Guest Author: Melanie Gath
Water has this almost magical pull on most little adventurers, doesn't it? That's why, from the very beginning, namuk knew it was super important to use quick-drying materials in our spring and summer gear. Splashing around at the village fountain, puddle-jumping after a summer rain, or that stop-everything moment at even the tiniest waterfall – kids' clothes need to keep up! And now, we've taken an even bigger leap and created our first-ever swim collection. We poured our hearts into it, and we're so stoked for even more splish-splashy water fun for all our little water owls.
When the temperature rises, finding ways to cool down becomes super important for hikes or any outdoor fun. I've put together some ideas, but first, a really important note: Water can be powerful, and depending on where you are and the weather, you must check conditions beforehand and keep a close watch throughout your outing. Especially with young kids, who might not be strong swimmers yet, safety is the name of the game with any kind of water fun.
1. What lives in this water anyway?
Even though the fascination and curiosity around water is huge, every budding little water explorer has their own pace, and sometimes it takes them years to get comfortable with swimming. Everyone has their own rhythm, their own speed, and that's totally okay. Here's a cool question or mission for the more cautious kids: What actually lives, grows, and swims in this water? There's so much to discover in rivers and lakes! Even the tiniest stream can be teeming with life. To keep track of all your discoveries, you could bring along a little notebook or even snap some underwater pics with an underwater camera (or a lot of phones can do that now!) and stick them in your notebook later.
2. Canyoning for the whole family
For the bigger adventurers who feel right at home in the water, canyoning with the whole family is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. Places like Ticino Adventures offer special family-friendly canyoning trips. The only catch is that participants need to weigh at least 44 pounds (20 kg) to join in. They point out that all slides and jumps are optional, so every family member – from the oldest to the youngest – can choose how much adventure they want and how deep they want to get into the water fun. If you're looking for something more relaxed, there's always canoeing, where you can glide across the water at your own pace.
3. What does water do to…?
How many times have I come home from a hike with my daughter and found stones spilling out of every imaginable pocket? The backpack (inside and out), her pants pockets, her jacket pockets, and sometimes even dog poop bags get used to carry home even more rocks. And we collect the most when we're near water. "This rock looks soooo beautiful in the water!" is something I hear a lot. The funny thing is, once we get home, the big reveal often leads to disappointment when some of those stones just aren't as dazzling as she remembered.
So why not just fill an old jam jar with water and bring back the magic? Water and wetness change the way so many things look. It's a fascinating journey of discovery! namuk founder Franz suggests that a little bag is perfect for collecting these treasures. "You could even decorate the bag for this purpose and take it with you every time you're near water."
4. The owl takes a boat trip
Before becoming a mom, I was never that into arts and crafts. I always loved to draw, but crafting? Not my thing. And now – seven years later – I've totally become a craft-loving mom. We regularly make "practical" things that don't just end up on a window or bulletin board; we're talking about little sailboats that actually get tested on the water! These are super popular on camping trips, when you can send your little owl out on a lake or sometimes just let it sail by. Just be sure to only use natural materials that can safely stay in nature. You can build your little boat right there with stuff you find around you. Or you can do what Franz does and prep your vessel at home so it's ready for launching as soon as you arrive.
5. Waterfall Arena
Aren't waterfalls just an incredible wonder of nature? The closer you get to this natural spectacle, the more you can feel the power of the water. The spray cools you off even when you're still a few yards away. Depending on the size of the waterfall and the conditions of the "pool" around it, a waterfall shower can be an incredible experience – with a built-in massage! But always remember to respect how strong water can be.
One place I absolutely have to tell you about is the Batöni Waterfall Arena in Heidiland. I went there a few years ago, and it was an unforgettable, almost magical experience. Three big waterfalls come together here. The hike is about 3 miles (500 meters of elevation gain) and takes around 3 hours, so it's generally doable with little explorers – once you get past the initial steep climb. Once you reach the arena, you can find your perfect picnic spot and soak up the mystical vibes. And who knows, maybe you'll even spot some chamois grazing nearby, just like namuk's Content Marketing Manager, Jasmine, did on her hike there!
6. Painting and writing with water
Most people are familiar with watercolors. But when you're out and about, you don't always have your paint box with you. So why not try "just" painting with water? That's an idea from Reni, namuk's People & Business Development Manager. "Especially when it's still too chilly to go wading, painting with water is a great alternative." Just grab a little stick, a piece of reed, a leaf, or whatever else you find nearby. Dip your "brush" in the water and create wild shapes on the path or the stones around you. You'll create tons of fleeting artworks, and as soon as the sun shines on them long enough, there's room for new creations.
7. Building stone towers and sand sculptures
It's like our little adventurers all have a tiny architect living inside them. Building tall stone towers that rise out of the water, creating the biggest sandcastle with a moat on the beach, or designing creative sculptures from sand and stone. I'm always amazed by what those little architect minds come up with. Maybe it would even be a fun project for art class at school: drawing up the blueprints for the next construction project! What do you think?
8. Fishing for trash
Unfortunately, you often find a lot of trash on beaches, riverbanks, and around mountain lakes. You see what people carelessly throw away, which is dangerous for all the animals that live in and around the water. And for us humans, who like to hike or splash around in the water, broken glass and other sharp objects can be a hazard. That's why we sometimes bring along a trash grabber or gloves and fish the garbage out of the water. For kids, it's usually a real adventure, and they're super proud afterward because they're helping to protect nature.
9. Splish-splash fun at the swimming lake
Of course, water fun at or in a swimming lake has to be on this list! Jasmine has put together some suggestions in this blog post for family-friendly hikes to mountain lakes in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. There's even a personal insider tip from the namuk team!
10. Damming streams and building waterwheels
Do your little adventurers have a budding engineer hiding inside, along with that architect, ship captain, or explorer? Then get going! Plan, tinker, and discover the time-honored craft of the mill builders. Follow a stream, let the babbling water be your guide – and keep your eyes peeled for the perfect spot to build a little dam. Maybe you'll gather some branches, stones, and moss, and before you know it, you'll be damming up the water like real pros. Our E-Commerce Manager, Noemi, is a big fan of water-taming: "You can even build a little waterwheel – it spins in the current, and you can watch for hours as the water brings it to life," she raves. And you can even take a refreshing dip in the "lake" created by your dam, Franz adds. A little stream, a big plan – and tons of space for wonder, relaxation, invention, and discovery.
And now, all that's left to do is pack your backpack before you head out for real. Two things that are especially important, besides the right clothing: protection from insect bites and sun protection.
Our three-piece swim collection protects the skin of our little water owls from UV radiation. The Fin rashguard, Dip swim trunks, and Ray sunshield cap have a UPF 50+ sun protection factor. That's the most effective protection against sunburn. And all these products – just like our Linn outdoor shorts, which you can also swim in – are made largely from ECONYL®, a material made from regenerated nylon, produced from old fishing nets.
Are you ready for some fun, splashy adventures? Let the splish-splash water fun begin!
