Nature Missions Fueled by Nature Valley

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How often to you get out as a family and explore nature? During the winter I become a bit of a hermit but the kids love being outdoors. Our parenting is reminiscent of the 90’s style where we tell our kids to go out and then hope they remember to come home for meals. We are blessed to be in a neighbourhood that has plenty of parks and outdoor spaces to explore and even more blessed that our kids are up for the adventure.

A love of animals is probably an understatement in this house. My husband has seemingly passed on this trait to our kids and they want to adopt every animal we come across. I have to be the voice of reason explaining why we can’t keep the neighbours outdoor cat, the bunny we found in the shed, and the baby raccoons we found abandoned at the side of our house. The kids think I am mean but I know that there is other ways they can help save the animals that doesn’t involve our already bursting house from becoming a full on animal sanctuary.

Thankfully my kids are fully on board with helping not only save the environment but also the animals. Many (many) moons ago when I was still working outside of the house our morning routine involved eating breakfast while watching the Earth Rangers on TV. Earth Rangers is a kid’s conservation organization that teaches our littlest people how to not only protect animals and their habitats. After watching and learning they asked to become Earth Rangers themselves and do their part to save the planet. We headed online, set up our accounts and waited patiently for our cards to arrive. Little-by-little we do the missions on the website and the kids have grown their passion for animals through little activities. When your child signs up to become an Earth Ranger and does the Back to Nature Mission to develop their very own Nature Mission they have the chance to win a Vtech Kidizoom Action Cam.

Nature Missions with Nature Valley and the Earth Rangers

This past weekend we got the opportunity to attend an event at our the Evergreen Brickworks put on by Nature Valley and their partnership with Earth Rangers.

Listening to Jason from Nature Valley we discovered that we share a lot of the same beliefs about the calming, energizing and straight-up uplifting effects nature can have on people.We did a nature tour, learned about the animal that lives under the frozen pond (turtles!) and even made some really important seed bombs to plant. Come spring we will plant them in our garden to not only bring the Monarch Butterflies to our yard but to help nurture them. My kids are about as excited for this time as I am to start planting my wild garden to help save the bees.

After the adventure, we all sat while we were introduced to some furry and feathered friends. Between the pine marten, owl, skunk and red-tail hawk we left with a renewed need to do more for the animals and their habitats. Our youngest daughter keeps telling us that the owl was looking at her. My only response is “Hoo you?” after which we all explode into a giggle fit.

Our Nature Mission

We are no strangers to bird feeders. Our property is a bit of a haven for our feathered friends during the winter months because I am adamant about making sure they are fed.

The kids are always fair sports when it comes to doing activities, especially ones that mean they can spend more time at the windows checking out our feathered friends.

We unpacked our mission kit and got right to work. Between the pinecones, twine, lard and bird seed the kids were occupied for a solid 30 minutes. The majority of my kids tried to eat both the lard (or fatness as they call it) and birdseed. They needed fuel and our mission kit held the answer.

Nature Valley Lunch Box Granola Bars

Nature Valley has come out with new granola bars that are not only delicious but also tie in some great ways to get your kids out of the house and into nature. The granola bars come in 3 flavours: Very Berry, Chocolate Chip and Double Chocolate and contain 20% of daily recommended fibre, eight grams of whole grains, and two grams of protein per bar. They are peanut-free (manufactured in a peanut-free facility) so you can feel safe sending them to school with your kids. And the best part? Each and every granola bar has a nature mission on the wrapper with 30 different missions in all.

Simple things that your kids can do at recess like “collect leaves from 5 different trees and identify them” or find things in nature to match each colour of the rainbow. There is also a link to go to on the Nature Valley website to learn more.

What are you waiting for? Head on over to the Earth Rangers website and start doing you Nature Missions now!

Win A Mission Kit

Enter to win your own Nature Mission Kit from Nature Valley and Earth Rangers. Contest is open Canada Wide and will end March 24th, 2017. Good luck!

Nature Valley and Earth Rangers Nature Mission Kit

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I have partnered with Nature Valley on this campaign. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

Find me on: Web | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook

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123 Comments

jan
March 3, 2017 / 2:52 pm

We often get on our bikes and tour around different parks
nicky
March 3, 2017 / 3:04 pm

Our kids get in touch with nature by exploring our local parks and beaches!
lynn clayton
March 3, 2017 / 3:05 pm

we love gatineau hills and all the trails. my son loves tracing animal tracks
Jonnie
March 3, 2017 / 3:07 pm

Building a backyard fort is a great way to ge tthe kids back to nature. It’s fun to build and then even more fun to hang out in the fort watching birds and small animals.
Andrea Amy
March 3, 2017 / 3:26 pm

We love making bird feeders and squirrel feeders for our little critter friends and of course picking up garbage when we see it and going for nature walks.
Elaine G
March 3, 2017 / 4:01 pm

