Check out some of our favorite resources to inspire and inform connection, engagement, and development! 

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Books for Parents & Caregivers

Balanced and Barefoot

It’s Okay Not to Share

Free to Learn

There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather

How to Raise a Wild Child

Vitamin N

Outdoor Kids in an Inside World

The Whole Brained Child

No Longer a Secret

Sensational Kids

The Out of Sync Child

Grow Wild

Books for Kids & Families

Run Wild

We’re Going on a Nature Hunt

Heartwood Hotel Series

Finding Wild

Not a Stick

Not a Box

Max Found Two Sticks

Grumpy Monkey

My Whirling Twirling Motor

When Water Makes Mud

The Sunflower Sword

If I Built a House

I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More

Super Jumbo

Where’s Rodney

The Black Book of Colors

Inspiring Outdoor Play in Your Backyard

Find these items at home:

Cardboard boxes
Curtain sheers
Pots & pans

Baskets
Sticks
Pinecones

Chalk 
Buckets
Kitchen utensils

Funnels 
Access to water
Tin cans 

Supplement with:

Pulleys

Paracord

Tree Straps

Hammock

Slack Line

Fire Starting Tool

Small Waterproof Tarp

Climbing Rope

Wheelbarrow

Short Shovel

Stubby Hammer

Durable Kids Picnic Table

Outdoor Play Gear for Kids

Want to level up your child's foot health?

As you prepare for outdoor adventures, consider minimalist shoes that allow for maximum foot movement on the earth!  There are lots of options out there, but we have purchased Xero Shoes with success.  Katy Bowman talks a lot about the importance of movement and foot movement – she even provides a kid-friendly lesson to teach your kids about their feet!  These recommendations aren’t just for your kids, check out Xero Shoes or other minimalist footwear options for yourself too!

Long sleeve, dry fit shirt

Fast drying hiking pants

Wool or synthetic socks

Wide hat

Kids Zipped Backpack

32 Oz Water Bottle

Cooling Neck Wrap

Camp Towel

1-Piece Rain Suit

Rain Jacket + Pants

Thermal Under Layers

Waterproof Gloves

Kids Hydration Pack

Rain Boots

Snack Containers

Other Great Resources

  • Think Outside is a cool monthly subscription box that will inspire your child to explore the great outdoors!  Find it here.
  • Trek 10 Trails is a neat yearly challenge to get out and hike 10 different trails in Polk County!  Collect stamps along the way and see if your family can finish them all!  Click here for details.
  • 1000 Hours Outside is a great blogger out of Michigan with inspiring information and tips to expand your family time outdoors.  Find her on social media and click here to head to her website.
  • Not a Clue Adventures is a guide service in West Central Florida to help you grow in your comfort and skill for outdoor adventures with your family!  Click Here to learn more.
  • Geocaching is a super fun way to engage your family in a little hiking adventure.  It can be overwhelming to get started, but this post from REI is a great place to start.
  • TimberNook Tips is a short podcast with bite size information on the therapeutic benefits of outdoor play plus the whys and hows to bring this childhood occupation back!  Find it where you listen to podcasts or click here to get started.