Okay, so I am trying something new on the blog this month and I really hope y’all like it! We have had a ton of really fun adventures to surrounding areas and I’ve really wanted to share them with you. But instead of just gushing about all the fun we had… (drum roll please) I’ve decided to pair each destination with some great books and activities. You probably could have guessed that right… that seems to be
my MO lately!
The first place that I just can’t stop thinking about is Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont, Maryland!
Cunningham Falls State Park
There are a few reasons that I loved this place! First, my husband and I got married in Thurmont at a gorgeous nature retreat called Thorpewood that is located just a few miles from this State Park. We had a blast driving through and showing the kids where we got married, ate, danced, took the pictures they see hanging on our walls, etc. It was a fantastic trip down memory lane.
I loved the campground at this State Park. You were literally immersed in the forest with no water or electric at your campsite. It was a true rustic camping experience and I loved it! The water spigots were close enough that it wasn’t a big deal to wash dishes but a great learning experience for the girls to actually have to go fetch water before we could do anything! The bath houses were clean and a great size, which is always a bonus when you are camping!
The third and final reason we loved Cunningham Falls was for the scenery! We loved the variety of trails that were available for hiking throughout the state park, especially the trails leading to the real Cunningham Falls. There was also a large lake for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boats that was easily accessible and the pass into this area was free if you camped in the State Park.
This was the girls first attempt at real and I mean REAL hiking up a mountain and they enjoyed every minute of it!
Books and Activities
For this specific adventure I wanted to share with you some great forest related books and activities that you can do along with them. These books and activities can most likely be done in any forest that you visit!
Young readers will love this cute book about the many cycles of life in the forest.
Activity: Take a walk/hike and try to spot the different stages of the cycle. Look for evidence of trees in the different stages of their life cycle. Also, learn about the different ways you can help preserve a forest near you and join the efforts!
This adorable 3-D pop-up book will show kiddos the many different animals that call the woods home.
Activity: Take a walk and see what animals you can spot living in your neighborwoods!
If your kiddos are anything like mine, they love to stop and inspect all the cool holes and crevices they find in trees as we walk. This book talks about those holes and how they change and transform over the years, as well as all the creatures that live in them.
Activity: Take a walk to focus specifically on checking out these holes and crevices. What do you find?
This book would be especially fun if you were camping in the forest. It shows little ones that forest life is really 24/7 and allows them to see what life is like in the forest at night.
Activity:Take an evening walk and talk about what changes you notice as the sun begins to set. What animals do you see at night versus during the day?
I love that this book helps kids hear and experience the sounds of the Forest in all the seasons through the use of poetry!
Activity: Take a walk and observe the sounds you hear! Find one that you find specifically interesting or fun. Write a short poem about it.
Well there you have it, the very first Adventure + Activity post and only the first of many! If you live anywhere near Thurmont, Maryland I definitely encourage you to check out Cunningham Falls State Park! If you don’t these books and activities can be completed in any forests or woods near you!
I’d love to hear what you think! Please let me know if you have any suggestions or what activities you enjoyed best!
Until next time,
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