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Sometimes, you may wonder how to get outdoors in the winter because it can be difficult to stay motivated in the cold while bundled up in all the winter gear! There are so many fun ways to still get outdoors in the winter that will keep the kids motivated and want to be outdoors more in the colder months. We've compiled a simple list of fun activities to do outside during the snowy season. Keep reading to learn more about how to get kids outdoors this winter! How to Get Outdoors with Kids this Winter: Snow Activities Play in the snow. You can use sand toys with snow, too! Build a snowman. For even more fun, let the kids pick out the accessories at the dollar store or grocery store! Make snow angels "Paint" the snow with water in a spray bottle. Use food colouring to dye each bottle a different colour! Take a sled to a nearby hill. If you have more than one, you can race! Visit a local skating rink. Bring some sticks and a ball to pass around for longer entertainment! Head to the ski hill for a ski/snowboard day! Strap on "skis" for toddlers in the backyard Go snowshoeing in a large field or somewhere with fresh snow Find a cross-country ski trail. You can even have the option to pull a chariot as well! How to Get Outdoors with Kids this Winter: Seasonal Activities Visit the Ice Sculptures—Lake Louise has Ice Castles every year around January, and the Town of Banff also has Ice Sculptures! Check to see if there are any winter festivals happening near you, such as the Banff Christmas Market, Jasper in January Festival, or the Festival of Lights in Edmonton. Most cities also host a "Glow" event! See Christmas lights in your neighborhood. In Edmonton, a specific street—Candy Cane Lane—holds a Christmas Lights event every year for the public. You can click here to view where to see Christmas lights in and around the City of Calgary. Enjoy a fire with hot cocoa and marshmallows. Nothing is more cozy than being cuddled up by the fire! There are so many other items on Kids Who Explore's Winter Bucket List, and we talked about it on our Winter Bucket List podcast, which you can find by clicking here. Head over to this podcast to listen to what else Lauren and Cindy have added to their bucket lists for the winter season.  Do you get outside by doing any of these activities? Make sure you share with us by tagging us @KidsWhoExplore and using hashtags #KidsWhoExplore and #KWE so we can follow along with your winter adventures! Thank you for following along with this week's blog post.

We asked all of our followers where they wanted to see trail guides, and Alaska was one of them! Our Explorer Family, @brenda.h.ak, shared her favourite family-friendly trails in Alaska. You can click on her name to view her Instagram! Brenda is a mom of 2, exploring all that Alaska has to offer. Fueled by coffee, Brenda constantly inspires us with the epic adventures she takes her kids on! Here is what she had to say: Curry Ridge Curry Ridge is about 2.5 hrs north of Anchorage. It’s a 6.5-mile out-and-back trail with amazing views of Denali (the tallest mountain in North America) almost the whole way. With an incline of about 1,100 ft, it makes for a great day hike with kids and an even better backpacking trip! Bodenburg Butte (West Butte Trail) The Butte is a great introductory hike for beginner hikers with views of Palmer and the Knik Glacier! It’s about 874ft elevation gain in about 1.5 miles. It offers a series of 505 steps to reach the summit. A great short/easy hike for new hikers! Eklutna Lakeside Trail About 30 minutes from Anchorage, Eklutna Lake offers two amazing hikes. The lakeside trail is fairly flat and goes along the lake for about 12 miles, suitable for hiking, biking, or skiing in the winter. We typically go in about 3-4 miles and turn around. There are public-use cabins around the trail as well. The second trail I love to hike with my kids is the Twin Peaks trail (to the first bench). It’s a little over 1,000ft elevation gain in about 2 miles. Once on the first bench, it offers amazing views of Eklutna Lake (the source of Anchorage’s drinking water). Also, look out for an old abandoned car a little more than halfway up the trail. Portage Pass Trail Before you even start the hike, you get to drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial, aka the Whittier Tunnel. It’s the longest tunnel in North America for both vehicles and trains, which takes you into the unique town of Whittier. This trail is a little more of a challenge for little legs, but it is so worth it! My 3-year-old backpacked it this summer on his own two feet with the help of a bag of gummy worms. It’s about 4.5 miles RT, with about 1400 ft elevation gain. Even going halfway (the first mile is all uphill) is worth the incredible views of Portage Glacier. Enjoy blueberries and salmon berries along the trail during prime berry season! Enjoy These Family-Friendly Trails In Alaska! Thank you for reading this week's blog post about family-friendly trails in Alaska. If you have any more suggestions for Alaska, or would like to contribute to any other destination, send us a DM on Instagram or Facebook! We can't wait to see all the amazing adventures you go on! Happy Exploring! Don't forget to tag us @KidsWhoExplore and use hashtags #KidsWhoExplore and #KWE to share your adventures and for your chance to be featured on our Instagram!

Kids Who Explore has wrapped up our second Planet Clean-up month and we are so grateful for everyone who participated! After our first successful planet clean-up during Earth Month in April, we decided to create a second virtual event to get your families outdoors! We focused on teaching families and kids to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost -- the themes of each week in Planet Cleanup Month. Full proceeds from Planet Cleanup went to Water First, who help address water challenges in Indigenous Communities in Canada through education, training & meaningful collaboration. Keep reading to find out how much we were able to raise for Water First... A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors! Keen Kids Elements/Patagonia Calgary West Coast Kids Here is a breakdown of each week we focused on during Planet Cleanup 2.0! Reduce This week Elements/Patagonia Calgary was our sponsor, and we focused on reducing. Here are some tips to reduce around your home: - Turn out your lights - Use washable produce bags - Hang your clothes to dry - Skip takeout for the week - Use a reusable shopping bag - Use less water for your bath Reuse Our second-week sponsor was Keen Kids, and we focused on sharing tips on how you can reuse things -- here they are: - Browse a thrift store - Use glass jars to buy bulk items at the grocery store - Save a toothbrush to clean with - Donate an item to charity - Sell something you no longer need on Facebook Marketplace - Use grocery bags for garbage - Make a craft with an old egg carton Recycle A huge thank-you to West Coast Kids for being our sponsor for week 3. We've compiled some tips to help you recycle more: - Set up 4 sorting bins at home: glass, plastic, metal, paper - Learn a fact about recycling - Make seed paper - Observe how much you recycle in a week - Find out how far a recycling depot is from your home - Track how many drink containers you use in a week - Make a craft with a plastic bottle Compost Here are some tips to motivate you about composting: - Build a micro composter - Eat your leftovers, or freeze them - Make a food waste action plan - Eat something past its best-before date (if it's safe to do so) - Find out what produce keeps well together, and what does not - Buy produce that isn't in plastic - Find out what cities near you have a compost facility We Raised...... $285 for Water First!!! You can click here to find their website. Ensuring ALL Indigenous Communities in Canada have clean drinking water is important not only to Kids Who Explore but also to people across our Nation. Clean drinking water is not a right, it is a necessity. With all of you, we were able to help deliver that, and we can't thank you and our sponsors enough! Water First offers educational and training programs, including an Internship, as well as volunteer and partnership programs. Click here to find out more information on how you can assist in ensuring Indigenous Communities have clean drinking water. Thank you to everyone who participated, followed along, and embraced Planet Cleanup! We cannot wait to launch our next Planet Cleanup event during Earth Month! Stay tuned for activities, prizes, and much more fun. Happy Exploring! Be sure to tag @kidswhoexplore and use hashtag #KidsWhoExplore & #KWE to share your adventures with us, and your chance to be featured.

