Rx: Vitamin N

Directions: Use daily, outdoors in nature. Go on a nature walk, watch birds, and observe trees. Practice respectful outdoor behavior in solitude or take friends and family.

REFILLS: Unlimited. Expires: Never.

Do it, Build it, Paint it, Play it:

• Make your own potpourri - gather and dry petals and herbs and combine on wax paper. Fold over the paper and crush the ingredients. Put the ingredients in a container with water and let sit for a few hours, then simmer in a pan.  
• Build an owl box - Google Audubon magazine for instructions on how to build and clean the box. Bonus: owls keep rodents away.
• Paint with mud - mix water and dirt in a bucket; offer a paintbrush to paint on pavement or cardboard or paper plates.

• REDE, Tanzania
• To play rede, players sit in a circle around a mound of sand. An upright stick is plunged in the center of the dirt mound. Then children take turns removing a handful or sand from around the stick. When the stick falls over, that player must run to touch a home base ( a rock or log of bare patch of grass) before the others can tag her.
• MARBLES SLIDING GAME, Cree (Native American)
• A snow bank (or dirt slope) is converted into a ramp for marbles. The ramp should be about five feet long. Players dig twelve holes at the bottom of the ramp and give them each a different point value. Players take turns trying to accumulate points by rolling a marble down the slope and trying to get it into one of the holes.
• TEN STICKS, Finland
• A hide-and-seek variation. A board is placed on a rock or log, and ten small sticks are placed on one side of the board. Someone stomps the board, sending the sticks flying, and a “seeker” has to collect them and put them back on the board before setting out to seek the other players.
• Go on a BELLY HIKE in your backyard
• Kids inch along on their bellies, covering just a few feet, and view natural wonders such as grass blades bent by rainbow dewdrops, colorful beetles sprinkled with flower pollen, and powerful jawed eight eyed spiders.
• FIREKEEPER
• Kids stand in a circle, one person is the firekeeper and sits in the center blindfolded. In front of him is a hat with some jangling keys. The grown up points to one to two children at a time who then try to sneak into the circle to steal the keys from the hat without being heard.  If the firekeeper hears the sneaker and points to him, that child goes to the outside of the circle and is effectively “out”. To up the ante, move from a grassy area to a place with sticks or leaves.

www.wanderingfamilies.com  Instagram: @wanderingfamilies

Kings Camo TurboTent

It is no secret that I love to camp; in fact, when we got married, we registered for a nice backpacking tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pads. But as children came along, we quickly outgrew our tent. We didn't want to stop camping, but we needed a large, durable, fast tent that we could take in our car. That tent is the Kings Camo Turbo Tent! It is quite rugged and keeps the water out beautifully (we just camped in 38 degree, rainy weather and stayed warm and dry). But the best part is it literally takes 90 seconds to set up! 

The bottom of the tent is made with heavy duty waterproof material that sweeps up beautifully because if your children are like mine, they go in and out all day long tracking in leaves, dirt and pine needles.

Puddle Jumpers

In my pre-mom life, I was a life guard and swim instructor. I love(d) being in the water and helping little children be safe, but I was never a fan of life jackets and don't even get me started on those water-wings! Life jackets give children a false sense of security and they do not put a child's body in the correct position for swimming.  However, my negative feelings were before I had 5 kids in 5 years and I wasn't sure how in the world I was going to manage going to a pool with my children by myself. I had to find a solution. Enter Puddle Jumpers! These are game changers, I'm telling you! My children love to wear them because they can swim just as if they were not wearing them and I don't even worry about them. I, of course, want my children to swim on their own - we do swim lessons and encourage them to swim often to build confidence and strength - but when it's just me and the kids at a pool, the rule is: all MUST wear puddle jumpers. There are too many innocent tragedies/accidents with small children drowning and I do not want to live through that nightmare! So, hurry to your local store (even Costco carries them) and for about $15 you can have peace of mind at the pool, too! 

This hot spring is at least 30' deep and so even though my husband was with us, puddle jumpers for everyone...can never be too safe, right?!

Gathre leather bonded play mats

I bought my #gathre play mat on kickstarter well over a year ago and we absolutely LOVE it! It lives in the back of my minivan all summer because you never know when you'll need it.  We have taken it to outdoor concerts because the "pokey grass" (as my kids call it) doesn't poke through the leather so it is comfortable to sit on. That's a win in their book. 

The best part about it for me, though, is how easily it wipes up without a trace of residue with just a baby wipe! On this particular day, my kiddos were making cards with glue and glitter. And not a single speck of glue or glitter stayed on that mat!

 You can get your own at gathre.com for various sizes, shapes and patterns.

Easy family service activity

Gordon B. Hinckley said, "The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others." I have wanted to impress upon my children the importance of looking for opportunities to serve. This day was an easy and very rewarding activity. We went through all of our old towels and baby blankets (how in the world did we end up with so many soft baby blankets?!) and washed them, then delivered them to our local animal shelter. 

They were so grateful for the baby blankets because they are softer and not many people donate soft blankets. When this sweet employee told us that the baby blankets get used for the kittens and puppies, my kids just about died with excitement!

She even let us go and see the 2-day old kittens! 

As we left, I asked them how they felt inside knowing they just helped some sad little animals? All of them said it made them so happy to give their soft blankets to poor little animals! 

Evenflo Snugli Cross Terrain Carrier

As a retired junior high history teacher, I love to research for all sorts of items that will be used in our family for years. One item has been a backpack we can hike with comfortably (and is comfortable for the child) and can also hold diapers, wipes, snacks, water. We wanted a backpack that would not throw us off balance because the center of gravity balance was too high. We also wanted one that wouldn't place the child higher than our head (because it is too easy to forget and accidentally bonk the child's head on a tree branch or rock). After much research and reading reviews about different carriers, we settled on the Snugli Cross Terrain backpack. It has been great for us! It is light, the packet to hold all we need for the baby, our water, etc is located under the child (they sit on it) which is handy when needing to access it without unloading the child. There are several pockets along the waist belt and back to store smaller items (like keys, cell phone, chapstick). 

We put the sun shade on, but our baby wanted to feel the warmth this day, so we just adjusted it so only the back of his head was protected. 

Along with many pockets, there are also hooks and clips to hold whatever else you made need on the hike. 

It is our best pack to carry everything including lifejackets, other children's water packs...kids! Disclaimer: it is no longer being produced, but the good news is: you may be able to score one for a steal on eBay! 

Seasonal allergies

I developed seasonal allergies as an adult and it has been no fun! I finally discovered a way to help alleviate the symptoms of runny, itchy eyes and runny, stuffy, itchy nose - essential oils! I would've never guessed, nor believed, if I hadn't found relief for myself! All it takes is three oils - lavender, peppermint, and lemon. There are many different ways to use them to help. One way, (which is also my preferred method) is to diffuse them. I put 2 drops of each oil into the diffuser and leave it on in a central location of my home. Another way, is to add 2 drops of each oil to a roller ball and then top off with fractionated coconut oil and rub it on your wrists, bottoms of feet and/or neck. If you have hay fever, run out and buy some of these oils (I personally use DoTerra) and try it out - relief is right around the corner!! 

Importance of destination

Thru trial and error, we have discovered that hiking with small children means there must be a "destination" (often times that means water). Beautiful vistas and meadows just are not "enough" for my children and they will whine and complain if that is all there is to see/do. Water seems to make happy hikers all around.

along the Kanarraville creek

If at the end of the hike (even 2.5 miles each way), they can take a dip, then my children love the hike.

Diamond Fork Hot Springs 

Even if they cannot get in the water because it is either too chilly or the water looks less than clean, they still enjoy the hike.

