Rain or Shine Mamma

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes

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7 Fabulous Kid-Friendly Outdoor Urban Adventures

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.
February 25, 2014 By Linda McGurk

When it comes to getting kids outdoors in the rural Midwest, I’m rarely short on ideas or know-how. But how do you explore nature with children if you live in a big city? Since I haven’t lived in a metropolitan area after having children, I asked Los Angeles-based Jennifer Fontaine of the MommyHiker.com blog for advice, and I’m extremely excited to share her guest post with you! Make sure to check out her bio at the end of this post.

 7 Fabulous Kid-Friendly Outdoor Urban Adventures. Rain or Shine Mamma

I must admit that I am a bit envious of my fellow nature lovers and outdoorsy families who live next to pristine nature preserves on the outskirts of breathtaking national parks, but alas, that is not the geographical landscape we live in here in Los Angeles. We live smack dab in the middle of a sprawling urban city and so, we must be creative and determined in our hunt for outdoor adventure. Here are a few of our  family’s most favorite outdoor urban activities, designed to you get you and your family outside and into nature!

Adventures in Urban Hiking
Hiking in an urban setting can mean something as simple as stepping foot outside your door and making the decision to turn left or right. You’d be surprised how much there is to discover and learn with your children, just by making a trip around the block. Gather items like rocks, seed pods, berries and  leaves to use as tools for teaching how varied leaf textures can be or to open a discussion on the difference between metamorphic and sedentary rock formations.
Urban hiking is a great way to start if you’re a novice because it’s easy. Let’s face it, you’re never too far from a restaurant or a store, so no need to buy a grappling hook or expensive high tech hiking boots. Just pack a light lunch, some water and use it as a way to take in the sights, study the surrounding architecture and reflect on the distinctions of the enveloping sounds. Better yet, on a nice warm evening, adventure out on a nighttime walk and allow your child  to examine how differently the world seems when the sun goes down.

Benefiting From Botanical Gardens
Most urban cities have some sort of botanical gardens which are open to the public. They can serve as a way to teach and inspire visitors to understand, protect and preserve the surrounding nature, so take advantage of their creative educational programs, or just go for a stroll.
Visiting a botanical garden with your child can instill in a budding mind enhanced understanding of ecology, connection to the earth and our interdependence on it, plant science and environmental stewardship. Taking a trip through a rose or zen garden can stimulate a child’s sense of imagination and inspire a plethora of craft and art project. Every step has the ability to reveal the true grandeur of Mother Nature’s exquisite beauty and her constant transformation.

Just Zoo It
A trip to the zoo can teach your children more than books on science and conservation, a study published by researchers at the University of Warwick has revealed. Their findings were based on analysis of over 3,000 children, age seven to fourteen, who were asked about their knowledge of animals, habitat and conservation, and then tested again after their trip to the London Zoo. Their findings revealed that 53 percent had a positive change in educational or conservation-related knowledge areas, personal concern for endangered species or new empowerment to participate in conservation efforts. That is pretty astounding.
An added benefit of a visit to the zoo is learning where specific animals come from which can lead to a great exploratory conversation about cultural diversity around the globe.

Create a Scavenger Hunt
Download the MommyHiker.com Scavenger Hunt List, check out Go Explore Nature’s awesome Scavenger Hunt lists, scour the interwebs or write your own Scavenger Hunt tailored to your kid’s favorite things! Use the discovery of a smooth, hot rock as a launching pad to discuss what made the rock hot to begin with, what lives underneath it or how it came to sit on this particular spot of earth in the first place. Just beware you don’t fall into the role of the task-masker, barking orders and insisting on finding the next item on the list. Make it fun! Looking for a lizard? Call out for him! “Oh, Mister Liiiiiiiizaaaaaaard! Where are youuuuuuuu?”

Park it at the Park
As simple as it may sound, sometimes getting outdoors for some quality family time is as easy as heading down to your neighborhood park for a few hours of running, jumping, climbing and good old fashioned outdoor playtime.
Some of the larger community parks even offer great programs from little league to soccer camp and even mommy and me classes at incredibly affordable prices
A trip to the park can also be a great way to connect and meet other parents in your neighborhood, which can lead to more play dates and even long-lasting friendships.

