Be it a day in the backyard, a neighborhood park or a weekend in the wilderness, the first step in reducing stress is planning an age-appropriate experience. Children need regular breaks, so remember to keep your hiking and exploring pace at their level.

Here are a few more quick tips:

• Children under five or first time explorers: Your own backyard is a great place for sleeping under the stars and the best place to practice pitching your tent. Build confidence now for future adventures.
• Dress appropriately: Long, lightweight pants and sun protective shirts, hats and sunscreen, along with properly fitting shoes. Open-toe shoes are great for the water but chaparral hikes need good fitting closed-toe shoes or boots. Remember, warm days turn to cool nights so always have extra layers and extra clothes for mishaps.
• Great finds are only a few steps away: Don't focus on the destination of your hike but enjoy the journey. Ants, bugs and other insects are found in moist areas so turnover leaves and rocks ently.
• Exploration Games: Look up and discover amazing characters in the clouds.
• Make an Earth Pie: Combine dirt, leaves and water in a bucket or bowl. Form into a pie or cake for a great tactile experience.

Get Ready to Fly with Chipper!

Don't let the stress of "getting there" ruin your vacation when traveling with young children. There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure everyone has a smooth flight. From what to pack to how to play on the airplane, let these simple suggestions guide the way when traveling with children.

Quick Tips:

Packing to Check-in:

3-1-1: It's simple and will help you flow through security stress-free. Just remember, 3 ounces or less for liquids, 1 quart size, see-through bag for easy content checks and 1 bag per traveler placed in the check-in security bin. This ensures all items are screened and released quickly, and you're on your way.

For young travelers, wear slip-on or Velcro-closure shoes with socks to make security checks stress free.

Extra Clothes and Snacks: Little accidents can happen so keep an extra outfit in your carry-on and have plenty of healthy snacks for the flight. If your child is old enough for a lollipop, bring one to help with ears as the plane descends. "Pressure Pops" are the perfect reward for a well-behaved traveler.

A Photo I.D.: Bring your child's birth certificate if you don't have a photo I.D. just in case you are asked by security. Also, having a current photo of your child, and a family photo, is a good precautionary step in the event you are separated and a picture is needed to help bring everyone back together safely.

Games, books, toys and stuffed animals: Make sure they are easy to pack and bring them out one at a time so there is always something new when needed. Look for travel games that are easy to carry.

Let Your Child Guide the Way: With pre-planning and your Get Ready to Fly Chipper story, you can prompt young travelers for what's next and let them guide the way through check-in, security and boarding.

Remember It's an Adventure: Let your child's imagination fly, look out the window and find shapes in the clouds, guess the names of the flight attendants or pilots and talk or write about where you will go and what you will see.

Soar with Chipper and Get Ready to Fly! Buy now

Before you go camping:

• Get the mindset ready. Discuss the location, how long will it take to get there and how long you will stay.
• Discuss what to do if someone gets lost. "Hug a Tree" but more importantly, "You can play, but don't stray" ... always be within eyesight or voice.
• Make sure you research the area you are visiting. Know the types of bugs and animals present, and any foliage. Create a checklist that is appropriate for your destination.

The following resources offer additional information for planning your adventure.
http://www.nps.gov/
http://www.sierraclub.org/
http://www.roadandtravel.com/adventuretravel/2005/campingcoolforkids.htm
http://www.calparks.org
http://www.koa.com

Share your ideas with us and we'll update in future newsletters.