Fall to Spring Forest School and Outdoor Gear: What Do I Really Need?

Fall to Spring Forest School and Outdoor Gear: What Do I Really Need?

Wondering how to dress your child for forest school, nature kinder, or outdoor play all year long? Get kids outdoors more with proper gear - A detailed explanation of our favorite layering process for economical ways to gear children for play in all weather. Featuring Scandinavian designs and styles shipped from the USA from a family run, woman owned business.
February 07, 2019 — Jessica Schaefer
12 Natural Christmas Decorations to Make with Your Kids

12 Natural Christmas Decorations to Make with Your Kids

A Dozen Natural Christmas Decorations to Make with Your Kids

Nothing says cozy Christmas like decorations made from nature. If you are looking to make decorations with things from your yard or collected on hikes with your children, here are lots of ideas for crafting with sticks, pinecones, and other natural treasures. Best of all, these are so easy to make, the kids can help too.

  1. This modern twig Christmas tree will finally give you something to do with the branches kids always seem to collect.

  2. Bring some hygge home with these wheat ornament ideas.
  1. Pinecone elves add a little whimsy to the tree.

  1. Preserve vacation memories with some seashell decorations.

  2. Do you remember making applesauce ornaments as a kid? Make some new memories this year.

  1. This tiny terrarium is as cute as can be.

  1. Pinecone garland is so simple and yet so beautiful.

  1. Do you have a green thumb? Why not try making rosemary topiaries?

  1. Dried fruit ornaments will have your home smelling amazing.

  1. Brighten up the family table with a natural centerpiece.

  1. You probably already have some supplies on hand to get started on these adorable reindeer.
  1. This string art ornament project is perfect for kids who love to use tools. Check out our small bucksaw for slicing the wood and this child’s hammer for pounding nails.


Do you have a favorite decoration you bring out each year? Leave a comment below and tell us about it!

December 17, 2018 — Jessica Schaefer

Women Don't Fly Airplanes: The Shocking Statistics and A Future Hope

mom and daughter in a jet plane

50.8% of the U.S. population is female. Only 6% of all pilots in the U.S. are female. EAA targets this divide with an incredible Women in Aviation program. It starts at 9th grade. It starts too late.

I always tease my girls and say things like, "I wonder if girls can drive tractor trailers." Sometimes they say no. Sometimes they hesitate.

They're 5 and 8. Already, many times, I've fought to correct things they've learned: motorbikes are for boys. Girls are better with babies. Girls don't like trucks. Blue tshirts are boys' tshirts.

I'm 35. No one ever really told me girls couldn't fly airplanes. No one ever really said it was a guy thing.

But, I went through aircraft maintenance school with 60 guys. They had to dedicate one of the bathrooms just for me. I was young. I had no idea how the year would go nevermind the rest of my life.

Like my guy friends, my worries revolved around paying for school, the next maintenance test, and beating everyone else at whatever might be the weekend sport of choice.

But unlike them, I constantly answered this question from strangers, friends, and school leaders... "Will you get married? Will you have kids?"

They asked not just out of fear for high risk bush pilot life, even those who knew nothing of those plans would ask. I got so used to it that I began to answer with confidence with the "right" answer. Nope, no kids, no problem. And I heard it so many times that I no longer knew what I really wanted. I began to see only one option.

Do you know why they asked me this?, I asked Lily today. No, she didn't. She's eight. I told her.

They asked because children need their mother, and a mother has a really important job, and flying, especially bush flying, can be a very intense and demanding and extremely high risk job.

And to that my child said, "But don't kids need their Dads too?"

And yes, but it's not just that child. There is a wall that need not exist.

We must not draw lines based on all the imaginary what ifs. And what if? What if I had gone on to fly in a remote area and then had you, child. What would I do? I would adapt as I did in every other aspect, the way that fit best for us.

The truth is, even the companies that claimed I had to think this far ahead to work for them have a incredibly high turnover rate. I didn't need to think ahead to forever. I didn't need to commit to forever.

But I felt it strongly: the choice, that single, binding choice. And like the restroom relabeled to womens all because I had upset the balance, I also knew that I did not truly belong.

It became one choice: to be truly female, or to give that up to fly.

This is the choice we present. This is the choice our girls already see in grade school.

I haven't sat at the controls of an aircraft for ages. I haven't climbed in a dozen or more years. I long ago stopped logging on to my once favorite computer games.

It has been ages since I played ice hockey or rode rails on my snowboard and carved through beautiful layers of powder.

I haven't hiked solo in years, but I haven't desired to either. I once drove a 98 Civic with a blue short throw shifter. I spent time driving just to drive. I got my hands dirty helping repair all kinds of engines.