Going camping and fishing.
Wendy hutton
March 3, 2017 / 7:22 pm

by hiking the river and park trails
T Schmidt
March 3, 2017 / 7:58 pm

hiking
Ry Bee
March 3, 2017 / 8:07 pm

Love these! Great taste!
Holly MacRitchie
March 3, 2017 / 9:29 pm

We love to do scavenger hunts in nature! They find rocks, leaves, feathers, and many other things.
Tina L.
March 3, 2017 / 11:01 pm

go hiking and camping
Robyn Bellefleur
March 4, 2017 / 1:06 am

By taking the kids and our dogs out for long hikes and gather items from nature for arts & crafts.
Juliee Fitze
March 4, 2017 / 7:12 am

We take walks by the river so they can check out the different sites and sounds.
Suzie B (Soozle)
March 4, 2017 / 8:56 am

I think leading by example can help = make outdoors part of yours and their lives frequently by means of activities like hiking and going camping to build a love for it!
Darren Scrubb
March 4, 2017 / 9:44 am

The kids can go on a camping trip for a few days.
Darren Scrubb
March 4, 2017 / 9:46 am

Easy looking recipe I can use for Easter.
tanyab79
March 4, 2017 / 11:26 am

Join as many activities such as boy scouts/girl scouts.
Glogirl
March 4, 2017 / 12:59 pm

Kids can get back in touch with nature by taking hikes and learning about the types of trees, grasses, wild life etc. they see along the way.
Stephanie
March 4, 2017 / 2:02 pm

Take them on nature walks and teach them about plants and animals!
jennie
March 4, 2017 / 2:27 pm

We have been using the new paved bike trail in our neighbourhood to walk and bike, and it has a Bio-reserve next to it.
Stephanie LaPlante
March 4, 2017 / 3:44 pm

Go on a trail in the forest and discover nature.
Mary Jaglowitz
March 4, 2017 / 4:23 pm

My daughter is restricted by her wheelchair but has been feeding the birds in the trees behind her home. It attracts birds and all the children enjoy watching them.
kathy downey
March 4, 2017 / 5:27 pm

Our kids get back in touch with nature by Bird watching,hiking and camping !
Caroline
March 4, 2017 / 7:24 pm

Going on hikes, fishing trips, camping.
Tara Betterley
March 5, 2017 / 7:36 am

We take our kids camping and hiking. They walk the environment and they understand how we should properly treat it. They see the animals as well and can relate how we damage their lives.
rebecca g
March 5, 2017 / 7:41 am

I grew up on a farm and my sister still lives out near there. She owns 5 acres of land and forest so we often go visit her to go for hikes in her backyard
Rebecca Freer
March 5, 2017 / 7:45 am

Spending time outdoors at the park or on a hike. Planting a garden or trees.
lori butler
March 5, 2017 / 8:21 am

by getting outside and going on nature walks
eric
March 5, 2017 / 9:47 am

Our kids get in touch with nature by exploring our local parks and exploring in the forest
SarahJ
March 5, 2017 / 10:30 am

Camping is an excellent experience for kids.
Kim Hamilton
March 5, 2017 / 11:26 am

take away the TVs!! HA! No the best way is to get out there with them, and enjoy the nature together. Do a fun scavenger hunt in your backyard that you can explore as a family.
krysta d
March 5, 2017 / 11:51 am

Regular family hikes!
Tabby72
March 5, 2017 / 11:51 am

We try to have a weekly outing into the woods for a walk or hike.
Linda SVAROVSKY
March 5, 2017 / 12:53 pm

We love nature walks
Calvin F.
March 5, 2017 / 1:19 pm

Visiting the nature parks, having a walk together with the family there.
Dawn gordon
March 5, 2017 / 1:25 pm

A nice walk or hike is a great way to get in touch with nature

Pay attention to the trees and the critters while walking

Pick up little nature treasures you find

In the winter a nice way to get back in touch with nature if the weather is to cold is by researching something about nature online or an indoor nature themed craft
Nicole
March 5, 2017 / 2:05 pm

We take lots of walks in the woods near our house – great to see the changes with the seasons.
Lynda Cook
March 5, 2017 / 2:28 pm

A great way to show and teach the kids is to get them outside and go for hikes and camping, especially now with spring coming and the buds will be starting!!
Cahley E Tod-Tims
March 5, 2017 / 3:42 pm

We can go on holidays that encourage adventures like road trips!
Sandi Tymchuk
March 5, 2017 / 4:03 pm

Letting kids play outside and get dirty is one way. Camping in a tent is the ultimate way, if possible!
Scott MacMillan
March 5, 2017 / 4:12 pm

