Western Chief

Taking your kid camping can be intimidating. What if they refuse to take their nap? What if they won’t eat camp food? If it rains, did you bring kids rain boots, or are they going to be miserable in sneakers? If it all goes well, they will enjoy the stars, breathe in nature, and have the time of their lives. If not, well, we all have stories about ruined camping trips! These tips can help you create an excellent experience for you and your children.

Choose a Campground

Hiking a mile out into the wilderness is not a good idea when going camping with younger kids. Instead, choose a campground you can drive up to and set up your tent. You can also do a test run by camping in your backyard. Backyard camping can help your kids get used to sleeping outdoors and prepare them for an actual campground. For your first time out with your kids, choose a campsite reasonably close to home, just in case.

Bring Appropriate Clothing

Speaking of choosing the right campground, be sure to bring clothing appropriate to the climate and weather. If you know it’s going to be raining or has rained in the past day or two, bring rain boots kids will love wearing. Think about picking up a new pair specially for the trip, with fun designs, to help get your kids excited! Be sure to bring layers in cold weather, with warm shirts and jackets. It gets chilly outside at night, so plan for the cold. You’ll need a wicking layer, such as wool, silk, polyester, or bamboo. Follow this with a warming layer, such as heavier wool or fleece, and then use the sleeping bag as the final layer. Wool socks and a beanie also help.

Remember the S’mores!

Snacks and treats are a great way to make the trip special and keep your kids happy. Be sure to pack snacks and tasty camp food, as well. Hot dogs, s’mores, and other campfire classics are fun to make and easy to prepare.

You Need a Bigger Tent

Younger kids are likely to want more creature comforts and familiarity. They will probably want to bring a pillow, a blanket, or a stuffed animal–or all of the above. Bring a bigger tent than you think you need, as kids will take up more room than you expect.

Play Games While Exploring Nature

If your kid is not enthusiastic about hiking or fishing, come up with games. You can create a fun scavenger hunt or look at nature through a magnifying glass. Bring out the binoculars and see what birds are in the area. Make up games and have fun! Camping is a wonderful opportunity for your kids to learn all about nature.

About Western Chief

With more than a century of experience, Western Chief knows how to keep feet dry. Founded in 1891 to fulfill the need for sturdy, durable boots, Western Chief's footwear tackled the harsh weather that Alaska Gold Rush prospectors faced. Over the years they expanded to include boots for the whole family, from kids rain boots with fun designs and classic characters, to boots perfect for gardening, and reliable work boots for working on the farm. They offer high-quality outdoor footwear options for men, women, including wide calf rain boots, as well as fun designs for boys and girls. If you need rain boots for heading into the muddy paddock, Western Chief has practical, affordable footwear to suit your needs.

Shop for rain boots for your kids at Westernchief.com

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Choosing kids rain boots can be a challenge. There are so many options to choose from, so how do you pick the ones that are right for your kids? Here are a few helpful key factors to look for in the best rain boots available for kids.

Waterproof

The first, and most obvious, quality your child’s rain boots should have is being waterproof. This could be accomplished through rubber or PVC materials. Either way, it’s an essential part of the boot. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or just damp out, waterproof boots will keep tiny feet dry. For rubber, be sure to choose a rain boot that is both flexible and durable.

Traction

Playing outside is one of the best parts of rainy and snowy days, but it also presents hazards for your kids. You’ll want a traction rubber outsole to help keep your kids on their feet in slippery situations. A rain boot with a traction rubber outsole is perfect for outdoor adventures.

Soft, Moisture-Absorbent Lining

At the very least, your child’s boots should have a soft, moisture-absorbent lining, such as a polyester/cotton blend, to keep their feet dry. This is important for any rain boot. For even more comfort, choose a rain boot with a warm lining. If your child is playing in the snow with their boots, the warm lining is important. On a typical rainy day, however, only the moisture-absorbent lining is needed. For maximum comfort, consider a boot with an insole. Wool socks can also provide comfort and warmth.

Sizing

Don’t get rain boots that are too big, expecting your child to grow into them. As most rain boots don’t strap to a child’s foot like a typical tennis shoe does, giving room to grow means the boot will wear down faster both inside and out. Your child’s feet and heels will slide back and forth, wearing out the soles faster than with a tighter fit. Again, a thick pair of wool socks can help with this, padding out the boot.

Easy On and Off

As mentioned, rainboots often fit differently than normal shoes and don’t have shoestrings to strap the boot down. Instead, some of the most convenient kids rain boots have side handles to ensure an easy on and off process with no hassle, allowing children to put the rain boots on themselves.

