getting ready to explain to (argue with) our three year old why he "had" to walk. Then something magical happened. I realized he didn't actually "have" to walk. Shifting focus. I think a lot of times as parents we feel that we have to prove something or that our children do. Forcing Graham to walk wouldn't have proven anything and would make us both miserable. I know that Graham could have walked that 1 mile but I opted to carry him. The other family had a "need a carrier moment" as well. As a group, we quickly shifted focus. We opted to walk as an adult pace until the kids wanted to get out, then we'd switch back to a kid led hike. Exploration. We ended up walking two and a half miles. One kid caught a quick nap. Another just babbled happily the whole time. The adults talked and tried not to fall on our rear ends. Three-quarters of the way through the hike we came across a boardwalk and a frozen over pond. All the kids, feeling refreshed, got out and had a blast. We examined ice thickness, practiced pond walking, and tracking. The kids made snow angels and slid around the ice. I explained to my one-year-old that he wasn't allowed to eat goose poop, even if it was frozen.  Success from flexibility. This hike turned out to be an amazing success. It filled everyone's needs (husbands, wives, friends, kiddos) and made us all feel great by the end of it. The lesson to be learned from this is simple: by being flexible I was able to get the exercise  I needed and my kids were able to enjoy nature. Photo Credits: Jessica Featherston  @onebabeanddone