Photo: Jay Mather.

Children and Nature

Learn more about how to get children interested and involved in our natural world--and at Land Trust Preserves--in the blog posts below.

Questions? Contact our team!

Do you have questions, kudos, or other feedback? Let us know: info@deschuteslandtrust.org


Children and nature go together like peanut butter and jelly. To help you get outside and exploring, we've pulled together some resources on how to do just that! Whether you are visiting your backyard, National Forest, or your Land Trust Community Preserves, we want to help you get out there and explore. If you need a hand, join us for from April-November for free, kid-specific guided hikes and explorations.

Five Ideas for Summer Fun with Your Kids

Jun 16, 2022
School is officially out for the summer! As you head into the long, slow days of fun in the sun, you might find you need a few ideas for how to get the kids outside connecting with our forests, meadows, rivers, and canyons. Check out our list of ideas.

Encouraging a Sense of Wonder in Children

Apr 26, 2022
Spring is here and with it comes a renewed urge to get outside and play. Sadly not everyone has the opportunity to get outside and explore on a regular basis and more often than not it is our children who are missing out. Here's how we can help children get outside and explore the wonder of nature.

Kids and climate anxiety

Feb 10, 2022
Climate change is impacting the next generation in new and troubling ways. Learn more about climate anxiety and how to channel that worry into climate action.

Tips for hiking with kids

Jun 17, 2021
For those of you with kids, this week heralds the arrival of summer. Like many Central Oregon parents, one of my favorite outdoor activities is taking some summer hikes with my kids. Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years to plan a successful hiking trip with your kids—especially the small ones.

What makes an insect an insect

Feb 01, 2021
What is an insect anyway? Check out just what makes these skittering, buzzing, and chirping animals so amazing. Then, join us for our February Nature Night to learn even more about the importance of insects!

Winter crafts for kids

Dec 09, 2020
Do you have some extra time on your hands with the kids at home permanently? Check out these fun winter crafts led by Land Trust volunteer Zoe Mowry.