This week's blog post is a feature post from our ambassador family, @raisinghikers ! You can click here to find their blog . Are you unsure of what to do when your kids do not want to hike? Kristin, mom of 2, has written the perfect post on how to motivate your kiddo's to be present outdoors. Exploring what Colorado has to offer, @raisinghikers inspires us daily with their beautiful adventures. Here is Kristin's blog post on What to do When Your Kids Do NOT Want to Hike. HELP! MY KID DOESN’T WANT TO GO HIKING—DOES SHE HATE THE OUTDOORS? Most people assume that my kids always enjoy hiking and are excited to hit the trails. While sometimes this is true, there are also many times we start out with reluctant hikers, or they “hit a wall” and do not want to take one more step. I just don’t have many pictures of those moments! I tried my best to track down all of the captured grumpy hiker moments I could. We are currently in an in-between stage where our 4-year-old and 6-year-old are getting too heavy to carry on a long hike but don’t always have the stamina to make it to our destination. Throughout the years, I have picked up some tips for hiking with kids that work (most of the time) when my kid does NOT want to hike. We’ve all been there. The hike started out great, everyone was on board and excited for the adventure and a mile (or 10 steps) into the hike their legs just DO NOT WORK. They may start whining, slowing down, crying, or (my favorite) actually sitting in the middle of the trail and refusing to move. This picture can scare many parents away from hiking at all, and I get it! But I truly believe that the best family memories, learning opportunities, character-building, and quality time are spent on the trail, so it’s worth getting your kids outside—even with the potential that there may be some unpleasant times. With that in mind, having these tricks in your back pocket when your kid does not want to hike will help you feel more prepared and ready to tackle those trail tantrums! DON’T CALL IT A HIKE Maybe you haven’t even made it those 10 steps out your front door, and you are already being met with resistance about the idea of this “fun hike.”. Setting the tone for the day and gaining their buy-in will significantly improve their spirits and motivation for the hike. I’m going to wager that your child does NOT hate the outdoors. A hike, by definition, is just a long walk, usually uphill, so focusing on that aspect of the day is not very appealing.   Instead of saying, “We are going on a hike!” try, “Let’s go explore a forest, or find a waterfall, or climb some boulders, or throw rocks in a lake, or have an adventure.” It also helps to genuinely be excited about this outing yourself. Kids often feed on your excitement (or stress). If you are stressing about  what to pack , where to go, etc., they aren’t going to be very convinced that this is something they should look forward to. HELP! MY KID IS WHINING AND DOES NOT WANT TO HIKE! BE PATIENT! You know how they say dogs can smell fear? I think kids can smell “hurry.” If I am in a rush or give off the impression that we need to go quickly, I am just begging for my kids to slow down to a crawl. Instead, I try to take it slow and appear that I’ve got nothing but time. CHECK THE VITALS Do your kids need a water, snack, potty or a break to rest their legs? Are they too cold or too hot? I offer water as much as possible and always keep it accessible in our pack. Feel your child’s hands and ears to see if they need gloves or a hat. This is when planning in advance and being prepared with everything you need on a hike is critical. Be sure to check out my post on  What to Pack When Hiking with Kids  to keep your daypack fully stocked. REMIND THEM HOW PROUD THEY WILL BE WHEN THEY COMPLETE THE HIKE This strategy works really well for my 6-year-old. She enjoys the sense of accomplishment and pride when she reaches the summit. Start building this early with comments like “you must feel so proud of yourself right now for walking on your own!” or “You haven’t needed to be carried this whole hike, how does that make you feel?” or “Wow, that was a steep hill and you climbed it!” I am freaking proud of my kids on how far they can hike, the elevation gain they can conquer, and their resilience to the forces of nature, but my goal is for them to feel proud of themselves so that they want to persevere when it gets hard or they are tired. That will go a lot farther on the trail (and in life) than me being proud of them. GIVE PRAISE Everyone loves positive reinforcement and wants to live up to how amazing you just told them they are! I am seriously amazed with my kids on the trail a lot of the time. And when I have that thought, I tell them! Sometimes I can see they are on the cusp of becoming grumpy hikers and I muster up some artificial praise that really helps. It may sound like, “Wow, it is so cool that you’ve hiked all this way. You are so strong! I wonder if we could make it 10 more minutes and then take a well-deserved break. Let’s set a timer!” BUST OUT SOME ENTERTAINMENT I do not mean toys or technology. My favorite hiking entertainment is games or activities that don’t require any materials and can be launched at any time. Most of the time, all it takes to get your little hiker moving again is to infuse some fun. Some of our favorites are: Guess what animal I am (20 questions) Make up a story together, go around, and let everyone add to it Sing a song or make up a song together Tell jokes (we can seriously do this one for hours, and they are NOT good jokes, but we all think we are hilarious!) Alphabet games—how many animals can you think of that start with the letter B? Play I-Spy—guess something you see based on hints (color, etc) Trail dancing (my personal favorite) Parkour – jumping off of boulders and tree stumps Walk like an animal Collect sticks or small rocks Truth or dare—dare the kids to do