Shop at Your Local Farmer’s Market
 
Get out of the big box supermarket and go visit your local farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets are making a huge comeback in many urban areas and it’s a beautiful way to spend a morning with the family and get your weekly grocery shopping done.
In addition to supporting sustainable, locally grown products, farmer’s markets are full of awesome activities for kids of all ages. You can always bet there will be local food vendors selling freshly prepared food, local craftsman and artisans proudly displaying their handmade wares and great local bands providing the perfect soundtrack to your day.

Become an Urban Crusader
With urban sprawl comes the inevitable urban decay, pollution and destruction of natural habitats. Counteracting this byproduct of so many human beings populating a small swath of land are a rainbow of organizations, foundations and community stewardship programs designed to get the public to actively participate in helping to restore what is being ruined within our delicate ecosystems.
For our family, learning the seriousness of our effects on the environment and taking responsibility for the destruction, caused by us, to our most fragile ecosystems by taking part in amazing programs like these can only help lead us on our quest to understanding the true importance of environmental stewardship. It allows us to give thanks and reminds us what is most valuable in our lives; each other and the natural world that envelops and supports us.

Now it’s your turn! What are some of your favorite kid-friendly outdoor urban adventures?!

 
About the Author
 
Hi, I’m Jennifer Fontaine! In addition to my newest title, Blogger, I am also a wife, a daughter, a sister, a cat lady, a chef, an actor, a film producer and a screenwriter!
 
I started The Mommy Hiker Blog in the hopes of inspiring other parents to get outdoors with their kids to explore and discover the wonder and beauty of Mother Nature and in doing so, I have inspired myself.
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Filed Under: Outdoor Play, Parent with Nature, Play in Nature, Tips and Tricks 17 Comments

Comments

  1. Mae @ Mommy Loves Trees says

    February 25, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    Great ideas. We are lucky to have a nature center and preserve in our city. We spend a lot of time hiking and exploring there.

    Reply
    • Mommy Hiker says

      March 5, 2014 at 2:36 pm

      Thanks Mae! Yes, when you live in a large urban area, you certainly have to be creative. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Linda McGurk says

    February 25, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    That’s great! Thanks for reading!

    Reply
  3. Karen Bell says

    February 26, 2014 at 7:25 am

    Lots of great ideas there. Thank you for sharing #LetKidsBeKids

    Reply
    • Mommy Hiker says

      March 5, 2014 at 2:37 pm

      Thank you, Karen! Thanks for reading 🙂

      Reply
  4. Tat says

    February 28, 2014 at 4:27 am

    Some fantastic ideas there. It’s very easy to say hey, we don’t have nature in the city… and give up on it. Yet, finding nature in the city can be simple!

    Reply
    • Mommy Hiker says

      March 5, 2014 at 2:37 pm

      So true, isn’t it Tat?! Glad you enjoyed the article!

      Reply
  5. Fiona Martin says

    March 1, 2014 at 4:14 am

    Great ideas, we always try and get out and about as my children would rather be outside than indoors.

    Reply
    • Mommy Hiker says

      March 5, 2014 at 2:44 pm

      Thanks, Fiona! As you can imagine, my child is quite the same. If I’m not able to get her out at least once a day, I am prepared for a massive meltdown 🙂

      Reply
  6. Coombemill - Fiona says

    March 1, 2014 at 6:21 am

    A inspirational list of great ideas that I hope will inspire fellow bloggers to have some great outdoor fun. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.

    Reply
    • Mommy Hiker says

      March 5, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      Thanks, Fiona!! Love what you guys are doing over at Coombe Mill! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Salma says

    March 1, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I totally see the difference between my city kids and not so city kids. My girls need so much prodding to get out (they grew up in the heart of the city). My guy wants to be out every minute of the day…

    Great post by your guest!

    Reply
    • Mommy Hiker says

      March 5, 2014 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks Salma! And, absolutely agree about the prodding, especially for kids who may not be in the habit of it! My 3 year old is so used to it now, if we don’t get out of the house, in some fashion, every day, we both lose our minds! haha

      Reply
  8. TheBoyandMe says

    March 2, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    I completely agree that there is always a way to get children into the outdoors, exploring their environment and enjoying the fresh air. I’ve spoken to people who live in London and exclaim that there are no places to take their children and they also refuse to dress their children in messy clothes as they don’t want to travel on the tube in mess. Such a shame that that’s more important than fun and games.