None of that, none of that did I regretfully give up to raise a child.

None of that did I happily give up to raise a child.

All of that was just part of a life that flexed with each passing moment, mostly unpredictable.

I worked on computers. I wrote stories. I took road trips with little planning and lots of All American Rejects on repeat. I learned photography. I did my own car maintenance. I ran 10ks and half marathons. I started a business.

And all of that I did as a mother too.

Life has changed, and I don't fly or skin my knuckles in engines anymore. But some day I will again, and you can bet these girls will be right there by my side. And I will let them know over and over again: this is what you were made to do.

You can start. You can quit. You can take this trail wherever it leads. And indeed you should. Fly the plane, kid. Ride the bike. Land the deal. Take the job. Quit the job. Drive the truck. Scrape some knuckles.

These opportunities, girls, are for you. Take them all.

 

July 13, 2018 — Jessica Schaefer
10 SMORES ideas that will ROCK your SUMMER

10 SMORES ideas that will ROCK your SUMMER

Ten new family fun s'more making ideas that will rock your summertime!
June 15, 2018 — Jessica Schaefer
What They Love: Tick Free Summer Forest Play with Claudine Mossberg

What They Love: Tick Free Summer Forest Play with Claudine Mossberg

Read tips for dressing for forest play and avoiding ticks from unschooler and Forest Play advocate Claudine Mossberg. At Biddle and Bop you'll find all kinds of gear to keep kids at play, no matter the weather. Join Forest School for All or find a school near you. Shop Claudine's favorites or start at our menu above and gear up for play!
June 12, 2018 — Jessica Schaefer

What They Love: Mary Clair of NJ's South Mountain Nature School

Meet Mary Clair, founder of New Jersey's South Mountain Nature School. Here, find her favorite recommended gear from Biddle and Bop. Then, get outside and connect with nature in all weather, just like the kids at South Mountain Nature School!
March 27, 2018 — Jessica Schaefer
Blogger Favs: Anna of Raising Little Wilds

Blogger Favs: Anna of Raising Little Wilds

Favorite Biddle and Bop products compiled by outdoor mom blogger Anna of Raising Little Wilds
February 21, 2018 — Jessica Schaefer

Reflections of a Wilderness Kid turned Mom: Why We Are Joining the 365 Mile Challenge

"The 365 Mile Challenge is a group with a goal: to get outdoors and move 1 mile a day during 2018"

We're on it. With kids. Read why we choose to hike (lots) with our children, in all kinds of weather.
February 05, 2018 — Jessica Schaefer

The Best Waterproof Suits for Kids

Looking for all weather gear that will really hold up to outdoor play, no matter the weather? Shop Biddle and Bop for the Best Danish and Scandi Designed gear for US Kids. 

Here's what our fans have to say:
biddle and bop fan review quote

fan review for Biddle and Bop

boy and girl sitting on log in raingear for Biddle and Bop

review by fan for biddle and bop raingear

Biddle and Bop kids sitting in pond at Ithaca Children's Garden in Biddle and Bop waterproof gear

Ready to go? Find the perfect fit first by reading our sizing help article here.

Small boy wearing blue waterproof gear explores abandoned car in rural Alaska

Shop our classic rain gear here.

rainbow of raingear waterproof outdoor gear for children from US Biddle and Bop

Want to read more? Check out this review from Your Natural Learner.

January 29, 2018 — Jessica Schaefer

Wild Child: Spring and Cool Weather Gear - How To Dress for Outdoor Play - 6 year old outerwear setup

Wild Child: Spring and Cool Weather Gear - How To Dress for Outdoor Play - 6 year old outerwear setup - ideas for children 2-10years old.
December 31, 2017 — Jessica Schaefer

Snow Play for Toddlers: All the Gear for the Best of Cold Weather Play

Snow got you in a panic? Cold weather meltdowns? Don't fret! We make it easy to gear up for a great winter outdoors - properly geared, cold days are a lot of fun! Follow along our guide to gearing up a 9-18m new walker or toddler in winter. Merino wool base layers, insulating mid layers, and really waterproof outer layer snowsuit, plus all the accessories you need and tips on how to choose.
December 13, 2017 — Jessica Schaefer

Little Boy Blue in the Big Woods: All Weather Outdoor Gear Setup For New Walker

Wondering how to dress your new walker for all weather, outdoor play? Best for mild winters and ever changing temperatures, layering is an economical and easy way to gear up for outdoor play and enable your little one to stay outside in all kinds of weather! See an example setup here...
December 13, 2017 — Jessica Schaefer