When I was a kid I use to love running down the hill in our back yard and exploring the creek with my siblings. I don't know if it was the peacefulness, the exploring, the water or the freedom of no parents around that I loved the most.
As I became older I still found creeks to be peaceful but creeks and I drifted away for the most part except for the rare occasion when they involved a rope swing or bridge jumping.
Now that I am a parent I have found myself looking for the next creek to explore with my kiddos. So far every time my husband and I have taken the kids to the creek, they have had a blast. It is crazy how something so simple can bring such joy to a little one's face.
If you haven't been to a creek recently, you need to go find one. Just the peacefulness of a creek can bring joy to your day. Not only are creeks a good place to relax and enjoy nature but they can be fun for the whole family.
Check out these 5 reasons you should take your kids to a creek:
1. It's Free
I haven't come across a creek yet that isn't free to play in. Yes some are on private property so you aren't allowed to trespass without permission but there are several public creeks that you are allowed to explore.
Our town has a few creeks that the public can access, it's just a matter of knowing where they are and how to get to them.
If you are clueless as to where to start, you can ask if anyone knows where any public creeks are in a mom group on Facebook. You can also check with your local forestry department or see if any of your friends own land with a creek you can check out.
2. You are getting Outside
There are several benefits to getting outside such as breathing in the fresh air to taking in the Vitamin D from the sunlight to walking around and getting in a little exercise.
Sitting inside on the couch or at a desk all day everyday is no fun and can be bad for your body. It's always nice to take a break and go outside for a change of scenery even if it's only for a few minutes.
Sitting inside on the couch or at a desk all day everyday is no fun and can be bad for your body. It's always nice to take a break and go outside for a change of scenery even if it's only for a few minutes.
3. Family Time
Load your kids in the car, grab an ice water, some water shoes and head to the creek. Creeks can be fun for the whole family. There are several things you can do at a creek with your kids or you can just sit back and relax. If it's a nice day you can have a family picnic, don't forget to clean up after yourself!
A trip to a creek can be a fun family bonding experience. Put down your phone unless you're taking pictures and relax. A change of scenery, even if it's fo a few hours can be good for the whole family!
4. Exploring & Learning Experience
Like I said above, there are several things you can do at a creek. Aside from just walking around and looking at the creek, you can explore all that creeks have to offer.
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- See who can catch the most fish or crawdads
- See what animals you can find - frogs, butterflies, snakes, lizards, fish, crawdad, bugs, squirrels
- Look for animal foot prints
- Skip Rocks
- Build a tower or arch out of rocks
- Play in the water
- Have a picnic
- Relax and listen to the peacefulness of nature
- Explore
- Make nature calls
- Hike the creek and see if you can find a mini waterfall
- Take pictures
- Build a mini fort out of fallen branches
Creeks can be a very educational experience for your kids. Just being outside and exploring is great for helping little ones learn!
We found a pet pig on one of our trips to the creek. You never know what you are going to find!
5. Something To Do
When I ask someone what they did today, the majority of answers I hear are watched TV or played video games. Society is slowly becoming boring. Most people would prefer to sit inside and be bored or binge watch their favorite show than go outside. I don't necessarily blame them because some days, it's just way to hot to go exploring but as parents we need to do more with our kids.
Kids need to be able to explore, run off some energy and see all that the world has to offer aside from technology. By taking your kids to a creek, you are opening up a fun, new experience and allowing them to explore and see the world in a different way. The creek is something to do that is different and free so why not give it a try?
Hopefully this post has convinced you to take your family to a creek and go exploring. It doesn't have to be a huge creek, just somewhere that water runs over rocks and is surrounded by trees and animals will do just fine. A creek is a creek which will always be a fun place to explore over and over again because they are always changing and animals never stay in the same place for long. I hope your family has a blast at the creek and you get some much needed family bonding time in.
I'd love to hear about your favorite creek experience in the comments below!
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