by Stephanie Harper - You’ve got everything you need for your family camping or backpacking excursion except the one item that might slip your mind. Tent tarps - often called tent footprints - provide an extra layer of protection between a camping tent floor and the elements. Tent Footprint Buying Guide Not sure what type to get? The gear team at Outdoor Families … [Read more...]
80+ Outdoor Gifts for Adventurous Family Vacations
Outdoor Families Magazine is offering our most comprehensive outdoor gift guide ever. Outdoor gift ideas for hikers? Check! Outdoor gifts for backpackers? Check! Family gift ideas for campers? Yeah! Outdoor gift ideas for boys? Yep! How about gifts for outdoorsy girls? You betcha! The goal? To make sure you can find the best outdoor family gifts for everyone on your list, from … [Read more...]
How To Talk To Your Kids About Climate Change
by Erin Kirkland and Stephanie Harper - The climate change headlines are ominous: Unprecedented heat waves, violent storms, melting sea ice, reductions of species. For any adult watching or reading news reports these days, the term “climate change” is a sobering reminder that Earth is undergoing a swift and drastic shift in environments in every region. So, how do you talk … [Read more...]
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge – A Wild, Luxury Family Vacation
by Erin Kirkland - It was a cloudless July morning in Southcentral Alaska when the float plane ferrying my teen son and I swooped neatly over a stand of spruce trees and landed with a gentle “swish” onto Judd Lake. I always feel a bit like a long-lost explorer when I travel via Alaska’s primary mode of transportation, for small planes generally mean adventure in Last … [Read more...]
11 Nature Books for Kids (Plus, 2 for Adults)
by Jennifer Fontaine - It's summertime. 'Tis the season for exciting, less structured opportunities to engage children in exploring and discovering the world around them. Whether in a city or out in the countryside, scenery is constantly changing. The trees are getting greener, birds are carrying twigs for nest-building, bees are pollinating, and every puddle and pond is filled … [Read more...]
Kids Binoculars: 10 Best Under $30
Kids binoculars are a must have for any budding explorer's outdoor expeditions. By providing them the tools that encourage a hands-on approach, kids can more easily engage their mind and pique their adventurous spirit. Quality kids binoculars allow budding naturalists the chance to observe animals they normally wouldn't be able to get close enough to see clearly, and … [Read more...]
Kids Ski Goggles: 10 Best Under $50
by Tina Kusal - Ski goggles are an essential part of your skiing and snowboarding gear, being that they can make or break your day on the slopes. How to Choose the Best Kids Ski Goggles Visibility, comfort, and fit are key when it comes to buying the best kids ski goggles, to ensure they can properly help protect your eyes from on-mountain hazards. A few other things … [Read more...]
Expert Family Skiing Guide + 6 Best Family Ski Resorts
by Amy Whitley - Have you decided this is the year the kids finally learn how to ski, but have no idea how? Well, you've come to the right place. Downhill (Alpine) skiing together has always been one of those core fibers of my family, an activity we all do together that is woven into the fabric of our shared history. I grew up skiing with my parents and sister high in the … [Read more...]
Kids Walkie Talkies: 10 Best Under $50
by Stephanie Harper - Having the safety and comfort knowing your kids are doing great whether during a hike or on vacation is something as parents, we don’t take for granted. That’s why investing in a two-way radio system, aka walkie talkies, can be both a beneficial and fun way for kids to build their self-confidence and communication skills outdoors. Deciding which walkie … [Read more...]
26 Best Outdoor Gifts for Kids
There’s an ever-growing body of research which supports the importance for kids to regularly get active, get outside, and get in touch with mother nature. We now know that fresh air is not just good for the well being of an adventurous kid, but fundamental to their development, helps them connect to the world around them, and provides beneficial … [Read more...]
The Best Outdoor Gifts For Adventurous Families | Editor’s Choice
Sometimes, the most adventurous people in our lives can be the trickiest to shop for come holiday season. Maybe they spend all weekend in the mountains and all week dreaming about them, can start a roaring campfire in any weather or even build an Adirondack chair out of skis. So what do you get for the person in your life who only wants adventure? Fear not! We’re here to … [Read more...]
11 Best Outdoor Gifts for Mom
Whether she's your adventure partner for life, your audaciously courageous sibling, or your resolute mother-in-law, if she loves experiencing the world, this outdoor gift guide was curated just for her, by women just like her. ~The OFM Gear Editors It can be tricky to find the perfect outdoor gift for an adventurous mom. We get it. You want to buy something … [Read more...]
Road Trip Planner: 5 Best USA Family Road Trip Ideas
Why spend a fortune on flights when you can visit the best destinations in the USA by taking a family road trip? Don't repeat last year's staycation... you know, the one that got all Lord of the Flies by day two. Use our road trip planner, gas up the car, and go on one of these epic family road trips, instead. Whether you're looking for a new favorite beach, … [Read more...]
5 Best Camp Pillows + Expert Camp Pillow Buying Guide
by Stephanie Harper - There’s nothing better than laying your head down to rest on a comfortable camp pillow that resembles a puffy cloud of softness after spending the day adventuring outdoors. Making an investment in a comfortable camp pillow means an investment in your family's happiness because let's face it, there comes a time when we all have to upgrade from sleeping on … [Read more...]
13 Best Deals To Get During REI’s 2019 Labor Day Sale
Labor Day Sales are a bittersweet reminder that summer is officially over. Back to school. Back to routine. But, REI's Labor Day Sale gives us something to celebrate! We've scoured the REI store and found the best deals for you, so you don't have to! But, don't let time run out! You've only got until September 2nd! * Purchase through our affiliate links and help keep our … [Read more...]
A Women’s Guide to Dealing with Menstruation in the Great Outdoors, Because Period
By Stephanie Harper - There’s no place I’d rather be than spending time outside, whether on a camping trip with my family, backpacking with friends, or going on a hike. But coping with my period while camping or hiking isn’t always easy, and waste from feminine products is a real concern. I’ve been thinking of ways to make the switch to more sustainable feminine … [Read more...]
Proven Picaridin Bug Repellent Review
by Kate Spiller - From the west coast to the east coast, mountains, beaches, and forests, my family has been busy this summer testing Proven Insect Repellent, a deet-free bug, tick, and mosquito repellent available in spray and lotion form. In addition to pesky mosquitoes and biting flies, increasingly, it’s ticks that cause us concern as populations increase across the … [Read more...]
