Have a young explorer in your world — a child, grandchild, niece/nephew, or child you babysit? Want a secret weapon up your sleeve? Pack a Nature Knapsack.
Find an inexpensive backpack that fits the child. A ratty old one they no longer use for school works great. Remember, it is going to see a lot of dirt, mud, and grass stains — so you don’t want to be afraid to let it get dirty. DIRTY!
SUGGESTED CONTENTS:
- magnifying glass
- bug boxes
- small notebook and pencil or animal sticker book for very young children
- compass (depending on the age of the child)
- old butter tubs or glass jars w/ lids (holes poked in either type of lid; catch & release rules apply!)
- inexpensive binoculars
- field guide
- water bottle
- baggies or containers for collecting items
No pressure to fill it with all these goodies. Add as many or as few as you like — and you can add over time, as the child ages. Hang it by the door or put it in a special place in the child’s room and they will be ready to go explore any time and see what Mother Nature has to offer!
Exploring the natural world is a never-ending game of chance and wonder, and far healthier than playing video games or watching TV. A Nature Knapsack can help you encourage time outdoors for the kids in your world. Who knows, you may just want to pack one for yourself, too. (Um, mine is red.)
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
Will do this for my nephew! RT @balmeras: Help kids explore the natural world. Pack a Nature Knapsack. http://bit.ly/XvF4H
This is a great idea — good for a gift, too!
RT @balmeras In case you missed this today: http://bit.ly/XvF4H
A few of our Virginia State Parks have backpacks like these they will lend out to families: First Landing, Kiptopeke and York River. More soon!
For the night shift: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru – Pack a Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H #playoutdoors #parent
this is great – I remember doing this as a kid: http://bit.ly/uWagZ let your kids in on the BIG fun from the Grass Stain Guru
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru – Pack a Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H #playoutdoors #parent
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru – Pack a Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H #playoutdoors #parent
RT @balmeras: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru – Pack a Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H #playoutdoors #parent
Love that parks are putting these together and Holly is right — it is a great gift! You can bet it will be a gift a child will remember, and one that will never need batteries or directions — and can offer a new experience every time they use it.
This is a great idea. Especially as a gift for a young explorer. And I too love that parks are giving these out. We usually try to pack ourselves something like this when we go out exploring but it nice to now have a list to go by. Thanks.
this is great – I remember doing this as a kid: http://bit.ly/uWagZ let your kids in on the BIG fun from the Grass Stain Guru
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru – Pack a Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H #playoutdoors #parent
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru – Pack a Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H #playoutdoors #parent
RT @balmeras: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru – Pack a Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H #playoutdoors #parent
http://bit.ly/ftfl2
Pack a Nature Knapsack!
http://bit.ly/ftfl2
Pack a Nature Knapsack!
RT @SJLocavore RT @balmeras Help kids explore natural world-Pack Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H
My daughter, the Applekid, has got one hanging on a hook next to her school bag at home. We used to have the packs at our preschool too. After reading your post, I am re-introducing them again. And with regards to the backpacks as a gift, it will be a gift the child can open again and again and again!! Thanks, Bethe.
RT @SJLocavore RT @balmeras Help kids explore natural world-Pack Nature Knapsack http://bit.ly/XvF4H
readers shared some of our field bag contents on my blog! :^)
http://www.heywoodsmeadow.com/blog/show-and-tell-field-bags-1.html
Fun activities for the naturalistic kids: Pack a Nature Knapsack. http://bit.ly/VHEsl
Fun activities for the naturalistic kids: Pack a Nature Knapsack. http://bit.ly/VHEsl
@balmeras Me too. I really like the idea of having a kid's nature backpack at the ready: http://bit.ly/1hl3EZ
@balmeras Me too. I really like the idea of having a kid's nature backpack at the ready: http://bit.ly/1hl3EZ
Great idea. I'd + a snack! RT @wildobs @balmeras I really like the idea of having a kid's nature backpack at the ready: http://bit.ly/1hl3EZ
@TheNatrlCaptl Snacks are always welcomed in a nature knapsack – and, they make U very popular with the squirrels. ;o) http://bit.ly/1hl3EZ
Some of our coastal parks offer backpacks like these for families to check out when they visit the park. Of course that begs the question why aren’t they doing that everywhere!
Great idea. I'd + a snack! RT @wildobs @balmeras I really like the idea of having a kid's nature backpack at the ready: http://bit.ly/1hl3EZ
@TheNatrlCaptl Snacks are always welcomed in a nature knapsack – and, they make U very popular with the squirrels. ;o) http://bit.ly/1hl3EZ
Here's my #playoutdoors tip for the weekend – Pack a Nature Knapsack! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/36xLAo #kids
RT @balmeras: Here's my #playoutdoors tip for the weekend – Pack a Nature Knapsack! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/36xLAo #kids
RT @balmeras: Here's my #playoutdoors tip for the weekend – Pack a Nature Knapsack! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/36xLAo #kids
A nature knapsack is a lovely idea. I recently made a very small adventurers bag for my little 2yr old who LOVES to collect all manner of things on our daily walks.
We are starting an Outdoor Play link-up next Friday and would love to see you over there sharing some of these great ideas.
Kate