I take the kids for walks along the lake and into high park where it is still pretty natural and wild.
alexa
March 5, 2017 / 4:18 pm

limit technology time
Heather Swanson
March 5, 2017 / 4:19 pm

have a bird feeder
Edith Rennes
March 5, 2017 / 4:49 pm

Just even by going for a walk…nature is all around us
Florence Cochrane
March 5, 2017 / 5:57 pm

I love taking the grandchildren on adventures on trails in the woods.
Janette
March 5, 2017 / 6:37 pm

My kids love our outdoor adventures! This prize pack would be a great addition ???
maria
March 5, 2017 / 7:05 pm

They can plant a garden
DebP
March 5, 2017 / 7:18 pm

I always had my son help feed the critters in our back yard during the winter. He developed an empathy for animals trying to survive in the snow and winter, and this was expanded upon when we took walks in the parks and the country.
Cathy C
March 5, 2017 / 7:57 pm

We go camping every summer and look for wildlife that we can spot. We also watch nature shows on TV whenever they are on.
janine a
March 5, 2017 / 8:25 pm

walks in the forest out back 🙂
Erin McSweeney
March 5, 2017 / 8:46 pm

get the 150 year anniversary pass for the national parks and get out and enjoy
dave
March 5, 2017 / 9:14 pm

Going camping and fishing.
Edmund
March 5, 2017 / 10:41 pm

We luv walking trails in the wilderness. This prize really helps.
Shirley S
March 6, 2017 / 12:37 am

Kids can get back in touch with nature by going camping and hiking.
Lucy
March 6, 2017 / 10:41 am

Going hiking or biking in a local park!
Kris M.
March 6, 2017 / 11:35 am

We get out in the garden!
Cathy Oppedisano
March 6, 2017 / 12:50 pm

Going camping more often, except making it more comfortable compared to how our parents went camping with us. There are great options to make camping more comfy and it allows the kids to get back in touch with nature.
Pd Reimer
March 6, 2017 / 2:10 pm

Spend time outside with your kids and just let them explore!
Mike Gismondi
March 6, 2017 / 2:26 pm

We like to take the kids into the forest to play
Andrea
March 6, 2017 / 3:42 pm

By going on walks and going to the parks to discover nature.
Clare O'Brien
March 6, 2017 / 3:57 pm

By going hiking on nearby trails.
Elaine R
March 6, 2017 / 6:10 pm

Taking walking hikes is a perfect way for the kids and the entire family to get in touch with nature.
Tainan Lu
March 6, 2017 / 8:56 pm

By hiking and camping
Julie bolduc
March 6, 2017 / 10:37 pm

We like to take the kids on nature walks
Carey Hurst
March 7, 2017 / 1:29 am

Have a nature treasure hunt .
Caryn Coates
March 7, 2017 / 1:49 pm

We have a forest behind our house and our backyard leads into it. We are always hiking through it and the kids love playing in it. They see so many different animals and birds and they just love it
Aarone Mawdsley
March 7, 2017 / 6:27 pm

walking in the park
Marlene V
March 8, 2017 / 12:26 am

Having a tech free vacation allows our kids to get outdoors!
Julia
March 8, 2017 / 9:15 am

Long walks by the riverbank, teaching them the names of flowers, nature-based colouring books, getting them away from the tv and into the outdoors, camping, and showing them the beautiful jackrabbit that seems to now be living behind our apartment building!
ivy pluchinsky
March 8, 2017 / 10:06 am

By going for walks, going fishing or camping, and just exploring the great outdoors!
Alison G
March 8, 2017 / 1:50 pm

By going for walks at the beach or along trails.
Brenda Lacourciere
March 8, 2017 / 2:58 pm

I was thinking of trying geocacheing to get them out in nature.
Wanda Bee
March 8, 2017 / 4:25 pm

Hiking, camping, feeding the birds are all great ways for kids to connect with nature.
Joyce S
March 8, 2017 / 8:00 pm

hiking is a great way to get in touch with nature
Gillian Morgan
March 8, 2017 / 8:26 pm

We go on lots of nature hikes a lot during the summer.
Denae Boucher
March 9, 2017 / 12:16 am

Taking them for a walk or a bike ride with the family.
SweetPanda
March 9, 2017 / 10:09 am

We bring our kids to hiking and camping
Janice Wong
March 9, 2017 / 6:11 pm

Going to the zoo!
Debbie F
March 9, 2017 / 8:17 pm

Going for walks around the trails near home.
Wendy Jensen
March 10, 2017 / 8:44 am

The way I show my kids to get back to nature is to take them camping in the wilderness.
Cheryl MacPhail
March 10, 2017 / 12:50 pm

I like to take our kids for hikes in the woods and camping in order to get in touch with nature. 🙂
Amanda Fontaine
March 10, 2017 / 2:16 pm

We drive to the country away from the city and go for hikes and have camp fires or we head to local parks and go for walks.
Rosa Cross
March 10, 2017 / 9:53 pm