some adventurous tasks (within reason) on the trail HELP! MY KID DOES NOT WANT TO HIKE AND IS HAVING A TRAIL TANTRUM—SHOULD WE TURN AROUND?! DISTRACT “What was that sound??? Did you hear that!?” Sounds in the wild are my absolute favorite distraction. There is usually some sound out there that you need to be reeeeallllly quiet in order to hear. I often feel like a Jedi Master with this one; at least with my 4-year-old son. My 6-year-old daughter will not be fooled with this strategy, but I imagine she gets a kick out of me trying and she will definitely play along when it’s being used on her brother. PROVIDE A SENSORY EXPERIENCE Nature is filled with sensory opportunities, and engaging the senses can help activate a different part of your child’s brain. This can look like taking a break to play in the dirt with their hands, feel the bark of a tree with their fingers, look up at the tops of the trees and watch them sway, close your eyes, and listen for birds or wind blowing leaves, take deep breaths with your nose and out with your mouth to smell the fresh air of the trail. I bet if you pictured those sensory activities, you just became calmer yourself. It can work the same on upset kiddos—so let nature’s magic do the work! GIVE THEM CHOICES This is the age-old parenting trick where you give kids two choices, both of which you are okay with. On the trail, I try options like: Would you like to walk on your own or would you like me to carry you? Do you want to run or skip up the trail? Would you like to take a leg break right now, or find a nice flat rock to take a break? Do you want to hike holding mommy’s hand or on your own? Do you want to be the leader and hike in front with strong legs, or hike in the back at a slower pace? BRIBES & INCENTIVES I would like to say that I always use well-thought-out rewards and incentives, but let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just a straight-up bribe. Rewards or incentives are planned in advance in order to reward positive behavior. Of course, I recommend using these too! A reward could be ice cream as a family after finishing the hike or a special treat when you reach the lake with a good attitude. A bribe sounds more like “if you stop crying and start moving, I’ll give you an M&M.” Bribes can definitely backfire as you want to avoid rewarding negative behavior, which can lead to more trial meltdowns just to earn that next M&M. But used sparingly (or when you have tried everything else), they can work! I recommend keeping it to something small and even making it fun. I overheard another hiking mom give her child a tic tac and call it a “power pellet.” I thought that was genius and is just the right kind of fun bribe that can trick any kid into pushing on. Here’s a true trail incentive after the kids hiked  Piegan Pass  like champs in Glacier National Park. JUST KEEP MOVING Sometimes, the change in scenery is all a child needs to get motivated again. Moving to a different area on the trail provides new opportunities for adventure to emerge on the trail. But “just keep moving” is sometimes easier said than done, as I am definitely not recommending leaving your child behind. Even though I have 4 & 6 year old “big kids,” I still bring a soft structured carrier for these times when I need to pick them up and keep moving. My favorite choice for these circumstances is the  preschool-sized Kinderpack  because it can carry kids who weigh up to 55 pounds. It has saved me from turning around on many hikes, and if the whining/tantrum/meltdown/cold hands/(insert miserable situation) is on the way down from a hike, it allows us to return to the car quickly. Or, sometimes, it looks more like this (Daddy carrying both kids!). CUT YOURSELF SOME SLACK Remember, it’s okay for your kids to have trail tantrums. While nature can positively alter the family’s mood, kids are still going to have big feelings and moments when they are not happy on the trail. Whenever I am “parenting in public,” there is a sense that I have to keep my kids under control and not ruin anyone else’s experience with their crying. I have found that letting them work out their feelings and have their moment to calm down works far better than forcing them to be on their best behavior on a hike. It’s the wild, after all! TURN AROUND Of course, this is not the advice I want to give, but sometimes it really is best to call it a day. This one is super hard for us as we often have a destination in mind, and not reaching that goal is a tough pill to swallow. We drove up to the North Cascades in the fall and camped near the trailhead so we could get an early start on a hike that was on our bucket list. Five minutes into the hike, we had to turn around. We were not prepared for the cold weather and had two inconsolable kids. I had to remind myself that the goal is to raise hikers who actually enjoy hiking, and sometimes forcing it will only do more damage. I Hope These Tips for What To Do When Your Kids Do Not Want To Hike Help on Your Next Hike! I hope these tricks help when your kid does not want to hike or if you are faced with the dreaded trail tantrum or mountain meltdown. Even on our “worst days” in the wild, the memories are usually positive, and at a minimum, the pictures are beautiful. What we remember isn’t that meltdown or that it took us way longer than we had planned. What we remember is the family time together, the beautiful scenery, the rocks we got to climb, the pride we felt in making it to the destination, and sometimes the sore legs and back from carrying kids. But mostly, the beautiful scenery. Thank you for following along and reading this week's feature blog post from @raisinghikers. You can click here to find them on Instagram. Do you have a blog you'd like featured? Send us a DM on IG! Tag us @KidsWhoExplore & use our hashtag #KidsWhoExplore & #KWE for a chance to be featured. We love following along with your adventure!

