Syd's Nature Kids

12/31/2025

Surprise! A new little nature kid is joining our family in 2026! 🌿 Because of this blessing, I’ve been unsure what the future of Syd’s Nature Kids will look like for the upcoming year.

My heart for this community hasn’t changed. 💚 The mission remains the same:
➡️ Encouraging parents to step away from screens, get outside, and trust that nature is enough for our children’s development.
➡️ Creating space to connect with other families choosing a slower, more intentional, outdoor childhood.

Last summer & fall filled my cup in so many ways. I would love to continue that… I’m just not sure yet what’s realistic while pregnant in the spring and freshly postpartum in the summer.

🌱 So what does 2026 look like?
I do hope to offer something—maybe small gatherings, pop-up play days, nature walks, or even a book club? I just need time to figure out what that will be and what makes sense for our season.

Thank you for being here, for supporting this mission, and for choosing nature-filled childhoods with me. I’ll keep praying over this community and dreaming up what’s next. 🫶🌲

12/31/2025

It took our family 1.5 years to complete our first 1000 hours outside. This year we are shooting to get the full 1000 in one year! I love this breakdown. As Ginny Yurich always says.. even if you don’t get 1000 hours in a year, this will be the best challenge you ever fail at! A worthwhile goal for the whole family in 2026 🍃☀️

12/29/2025

12/24/2025

Thank you to every family who was part of this journey this year. If you were here for it, you are part of my testimony.

The truth is, this group was born out of a simple desire to sign my son up for something like this. It didn’t exist in our area, and one day God gently said to me, “Why not you?” Honestly, I didn’t want to be the one to start a nature camp 😂 I already work full time—I wanted my summers to myself. But the Lord placed it on my heart, and I’m so glad I followed through. I prayed over every family, every week, and every idea along the way.

We’ve been taking my son to Meeks Mountain since he was born. He’s grown up on those trails, but now his biggest association with it is nature camp. When we go there, he asks, “Where are the kids?” and says, “We gotta go to the shelter,” our summer meeting spot. My heart swells knowing he had that experience—and that so many other little ones got to be part of it too.

This year, the Lord gave me courage and pushed me far outside my comfort zone, and I got to see the fruit of that obedience. Thank you, Jesus!

I’m not sure what 2026 holds for Syd’s Nature Kids, but if you’re along for the ride, I just want to sincerely thank you for being here 🤍

12/20/2025

We’re deep into the holiday season, and life is just busy. With all the shopping, gift wrapping, programs, cooking, baking, and errands, we inevitably spend less time outdoors.

I don’t know about you, but I notice it big time when we’re inside more. My little guy gets restless—and honestly, we all do. Toddlers’ nervous systems are still developing, and they take in everything. When there’s lots of noise, rushing, and stimulation, their bodies can stay in a constant “on” mode, which often shows up as extra energy, big emotions, or meltdowns.

So this morning, we left the kitchen a mess, bundled up, and headed to the woods. We stomped our boots on crunchy, iced-over mud, found mushrooms hiding under leaves, and noticed frozen leaves along the trail. It helped our whole family reset.

Trust me, my least favorite advice this season is to “slow down.” Easier said than done. But maybe this is your reminder, like it was mine, to step outside and get some fresh air. A little nature goes a long way—for toddlers and grown-ups alike. 🫶🏻

11/23/2025

As we enter Thanksgiving week, I’ve been feeling especially grateful and wanted to share a few reflections with you all. This year has been full of reminders to me and my family of how beautifully the Lord moves—often quietly, gently, and right on time. It’s almost like sometimes we look up and it seems like everything has suddenly changed, but when we look back, we can see God was working all along.

Through this space, I’ve met some amazing mamas and the sweetest little ones. I’ve had the privilege of soaking in God’s incredible creation with all of you. There is so much to be learned from His natural design—how the seasons teach us patience and renewal, how the tiniest details reflect His intentionality, how creation itself invites us to slow down, breathe, and remember what truly matters.

I’m so grateful for this community, for every person who shares this journey, and for God’s perfect timing in bringing it all together. Thank you for being here, for the encouragement, and for the chance to witness His goodness in nature and in one another.

Wishing you a week filled with gratitude, wonder, and His gentle presence. 🍂✨

10/29/2025

That’s a wrap on Syd’s Nature Kids — Fall Edition! 🍁

Our final session was all about pumpkins! 🎃 The kiddos explored pumpkin textures, scooped out the gooey insides, learned how pumpkins grow from tiny seeds, and even went on a pumpkin hunt!

Through play and exploration, they strengthened fine motor skills, sensory awareness, language development, and curiosity about nature’s life cycles.

I’m so thankful for every family that joined us this season! Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🧡

10/23/2025

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10/23/2025

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but teaching your kids can be very simple.

Society tells us that childhood needs to be rigorous. That our kids need to be ahead of the curve or their behind. It pushes us to start pushing our little ones earlier and earlier.

I’m here to tell you it’s okay to push back on that.

Maria Montessori famously said “Play is the Work of Childhood.”

Let us not forget that the most powerful tool for teaching our children is PLAY. Our kids were made to run and explore and be curious. They were made to learn about the world by living in it - not sitting down doing seat work.

Over structuring has become the death of childhood. In a world where we are seeing more children on depression and anxiety medications than ever before...

Let’s not be victims to it. Let’s take back childhood.

10/22/2025

Week 3 of Fall Nature Camp 🐿️🍂

It was a gorgeous fall evening! We read a story about the life cycle of an acorn then set off to hunt for acorns! We brought them back and used them to roll in paint for a special creation 🎨

Fostering new language development, early science concepts, motor skills, sensory processing, creativity, and exploration! Creating schemes for these little ones to make future associations. 🧠

In an effort to be more present I barely took any pictures again! If you have any you want to share- post them in the comments - I love seeing your little ones explore 🧡