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British adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys described the term "micro-adventure" like this in 2014: "(It's) just an adventure that is short, simple, cheap, local, and therefore achievable." If that statement wasn't tailor-made for parents, I'm not sure what was.
The concept of smaller, focused activities that center around an experience rather than a destination took hold rapidly, especially with parents. Finances, work schedules, accessibility — there are many reasons families struggle to achieve the recommended amount of daily outdoor time (that would be 60 minutes, as per the Play Every Day campaign touted by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services).
Fortunately, here in Alaska, nature is everywhere. The trees shading your home, the weeds sprouting in between cracks of parking lot pavement, and even rainstorms tumbling buckets of water into local creeks. Our glorious summer season gives Alaskans a constant supply of color, texture and taste, and micro-adventures are the perfect way to introduce all that to children.
Last week I found myself introducing a number of Anchorage families to the joy of an Alaska micro-adventure. In little more than 30 minutes, kids ranging in age from 2 to 11 poked around the forest floor, discovered hidden crawling creatures and learned just how much we can actually see in a small patch of Campbell Tract woods. It was gloriously simple, easy to explain and ridiculously cheap, since all the supplemental materials I brought along were free or hanging around my house.
We didn't even need to be at this Bureau of Land Management forest, I explained to the cadre of parents participating alongside their children. Micro-adventures are just as dandy when taken in the backyard.
How do you go about creating one? Gather the kids and a few simple supplies (which can be transported anywhere, by the way; on a hike, camping trip or walk to the park), and get busy with these easy activities that can be adapted to nearly any age group.
- Micro-hikes
- sound a bit misleading, since no walking is involved. Instead, a length of string serves as the “trail,” and kids kneel or lie down on the earth, making their teeny-tiny way along the string. What do you see, feel and hear this close to the ground? Are there creatures stirring? Do you think you would notice these things on a regular hike? The value of micro-hiking is taking time to be still and observe, anywhere. And, as a bonus, kids can pick a regular spot to “hike” and observe changes each season.
- Nature color-matching
- requires a trip to your local hardware or home improvement store. Swing by the paint department and pick up some color sample cards, the ones your kids already collect whenever you visit. Collect a few that seem to align with the colors of nature, plus a few that don’t, and take them along on your next hike. Pull a card and ask kids to find something nearby that matches. If they can’t, ask why. However, be sure not to disturb living things like trees, flowers or other plant life. As a bonus, this activity is an excellent motivator to keep kids moving on a walk or hike.
- Outdoor journaling
- has been in existence since John Muir traversed the wilderness of Alaska in the late 1800s and Lewis and Clark explored the West. Many kids are hesitant to write in a journal, however, since it smacks of schoolwork, so we’ve adapted to include a few half-sheets of graph paper and matched-size cardboard covers. Handmade is, of course, best, so fashion your journals in any way you like, then grab a pencil, a smartphone, and hit the trail, park or your buddy’s front yard. The graph paper provides guidance for sketching, the phone, detailed images. Give your kids an item to find, photograph, then sketch. Tip: Refrain from parental guidance unless asked. You might be surprised at the result.
- Dining outdoors
- is a very simple way to connect with nature while enjoying a family meal. When was the last time you set your picnic table for dinner? Take time to eat slowly, listen to the birds, savor that watermelon and shoo away the family dog. Dress up the table with flowers, a bright tablecloth and fun outdoor dishes. Be sure to offer a special dessert too. Summer never felt so good.
Looking for more? Resources abound for parents seeking additional tips and ideas to embrace the outdoor lifestyle with a micro-adventure focus.
- Destination Nature
- is a website dedicated to outdoor activities, crafts and fun facts for kids of all ages.
- Children & Nature Network “Vitamin N” challenge
- features 500 ways to discover nature and share the love with others.
- The
- Alaska Public Lands Information Centers
- are four different facilities around the state with resources, activities and presentations for the entire family. The main website also offers suggestions for enjoying Alaska’s public lands with kids.
Erin Kirkland is author of "Alaska On the Go: Exploring the 49th State with Children" and publisher of AKontheGO.com, a family travel resource.