    Nipping over from The Outdoor Play Party and Country Kids.

    Reply
    • Mommy Hiker says

      March 5, 2014 at 2:48 pm

      That’s very true of a majority of people living in really urban areas. I feel so very lucky to live in LA which has so many green spaces to explore within easy driving range of our house. It’s hard if it’s not a priority, but I think if parents were able to witness the benefits, they would make more of an effort to include outdoor time in their life.

      Reply
  9. Leila - Mud Mud Marvellous Mud says

    March 6, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    Great post! There are some great ideas here and so simple. I especially love the shopping at the market one. Our Little Man loves the local farmers market, not least because he gets to eat fresh sausage rolls 🙂
    Thanks for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party

    Reply
    • Linda McGurk says

      March 6, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      My girls love our local farmers’ market as well – it’s a great place to connect with your food, whether it’s sausage rolls or cookies, which is the case with my girls!

      Reply

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A school in Sydney bans the children from using the playground before school, saying the decision was made to "support positive classroom behaviour and learning." But did anybody bother to actually look into the research on the benefits of outdoor play, both in terms of children's ability to focus and their academic performance...? The parents aren't happy about the decision and I understand why. ... See MoreSee Less

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📚📚📚Book Cover Reveal📚📚📚A few years ago, I did a poll in my social media channels to see what topic you’d like me to explore in my next book. One of them won by an overwhelming margin: the Nordic outdoor tradition friluftsliv. Well, I heeded your call. I’m pleased to share that it’s now possible to pre-order The Open-Air Life: Discover the Nordic Art of Friluftsliv and Embrace Nature Every Day from just about any place that sells books! The Open-Air Life is for anybody who is longing to lead a simpler, happier and less hurried life. It shows you how to channel the power of nature connection to improve your physical and mental health, as well as your relationship with both other people and Mother Nature. Plus, you’ll learn a few party tricks, like lighting a campfire without matches and cleaning water on the go. At a time when more and more people are starting to appreciate why they should spend more time outside, this book will show you how, with a decidedly Nordic twist.I must say that I LOVE this dreamy cover that the designers at @penguinrandomhouse created. What do you think? Pre-order The Open-Air Life here to support local book stores: bookshop.org/a/79880/9780593420942 ... See MoreSee Less
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Friends, I'm thinking about putting together an outdoor napping guide and would love some input. What would you like to know about this practice? What tools would you need to get started? Hit me with your questions!👊🏼😊 ... See MoreSee Less
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It’s TICK season…🕷 (I know that’s a spider emoji, but you get the idea😅)A lot of people freak out at the sight of these blood suckers and understandably so, considering the diseases they can harbor. But they too are a part of nature and if we want to keep venturing outside during the warmer months (I definitely do and I suspect you do too) we must come to terms with them.If you want to know more about tick prevention, I just wrote a pretty detailed post about it on my blog. Head over to rainorshinemamma.com to learn more and share this post with others who worry about ticks!👌🏻________________________#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #ticks #tickprevention ... See MoreSee Less
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I missed a meeting Sunday night😬 An informal meeting, yes, but still…I take pride in being dependable and prompt, and I hate to be flakey. I’d like to think that it was because I got distracted when my daughter called from my mom’s house and said she was running a fever, but in reality I got sidetracked well before that. Weekends are my time to zone out from schedules, emails and social media, and spend more time outside, especially this time of the year. So I missed a meeting. But I gained a quiet paddle through pastel waters as the sun slowly descended below the spruces on the horizon. __________________________#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #sup #standuppaddle #sweden #sweden_photolovers #sweden_images ... See MoreSee Less
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Linda Åkeson McGurk
There are a lot of good things about tech, but exc There are a lot of good things about tech, but excessive screen time is taking a toll on children’s physical and mental health today. Many apps and games have built-in mechanisms designed to make them highly addictive and children are even more susceptible to them than adults, since their brains are not fully developed🧠Screens are so ubiquitous in our lives today that it takes conscious effort to balance them with experiences IRL. 

For the past few years, our family has experimented with screen free or screen reduced Sundays. I’m not going to pretend that it’s easy. But if the goal is to increase quality family time outdoors and encourage the kind of creativity that arises from a healthy dose of boredom, it does work🌳

Some other tips to foster a healthy screen time culture in your family are:

✅ Learn how to use the parent controls on your kids’ devices and set age-appropriate limits.