This week's blog post ties into one of our latest podcast episodes: Nursing On-The-Trail with Petra Sporinova. You can click here to listen to the episode on your favourite streaming platform . Petra, mom of 2 living in Calgary, is one of two mom's that run one of our favorite brands -- KOJO Breastfeeding Activewear . Getting out with a new baby can be stressful, so we've summed up Petra's tips and put them into an easy-to-read blog post. Here is what she had to say: Keeping our babies fed and full on the trail is extremely important for a happy adventure. Petra says she loves nursing because it's good for nourishment, connection, and convenience -- and being on the trail, convenience is key in any situation. This is why KOJO was created, to allow for convenience and contact-parenting on the trail. Nursing-specific clothing is great for adventures, especially when it's colder on the trail, to keep your middle section warm. KOJO has also expanded into casual wear for all parents, as well as clothing for kids. Tips for adventuring with a new baby Start slow Choose small adventures Do something you're already comfortable with Don't forget that a walk around the neighborhood is an adventure! Tips for nursing and feeding babies on the trail Practice nursing in different positions at home Try nursing somewhere in public (outside) Stay relaxed, hydrated, well-fed and rested Practice nursing with baby in a front carrier. This also works great to get stuff done around the house too! Nurse at the trailhead in the car, before and after your adventure Bring a toy to entertain the older kids while you are nursing the younger one on the trail Petra's Suggestions: Book: Breastfeeding for Busy Moms -- The Handbook! by Heather ONeal Documentary: Deadliest Journeys KOJO for Nursing Mothers KOJO was started by Jana, mom of 2, in Slovakia after finding it difficult to position herself and her baby comfortably during a nature walk as the regular activewear was just too tight. She began thinking of practical activewear & materials designed specifically for breastfeeding moms. After designing the products herself, she found an eco-friendly and sustainable family-owned local company that develops their own synthetic and wool/merino fibers. Petra, originally from Slovakia, moved to Calgary with her family. She fell in love with KOJO immediately—from its comfort to its practicality. When she moved, she realized that all Canadian outdoorsy moms deserve to discover this great product—and that is how KOJO came to Canada! You can click here to find KOJO's website. And, y ou can click here to find KOJO's Instagram Thank you for following along with this week's blog post! Do you have a topic you want to read or learn about? Feel free to send us a DM. Don't forget to tag us on Instagram @KidsWhoExplore and using the hashtag #KidsWhoExplore. We can't wait to see where you're exploring this week!

Back in March, we talked about what is in our hiking packs on episode 9 of our podcast. You can click here to find the podcast! Today, we are going to break down that podcast and put it in an easy-to-read version for you! It can be intimidating to pack with young kids. We are here to ensure you are prepared, ready for any emergency if one were to happen, and have the knowledge you need to pack your bag properly the night before so you don't forget anything! Packing Our Hiking Packs with Kids There are so many amazing pack options out there. Adrianna & Lauren both use the Osprey Poco carrier pack. If your kids happen to out of the carrier, we've also shared a photo of the Osprey pack Michelle uses! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know abot packing hiking packs with kids. Nutrition & Hydration Nutrition is incredibly important on the trail, for both the kiddos & parents. You are both exerting tons of energy on the trail and must ensure you are energy levels are kept high! Also remember to be drinking enough water on the trail. Bladder bags are extremely convenient if your little one is capable of drinking out of them. Make sure to monitor how much they take in at a time because bladder bag hoses can increase air intake, which may lead to an upset, gassy stomach. Teach your kids to drink slowly from a bladder bag! Bring easy, accessible snacks -- fresh veggies & fruit, sandwiches, crackers & hummus Squeeze packs are not just for kids! These can be found at almost any grocery store in a variety of flavours, and are extremely convenient for snacking on the trail. If you are still bottle feeding or nursing, you're going to want to remember all the appropriate items -- bottles, warm water, formula etc. Anything you may need to make you feel comfortable on the trail. If you are nursing on the trail, we suggest looking into Kojo Activewear -- a shirt designed to allow easy feeding while out in nature! You can click here to find out more about Kojo Activewear Hydration is MOST important before, and after your hike -- not during. It assists your body with the recovery process! The 10 Essentials There are 10 essential items that should come with you on every hike! Having these items would ensure your safety if an emergency situation were to occur. We suggest making sure you have all of these before hitting the trail! Here is what they are: Navigation (map, compass, altimeter, GPS device etc) Headlamp Sun Protection First Aid Kit Knife Fire Shelter Extra Food Extra Water Extra Clothes First-Aid & Bear Safety Being prepared for any emergency or situation is key to preparing for any adventure, and even more so when you are adventuring with your kids. KWE is based in Alberta, and most of our adventures take place in the Canadian Rockies -- where it is prime bear/grizzly country. We must remain cognizant of all signs of bears, and be BEAR AWARE on the trail. You can click here to find Park's Canada section about Bear Safety -- How to identify bear signs, How to avoid an encounter & What to do if an encounter happens. We use ScatBelt on the trail to secure our Bear Spray for easy access. Here is a breakdown of what should in your first-aid kit: Bandages Gauze Gloves Trauma Pads Moleskin for blisters Safety Pins Scissors Splinter Pinker/Tink Remover Forceps Medicine - Acetaminophen, Antihistamine, AfterBite, Ibuprofen Antiseptic Wipes Cotton Pads & Cotton Tip Applicator Tape Antibiotic Ointment Clothing & Layer This section all depends on the climate of where you live! Here in Alberta, when hiking in the mountains, it is always best to prepare for all seasons -- because you never know what you will get! We've talked about layering on quite a few podcasts -- click on each of these titles to listen! "How to Dress Kids for Winter Adventures" "Getting Outside in Winter" "The Three Layer Winter Rule" We have a 3-layer rule, and here it is summed up, for all ages! Base Layer: We like merino wool. Merino keeps you dry & warm in the winter, and dry & cool in the summer. Some of our favourite brands are Kojo & Iksplor. Click here to head over to our community discount page for 20% off Iksplor. Mid Layer: We like fleece! Patagonia makes amazing fleece pieces for all ages. In YYC, you can find Patagonia at Elements Calgary. Click here to find the store website! Top Layer: Water-resistant is the way to go when they are younger, but waterproof once they are older and playing in the snow and rain Extra: Mitts, Toques/Beanies, Socks, Boots, Neck Warmer (fleece or merino wool -- size differs between the two; merino wool is more snug) The Extra Goods! Here is a final list of things we never forget to pack from home! Diaper & Wipes Change Pad Hat & Sunglasses Rain Cover & Extra Rain Gear Tick Spray Hiking Boots or Trail Runners Something to sit on -- RUMPL Stash Mat or Z-Seat Hiking Poles Thank-you for reading this week's blog post on What's In Our Hiking Packs. We hope to inspire you to get outside this weekend. Don't forget to share you adventures with us on Instagram by tagging @kidswhoexplore and using our hashtags #kidswhoexplore & #kwe! We are so grateful for your support. Happy Exploring!

