I wouldn’t exchange those memories for the whole world. I would, however, probably pack a little differently. And as constant adventure inspo Rebecca Caldwell told us recently, one of the most important elements of an adventure with your kids is being sufficiently prepared. As she notes, you’ll fall into your groove with time—knowing what to bring for the temperatures, and how many snacks to pack depending on the length—but here’s a good place to start for a summertime exploration. And finally, low-waste expert and nutritionist Abby K. Cannon, J.D., R.D., gave me some sound advice earlier this summer: Make sure you start hydrated. So when you wake up (or even before you go to bed the night before) make sure you and your kids drink plenty of water while at home well before you leave. Then—again seems obvious, but worth a reminder—always full up before you leave the house. Deuter Schmusebar Kids’ Pack comes in adorable patterns and has easy-to-use side pockets for snacks and water. REI Co-op Tarn 18 Kids’ Pack has extra-padded shoulder and side straps (normal packs’ straps might be too thin for day hikes, as they’ll dig into shoulders). As Caldwell notes, pack food that will tide them over and keep their energy levels consistent all day long. (Read: Try to avoid a sugar high and crash.) Stick to fresh, whole fruits, veggies, or nut mixes. Or an easy, packable options: bars. Gerber has an organic toddler line that includes Organic Fruit & Veggie, Date & Carrot, Date & Beets, and Date & Sweet Potato Bars. “A lot of parents say, Oh we get out in nature, but then they’ll be attached to their device the whole time—and what sort of message does that give to a kid?” asks licensed physiologist Nicole Beurkens, Ph.D., CNS. “It’s important kids learn that phones aren’t the answer. What did you do when you were a kid? You survived, right?” If you are going on an established trail, you can likely find and print a map from the park website. If not? Get a little crafty and find your route on Google Earth. As for the book, find one depending on the activity or terrain. Maybe it’s birdwatching if you’re out in a park; a book to help you identify plants and seeds if you’re gardening; an illustrated guide to trees if you’re on a hike. And if you’re debating what level of book to buy? Err on the side of more advanced. “Kids are smart—way smarter than we give them credit for,” says teacher and author Esther Wojcicki. “Let them surprise you.” Another fun thing to bring, especially if your kid is more comfortable indoors with arts and crafts, is a sketchbook with coloring pencils. “Drawing helps you pause and quiet down, and to do this in a natural setting is especially rewarding because as you quiet down, the environment raises its volume, so to speak,” says Jessica Dalrymple, a botanical art instructor. “When you focus your attention on nature in this concentrated way, you enliven what you are observing as well as the surroundings by tuning in to nature on a wavelength you would not otherwise.” And, of course, a safe sunscreen is essential—even on overcast days, when you’ll be in heavily wooded areas, or even if they have caps on. Earlier this summer we shared guidelines on finding a safe sunscreen as well as a few of our favorite safe options, with a few just for kids. And make sure you are reapplying as directed: If you apply it first thing in the morning and skip it the rest of the day, it will wear off with time and sweat.
