Our Nature Play Club: Reporting on Our June Beach and July Play Events

I’m way overdue on reporting our Nature Play Club fun. Here’s the scoop on our June and July events. I’m also logging this info over at NaturePlayClub.com with templates for invitations and the annual calendar. Think about starting your own Family Nature Club. It’s set up like a monthly book club – except it’s families picking places to explore in nature together with other families. We’ve kept ours limited to 4 families which makes planning easy.

June: Dana Point Headlands and Strands Beach
Nature Play Club Event #3 started a bit on the late side of the day — because we all got stuck in San Diego/beach traffic on our way to Dana Point. However, starting a little later meant that almost all the dads and moms could be in attendance. It also meant the kids were a bit worn out from their already busy Saturdays. However, everyone kept up enough energy to hike the Dana Point Headlands and play at Strands Beach.

We started out in the Dana Point Headlands Nature Interpretive Center.

Then we walked along the Headland trail leading out to overlooks of the sparkling Pacific where we saw small birds in the brush and flocks of pelicans flying in V-formation above and below us.

When you reach the end of the Headland trail it connects to a residential street. We followed the street for about a block and connected with the winding path leading down to Strands Beach.

The kids immediately took to dipping their toes in the water and digging deep holes in the sand.

One dad got them going finding sand crabs in the surf.

We had a steep climb ahead of us and a hike back to our starting point, but after showers the kids seemed to get all powered up for the walk back. The adults had to run to keep up with them.

A perfectly fun afternoon in the sun!

July: Sea Canyon Park for Play and Picnic
Nature Play Club Event #4 was low in attendance – not surprising with family summer schedules. However, it certainly wasn’t short on fun! With only two families total – we decided to meet at Sea Canyon Park in Dana Point.

It was hotter inland and we wanted the kids to get some run around time. My husband logged 2 locations into his GPS before we left so the two older kids could do a “treasure hunt.” Their job was to tell my husband what landmark was at the location once they reached it (a tree stump, a picnic table, etc.).

Meanwhile, we tossed a ball around with the younger kids. Spun in circles and raced on the lawn (adults included). Lay on the grass to see what we could see by changing our perspective on the world. I think we saw one of the world’s smallest hummingbirds. I’ve never seen one that tiny!

We watched Western bluebirds catch lunch in the grass. The kids climbed ladders and sailed down the slides. There’s even a big rock for climbing at this park and they all reached the summit at least once or twice before we left.

We shared a picnic under a shade tree and enjoyed the laziness of the day. It was the perfect substitute event – so we can resume our regular calendar in August without anyone missing out.