Kids Who Explore is based in Alberta, Canada, so some of our favorite spots to adventure are in Kananaskis Country. There are many hikes available for families and kids of all skill levels. With the help of Megn, @_hideandpeak,  we've come up with a list of our favorite Family-Friendly Hikes in Kananaskis, Alberta, to share with you! Troll Falls 3.4kms out & back, 154m elevation gain Troll Falls Trail is a beautiful, easy hike for all skill levels to a set of waterfalls at the end of a horseshoe-shaped canyon. There is a lovely mixture of aspens and evergreen trees with wispy lichen hanging from the branches. There are several teepees in the forest made from fallen tree trunks. This is a huge hit with the kids! In the winter time, the trail to the Upper Falls can be closed due to unsafe conditions. Prairie/Barrier View 10kms out & back, 400m elevation gain This trail is perfect for those wanting to gain a bit more elevation for those views! Starting at Barrier Lake, the parking lot for this trail can get very busy, so make sure you arrive early to get a spot. As you make your way up Yates Mountain, which you can choose to summit if you're up to it, you will find the trail very easy to follow. Your first view of Barrier Lake is when you make it to Prairie Viewpoint. You can stop here for lunch, continue on to the summit of Yates Mountain, or make your way back down via Jewell Pass. Fun fact -- there is a helicopter landing pad on the top of Yates Mountain, and someone lives there! Upper Kananaskis Lake 15.3km loop, 453m elevation gain Although the trail is long kilometer wise, this is still a beautiful trail to take those of all skill levels! This is a great trail to allow the kids to be out of the hiking carrier and walking themselves, and also not to vigorous for you to bring the carrier along. Be aware that this area does sometimes have closures for bears, so watch for any signage indicating any closures!  You can access Rawson Lake and Upper Kananaskis Falls from this trail aswell. This is a great loop for families! Vents Ridge 4km out and back, 300m elevation gain This trail is in the Bragg Creek/Elbow Valley area, right beside Prairie Mountain. You also pass the White Buddha climbing & bouldering area. Be sure not to throw rocks from the top since there are climbers below! This easy summit is doable in the summer or winter. Vents Ridge gets its name from the five vents you can see on a chilly day! Wedge Pond 1km loop, 33m elevation gain Wedge Pond is a great option if you have tiny hikers just starting out and you want to keep it light. This is a nice little walk around a beautiful pond that has picnic tables, firepits, a water pump, and tons of space to enjoy lunch! You can meet up with your mom friends for a relaxed afternoon here, or end your day here after a long hike. Did you know there is also fish in this lake? Stop by to see if you can see them in the clear water! Enjoy these Family-Friendly Hikes in Kananaskis, Alberta! Thank you for reading this week's blog post on family-friendly hikes in Kananaskis, Alberta with the help of Megn from @_hideandpeak. You can click here to find Megn's Instagram and follow along on her mountain adventures with her little girl.  Do you have a destination you would like to share your favorite trails from? Send us a message!

This week we hopped on a Zoom call with Michelle Dias, a Waste & Recycling Educator for the City of Calgary, to talk about food waste and ways we can reduce food waste. Did you know that upwards to 60% of individuals black-bin waste in Calgary is food waste that can either be eaten or composted? The City of Calgary is working hard to encourage households to implement certain practices in their life to help keep compostable & organic material out of landfills. Michelle shared some great information, videos, and resources that we will link below! Here are 3 easy tips she shared with us on how we can reduce food waste in our homes. Plan it out Planning your meals is a big help when it comes to making sure you're only buying food you know you will eat. Create a realistic schedule based on how many meals you'll be needing for the week. There are tons of great resources available to help with planning, whether that be a printable meal planner calendar, or a grocery-list shopping app. You can find ways to make this step easier for you & your household! If you're stumped on what to make, you can find recipes on websites like Love Food Hate Waste or any other website you can find by googling recipes or certain ingredients. Here are some more reminders to help you reduce food waste under 'Plan it out'. Don't grocery shop hungry Always do a scan of your fridge & pantry before heading to the grocery store Stay away from "deals" -- just because the price may be better for larger amounts, doesn't mean it's always good if you can't guarantee you will eat it all before it goes bad Know the difference between best-before dates & expiry dates Plan meals based on using up items that may be going bad soon—this ties into the last tip! Here is an example of a meal planner you can use! Store it Right Do you enjoy organization, or do you find it time-consuming? Did you know it actually takes the same amount of time if you take just a little bit of time at the beginning to organize, compared to spending time finding and moving items around each time you're looking for something? Organization is a great way to cut down on overbuying and food going to waste. Keeping your fridge and pantry organized helps make everything visible for you. Another tip is to label your items -- that way you know exactly what you have or what you are grabbing that day! The second part of this tip is to make sure you're storing things like herbs, vegetables, and fruit properly. Did you know there is actually a specific way you should organize items in your fridge based on keeping them fresh? Above is a photo Michelle shared during her PowerPoint! Use it Up All 3 of these tips tie well into each other, and are very easy to follow! If you plan out your meals (and stick to them by keeping items organized and visible), you have a higher chance of using things up instead of needing to throw items out that could've been eaten. Keeping leftovers easily visible in your fridge is a good way to make sure they are being used up. You could pick a certain day(s) of the week where you only cook with what you have -- no buying anything, no take-out. This is one of the biggest and easiest ways to not only cut down on food waste but also help you save some money! A great way to use up fruit & vegetables is muffins! Click here to find a recipe on how to use up fruits & veggies in some healthy, delicious muffins! Here are clickable links Michelle Dias has shared with us regarding reducing food waste. Reducing Our Food Waste (City of Calgary) Love Food Hate Waste Fridge Guide How Compost Is Made: Calgary's Green Cart Program Food Waste with John Oliver Second Harvest: The Roadmap to Avoiding Food Waste We Hope YOu Use These Tips to Reduce Food Waste! Thank you so much for reading this week's blog post about Food Waste. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know!

