St Lucia Day (St. Lucy's Day) Traditions for Families: Simple Ways to Celebrate Light in the Dark of Winter As darkness encroaches and the light wanes in late fall, we wake to dark mornings and busy December days. In our home, my children and I embrace St. Lucy’s Day...
Hello, December! December arrives with a hush, and yet life feels loud and busy this time of year—holiday preparations, to-do lists, concerts, and celebrations all crowding the calendar. On one hand we want to follow nature's invites to rest and slow down, and yet the...
It might seem silly to be sharing a tutorial on making nature paintbrushes for kids. After all, paintbrush have been made from natural materials for thousands of years! According to Britannica, paintbrushes are one of human's earliest art supplies and were used as...
If you’re hunting for mud kitchen ideas, here’s what I learned the hard way. Last year, after we moved, I finally set up a mud kitchen in our new backyard. We couldn’t bring our old one with us, and my kids loved it, so I rushed to recreate the magic. This time...
Straining to fit into a boot. Whining about a finger caught in the wrong mitten. Searching for that elusive toque. Getting your kids outside to play in the winter can feel like an hour-long ordeal—with the end result being piles of snowy mittens, dripping boots, and...
It’s already February 2025, and if you’re anything like me, those grand “new year, new me” ambitions might be feeling a little less grand (and a bit more guilt-inducing). If you’ve been trying to keep up with a nature challenge—like 1000 Hours Outside—maybe you...
This past December, I had the joy of collaborating with Alex Bodden, president of the South Okanagan Naturalist Society, to bring the first-ever Christmas Bird Count for Kids to Penticton, BC. The event was a resounding success, sparking excitement among families and...
It’s officially 2025—a fresh start for everyone! The new year traditionally brings resolutions and lofty goals, but if you’re anything like me, those well-intended plans often slip away by February. I’ve especially struggled with the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge....
A Gentle Guide to Inspire Your Year Ahead: A Nudge Word As 2024 comes to close, I find myself entering into a state of soft reflection. I've never been one to end the year strong. Instead, I prefer to lean into the slower paced days that fill the void between...
“How should I dress my baby when it’s cold outside?” This is a question I get asked a lot. So often, in fact, that it deserved its very own post. After raising five babies in the Great White North of Canada, I’ve learned a thing or two about keeping little ones warm...
Atlas Helium Trail Snowshoes Review (Teens + Adults) The Atlas Helium Trail Snowshoes (also available on Amazon), are a great beginner trail snowshoe for teens and adults who want to explore snowy trails with a bit of elevation. My teen went through a massive growth...
I am no stranger to Mountain Equipment Company’s (MEC) winter gear. I remember my parents flipping through MEC catalogues in the 90s, carefully picking out hats, gloves, and winter suits for my siblings and me. I grew up in Prince George, British Columbia, where...
The MSR Shift Youth snowshoes are a durable, traction-heavy option for kids ages 5–12 who want to explore groomed trails and mixed winter terrain. If I had to pick one winter activity that’s unique, fun, and genuinely great for the whole family, it would be...
I sit in a small alcove of my small log home, my back the dining table which is stretched to its maximum length. Around its scratched wooden surface friends and family have gathered to play games. Their feet tap to tunes and their voices rise above the din of laughter...
Picture books for the winter solstice are one of my favourite ways to slow down and celebrate the shortest day of the year with kids. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice usually falls around December 21st and marks the official start of winter. While there...
Using pinecones for arts and crafts is so much fun. Pinecones come in all shapes and sizes. Big pinecones, little pinecones, round pinecones and long pinecones. Finding the perfect pinecone is just as much fun as making these adorable pinecone gnomes. Disclaimer: This...