Some days, outdoor play needs to be simple. No set up. No elaborate plans. Just a reason to open the door and head outside. That’s why the Candy Cane Hunt is a perfect outdoor game to add to your Advent activity calendar, Christmas traditions, or even those quiet days after the holidays when everyone needs fresh air but no one wants a big plan. And the best part? This works far beyond Christmas — swapping candy canes for seasonal treasures makes it an outdoor game for any sea

Do you walk through the stores in search of the perfect gift for the littles in your life and cringe because of the loud, flashy toys and piles of plastic that fill the children's section? Then this nature-inspired gift guide for outdoor loving babies and tots is for you! They need simple, beautiful things that invite curiosity, movement, and connection to the world around them. These nature-inspired gifts encourage imagination and create space for meaningful play. Check out

Winter days call for piles of beautiful books. The days grow quieter, the trees stand still, and even the air seems to pause and shimmer. It’s a season perfectly suited for bundling up, stepping outside, and savoring the small wonders that appear only when the world is cold and calm. Here you'll find a curated list of beautiful winter picture books. Take these books with you out into nature to connect snow-covered woods, quiet forests, and winter wildlife to the story. Let wi

When the crisp fall air finally slips into that unmistakable “yep, there’s winter” chill, it’s easy to assume that outdoor adventures with little ones are about to hibernate until spring…cause I’m ready to hibernate until spring. But hear me, mama: cold weather doesn’t mean the adventures stop. Here’s how to keep adventuring as a family all winter long - even with a baby and a toddler - in ways that feel simple, fun, and doable for everyone. Plus the gear you need for each ki

In our house, the day after Thanksgiving means the annual trek out into the woods to cut the family Christmas tree. See how the Hearth & Wander family makes an outdoor tradition of finding, cutting, and taking home our perfectly imperfect pine, a beautiful start to the holiday season and an opportunity to create wholesome, old-fashioned, intentional joy around Christmas time. Read our story and then start your own family tradition...just don't forget the saw!

Early winter creates a kind of wonder that's hard to describe but easy to feel. Embrace the beauty of the season as you welcome in the holidays by giving the wintering animals and birds a Christmas tree of their own. Decorate your own woodland Giving Tree with these 7 animal-friendly edible ornaments and enjoy watching the wildlife savor their treats as you spend time outdoors as a family, learn about the animals that call your own woods home, and enjoy giving in this beautif

In a world that urges us to hurry, fill our calendars, and chase “more,” the simple act of walking together as a family can become an anchor - something steady, grounding, and beautifully ordinary. One of the sweetest rhythms our family has built is our nightly walk down to the river near our home. It’s simple. It’s free. And it has become one of the most meaningful parts of our day. Here's how we practice the family gratitude walk, a simple outdoor tradition you can start to