If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you might remember our very scary experience with my son while we were walking in the creeks at Old Man’s Cave last year. He got stuck in the waterfall flow and had to be pulled out by a stranger. It scared us both to tears and still reverberates in my heart when we head out to our local creeks.
There are many wonderful places in the Columbus area that offer my kids the experience to go “creeking.” There is a tiny creek behind a local playground that is perfect for beginners. The water is only a few inches deep and has mostly a soft sand bottom.
Then there are more serious creeks, such as the one at our local metro park where the water can get up to 2 feet deep in some areas. The fun thing about going to the creeks is that they almost always include a little hike and the chance to some significant hands on science exploration.
If you have never gone down in to a creek with your kids, I highly encourage you to do so. I have put together some tips to help you make your first experience a safe and happy one.
- Wear appropriate clothing. Creeks are wet and the chances of your little one getting very wet are extremely high. I suggest quick dry shorts and shirts for everyone.
- Wear appropriate shoes. The bottoms to creeks are often rocky and slippery. Use water shoes to protect little feet without adding weight. That way if your little one wanders into water that is too deep, he won’t struggle to get out.
- Apply sunscreen. Don’t be fooled by the dense coverage of the trees and shrubs. Even though you can’t feel it, it is still there.
- Bring Bug Spray. Bugs are plentiful in the dense woods. Make sure you use insect repellent and check for ticks before you get into your car.
- Stock up in Science Supplies. Buckets, fish nets, magnifying glasses, small shovels and clear plastic tubs are vital to enjoying the creek. We have a large floating magnifier that you can just put over the water to see what is under it. The kids love to explore the rocks.
- Ask the Park Ranger. Many parks have programs and park rangers who will talk to your kids about the types of water life you might come across. Some even have kid friendly brochures.
- Set Boundaries: We always have a set boundaries about how far in the creek we can go. This keeps everyone safe and easy to find.
