Creek stomping is a fun, free activity to do with your kids when the weather starts to get warmer.
It involves walking or wading through shallow streams and creeks. It’s a great way to explore nature and observe wildlife. Some creek stompers, like me, enjoy looking at cool rocks or plants. Many creeks and streams in Indiana even have small fossils.
There are a few unspoken rules of the creek stomp.
1) If you are in a protected area (State Park, National Park, etc.), do not remove rocks, plants, wildlife, or any other aspects of nature.
2) Don’t disrupt the local wildlife. Skipping or throwing rocks can disrupt delicate ecosystems, which can include fish, reptiles, plants, or insects that can’t always be detectible by the human eye.
Here are my favorite places to creek stomp:
McCloud Nature Park – stream that runs through the park is great for rocks and fossils. My husband also found a cool giant worm last time.
Eagle Creek Nature Park – if you are looking for other recreational options, Eagle Creek also has kayaks to rent or trails to walk.
Hummel Park – especially friendly for kids with playgrounds and splash pads.