This week's blog post is written by Cindy Dowsett, a Mama within our behind-the-scenes community! As travel begins to ramp up again, she has shared some of her best tips for international travel with kids! Here is what she had to say. How to Backpack Internationally with Kids Now that there is discussion on borders opening up again post pandemic, there is going to be a lot of interest in international travel again.  While everything is still up in the air, we don’t know yet what that will look like, or what vaccinations will look like for kids. While some may be ok with the idea of traveling immediately, others are on the fence and wondering whether they should wait it out and see what happens.  Since we can’t speak to the future, here are some tips for what travel looked like with kids BEFORE the pandemic. Pick The Best Flight Times While I myself love finding the cheapest flights, usually the milk runs with multiple layovers, I completely understand that this is not for everyone. We like to extend our layovers and visit multiple cities and countries in the same trip, and yes we are doing this backpacking.  When we were younger, we used to backpack frequently and stay in hostels and meet new people and see new places.  Now that we have children, we still do those things!  We just skip the full moon parties and nightclubs now.  We also prefer airbnb over hostels, but as our kids are getting older, I would likely start staying in hostels again, just with a private room. So for us, the milk run flights work well.  If you are looking at more direct flights, just know the price often goes up by quite a bit. When looking at flights, try to consider children's sleep schedules. It can be easier to fly during nap and or bed time, though this can also backfire if flights are delayed. Know that there is a good chance your child isn’t going to sleep great anyways, and if you have a baby, look in to seats with bassinets. There are weight and height restrictions for the infant airplane bed, and while I never had the opportunity to try one personally, the idea is great. They are reserved quickly so I've always used my soft carrier on the front to let my babies sleep on my chest. You can loosen the straps to give them a bit more space, but also help you be hands free. Pack Only Carry-On Ok, this is again personal preference, but after way too much time in the airport as it is, the last thing you want to do is hang out any longer waiting for baggage to arrive.  If you have travelled before, you know this can be a nightmare, and with sleep deprived kids (and parents!) who have been confined to a very small space for hours on end, the last thing you want to do is add waiting time. Infants and toddlers are allowed their own bag and you are allowed a diaper bag.  With the amount of carry-on pieces you are allowed, we were able to pack (lightly) for all of our family vacations. We would gate check the stroller, with a sleeve of diapers and wipes in the storage pocket on the bottom, our kids carry their own backpacks with their toys, books and a change of clothes/extra diapers and wipes, and we carry our own backpacks with all the rest of the clothing and needed items. This has worked very well for us in the past and we plan to continue this approach for future travel. If you are wondering about a car seat, many rental agencies supply one or you can request an uber with a car seat in some countries.  We also like to travel to places where we have family and friends and they often supply one for us on the other side. Packing only carry-on can be time consuming at security, and add some weight in the airport, but once we get to the gate we can onload and we’re fine.  The stroller is also super handy here as usually I am baby wearing and the stroller is used as our storage during this time.  I always make sure I have everything that needs to be removed at security (such as toiletries) in a bag so I just have to grab that one item and put it on the belt with the other bags. I do the same for the diapers and wipes that will be kept through gate check in our stroller so that there are less pieces going through the security gate. Since the stroller can’t go through the belt, everything needs to be removed from it to scan and they take it through another area to inspect and test, so it's good to have this organized and liquids finished before you go to security. Depending on the agent, you may or may not have to remove your baby/toddler from the baby carrier in security. Note that this will only work for larger planes.  Smaller flights, like Ryan Air in Europe, will make you check your extra carry on. What to Pack for The Plane Since we only have carry-on, we have everything we need with us constantly. The adult backpacks go in overhead storage and everything else is by our feet. It makes it super easy if you need something and then remember you checked it. The reason our kids have a change of clothes in their own little backpacks is so that we don't have to rummage through our bigger ones.  Have you ever read Robert Munsch “Too Much Stuff”?  Yep, picture that if I were to unzip my backpack containing 2-3 weeks worth of stuff for 4. We always pack on the plane: -snacks -water (empty bottles for security and you can fill them on the other side) -diapers and wipes (not needed anymore but good for anyone reading still in this stage) -special teddy -water wow books -coloring books -reading books -head phones (for using the airplane tv) -tablet, yes we allow our kids special tv time on the plane, but they have to alternate shows with play and reading, and only one can use it at a time.  One of us will entertain the other (this may change now that the kids are older). -new toys. These are wonderful surprises that the kids love.  It's usually a putty or a fidget toy.  Something that will keep their little hands busy but not make a mess. -little toys like cars or trains or dolls Our bags in overhead contain a few days worth of clothes each and I bring travel size tide laundry packets to hand wash our clothes if necessary. We wear our bigger items like sweaters and runners on the plane. What to Expect When You Embark on International Travel with Kids The nice thing about most airports and travelling with kids is that you get to skip many of the long lines and go through customs and security a little faster.  Trust me, they don’t want any screaming kids any more than you do. This doesn’t happen at every airport though, so be prepared to wait in long lines. Many airports have children’s areas where there is a little playground or area they can play.  If you can and have time, try to eat and use the washroom before getting on the plane. You will be the first on the plane, which is nice for storing your things, but also means you are on the plane a lot longer. Be prepared for that, the novelty can run off quickly. Once you're on the plane, the flight attendants will come and ask you questions such as whether you have travelled with a child before. They will instruct you on extra safety, how best to hold an infant on take off and may or may not provide you with a seat belt extension for your little one in your lap.  If you have the funds and want to, some of our friends purchase an extra seat for the extra space.  Once they are two, you will need to purchase their own seat. Once you are in the air, the flight attendants are great at helping get you what you need. If your kids ears start to hurt like our eldest, they are always concerned and try to help.  Once your child can chew gum, let them on take off and arrival. Other tips are breast feeding, bottle feeding, food pouches or water bottles during this time. One thing we never let our kids do when they were young was walk on the airplane while in flight.  This worked great for us because we always carried them on and off, and to the washroom, and rocking them in the back area to settle them if needed.  They didn’t actually know that it was possible for them to walk, so they never asked or cried to get out of their seats. They were, for the most part, happy to stay, and as they got older we explained that it was just like being in the car-seat belts at all times. Always check ahead to see if meals and drinks are included. If not, either bring them with you or purchase ahead of time from the airport. Time Change This is child and situation dependent but we've always lucked out in this department. Everything is so new and exciting for the kids that they usually stay awake until local evening anyways. Then we all have a good sleep and feel pretty good the next day. It's coming home that we notice it more. It usually takes the kids about two weeks to get back to normal routine. Now that they are in school though, that may change. And anyone reading this who has children in daycare may have a different experience.  I personally love the extra snuggles during the few slow and quiet days after we get home from a big trip. Our Favorite Countries so Far Morocco and Greece!!! We've loved everywhere we have traveled with the kids, but these two countries stood out for going above and beyond to help families. They love children.  Everyone will go out of their way to get you sorted. Safety & Getting Around If you're worried about travelling with your children for safety, be street smart. Research where you're going and just like anywhere, keep them within sight and close. Mainland travel usually consists of trains  busses, boats, cars and or flights. Many countries don't use car seats, so you will either need to plan ahead for this by bringing your own, contacting car rental agencies to see if they can be supplied or getting comfortable with your child sitting on your lap like the locals. Explore and Have Fun! Travel certainly looks different with children.  You often get to see the sights before the rest of the city is awake, and have a child sleeping on you during naps and bed time (baby wearing means you don't have to miss out on exploring what you want to to see/do). Meal times are usually quieter as our kids eat earlier and we usually rest during the hottest part of the day in a shady park or coffee shop. Travelling with young kids is unique in that you really get to slow down and explore the area you're in, so enjoy the pace, talk with the locals, and enjoy the world through their eyes. Thank you for reading this week's blog post! Have you started thinking about international travel now? Click here to check out Cindy on Instagram! Make sure to tag us in your adventures by using @KidsWhoExplore and #KidsWhoExplore for your chance to be featured on your Instagram page. Happy Exploring.