Fun Designs

Finally, you want to pick rain boots kids will love and want to pull on. Rain boots with fun designs and classic characters, from Wonder Woman and Batman to Mickey Mouse and rainbow unicorns, can help convince your kids to use their rain boots when they head outside. Give them colorful options to choose from, and they’ll want to wear their rain boots everywhere they go.

About Western Chief

Western Chief has more than a century of experience keeping feet dry. Founded in 1891, Western Chief set out to fulfill the need for sturdy, durable boots to tackle the harsh weather Alaska Gold Rush prospectors faced. Today, they have expanded to boots for the whole family, from kids rain boots with classic characters to reliable work boots for the farm. Western Chief offers high-quality outdoor footwear options for men, women, and children, including wide calf rain boots, and fun designs on boots for boys and girls. Whether you are playing in puddles, gardening, or heading into the muddy paddock, Western Chief has practical, affordable footwear to suit your needs.

Shop for rain boots for your kids at Westernchief.com

Original Source: https://bit.ly/2SMnrzI

It can be hard to find outdoor events for kids when the weather outside turns cold and the leaves are falling. With these ideas, your little ones can put on their kids rain boots, and they can enjoy the crisp fall air before winter hits.

Play in the Leaves

Whether it’s helping you rake or jumping in piles, kids can’t resist playing in leaves. There’s something immensely satisfying about jumping in a pile you just raked. They can also arrange leaves in patterns, sort them by color, or gather their favorite leaves for arts and crafts.

Geocaching

A modern-day scavenger hunt, geocaching uses a GPS or your phone to locate treasure containers left by other geocachers. They are often camouflaged with their surroundings and can require a hike to find. Others are in overlooked everyday places. Each typically has a logbook for visitors, and some have small treasures such as stickers or small toys. Bring your own to trade!

Hiking

Having rain boots kids can wear outside means more grip than typical sneakers. Better grip means hiking even when it’s overcast and drizzling. Whether you are in an urban area with a few trails or a rural area surrounded by wilderness, you can hike and explore anywhere. There are likely trails with lovely fall scenery ready to enjoy a short drive away. Otherwise, your kids can run around the backyard or a nearby playground.

Jump in Puddles

Speaking of rain boots, one of the best ways to use rain boots is by jumping in puddles! Kids will love splashing in autumn puddles, jumping from puddle to puddle without landing on dry ground. Be sure to grab raincoats to keep yourself and the kids warm and dry, and then wander the neighborhood in search of the best puddles.

Go to an Apple Orchard

Fall means harvest time, and there’s no better place to experience the harvest than an apple orchard. Your kids can enjoy picking apples for you to use in pies, apple sauce, apple butter, or cider. Plus, a stroll through an orchard on a crisp fall day is a great way to spend an afternoon, with the kids running around and having fun.

Play Football

Fall is a fantastic time to get outside and play a game of touch football with the kids. It might be more difficult if it’s too wet and rainy outside, but your kids might also like getting muddy.

Take Photographs

With leaves changing color, fall is the perfect time to capture the beauty of nature through a camera. Even bare trees present interesting opportunities for kids to take photographs. It can also be exciting to capture photos of wildlife being more active before winter sets in. Taking photographs outdoors can be a fun way to teach your kids a skill while enjoying nature.

About Western Chief

Founded in 1891 to fulfill the need for sturdy, durable boots for Alaska Gold Rush prospectors, Western Chief continues producing boots that can tackle harsh weather. More than a century later, they offer boots for the whole family, from character rain boots kids love to reliable work boots. From wide calf rain boots to fun designs for boys and girls, Western Chief offers quality outdoor footwear options for men, women, and children that will fit your needs. Whether you are gardening, playing in puddles, or navigating a muddy patch on the farm, Western Chief has practical, affordable footwear that fits your lifestyle.

Shop rain boots for the whole family at Westernchief.com

Original Source: https://bit.ly/2QMORom

Choosing kids rain boots can be a challenge. There are plenty of options out there, but some are better than others. You want to keep your outdoor explorer clean and dry, and the rain boots need to be durable enough to survive a lot of playtime and puddle-jumping. Your kids should also want to wear them: the most durable rain boots aren’t worth a thing if they’re uncomfortable or if your kid hates the way they look. Keep an eye open for these key features when you’re shopping for rubber rain boots for boys or girls.

