Get Outside With Kids

Taking kids’ education outside, with Lauren MacLean, teacher and children’s book author

We are joined by Lauren MacLean to talk about taking school outside, and how we can inspire a love for outdoor learning in kids of all ages.
This episode also contains our favourite ever example of a time when things did NOT go according to plan when getting outside with kids… trust us, you’ll have to tune in to believe this one, it’s a doozy!
Lauren MacLean is a mentoring support teacher and host of the Mentoring Nature Connections podcast where she interviews educators from across North America on their outdoor learning experiences.  She is also the author of the children’s picture book, Me and My Sit Spot, which helps introduce this nature routine to young kids and their families. On the weekends, you will often find her and her two young toddlers exploring in their forest playground. 

Getting outside with kids on holiday: how to plan vacations that actually feel like vacations

Planning a vacation looks very different after you have kids! Before kids, you can be spontaneous and move around between different exotic locations, exploring new cities and restaurants! After kids, that sounds, well, completely exhausting.
Today we share our tips for planning a great vacation that gets you outside with your kids, whether that’s a big overseas adventure, or a long weekend close to home.
Main takeaways:
We like to stay at least 3 nights in one place so the trip is not just packing/unpacking/packing/unpacking….argh!
Book accommodation with big gardens, or on the ground floor backing onto green space
Keep it really simple, particularly when there’s jetlag involved. Don’t overschedule.
Plan your accommodation around the activity you really want to be doing so you can minimise driving time.
Don't prepay for activities if you can avoid it. 
Places mentioned in this episode: Wells Grey Provincial Park
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

Nature, mindfulness and our kids, with Sandi Schwartz from the Ecohappiness Project

Today we are joined by special guest Sandi Schwartz to talk about the intersection of nature and mental health, and how it applies to kids. Here’s what we covered: 
The scientific research that shows why getting outside is good for our mental health
The simple activities that you can try with your kid to spend more time outside, including kids’ yoga, art projects, picnics, volunteering, fruit picking and more
How to get outside with kids and inspire a love for the environment, without having to do big outings like camping or hiking. It can be sharing a meal together outside, or painting pictures inspired by a trip to a botanical garden.
How to incorporate volunteering into your time outside
Sandi is the founder and director of the Ecohappiness Project; author of the parenting book Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer, co-author of the children’s book Sky’s Search for Ecohappiness; and journalist specializing in parenting, environmental, and wellness topics. Check out Sandi’s work at the Ecohappiness Project and @getecohappiness 
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

How to camp with a baby

Today we’re talking about the first time we went camping with a baby and share tips on expectations, sleeping and gear. Main takeaways: 
If you have friends who are camping with kids, could you stop by their campsite for a day trip and see how they’re doing it? This might give you the confidence to try it yourself.
For your first trip camping with a baby, go with someone who is familiar with camping - your partner, a friend, your parents, or anyone who can lend a hand when you need it. 
Go somewhere familiar and close to home, and keep it simple! Can you just go for one night? 
Sleep will be the most challenging part, expect to be tired. Forget the schedule you have at home, it probably won’t work while camping!
What’s the worst that could happen? You don’t sleep? You might not be sleeping at home anyway, at least you’ll be in a beautiful location! 
Invest in coffee! And pack as many wipes as you can fit in the car.
Places mentioned in this episode: Squamish Riverside Campsite, Cultus Lake Provincial Park 
Gear that we love that was mentioned in this episode: BabyBjorn Travel Cot, Peapod Travel Bed, Bumbo Seat, phil&teds Lobster Highchair
Connect with us on Instagram @getoutsidewithkids

Hiking with kids with Stephen Hui, author of 105 Hikes & Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern BC

We are thrilled to be joined by Vancouver legend Stephen Hui, author of 105 Hikes and Destination Hikes. We talk about Stephen’s brand new book Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, coming to bookstores in May 2022. 
Stephen shares how he learned to adapt his hiking style from the massive 20km+ big mountain adventures (such as the ones described in 105 Hikes), to looking at slugs and icicles on 1km loops with his son. Check out all of Stephen’s books at 105hikes.com
Places mentioned in this episode: Lynn Canyon, Killarney Lake (Bowen Island), Cypress Falls, Seymour suspension bridge
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

Make it smaller than you think: how to make getting outside part of your routine

Today we are casting our minds back two years to a time that really motivated us to start this podcast. We talk about how we learned to get outside with kids and what helped us make it a regular habit.
Main takeaways: 
Incorporating getting outside into your everyday routine makes it easier to overcome toddler resistance
Open ended toys like buckets and shovels help your kids make an adventure out of anything 
Consider having fewer toys (both inside and outside)
Spending time outside without any big plans can increase your confidence for bigger adventures
Gear mentioned in this episode: Hape 5-in-1 Beach Set
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

Embrace the mud with Tammie Bennett, cross country coach

Today we are joined by Tammie Bennett, cross country runner and coach, to talk about how to make running fun for kids (and their parents). The key? Embrace the muddy mess of being outside with kids!
Takeaways:
We have to keep things fun and social for kids!
Encourage your kids to explore their physical limits while getting messy and muddy
Let the kids lead the adventures outdoors. Give them the power and the choice
If you can’t find a community, can you create one?
It’s OK for you to get messy and have fun with your kids too. Kids love to see their parents having fun and racing alongside them!
Find Tammie’s podcast at the SHOW UP society on Apple Podcasts and follow her on Instagram @showupsociety
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

Our hack to get outside everyday

Anyone else feeling pretty tired? Yup, us too. Today we share what we do when we want to get outside, but the exhaustion is real.
Main takeaways:
Set the bar so low you can’t fail
Can you text a friend right now and make a plan to meet outside?
Can you incorporate getting a caffeinated drink or snack for yourself along the way? Because you need something to look forward to when you’re going outside!
Could you clip your kid into a stroller or bike trailer and go for a tiny outing? And while you’re doing that, could you put in one headphone and tune out just a bit?
Is there an errand you can incorporate into an outing? 
It gets easier. You’re doing really well.
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

Take your little scientist outside with Izolda Trakhtenberg

Would your kiddo like to try their hand at being a scientist? On today’s episode, we are joined by special guest, NASA Master Trainer Izolda Trakhtenberg, who has taught people aged 3-83 how to be community scientists. We talk to Izolda about all the amazing ways kids can learn about the world through science. 
Main takeaways: 
Science is one way to encourage kids to spend more time outside
So much learning happens when kids are given tangible activities to study their environment
Your kids are never too young to learn that they can have a positive impact on the world
Learn more about Izolda at Izoldat.com 
Community science activities and programs mentioned in this episode: GLOBE, iNaturalist, Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Cloud chart (elementary), Cloud chart (secondary)  
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

The secret to making mom friends

We were never meant to parent alone. But for lots of people, parenting young children is a really lonely time. We want to change that!
In this episode, we talk about how to make friends in a meaningful way that goes beyond just sharing your baby’s milestones and saying that everything is "fine". 
Takeaways:
Treat making parent friends like speed dating. It’s OK if you don’t hit it off with everyone. 
For us, focusing on a couple of really close friends has been far better than getting to know a large group at a superficial level.
If you’re looking for friendship, going for a walk or a hike can be a great way to get to know someone
Just because someone also has a baby, doesn’t mean you have to be friends. Find people whose lifestyle and parenting style resonates with you. 
The best way to feel included is to include someone else. Be brave and reach out!
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids