Now these are some good aspirations for our kids courtesy of the UK’s National Trust.
Archive for April, 2012
Bucket List for Little Ones
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged National Trust's Bucket List on April 13, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Coming Events
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged outdoors events in the Bay Area, todder events in the Bay Area, toddler activities in the Bay Area, what's on this weekend on April 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »
All Weekend
South Bay Historical Railroad Society’s Model Train Fair, Santa Clara, 10am-5pm. Adults $5, kids free. See here for details.
Saturday 14th April
Tartan Day Scottish Fair at Ardenwood Farm, 10am-5pm. $10 adults, $5 kids, under threes are free.
Earth Day at Oakland Zoo. See here for details.
Wildflower Walks at Edgewood Park. More details here.
Birding at Bedwell Bayfront Park, 10.30am – 12.30pm. See here.
Tuesday 17th April
Toddler Time at Ardenwood Farm (sheep), 11-11.30am.
Nature and the American Preschooler
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged gender differences in play, outdoors play, preschoolers outside, why don't girls play out on April 10, 2012| 1 Comment »
A new study on the American preschooler and the outdoors has a few interesting findings. Alongside its conclusion that most preschoolers get insufficient active outdoors playtime (which is, by now, pretty well documented), it suggests that stay at home parents are generally worse than preschools at getting kids outside, that parents who exercise themselves are more likely to exercise with their kids, and that girls play outside much less than boys. This last one is the one I find most disturbing. This early lack of outdoors play seems to set bad foundations for female health. Not having girls, and being an outdoorsy kind of girl myself, I can’t really guess at the reasons why toddler girls are not going outside. Is it a natural difference, parental expectations or societal pressure? Mothers of girls…?
It’s wild out there
Posted in Animal Spotting, hiking with toddlers, local outdoors outings, Short Hikes, tagged Arastradero Preserve, California rattlesnakes, hiking safely, Rancho San Antonio, rattlesnake warning, rattlesnakes, rattlesnakes and children, safety on the trail, western rattlesnakes, Windy Hill on April 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »
I know there are plenty of signs warning of the dangers of the wild but, when you see them every hike and never see a mountain lion or snake, it’s easy to get complacent. This weekend we had a reminder to take those warnings seriously. We were hiking our favourite route up to the top of Windy Hill to enjoy the sensational views on a clear, sunny, spring morning. Part of the ascent requires some rock scrambling. As we trod the narrow path between the rocks we were suddenly aware of a loud rattle in the bushes to our left. We froze and peered into the undergrowth only to see two large rattle snakes, tails beating frantically, staring at us and tasting the air. We backed slowly away down the hill and left the snakes well alone. On one hand, as no-one was hurt, it was awesome to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. On the other, it was a little disturbing just how close we had been to them without realising they were there.
Would you have noticed the two rattlers at the side of this trail?
Experienced local hikers tell me this is the season in which rattlesnakes are especially active as they come out of hibernation and onto the trails to bask in the spring sun. So be careful out there! Always watch where you’re walking and climbing. Along with Windy Hill, I’m told one is also especially likely to encounter a rattlesnake in Arastradero Preserve and Rancho San Antonio at this time of year. But be wary wherever you hike and don’t let little ones scramble too far ahead of you into long grass or over rocks.
The Outdoors Parent 