My kids have always enjoyed walking in the woods and along the shoreline.
Dana Miller
March 11, 2017 / 3:20 am

Some ways kids can get back in touch with nature are to go on a scavenger hunt, look for bugs, sketch outdoors. My little one likes to decorate a fairy garden by the water feature with pine cones, shells, rocks, and other natural treasures.
Melinda
March 11, 2017 / 4:33 pm

Camping as a family is a good way to get back to nature.
Sunshine G
March 11, 2017 / 6:15 pm

Just getting them outside and into the backyard is a good start! It’s amazing how interesting dirt and rocks can be to little ones.
KATHLEEN CRIPPS
March 11, 2017 / 9:56 pm

walk as much as possible-anywhere!
Barb W
March 12, 2017 / 10:47 am

It’s as easy as simple exploration!
Jenny Major
March 12, 2017 / 11:54 am

Going camping and swimming
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard
March 12, 2017 / 3:54 pm

we go camping and hiking
Nicole Jubleew
March 12, 2017 / 6:01 pm

I love that Toronto has several amazing ravines. We love to go exploring, biking, and hiking there. Once you’re in them you often forget that you’re in the middle of the city.
Amy C
March 12, 2017 / 6:35 pm

My kids love to go on walks and see all the white tail deer by our house.
Doris H
March 12, 2017 / 7:18 pm

Going on bike rides and walks through the trails is a fun way for kids & families to connect with nature.
zcb257
March 12, 2017 / 7:20 pm

Hiking is great for exercise and education.
Lori L.
March 12, 2017 / 8:01 pm

Our girls really loved camping last summer, we are going to go again this year – hopefully by the beach!
Karla Sceviour
March 13, 2017 / 1:09 pm

Hiking,nature walks,camping,biking!
Judy Cowan
March 13, 2017 / 2:20 pm

I think camping is a great way to get kids into nature and enjoying it.
leana
March 13, 2017 / 3:29 pm

My daughters and I enjoy hiking as a way of getting back to nature!
nicolthepickle
March 15, 2017 / 10:09 am

Just opening the door. Just being outside a lot helps. They start to notice things, they make paths in the woods. They run, they play, they explore.
Jenn Beckett @jennpup
March 15, 2017 / 2:44 pm

We love to hike at our local conservation area and attend nature seminars.
Linda
March 16, 2017 / 6:37 pm

Kids can get back in touch with nature by participating in conservation activities like streamkeeping.
michelle matta
March 17, 2017 / 12:17 am

you can make up nature games like nature bingo.. where they have to go outside and find 4 or 5 things (in a row on a card) eg a brown leaf, a stick bigger than your arm, a smooth rock.. anything that focuses their attention more on the details of nature. adults could use it too half the time.
Pat Drouillard
March 17, 2017 / 1:52 pm

They can go for walks in the nature parks.
Maryanne
March 19, 2017 / 12:33 pm

We like to explore while geocaching!
Sahali
March 19, 2017 / 1:08 pm

riding a bike outside
Carole D.
March 19, 2017 / 4:53 pm

Going to the parks, nature walks by the pound and rivers, we have beautiful trail in our city!
Erika Letson
March 20, 2017 / 10:57 pm

We like to get our kids in touch with nature by just getting them outside as much as possible, with no technology! Lots of walks on our local walking trails are fun for the whole family!
Kim K
March 23, 2017 / 8:03 pm

Go on a hike with them and let them collect treasures (rocks, leaves, etc) along the way
Ariel C
March 24, 2017 / 1:09 am

Going for hikes!
Michelle K
March 24, 2017 / 11:22 am

We love making bird feeders
Tava
March 24, 2017 / 11:53 am

Being present while outdoors – even a concrete jungle has wildlife if you pay attention!
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:05 am

I can’t wait until my two youngest are old enough to ride bikes with us. It is one of my fave activities to do as a family.
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:06 am

That sounds like a blast. I love that Canada has so much green space along with pretty decent beaches
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:07 am

Must be so exciting for Max xo
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:08 am

I can’t wait until the kids take their fort making out of my dining room and into the yard 😉
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:10 am

This was a perk of my childhood–weekends were spent camping all over Ontario
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:14 am

Something else to add to my list of activities to do once the younger kids get older
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:15 am

That is amazing and sad at the same time. That they are so little and notice so much I mean, not that they understand we need to protect it 🙂
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:19 am

Honestly so jealous. I dream of owning a farm but am scared of losing the connection of the city.
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:21 am

YES!! I am going to tell my kids this tomorrow. I absolutely love it.
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:22 am

This is a really great idea Michelle!
Aneta Alaei
Author
March 28, 2017 / 12:23 am

There is so much to see I really think if we just get there we could spend every weekend exploring and still find new things.
Nate
September 3, 2017 / 8:17 pm

I like to hike when it is cool outside