I previously posted this one as Play Mom over on OCFamily.com. In the interim between when I posted at OC Family and when I re-post to my blog, @AdventureTykes came up with her own list of resources to Reconnect Kids to Nature. Both of our lists should provide you with plenty of play outdoors ideas from authorities on the subject.
So you love to play outdoors, huh? You just don't know where to find places or events. Here is a list of national outdoors resources that will keep you out and active in Orange County and beyond.
Planet Explore (Enabled by The North Face). Their tagline is "Your Portal to the Outdoors." You will find ways to: Get Connected, Get Involved, and Get Outdoors.
Discover the Forest: Where the Other You Lives. Extremely kid-friendly site with activities and a "Find Forests and Parks Near You" feature.
Discover Your National Parks. And download your "Owner's Guide" when you register to receive their newsletter. Have the kids check out how to be a WebRanger.
California State Parks. This site has a Find A Park feature that gets you where you want to go without a lot of fluff. They even have an iPhone app now from EveryTrail.com which allows you to see hiking trails and other features of state parks.
Nature Rocks. I'm a volunteer ambassador for this site which celebrates a "get outdoors" agenda with the partnership of REI, The Nature Conservancy, The Children and Nature Network, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and American Heart Association - among others.
REI Family Adventure Program. REI helps families find "kid friendly hikes and bike rides." Local stores run workshops and guide outdoor events.
Mom Maps. Local bloggers contribute to this ever-growing national database of kid-friendly outings. It's even an app! (Yes, I contribute to this site - so I can provide the ease of an app to my readers.)
KaBOOM Playspace Finder. My friends at KaBOOM are building an awesome Playspace Finder of all the places to play in order to reach their goal of a playground within walking distance of every kid in America.
200+ Top Play Resources. Carol Torgan, Ph.D., created the Mother Lode of all "play resource" lists on her site. Any link to play you might want to find is here.
