Feecback Wanted - Educational Toys for Outdoor Learning

[Blue Moose]

Hello outdoor community,

I would like to briefly introduce myself. My name is Eric Jackson and I am a fellow avid outdoorsman and father. Throughout my life, some of my greatest memories have been forged in the wild, experiencing the adventure and beauty of landscapes and wildlife from the Rocky Mountains to the fields of central Illinois with friends and family alike. One of the greatest joys in becoming a father was the anticipation that came with planning how we might be able to share the joy of the outdoors with our children. How could I pass down all the valuable life lessons and memories that I had received while spending time fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping with those closest to me? How could I use the outdoors as a tool to help shape their character?

But first came the simple question of how can I best develop in them an appreciation for and an interest in all that the outdoors has to offer them at an early age? I treasure those first hikes, the first fish they caught, and teaching them to glass the fields for deer. Those adventures provided abundant opportunities to teach them about the wildlife we pursue, the environments they live in, the techniques and skills we work hard to develop in the field, and most importantly that the richest experiences in the wild are deepened when shared with others.

But what about when we were not able to get into the field or onto the water? Like many of you, the burdens of life steal more field time than we would like. So my next question was how can I bring educational opportunities into our home that will provide my wife and I a chance to extend our kids’ outdoor learning? As with most young families, there are a variety of toys, puzzles, and games scattered across our home. Some of them encourage creative play individually or in a group setting, while others provide great opportunities to teach children functionally or about specific objects. So what does the outdoor industry currently offer parents to help them teach their kids about the outdoor environments and wildlife they are so passionate about? I made a trip to a few local outdoor retailers as well as the regional Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shop, and I was disappointed to find the lack of products dedicated to outdoor learning.

So my question to you as members of the outdoor community and parents to the future generation of outdoors men and women, would you find products dedicated to helping you as a parent introduce your young children (2-6 yrs) to the outdoors and all that it has to offer (landscape, wildlife, sporting, etc.) a valuable resource? Would you find a line of products that help kindle a desire in your kids to explore the great outdoors and all that they are learning about through the educational toys worth purchasing? I believe this resource would be of great value for my children as the number of distractions facing our young kids are overwhelming and carrying on the outdoors legacy becomes more difficult with each generation.

My wife and I are currently developing a line of educational toys, puzzles, arts & crafts, etc. just for this specific purpose, to help families pass down a legacy that we believe enriches the lives of those who are fortunate enough to live and play in the outdoors. Your feedback, the feedback from people just like us, is more greatly appreciated than we can attempt to express. We would love to hear your thoughts on how you’ve introduced your kids to the great outdoors, what challenges you’ve had, and what your greatest memories are.

Thank you again and we wish you and your family a great adventure wherever you may be!

Eric

[smittydawg]

Eric,
Well written and I certain could not agree with you more that we need to do more to pass along the invaluable outdoor heritage that have shaped so many of our lives. All though I respect your intent and entrepreneural spirit I find this quite discerning. Conceptually I understand what you want to do, but does it not defeat the purpose of wanting to enhance your childrens experience of the outdoors by giving them another reason to stay inside? As if Wi, Playstation, computers and facebook are not enough, now you want to give your kids a toy to enhance their appreciation of the outdoors? My suggestion would be to FIND the time to take your kids outdoors and enjoy what is offered and to pass the heritage and tradition down to them. My fondest memories of my kids outside were outside of my home, not with another toy! Good Luck either way, Wayne.

[Blue Moose]

Hi Wayne,

Thank you very much for your candid feedback, I do greatly appreciate it. You bring up a couple great points, and have forced me to reflect longer on what really is the intent of the products we are developing. I agree 100% with you that reading a book about the mountains does not compare to strapping on the boots and hitting the trail, breathing the fresh air, and experience the absolute beauty of creation. But there are times when we me read about the mountains or other outdoor activities we enjoy because we are unable to experience them first hand at the moment due to weather, work, other committments, etc. The other information becomes a source for learning more about the outdoor activity and hopefully furthering the desire to participate in it, not a replacement in itself. The hope for our products is to be just that, an opportunity for parents to integrate the outdoors and all the things they will experience when they get out, into their children's early development of motor skills, reasoning, creativity, group play, etc. The "toys" as I called them earlier are a very focused group of puzzles, arts & crafts, and other learning toys. We've failed in what we are trying to do if our products become a subsitute for actual time in the outdoors with one's family.

Finding more time to get outdoors with our kids, not just ourselves, is a very important point you mentioned and one I constantly work to increase. That is the long-term goal because I see one of the most valuable opportunities the outdoors offers us is deepening the relationships in our lives. We hope to encourage parents to interact more with their kids in outdoor learning when they don't have the opportunity to take them into the wild, so that when the opportunity arises the child has developed a continued desire to experience firsthand what they have been learning and the parent has a desire to continue engaging in their child's learning in the wild.


Once again, your feedback is critical to us better understanding the perspectives of other outdoor famillies and I consider it to be invaluable. Have a great weekend Wayne!

Eric

[Josh Young]

What are some more specific ideas you're thinking of?

[chris lavoie]

TRADITIONAL SNOWSHOES!! Best educational toy I ever had. Of course you need lots of snow. I would take our foster kids on outdoor excursions regularily. You could trek into areas you couldn't normally during any other season.For the younger kids take them out and show them how to build snow igloo's or forts. Lot's of excercise for the kids and parents. Again, this is if your area is blessed with lots of snow.