Have you been to the TrailMix.Net store in Old Sacramento yet? If not, add this to your summer to-do list! I am kicking myself that we have not gotten over there sooner. My kids and I were in awe of all they have to offer…and instantly in love! Mike & Sara Barlow opened it about a year ago and this store is more than just a store. TrailMix.Net “helps parents create family outdoor learning and adventure experiences” with their outdoor gear, educational toys and all the nature resources you need. If you are already an outdoorsy family, then this is where you will find all of things you need to enhance your experiences with your kids. If you are not already outdoorsy, then this is where you will be inspired!
While wandering the store we found Animal Watching With Kids, Backyard Safari Gear, Hiking With Kids, Geocaching With Kids, Birding With Kids, Gardening With Kids, Astronomy, and more. So once you pick a type of outdoor adventure…you’ve got the gear, the maps, and the books all in one place. To top it off, you have friendly owners that are more than happy to provide the information you need. I’ve been wondering for a long time where the best hikes are and where the best spots on the river for kids are. Mike helped me out with that and so I’ll share our adventures in the near future. On the TrailMix.Net blog, you can download a FREE e-book called Educational Expeditions that helps you plan your outdoor adventures with kids. I’m telling you, they are a plethora of information!
Besides offering awesome products, they have an activity center which really turns the store into an outing destination. Their Activity Menu has craft projects for kids of ALL AGES that start at just $2.00. You can have fun with a 15 minute Paint-A-Critter like we did or you can spend more time and do something like building a birdhouse or painting a fossil necklace. My kids loved picking out their critter, painting, gluing eyes on and then being able to take their creation home.
TrailMix.Net also holds FREE workshops for parents and children each month. Click here for their calendar. This Saturday Culture2Classroom is presenting Before Sacramento, Life for the Nisenan Maidu. Along with learning about the Southern Maidu tribal group, kids will have the opportunity to make a craft with a Native theme.
Check it out and gear up for some incredible adventures with your kids!
TrailMix.Net
116B I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
888-95-TRAIL
Open daily: 9:30am – 5:30pm
*Located right across from the California State Railroad Museum.
*Parking validation provided with minimal purchase.
Written by Keilah Woodard
My love for exploring and creating experiences with my three kids led to the founding of SacramentoSidetracks.com in 2009. I realized that Sacramento has so much to offer and I was excited to share my findings with other parents. Besides simply having fun, these are the other positive side effects of taking my kids on outings that I’ve discovered: we have quality time together away from the distractions at home, we cultivate our curiosity, learn new things, conversations are triggered by what we see and do, we connect and bond as a family, and we create new memories. Ready to get sidetracked, too? Let me be your guide!