                                    
Material: Rubber or PVC

The best rain boots are made of flexible, durable, waterproof rubber. If a handmade vulcanization process it used, weak spots can be reduced. An alternative, especially for rain boots that light up, is PVC. Both need to be durable enough to survive outdoor adventures in the mud and rain, splashing through puddles or just helping out in the garden. 

Lining: Warm and Absorbent, Such as Cotton

The interior lining of the rain boot should be soft and moisture-absorbent, using materials such as cotton or a polyester and cotton blend. The key is to a have lining that is comfortable and non-abrasive, so your kids will want to wear their rain boots. Cotton helps regulate temperature while absorbing water, leaving little feet warm and dry. 

Comfort: Well Shaped, with an Insole if Needed

Besides a comfortable lining, the rest of the rain boot should be comfortable as well. An insole can help. If discomfort is a common issue with other footwear, consider a removable EVA insole that can be easily cleaned and replaced. These can be kept in place with double-sided tape to hold them down. The rain boot should also be easy to put on and remove, so handles are a great feature to look for. This also means your kids can pull on the boots themselves with no hassle, leaving everyone happy and frustration-free. 

Fit: Room to Grow—But Not Too Much!

There’s a fine line between leaving room for your child’s feet to grow and having rain boots be too big. If the boot is too big, little feet sliding around will wear the boots down faster. This is especially true for the soles of the rain boots. To fill out bigger boots, your children can wear a thick pair of socks or stockings. Leaving too little space, however, means the rain boots may not survive the season and could be too small the next time they’re needed. 

Design: Get Something Fun!

Having a fun design can be the difference between your child wanting to wear the rain boots or just leaving them in the mudroom. Whether your child loves bright colors and unicorns or dinosaurs and lights that blink with every step, having a fun design is essential for rain boots kids will love. You can also find beloved characters for rain boots, such as Disney’s Ariel or Mickey Mouse. Or, go the superhero route with Batman and Wonder Woman. There’s something fun for every kid!

Safety: Reduce Slips and Falls

Finally, the kids rain boots you buy your children need to be safe. Look for kids rain boots that have a traction rubber outsole. This helps provide grip on slippery surfaces, such as mud or slick pavement. Dependable rain boots that check the boxes above are a perfect fit for all your kids’ outdoor adventures. 

About Western Chief

Western Chief was founded in 1891 to fulfill the need for tough, durable boots for prospectors of the Alaska Gold Rush facing harsh weather conditions. Now, they offer boots for the whole family, including durable work boots and character rain boots kids love. Western Chief offers quality outdoor footwear options for men, women, and children, with designs and styles that will fit your needs, including wide calf rain boots. Whether they’re needed for playing in puddles, gardening, or trudging through a muddy farm, look no further than Western Chief for practical, affordable footwear that fits your lifestyle. 

Browse rain boots for the whole family at Westernchief.com

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Children love playing in the dirt, planting seeds, and harvesting produce that they helped grow. Gardening is a fantastic way to introduce healthy food concepts while teaching responsibility, patience, conservation, and respect for nature. Plus, it’s fun for them to tromp around in the mud in kids rain boots. These tips will make it easy to introduce your children to gardening while having fun.

Explore the Dirt

First and foremost, your child will get messy, so leave their goods clothes inside. Encourage them to dig in the dirt and find earthworms. Make mud pies to get used to the wet soil and encourage them to help you work by giving them child-sized tools, such as a rake or trowel. Let them dig and plant seeds and turn compost. Just make sure they have kids rain boots on to keep their feet dry, as well as clothes that can get dirty.

Start Small

Start small. A single planter or even a few pots to start is an excellent way to dip your child’s green thumb into the proverbial gardening waters. A small project instead of a full garden teaches the basics while holding their attention. As they gain interest and experience, you can add to the garden.

Plant Fun Plants

The tricky part is keeping interest. Start with plants that grow quickly, so that impatient children will see a reward for their efforts. A sunflower, for example, will sprout in about a week. Lettuce and radishes also grow fast, making the perfect food to harvest quickly. Hardy plants are a good idea, too. Trying unsuccessfully to grow a difficult plant early on could damper their interest.

Make a Scarecrow

It can sometimes be hard to keep a child’s attention on the actual garden. When their attention wanders, build a scarecrow. It’s a fun activity where they can still contribute to the garden without having to do any actual gardening, and it provides a creative outlet for them. They can make the scarecrow silly or scary, letting them feel like they own a piece of the garden. It’s also a nice change of pace for them, instead of waiting, weeding, or watering.

Create a Routine

Creating a routine can help cultivate good habits in your child. Spending time once or twice a week tending to the garden, watering and pulling weeds, teaches them responsibility and time organization. When you are done, show them where to store their tools, and how to store them properly.

