The
Hudson Valley offers an abundance of nature areas to explore from state parks,
to municipal nature paths, and from neighborhood preserves to your own back
yard. The walks can take an hour, up to
three, depending on the age and interest of your child. But, rest assured, that despite any pushback
from your kid, once they’re on the open road, their attention will turn to
leaves, plants, flowers, butterflies, and any other surprise that comes their
way.
Of
course, a little preparation is good. We’ve listed some of the important things to consider that make your
nature walk adventure very easy-peasy.
How to
dress:
Make a
note to check the day’s weather for any drops in temperature or pop-up storms. Kids should be wearing close-toed shoes for
sure, and a hat and sunglasses if it’s going to be particularly sunny.
Items to
pack:
Each
child should have a backpack to carry the treasures they find, a water bottle,
hand wipes, and a few healthy snacks, like trail mix, or granola bars to keep
up their energy. Just don’t over pack
the bag which will make it difficult for them to carry. The adult in the group can take some of these
items.
Store a
small towel in the car in case your little one decides to jump in some puddles
along the way.
Safety
items:
A travel
first-aid kit for sure. Before setting
out, apply safe sunscreen to areas exposed to the sun, and a kid-friendly
insect/tick repellent.
READ MORE: Three books to encourage healthy outdoor play
Here are three great ideas for making the nature walk
memorable and safe:
1. Invite your child to lead
If you
let your child do the leading, you can keep an eye on them, while letting them
decide when to stop, and when to walk on. Ask them questions about what they are looking at, and let them describe
it to you, as you “pretend” to not know anything about it.
If you
can, leave the stroller in the car and allow your toddler to walk on their
own. Let them explore their world, at
their level, whether it be a pine cone or a leaf. It may make for a slower walk, but a richer
experience for your little one.
2. Create a nature collection theme
Before
starting out, decide on what you might want to look out for, maybe things that
fell from the trees. Or small
interesting stones. It will make it more
enjoyable when your child finds something that belongs in the collection. When they are brought home, it can be set out
in the backyard as a reminder or on a window frame shelf.
3. Play the Quiet Game
The
forest, or any nature area, will have new sounds for young ears. It’s fun to stand quietly and listen to a
hawk fly by, or listen to the buzzing of insects around a tree. It teaches
“mindful listening,” which can become an enjoyable pastime for kids. It’s also
a welcome break from the loud and fast paced world we all live in. Maybe bring
a pad and pencil to note down the sounds that they identify.
Author MJ
Hanley-Goff, parent and former activities director for a summer camp in Orange
County.