make-believe: nature walk.

The ultimate daydream: A sunshine-y forest walk in May even though we’re stuck smack in the middle of February. I can’t wait for sandals and buckets and days when the earth lets out its mustiness and starts to turn green again. Silas is tramping around after Faye these days and I can’t wait for long weekend afternoon romps with those two. Contemplating outdoor adventures that don’t also require wresting layers of wool onto squirmy bodies is an exercise in imagination in which I’ll gladly indulge.

Here’s how:

A book of lost words for getting acquainted with earthside wonders. 

A magnifying glass for taking a closer look.

Paper packets for collecting dandelion seeds.

A goldfinch call and a skylark call.

Buckets for mud and twigs and other things.

A jumpsuit for one kid, a jumpsuit for another, and a dress for their mama, too. (Plus, sandals.)

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In an effort to ground all of this make-believing in something a bit more down to earth, here are a few things we might do to get kids into nature:

To get kids in parks: Head to Every Kid in a Park and get them a pass. Every Kid in a Park is a collaborative inter-agency initiative aimed to give fourth-grade students and their families free passes to more than 2,000 national parks, protected lands, and historic sites. To help kids of all ages, head to the National Park Foundation’s Open Outdoors for Kids.

To find a forest near you: Head to the Discover the Forest site to make a map of local forests or parks. Then head to their activities page to get inspired for your own forest walks.

To preserve wild places: The UK-based John Muir Trust has partnered with the makers of the Lost Words book (above!) to create an Explorers’ Guide to Lost Words. You can support their mission to conserve and protect wild places here and download their guide for free!