Adrianna, Michelle, Rowan & their families spent September Long Weekend in Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in British Columbia, and they've compiled a list from their experience to create the ultimate guide to Fairmont Hot Springs! Here is their Family Guide to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort! Family Guide to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Here's what your family needs to know about spending a weekend getaway at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. First: Rooms for families big and small The resort features rooms that sleep up to six guests, and you'll want to book at the lodge if you want to be close to the pools and restaurants. Many rooms feature kitchenettes that have a fridge, dishwasher, 2-burner stovetop, microwave, and other small appliances and cooking utensils. The loft suites have 2 queen beds as well as 2 single beds, but if you're looking for a separate space from your older kids, booking adjoining rooms might be a better fit for you. There are fun activities for all ages Included with your stay are a variety of fun activities. At Basecamp, you can enjoy mini-golf, volleyball and a horseshoe course! Here's an example of the daily activities schedule: 8:45-10:45am: Guided Kayak Tour 10:00-11:00am: DIY Fairy House Craft 11:00-12:00am: Unicorn Paper Plate Craft 11:30-1:30pm: Guided Kayak Tour 1:00pm-2:00pm: DIY Blossom Bracelet 2:15-4:15pm: Guided Kayak Tour 2:30-3:30pm: Bonfire & S'mores 4:00-5:00pm: Popsicle Gnomes 5:00-6:00pm: Family Bingo 7:00-9:00pm: Kids Movie Night As you can see, there are so many amazing activities available for kids of all ages! Awesome live music for all tastes We were pleasantly surprised to find out live music was being played both in the green space near the large hot spring pool. Great tunes were played from all genres, making it easy for everyone to groove along to and enjoy. They only have live music on weekends during the summer, and if that isn't your thing, make sure to request a room not facing the pools. Exceptionally clean pools You can visit the resort for the day for a swim in the hot springs, which include a large warm swimming pool and large hot springs area (both are filled with springs water, just different temperatures). The pools are fully drained and replenished every night, which is highly unusual for swimming basins! If you stay at the lodge, you will also have access to a smaller hot spring, steam room, sauna, and indoor cold plunge pool (4 degrees celcius). Hiking for all abilities There are many hiking trails in the area available for all ages and abilities right from the resort. We were able to experience a guided hike to learn about the history of the hot springs -- highly suggest taking advantage of this opportunity to get the chance. Patti was an amazing tour guide! Here are some of the trails in the area for you to check out when you stay at Fairmont Hot Springs, BC: Owl Loop -- 3.7 kms/185 m elevation Poet Trail -- 3.5 kms/137 m elevation Hunters Way -- 11.6 kms/654 elevation Hoodoo Trail -- 3.2 kms/120 elevation Restaurants to satisfy all cravings Multiple dining options are available while staying at the Fairmont, but depending on the season, not all are open. While we visited, there were three options available: Antlers at the Lodge for breakfast, Bear's Paw Bar & Grill for lunch and dinner, and Steamers Cafe for a quick bite or coffee. We ate at Bear's Paw Bar & Grill twice, and we all tried different things each time. Everything was delicious, and the drinks were great! I highly suggest getting a booth and bringing crayons or books of your own if you are going with your little ones to keep them entertained. They do have booster seats and high chairs available. Big adventures for big kids and grown-ups Although closed for the winter season, Mineral Mountain Zipline is fun for those ages 10 & up. There are 6 lines that whisk you through the forest, giving you views of the beautiful Fairmont river and Columbia Valley. There is also horseback riding available during the summer months, and skiing available during the winter months! Golf fans? There is 3 courses available for you to use -- Riverside, Mountainside and Creekside -- 2 being 18 hole, and one nine-hole 3 Par 3. There is truly adventures for the whole clan! If you're looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate, this is the place. We are so grateful to the team at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for giving us the best experience we could ask for. Use code KIDSWHO to get 10% off your reservation. Reservations must be booked starting October 1st.  Thank you for reading this week's blog post!