Eat the Fruits of Your Labor

Finally, one of the best parts: eating what you grow! The fruits of their labor are realized, and your kids can eat from the garden. It’s exciting to pull something off the vine and eat it, whether it’s a blueberry, raspberry, or cherry tomato. Have your child help you make a meal with the produce. It gives them agency over their food, and they are more likely to want to try something they had a hand in creating.

About Western Chief

Prospectors of the Alaska Gold Rush needed tough, durable boots to combat the harsh weather conditions. In 1891, Western Chief was founded to provide those quality boots, and they haven’t stopped, now offering boots for the whole family. From durable work boots to character rain boots kids love, Western Chief has outdoor footwear options for men, women, and children. They’ve got styles that will fit your needs, including wide calf rain boots. They are perfect for everything from playing in puddles to trudging through a muddy farm, or gardening. Look no further than Western Chief for practical, affordable footwear that fits your lifestyle.

Browse rain boots for the whole family at Westernchief.com

Original Source: https://bit.ly/2ncY0tL

A rainy day can sometimes put a damper on getting kids outside and active. If you have kids rain boots, however, you and your children can still have a fun day with activities in the rain. If there’s a thunderstorm, stay inside. But if it’s just rain, grab the rain boots, umbrellas, and raincoats, and try one of these activities. Just remember to have towels ready for when you’re done!

Get Playful: Put on Rain Booties and Splash in Puddles

The most obvious fun activity for kids in the rain is splashing in puddles or streams. You will want the kids in raincoats, as well, to help guard against the splashes. Walk around the neighborhood or local parks to find the best puddles and streams and jump away!

Get Into Nature: Stay Dry on a Hike with Ponchos and Rubber Rain Boots

Whether it’s a wilderness trail or just around the neighborhood, dressing for the weather means you can still go out on a hike. Having rain boots kids can wear—particularly those with a traction rubber outsole—gives them more sure footing, but they should always be supervised if they go on nature trails in the rain. The trails may look different during a rainstorm, especially if they wind through forests.

Get Heroic: Teach Your Kids to Rescue Worms

On your walk around the neighborhood, the kids can help save stranded worms on sidewalks by returning them to nearby grass or dirt. If you are near a lake, pond, or stream, your kids can look for frogs or go “fishing” with a stick and some twine. Remember to dress not just for rain, but for mud! Tall rain boots, waterproof pants, and raincoats required!

Get Crafty: Race Gutter Boats

Grab some paper and practice your origami skills. Try out a few different designs of boats with different materials, such as popsicle sticks, and see how they do in a race to the gutter. Catch them before they go down the gutter and race again. If there are puddles around, see how long the boats will float. If there are no puddles or streams, grab a large, rimmed cookie sheet and let it fill with rain so you can race in it.

Get Creative: Make Mud Pies

Foster a creative imagination by helping your kids make mud pies. The basic mud pie needs water and soil, but sticks, leaves, and rocks can help add decoration. While an aluminum pie tin can help shape the mud pies, it’s not required. Of course, there are plenty of other mud items to make, such as mud castles—let their imaginations run wild!

Get Scientific: Measure the Rain

Gather cups, mason jars, water bottles, and anything else that can hold water. Set them out in the rain. Ask your kids how long they think it will take to fill each container. How much will each one fill in a minute? An hour? A day? Try it with a large measuring cup and record the results.

Get Artistic: Play with Watercolor Chalk

Outdoor chalk reacts very differently on a wet sidewalk than dry. The water causes colors to intensify and run, blurring the chalk in a watercolor-like effect. This can be done while the rain is still coming down, or afterward while the sidewalk is still damp. If your kids want to create art that they can keep and display, use food coloring and paper plates. Once the faux watercolors are mixed on the plates, bring them inside to dry.

About Western Chief

Western Chief was founded in Seattle in 1891, making durable boots to combat the tough weather conditions during the Alaska Gold Rush. More than 100 years later, they continue to provide family footwear options for outdoor wear. These include lovable character kids rain boots; durable work boots; and cozy, whimsical boots for the entire family. Whether you want rain boots for women, men, or kids, even wide calf rain boots, they’ve got styles that’ll fit your needs. Western Chief’s rain boots are perfect for everything from everyday wear to trudging through muddy fields, playing in puddles, or gardening. If you need practical, affordable footwear that fits your lifestyle, Western Chief has you covered.

Browse rain boots for the whole family at Westernchief.com

Original Source: http://bit.ly/31WDIn9