by John Soltys - For many of us, dogs are family. We celebrate their accomplishments, we fear for their safety, and we mourn their passing. And, just like we do with human children, we enjoy adventuring together. In many cases, it's dogs that begin our adventures in life and in the outdoors. Some of my earliest memories are about time spent as a child with the family dog in … [Read more...]
Mammoth Lakes, California: Summer family travel just got more adventurous
by Rina Baraz Nehdar - My son, Kaleb, held his hands high, testing his grip on the grimy rope, suspended from a branch above his head. Although I wanted him to be brave, part of me pictured his hands slipping and his little body landing with a dull thud onto the sharp rocks as he attempted to swing into the lake. Besides our screams of terrified excitement, Gull Lake, near … [Read more...]
The Complete Quebec, Canada Family Road Trip Itinerary
by Erin Kirkland “Attache ta tuque!” This is what my Uber driver, natty ball cap askance on his bald head, shouted when I mentioned I was beginning a seven-day road trip to explore sections of Quebec. The literal meaning is “Secure your hat on your head,” and in modern vernacular translates to “Hold on tight!” because something unexpected or exciting is coming your … [Read more...]
San Ignacio, Belize: Finding culture & adventure fit for a teen
by Amy Whitley - The moment my seventeen-year-old son and I stepped out of the airport shuttle van and into the small porte-cochère of San Ignacio Resort Hotel in the Cayo District of Belize, I understood why this property is affectionately known as ‘the only jungle in town’. Literally steps from the lively bustle of downtown, the moment you step through the open-air doorway, … [Read more...]
17 Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas For Fun In The Sun
by Lindsey Lebowitz - When I think of summer with my kids, I think of popsicles, running barefoot through the sprinkler, sun-kissed cheeks, and outdoor birthday parties. Both my kids’ birthdays fall in the summertime, and as an outdoor family, we enjoy celebrating outside. This year, I’ve gotten a head start on researching outdoor summer birthday party ideas. Varying among … [Read more...]
An Apostle Islands Adventure | Family Camping at Its Best
by Jenny Wisniewski - In the summertime, my young family regularly camped. I have always wanted my boys to get dirt beneath their nails, play from dawn to dark, and explore until they collapsed in their sleeping bags, bellies full of s’mores. It was the packing of gear and meal planning that my husband and I dreaded. Our family camping trips had waned until this past August … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: Nature, Sustainability, and Conscious Choices
by Cheryl Magyar - One was born in a town of Romania, another was brought to life in the suburbs of America, and the third arrived quietly on a homestead in Hungary, with animals waiting patiently, in complete silence, just outside the door. Our births were given dates and exact locations, to be institutionalized and stamped on a certificate of existence, yet it remains that … [Read more...]
Cleanwell Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Up Close
by Stephanie Harper - The CleanWell line of disinfecting products and soaps include no fuss, kid-friendly, easy-to-use spray nozzles and pumps. Cleanwell, based in Denver Colorado, began with a father’s quest for plant-based cleaning products that were safe for his son who suffers from an immune system disorder. CleanWell’s toxic-free pledge resonates with anyone who prefers … [Read more...]
6 Outdoorsy Families Tell Us What They Really Think About REI
by Jennifer Fontaine, founder and managing editor, Outdoor Families Magazine - Outside-minded families are happier families, and while most of our readers already know this, a growing pile of research supports what a legion of parents, grandparents, coaches, and caregivers already understand. When people go outdoors, attention and focus sharpen, family relations improve, moods … [Read more...]
Outdoor Safety for Kids | An Outdoor Expert’s Essentials
by Jennifer Fontaine - Recent studies have revealed the benefit— perhaps even the necessity—of spending time outdoors. For both kids and adults, spending time in nature's great outdoor spaces makes us smarter, happier, more attentive, and less anxious than those who spend more time indoors, and while it’s unclear exactly how the brain and mood improvements occur, there are a … [Read more...]
Badass Women Who Are Dominating the World of Adventure Travel
by Erin Kirkland - Who Dominates Adventure Travel? These women. International Women’s Day is Friday March 8. Meet four professionals working to make outdoor travel a balanced place for women around the world. With a theme of #BalanceforBetter, the 2019 International Women’s Day platform is firmly set. Focusing on creating a more gender-balanced world to foster a better … [Read more...]
Porto Family Holidays: The Best Places to Eat, Sleep, and Adventure
by Kristin Kizer - Located on the Rio Duoro, Porto, Portugal is a thriving metropolis that dates back to around 300 BC. Many of the historical structures still exist, although some of the oldest houses are currently at risk of collapsing. In 1996 UNESCO recognized the historical downtown center of Porto as a World Heritage Site. This designation affirms that the area is … [Read more...]
8 Reasons Why Glamping at Capitol Reef Resort Should Be on Your Family Travel Bucket List
by Jennifer Fontaine - Capitol Reef Resort has been hosting travelers from around the globe for decades on the doorstep of Capitol Reef National Park. And as good hosts do, they up their game with more creative accommodations each year. From teepees and family cabins, to decked-out tents and authentic 19th century Conestoga Wagons, there’s a glamping experience likely to … [Read more...]
Mobile, Alabama Outdoor Family Travel Guide
by Stephanie Harper - Mobile, Alabama is known for the earliest Mardi Gras celebration (which locals will argue is the first) and the Tensaw River Delta and Mobile River. An estuary with unique and diverse wildlife can be found there for year round exploration. Surrounding Mobile Bay are a plethora of family activities and outdoor adventure that even a coastal expert couldn't … [Read more...]
50 Outdoor Science Experiments For Kids
by Sarah Benton Feitlinger - Science is everywhere, and it is easy to fuel children’s natural curiosity outdoors with a quick and easy science experiment. Kids are natural born scientists, always inventing and experimenting, with whatever just happens to be right in front of them. Throwing spaghetti against a wall? A science experiment. Stacking blocks. A science experiment. … [Read more...]
What is Wildschooling?
Wildschooling, noun; a progressive parenting philosophy which encourages the creativity, curiosity, and joy that children naturally express. by Nicolette Sowder - When my oldest daughter turned preschool age, my husband and I began having conversations about what we wanted her schooling to look and feel like. We found that aspects of the local school system and … [Read more...]
Hiking in Asheville – 15 Must-Hike Trails For Kids
by Stephanie Harper - Asheville is the epitome of a mountain town complete with endless eateries, urban jaunts, and organic living--but it's the hiking in Asheville that will entice your outdoorsy family to stay forever. With the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the city in all directions and one million acres of protected forest and park land, there is no shortage of … [Read more...]