Rowan Rocskar and Michelle Klatt spent a couple of days in August in Golden, BC, exploring around and visiting the best of what Golden has to offer. In partnership with Tourism Golden, they were able to check off many bucket-list adventures. Here's what they had to say about some of the best Family-Friendly Activities in Golden, BC: You can find all of this info and more over at Rowan's blog by clicking here! Visit Boo the Grizzly Bear Boo has lived at Kicking Horse Mountain for 19 years after his Mom was shot by a poacher on the side of the road. Boo had 2 siblings, who both did not make it. Boo has been there since the early 2000s and has escaped twice -- AND he walked right back in after about a month each time! Meeting Boo the Bear was like nothing we had experienced before. We were able to safely watch him chow down on his breakfast from only a few feet away - who knew that bears loved corn on the cob, not me!  Due to his being orphaned, researchers were able to create a 20-acre home for him at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. When you visit you will learn all about Boo, what else he loves to eat, and how they keep him safe and healthy in his home. Ride the Gondola up Kicking Horse Mountain & Eat at Canada's Highest-Elevation Restaurant After our morning with Boo, we headed back down to the day lodge area on the chairlift. If you’ve got kids with you, you might experience a few tears at first, but as long as you assure them that they are safe, they will love the open-air view from up high! Rowan suited up with her hiking carrier, grabbed a coffee from the General Store, and then headed up to the summit in the gondola. From the gondola, you can watch the mountain bikers riding below, and you might even get another glimpse of Boo! We had about an hour to explore before our lunch reservation, so we decided to hike up the Terminator Peak. This hike is short, but not for the faint of heart. Lunch at Eagle’s Eye was well-deserved, and all seats offer stunning views for individuals who aren’t able to (or simply don’t want to) make it up the mountain peaks. Visit the wolves at Northern Lights Wolf Center If you thought you knew about wolves in the wild, the 25-minute interpretive tour at Northern Lights will knock your socks off. Northern Lights is open year round, is fun for the whole family, and brings you close to seeing wolves as they go about their daily business from just outside their enclosures. We were blown away by the information and knowledge we learnt about the importance and value of wolves in the ecosystem. It was truly an eye-opening experience and recommended for all families to visit. You can book a walk with the wolves if everyone in your group is over 16 years old. Walk Across Two of Canada's Highest Suspension Bridges This was such an exhilarating experience, like none other! The two bridges are 426 feet above an expansive canyon, and is sure to be a new family favourite. There’s also a tree-top challenge course, Play Park, zipline, and a canyon swing is coming soon (sure to make your stomach drop!). Stevie, Rowan's Daughter, enjoyed the Play Park and did not want to leave! Make sure to check it out when you visit. Explore the Golden Farmers Market & Historic Downtown Parking is free within the town, and on Wednesday’s you can enjoy browsing the vendors at the Farmer’s Market from 11-3. After we picked up some baked goods we wandered down the Rotary Pathway system and ended up at the Dogwood Playground. It’s surrounded by green space and is great for toddler-age kids. There are many restaurants, quaint stores & trails to explore throughout downtown Golden. If you’re craving an elaborate burger, The Wolf’s Den is the place you have to check out. They have 17 different burger types, from bison, elk, chicken, salmon, and bean patties… you name it, they’ve got it. They also have an extensive drink menu, with lots of beer on tap. The patio is expansive, which means there’s ample space for your kids to roam without getting in the way. Have Fun Exploring These Family-Friendly Activities in Golden, BC! Please be sure to follow us on Instagram at @kidswhoexplore and use #KidsWhoExplore and #KWE for your chance to be featured on our social channels. Happy adventuring, friends!

This week's blog post focuses on the topic of our latest podcast - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for the Planet with Michelle Dias. You can click here to listen to the full episode! We've also kicked off our second Planet Clean-Up Month, where info can be found all about the event by clicking here! Michelle Dias teaches us what the three R's REALLY should be, with a little bit of a C mixed in there! Michelle works for the Waste & Recycling Services at the City of Calgary. She has been a naturalist and environmental educator for over 20 years, and has always felt curious and inspired by nature. Below are some tips and information Michelle shared with us on the podcast. Some of the information below will be specific to Calgary, AB, so please check the rules for the recycling and composting programs in your municipality. The Three R's REDUCE (as much as possible, first) Then REUSE, And if you can’t do either of those, RECYCLE (recycling does require a lot of energy, so put YOUR energy into the first two!). Reduce Try products with less packaging, like laundry detergent strips, or bar shampoo and conditioner Remove purely recyclable items from your kitchen, such as Ziploc bags, and use reusable jars or bags instead. You can buy reusable sandwich bags and although the invest may seem large to begin with, it is worth it in the end! Reuse Get things second-hand. There are tons of secondhand resources, including Facebook Marketplace, MEC Used Gear, Consignment stores, and so much more. Reuse items like jam jars and other containers! You can use jars as water glasses, and re-use butter or sour cream containers to store leftovers. Recycle The three categories of recycling are: Containers (plastic, tin, glass…think kitchen and bathroom packaging), paper, plastic bags Loose bags do not belong in the blue cart. Plastic bags should be stretchy material and bundled all in one, so they do not fly away at the facility. Crinkly plastic bags, like pasta bags are not collected Household items like toy trucks, shoes, and toothbrushes are not for the blue cart (when recycling, think about packaging over items) Black plastic can be a challenge to recycle in some systems, because of black conveyor belts camouflaging the items and the scanners not recognizing them Recycling metal, glass, and paper is way more valuable than recycling plastic (although, we should still recycle plastic that can be recycled...or reduce it in the first place!) Rule of thumb: anything smaller than your hand cannot be recycled. For example, Starbucks lids or to-go sauce containers. However, if recycled at the locations you received them, they usually have a program to recycle! Compost Remember, no food packaging and plastic can be composted, even if it says compostable (remember, it also takes a lot of resources to make compostable containers) Some offices or festivals have their own compostable systems that can handle compostable containers Food, yard scraps & cat litter can be composted Paper towels are compostable in most places Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for the Planet All of these tips and practices are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to implementing solutions to help preserve our beautiful Earth. The more people follow these practices, the more of an impact they can make. Thank-you for following along with this week's blog post & podcast! We hope you love our Earth as much as we do and will work to help us this month by following these practices and cleaning up the outdoors! Sign up for Planet Cleanup here! Please be sure to follow us on Instagram at @kidswhoexplore and use #KidsWhoExplore and #KWE for your chance to be featured on our social channels. Happy adventuring, friends!