✅ Have certain times or spaces that are always screen free, for example around the dinner table, in the bedrooms and so on, and be sure to be consistent. 

✅ Create a buy-in for the kids by letting them help plan screen free activities for the whole family.

What’s your biggest obstacle when it comes to keeping screen time under control?
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #screenfreesunday #friluftsliv #outdoors #greentime
That about sums it up, doesn’t it?☺️ This qu That about sums it up, doesn’t it?☺️ This quote is from Meet the Wild, a new picture book by Lindsay Kellar-Madsen of @the.madsen.littles. Inspired by the outdoor learning and play culture in Scandinavia, Lindsay wrote the book to invite children to explore nature all year round, regardless of the weather. 
I personally love the message and sweet illustrations in this book❤️ If you have a little one in your life, you can buy the book by backing Lindsay’s Kickstarter campaign. Check out her Instagram for details!
_________________________
#meetthewild #picturebook #outdoorplay
📚📚📚Book Cover Reveal📚📚📚 A few y 📚📚📚Book Cover Reveal📚📚📚

A few years ago, I did a poll in my social media channels to see what topic you’d like me to explore in my next book. One of them won by an overwhelming margin: the Nordic outdoor tradition friluftsliv. Well, I heeded your call. I’m pleased to share that it’s now possible to pre-order The Open-Air Life: Discover the Nordic Art of Friluftsliv and Embrace Nature Every Day from just about any place that sells books! (Link in bio)

The Open-Air Life is for anybody who is longing to lead a simpler, happier and less hurried life. It shows you how to channel the power of nature connection to improve your physical and mental health, as well as your relationships with both other people and Mother Nature. Plus, you’ll learn a few party tricks, like lighting a campfire without matches and cleaning water on the go. At a time when more and more people are starting to appreciate why they should spend more time outside, this book will show you how, with a decidedly Nordic twist.

I must say that I LOVE this dreamy cover that the designers at @penguinrandomhouse created. What do you think? 

@tarcherperigee @penguinrandomhouse

#theopenairlife #rainorshinemamma #coverreveal #bookcover #friluftsliv #friluftslivbook
I took my kids on an overnight paddling trip last I took my kids on an overnight paddling trip last weekend and it started out with sunshine and rainbows☀️🌈 Swipe to the last video to see how it ended➡️ 

We had set out to explore the northernmost island in our local lake and while we cruised up there with decent tailwinds, the wind picked up overnight. Going back the next day, we faced strong headwinds the entire time🌊 

For nearly three hours, we paddled in choppy waters, with waves sometimes so high that they splashed into the canoe. We had no choice but to paddle nonstop - if we stopped, we immediately started drifting backwards😩

The thing about being outdoors is that you’re never fully in control of all parameters - trips like these always involve a certain amount of risk. The weather can change quickly, and not always according to the forecast. What we can control is our reaction to the challenge, how we act on it and what we learn from it.

While none of us was happy about the situation, the girls did pull together and did an amazing job paddling💪🏻 And while they both vowed to never go paddling again, I told them that this will make a funny story later in life. They weren’t convinced at the time but I think they’ll come around eventually😅 

Do you have any stories of getting in over your head to share?😃
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#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #openairlife #paddling #paddlingwithkids
Summer is high season for TICKS…🕷 (I know tha Summer is high season for TICKS…🕷 (I know that’s a spider emoji, but you get the idea😅) 

A lot of people freak out at the sight of these blood suckers and understandably so, considering the diseases they can harbor. But they too are a part of nature and if we want to keep venturing outside during the warmer months (I definitely do and I suspect you do too) we must come to terms with them.

If you want to know more about tick prevention, I just wrote a pretty detailed post about it on my blog. Head over to rainorshinemamma.com to learn and share this post with others who worry about ticks!👌🏻
________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #ticks #tickprevention
I missed a meeting Sunday night😬 An informal me I missed a meeting Sunday night😬 An informal meeting, yes, but still…I take pride in being dependable and prompt, and I hate to be flakey. 

I’d like to think that it was because I got distracted when my daughter called from my mom’s house and said she was running a fever, but in reality I got sidetracked well before that. Weekends are my time to zone out from schedules, emails and social media, and spend more time outside, especially this time of the year. 

