3 Leave No Trace Activities to Play with Your Kids This Weekend

Heading outdoors with your kiddos this weekend? Whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, nanny, sibling, aunt, uncle or anything in between, these activities are fun, educational, and will empower your young ones to take care of the outdoors. Does the rain have you stuck inside for the day? No worries! The first two activities can be played inside, too.

Respect Wildlife: The Thumb Trick

How far away from wildlife should you be? It varies! Cover one eye, stick your thumb up and your arm out straight, and try and cover the animal with your thumb. Still see it? That means you’re too close! Back up and try again. If there is not any wildlife in sight, use a stuffed animal to practice. Then pretend to be the animal yourself!

Dispose of Waste Properly: Trash Timeline

Activity: Dispose of Waste Properly: Trash Timeline

When trash and litter is left behind or sent to the landfill, it is often forgotten about. Create a deeper connection between the items that you throw away and how they impact the natural environment to inspire stewardship in young and old alike.

Minimize Campfire Impacts: Mound fire Mania

Activity: Minimize Campfire Impacts: Mound fire Mania

Learn a new way to Leave No Trace by making a mound fire! Check your local regulations to learn where campfires are allowed before starting this activity.

Want to learn more about Leave No Trace with the kids young and old in your life? Check out these activities and others like it in Bigfoot’s Playbook and the newly updated PEAK Pack!

Bigfoot’s Playbook

PEAK Pack 

Leave No Trace’s Monika Baumgart and David LeMay are part of the 2019 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program that provides free, mobile education to communities across the country. Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, REI, Eagles Nest Outfitters, Deuter, Thule, Fjällräven and Klean Kanteen