by Krystle Gard and Brita Johnson

When the temperature rises and the rain clouds lift, we sun-starved residents of the Pacific Northwest typically swarm to the great outdoors. For parents and kids, especially, getting outside in the summer can be fun, exciting and a much-needed outlet for energy and stress.

This year, since the COVID pandemic has closed or limited access to some of our go-to summer activities, making plans can feel overwhelming. Luckily, there are lots of resources out there to help you figure out how to get outside safely and successfully. Here are a few simple, local outdoor summer activities, drawn from some of Bridgetown Baby’s experienced adventurers.

At Home Outdoor Adventures

Getting outside, even for a few minutes, can provide perspective and a quick reset for a moody morning or an afternoon that’s going awry. That said, sometimes, despite the need to get outside, we just don’t have the energy to go anywhere. With very few materials you can have some real fun - and get a recharge - in your own backyard or even balcony.

Chalk Games and Obstacle courses: One of our favorite at home activities is chalk play. I love to use this time for educational games. You can use the chalk to draw shapes, numbers or letters. Then have your child/ren take turns running to the place you call out. We also love to draw obstacle courses, then follow all of the lines, shapes, and zig-zags without “falling off” the course. Lastly, if you want to make a simple but beautiful art piece, use masking tape to create a chalk mosaic.

Mud Pie and Dandelions: You can use the resources you have on hand to create an outdoor kitchen or dig pit, leading to hours of outdoor sensory engagement (and good clean fun). Get some old, used pots and pans, spoons and small watering cans, and you can whip up a mud pie fest, make “clay,” or make “cave paintings” on rocks. 

Messy Paint Play: Painting is a great way to spend time with children - however, when you paint indoors, the clean-up can take longer than the activity. Outdoor painting with homemade paint - made with common kitchen ingredients - can alleviate that issue! Homemade chalk paint becomes a science experiment; homemade gel paint and an inexpensive shower curtain make for an excitingly messy, easy to clean-up, sensory experience - instructions here.

Out and About Adventures

Getting out of the house is a must during the summer, and while it can feel daunting to do with young children (and maybe a baby or two) in the mix, preparing ahead of time will increase your success with all the phases of an adventure: departure, execution, and return.

Our number one tip: if your family is anything like our families, then 99% of the time your littles will need to change their clothes before they get back in the car. Pack a bag of extra everything just in case: shoes; undies; diapers; pants; shorts; shirts; hats; towels, etc. And bring a waterproof bag to keep soiled clothes contained on the way home.

Tip number two: it’s easier to get out of the house on adventures both planned and spontaneous if you put together a “go-kit” for summer adventures that lives near the door, including staples such as: sunhats; sunshirts; sunscreen; hand sanitizer and facemasks; and some shelf-stable snacks (don’t forget the snacks!!).

Berry Bliss: The Portland metro area provides us with amazing opportunities for berry picking. Picking blueberries is a great outdoor activity that not only gets you outside, but helps children with fine motor skills and learning about the food chain. Many farms provide information and support for safer, socially-distanced u-pick (See Resources, below).

Creek Play: Playing in water is a quintessential summer pastime. With toddlers and smaller children, large bodies of water can be scary. And with municipal splash pads and pools closed this summer, that leaves creeks to play in. Creek play is a fantastic way to play and stay cool, while enjoying the natural world. Bring a bucket and collect rocks. Or bring a light boat and see how the current takes it away. There are so many ways to keep your children and yourself entertained for hours. 

Walks & Hikes: Sometimes going for a walk or a hike is all you and the family need to recharge. And though urban walks can do the trick, getting out in nature is way more fun. Things to think of before you go: always bring extra snacks and water; it’s inevitable that as soon as you start your walk, the little ones will be hungry. For walking toddlers and small children, small incentives can motivate them to walk a bit farther. I bring dye-free treats and tell my boys that they have super powers like super speed, or extra strength. They get energized for a bit more walking, and I get to enjoy how creative they are with their super powers. Another fun game is “I Spy” - looking for colors, shapes or letters helps everyone really look around and see all the beauty of our area. Lastly, don’t rush. Give yourself and your little ones time to really explore. Every leaf, stick and stump is a new and exciting discovery for them. 

Camping with Kiddos: Even if you camped before children, the idea of doing it with children can be terrifying! Our first recommendation is: don’t recreate the wheel! Search the web or your local community for experts who’ve done this before, and learn from their experience. Second, take practice trips: find close-by campgrounds where you can go for one or two nights to test your family’s limits.

If you decide camping is your family’s jam, create your camping “go-kit.” With small children and babies you already have a lot of gear to trudge back and forth, so simplifying your camping gear into compact totes will make camping a more attainable activity. Here are some items you might include:

• Extra tupperware

• Doubles of some staple items like cookware and flatware

• Gear you’ll use just for camping (sleeping bags, etc.) - you can often find used camping gear through local listservs 

• A small bin with camp cooking essentials: cooking oil, salt, pepper, shelf-stable snacks, tinfoil, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, etc.

• Doubles of favorite toys from home - or special “camping only” toys to add some unique fun to the trip.

While setting up camp can seem daunting, getting your kids involved as much as possible will help them to feel invested, and help all of you to have a more fun and bonding experience. And don’t forget extra layers - it’s almost always colder in the evening and in the morning. Bring fleeces and wool socks even if kiddos will be in their sleep sack or footie pajamas - and be prepared for extra snuggles.

Outdoor adventures can be sanity savers - and memory makers - for both you and your kids. Get prepared, get going, and have fun!

A Few of Our Favorite Resources:

Portland Metro Area u-pick guide

Nearby Natural Waters

Metro Area Hiking Trails

Hike Finder - Oregon-wide

50 Hikes With Kids: Oregon and Washington 

Babes In The Woods - tried and tested advice for taking babies and toddlers hiking, camping and boating at early ages