One of our family’s favorite things to do together is to get out in the woods and explore. Sometimes we venture farther off into the mountains or state parks, other times we keep closer to our home and stick to nearby environmental centers and local parks. 

It’s a free and fun, and a great source of exercise for all of us. 

There are times when fatigue or forgetfulness make me prefer the comfort and ease of staying home, but inevitably, as soon as we are outdoors together, I quickly remember why the effort is worth it and how special these times are. 

Being outside, exploring nature, testing their physical strength, learning from observation– getting your kids outdoors is one of the best things you can do for them this summer. 

And doing it together is important too. Your children will pick up on your enthusiasm and sense of the worth of being in nature. 

You don’t need to take a lot with you when you are going out for a simple day hike with your kids, but there are a few things you want to be sure not to leave behind. 

Here is are 5 items that always make it into our bags when we head off onto a trail: 

1. Water

Obviously a hiking necessity. A bottle for everyone makes it easier to keep track of how much everyone is drinking and can help motivate younger children to stay hydrated. Don’t skimp on water breaks– rather, make it a point to take them together and see that your kids are taking drinks too. 

2. An energy boosting and filling snack

Hiking can be physically strenuous and at some point you are going to need to replenish your energy with a good snack. A good snack is especially helpful for children who don’t typically have the stamina of adults and who would benefit from taking a short rest to eat. Granola bars with protein, nut butter balls, apples, oranges, a bag of seeds and nuts, sliced cheese and so on give everyone the fuel they need to complete a hike. 

3. Bug repellant and bite cream

We don’t actually use much bug repellant, but if your family is prone to insect bites, this is good to have on hand. A little lavender essential oil or Hyland’s Bug Bite Ointment is also good to tuck into your bag in case of itchy, irritating bites someone gets along the hike. 

4. Two diapers and a small amount of wipes. (If a baby is attending the hike)

This is one instance where you don’t need to overpack “just in case”. Bring what you need for one or two changes while you are out. If something requiring more happened, it may be time to call it a day. 

5. Small backpacks or bags for the kids

Children old enough to carry them should be encouraged to take along a small bag to hold their water and treasures that they find along the hike. Small rocks, neat leaves or feathers, a cool looking stick– these can all be great mementos to bring home to continue talking about your hike. 
Help them to resist the temptation overpack their bag before starting out. Keep it light and they will be more likely to succeed in carrying it themselves. 

A few more items that are sometimes good to have on hand:

1. Sunscreen

If you are hiking out in the sun or plan to stop and play in the water, apply sunscreen before you start and take along a small tube for reapplications as needed. Here’s a great DIY Sunscreen!

2. A map and compass

Most trails are well marked and maps aren’t often necessary. 

3. Baby carriers

Depending on the ages of your children, a good baby carrier (or two!) might be a lifesaver. We love our backpack style carrier for young babies (perfect for naps on the trail) and our framed backpack carrier which is better for toddlers who can’t walk long distances on a trail but want to be a part  of the experience. 

What is your family’s favorite outdoor activity? 

The post Day Hiking with Kids appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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Yay, summer! I love summer and very much enjoy seeing the green grass, trees, flowers and garden plants springing up from the ground. Unfortunately along with the joys of summer come the annoyances, like ticks and insect bites.

There are a lot of ways you can repel ticks and treat your insect bites but most of them are very chemical in nature. DEET, for instance, can be very dangerous, especially for young children. I’ve looked around for some more natural options and here’s what has worked for us so far, as well as some ideas I have yet to try!

photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net/SweetCrisis

Natural Repellent Ideas to Keep Away Ticks

• Garlic pills – found at the health food store or local pharmacy, garlic pills are said to repel ticks. It’s mostly the smell that repels them, and, hey, it repels me too! You could definitely try taking odorless pills to see if that will keep the smell off your breath.
• Tea Tree Oil – mix one part tea tree oil and two parts water in a spray bottle. This can be sprayed safely on humans, and is especially effective on your pant or shirt cuffs where they like to jump on. You may need to adjust the water/oil ratio as you go because tea tree oil is very potent. This is what we’re going to try this summer!
• Essential Oil Mixture – I found a recipe on Facebook the other day and and it says it works for both dogs and humans using lemongrass and eucalyptus. Check it out and give it a try!
• Cover Up Your Skin – One of the best things you can do to prevent ticks from staying on your body is to cover up your skin. Kids don’t like to do this but I always have my children wear pants tucked into their socks and shoes or boots if they’re going into the deep woods at my parents’ farm (it doesn’t get incredibly hot where we live). By cinching your shirt and pant cuffs and making sure you have some repellent on your face and body, you can really keep them away!

Natural Repellent Ideas for Mosquitoes

freedigitalphotos.net/piyato

Natural Care for Bug Bites

• Baking Soda Paste – About a year ago, I was stung by a bee that flew under my skirt (and my skirt wasn’t short, I don’t know how he got under there!) Anyway, I remembered that my mom said to calm the burning and stinging, I should apply a paste of baking soda and water to the injured area. It really helped reduce the swelling and stinging! This is also effective for other insect bites and is a frugal alternative to store-bought remedies. **Do not apply this mixture to open wounds.
• Lavender and Tea Tree Oil – Wash with warm water and then carefully swab the area of the bite with lavender and tea tree oils, which will both disinfect the area and help the swelling go down. You may choose to dilute the oils with a little water.
• Mud Paste – I personally have never done this, but applying mud to bites is how my grandmother used to treat bites. It’s worth a try!
• Ice Packs – After you have treated your bites or stings, you can try applying a cloth-wrapped ice pack to soothe any remaining burning or swelling.
• Honey – Drizzle some honey over your itchy bites! It has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and if you can use local, raw honey, that’s even better!

How do you protect and treat yourselves when it comes to the summer bugs?

The post Keep the Bugs Away Naturally {Plus Natural Care for Bug Bites} appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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