Small resevoir in Leeds, UT

The water doesn't need to be deep to have fun. So, as you plan your hikes, be sure there is something for the little kids to look forward to like water!

Stream in the Uinta Mountains

6 must-do tips for hiking with kids

Iwasn’t raised in a outdoorsy, hiking kind of family.  I’m from a California, techy kind of family.  So when I married this rugged camping, hiking, hunting, mountaineer guy I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  It wasn’t until our family started to grow and we were trying to find an identity of what kind of family we were going to be that my love of hiking began.  It’s for the most part free, quiet, and a perfect way to grow together as a family.  Also, I really believe in exposing my kids to a reasonable amount of risk as they grow so that they can learn what their little bodies are capable of and measure for themselves what might not be safe.  These are invaluable skills to building self confidence and empowering them to do whatever they want.  

I get asked all the time though how do you hike with all those little kids.  Here’s my best advice and tips on the subject:

1. Never ever ever leave the house without food.  EVER!!  No matter how short the hike, no matter how long you’re planning on being out.  Once you hit those trails the kids will start to turn.  A couple granola bars, some fruit snacks, even a juice box does wonders to perk a tired hiker up.  

2. While we’re on the subject of food I like to have a pack of gum in my back pocket when we hike.  Something sweet that will make good bubbles.  Then once the kids start to complain I’ve got my secret weapon.  “Once we get to that rock up there with no whining you can get a ½ piece of gum!”  Then hand it out again after the next big obstacle or steep incline.  It makes them excited to get to that rock and also it keep their mouths busy while we go.  Try it!  It’s amazing.

3. If I know we’re not going to be around crowds or other hikers it’s fun sometimes to bring a little bluetooth speaker and play some music as we go.  I even have a hiking playlist full of upbeat fun songs they all know.  It keeps the pace up and helps keep their minds off tired legs.

4. Research!  Before you go on a hike try to read and learn about it as much as possible.  Although sometimes it’s fun to just go and explore without a plan for the most part they like to know how long we are going to be hiking, what kind of cool things we’ll see and how intense it’s going to be.  It also helps you plan for what kind of gear you need.  Nothing like being the idiots trying to wrangle a double stroller up a single track trail.

5. Speaking of gear, we tried it all.  We’ve had all kinds of hiking backpacks, front packs, side packs.  You name it we’ve probably tried it.  Our very favorite hiking carrier of all time is the Ergo.  It keeps the weight evenly distributed, and keeps them down low so they aren’t banging their heads into low branches.   Plus with them strapped on like this it keeps me pretty free to climb and boulder when I need to.  You wouldn’t believe the places we’ve gone with the kids strapped on like this.  (I don’t usually carry 2 at a time, but I totally can!)

6. Finally BE FLEXIBLE!  Countless times we’ve had to change plans or not go as far as we’d hoped or leave the trail to discover something new.  That’s the fun of being outside with your kids.  There’s no rules, no expectations, just being together finding new stuff.  

Like I said I’m not a natural adventurer, but we have had so much fun exploring together as a family and getting a little stronger in the process.  Don’t be afraid to get out there, even if your kids are tiny.  That’s the very best time to get them used to it.   

Chaco sandals

About 18 years ago, I planned a 50-mile hike through the Grand Canyon and heard rave reviews about Chaco sandals and took a chance by buying a pair and wearing them on that adventure. I didn't get a single blister and my feet were not tired after the long week of hiking and playing in and out of water. I have been a die-hard fan of Chaco sandals since. I wear these everywhere.  My husband has a few pairs and our 7-year old daughter even now has a pair and she also loves them. The vibrate sole grips any surface, but is especially helpful on sandstone and on slick rocks in water. They have arch support which is a big plus and the webbing can be adjusted to fit every foot shape to a "t". They are on the pricey side (adult sizes $100 and kids $60), but we often find them on sale for 50% off or on eBay. I recommend them to anyone who enjoys hiking or who wants to become more outdoors-y. Trust me, you'll fall in love with them, too!