So I missed a meeting. But I gained a quiet paddle through pastel waters as the sun slowly descended below the spruces on the horizon. An hour to myself to just be one with the lake, the light and the promise of the summer that still lies ahead☀️
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #sup #standuppaddle #sweden #sweden_photolovers #sweden_images
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations @wiet This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations @wietinghannah, you’re our winner!🎊

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Have you heard the term "ecohappiness"? If not, this is your chance to learn more! 

Author Sandi Schwartz and I have teamed up to give away a copy of her book "Finding Ecohappiness," an inspirational manifesto and practical guidebook for families to get outside and enjoy nature together. Packed with ideas for outdoor activities like animal yoga, forest bathing, sit spotting, float therapy and nature art, this book is definitely one to add to your collection📕 

How to enter👇🏼
✅ Like and save this post
✅ Follow @rainorshinemamma and @getecohappiness 
✅ Comment by completing this sentence: "To me, being in nature is..."

This giveaway closes on June 4 and a winner will be selected shortly after that. You must be 18 and live in the US or Canada to enter. This giveaway is not associated with or sponsored by Instagram. 

Good luck!🙌🏽

#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #ecohappiness #findingecohappiness #naturebooks #goodreads #naturelovers #ecotherapy #getkidsoutside
Having scientific reasons and explanations for doi Having scientific reasons and explanations for doing things is good and there are any number of ways free climbing benefits our physical and mental health. But sometimes you’ve just got to trust your guts, feel all the feelings and enjoy the joyride🙌🏻🌳

What makes you feel joy in nature?
____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #treeclimbing #onewithnature #vitaminn #friluftsliv #optoutside
I’m not going to lie - there are times when my c I’m not going to lie - there are times when my children’s dawdling drives me nuts. Like when they take 45 minutes to finish breakfast even though we’re running late . But I also envy their ability to be completely unhurried and present in the moment, and I realize that it’s a quality that I need to protect🐌

As parents, we need to make space for our children to play, get bored, dawdle, wander, wonder, create, sleep in, be wild and free and watch the clouds go by. Let them be where they are and not push them to achieve arbitrary milestones or condition them to think that a packed calendar is the key to success and happiness.

As always, Ginny of @1000hoursoutside is on point🙌🏻
_____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #1000hoursoutside #quote
Did you know that camping for as little as two nig Did you know that camping for as little as two nights straight can help you reset your circadian rhythms and improve your sleep for several weeks afterwards? That's because the natural light helps the body regulate melatonin, a hormone that tells the body when it's time to get up and go, and when it's time to rest and recuperate🌗 

My melatonin levels weren't top of mind when @jeanetteosterman and I started our challenge to sleep outside at least once a month for a year. But I must say, I rarely sleep as soundly and feel as energetic as I do when I sleep under the skies.

Have you ever tried sleeping in a camping hammock? I bought my first one a few years ago and I ❤️ it!
_________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #openairlife #sleepingoutside #camping #campinglife #hammock #sleepingoutsidechallenge #freshaireveryday
Raise your hand if you have a teen or tween and fe Raise your hand if you have a teen or tween and feel like you're constantly negotiating/fighting/fretting over your child's screen time👋🏼 

Well, you're not alone😰 

Since 2011, when mobile internet had its breakthrough, teens' and tweens' screen time has increased dramatically. At the same time, physical activity has decreased significantly. The WHO recommends that teenagers get at least one hour of physical activity every day, but in reality 85% of the girls and 78% of the boys globally don't meet the target.

Making outdoor activity a normal part of your daily routine can help  your tween or teen get the exercise and fresh air they need  and lay the foundation for lifelong healthy habits. I'm the first to admit that it isn't easy, but then again, nobody said parenting would be a cakewalk🤪

Hang in there and check out a few of the strategies that help me balance screen time with 'green time'. Do you have any tips to share?
______________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #parenting #parentingteens #parentingtweens #getoutside
“I’m not thrilled about looking older. But wha “I’m not thrilled about looking older. But what unsettles me the most about the 40s is the implication that I’m now a grown-up myself.”
- Pamela Druckerman

Forty-four laps around the sun today and I still find that the passing of time is one of life’s greatest mysteries.
_______________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #aging #44 
@pameladruck
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