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...]
Family Adventure for All Abilities Among the Trees at Ramblewild
by Jean Grant - We are a family of wanderers and nature lovers. Our lures: local trails, national parks, road trips, puddles, and oceans…or unique rock formations along the roadside. We reside in a state that is composed of 60 percent trees, with some towns in the western region over 90 percent forested. Though we are the third most-densely populated state, our inhabitants … [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 explore … [Read more...]
Best Family Camping Tents of 2019 + Expert Tent Buying Guide
There are a wide variety of vacation experiences that are ideal for families. For those that want to enjoy a wholesome family trip and have lots of fun, car camping is a great option. All you need is the right camping equipment and gear, and you can look forward to a family vacation that is not only affordable but also packed with excitement, adventure, and - most importantly - … [Read more...]
34 Nature Books for Kids
by Jennifer Fontaine - Children are the future stewards of the earth. Starting in childhood, it's important that they learn to appreciate and take care of nature, so why not nurture that with vibrant and informative nature books? This list of children's books gently discusses critical subjects like what we can do to help preserve our natural resources, how to investigate and … [Read more...]
VIP Vail | Exclusive Outdoor Adventure Awaits At Sonnenalp
by Heather Mundt - Hiking along Cross Creek Trail in the Holy Cross Wilderness area near Vail, Colo., my two sons—ages 12 and 10—are trailing closely behind Kara Hasbrouck-Schmidt, guest-activities supervisor at the Sonnenalp Hotel, when she stops at the edge of a sun-dappled meadow. “Look down at this, boys,” she says, kneeling to pick up what appear to me as tiny wisps of … [Read more...]
10 Reasons Why You Should Add Patagonia To Your Family’s Bucket List
by Cathy Brown - When it comes to unplugging and connecting with nature, there aren’t many places on earth that are more perfect for outdoor families looking for adventure, than Patagonia. Pristine, raw, and laced with a good mix between the Wild West (none less than Butch Cassady took up exile here) and Latino warmth and hospitality, there are endless outdoor adventures for … [Read more...]
The Best Outdoor Gifts of 2018 | 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...]
Women On The Snow: Empowering women to seek out backcountry and elevated skiing experiences
by Amy Whitley - On a sunny, bluebird February day, I found myself linking turns in the soft, forgiving powder of the Squaw Valley California backcountry, far from the crowded ski lifts. The month before, I joined a group of fellow women skiers in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, for some camaraderie on the snow and a day of dedicated on-piste instruction. In both instances, I … [Read more...]
27 Best Fall Foliage Destinations To Visit In The USA
Fall is officially here. The time is here, to choose pumpkins for carving and start baking pies. The weather is tranquil and cool and that means you can pull out your comfy cozy sweaters and scarves, and zip up your favorite boots. But, the best part of autumn is Fall foliage. You don't have to travel far to experience America's awe-inspiring natural beauty. Check out our top … [Read more...]
30+ Fall Family Adventures in Rockford, Illinois
by Stephanie Harper - Fall is the perfect time to visit Rockford, Illinois as the colors are bright and leaf-peeping is the showstopper, while taking in the sights. With weather dropping comfortably in the 40’s, there’s plenty of activities to keep you warm all day! Rockford is just one of the cities that borders along Rock River and is an hour-long drive from Chicago. With … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Support Threatened & Endangered Species in Your Garden
by Scott Jenkins - Supporting wildlife doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. In fact, you can help support threatened or endangered species in your own backyard. Here are ten ways you can help support threatened species in your garden and your local community. 10 Ways To Invite Endangered Species Into Your Garden 1. Learn About Endangered Species in Your Area Do you … [Read more...]
An Outdoor Dad’s Tips For Raising Adventurous Girls
by John Soltys - As an outdoorsy father of two girls I'm often asked for tips about raising adventurous daughters. The implication is that girls are somehow inherently different than boys and require some special care to ensure they grow up loving or at least appreciating the outdoors. The truth is that when it comes to being adventurous, girls are no different than boys, … [Read more...]
USA Road Trip Planner – 10 Best National Parks in Southwestern US
by Jean Grant - Planning a family road trip to the Southwest? Try this epic USA road trip itinerary which hits the 10 best national parks in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Our family made a slight modification of the classic Grand Circle road trip for our April school break, soaking in 10 destinations, including US national parks and monuments, national forests, … [Read more...]
Royal Gorge, Colorado – Top 4 Adventurous Activities & Accommodations
by Tami Mittan - "You do want to consider water levels when taking a family white water rafting", counseled the Echo Canyon Rafting Expeditions manager. We had asked him about our 7 year old going on the intermediate rapids half-day trip in Colorado's Royal Gorge. "Too low can be a bit boring, too high can be pretty intense. But right now… it's perfect. Just pure fun!" The … [Read more...]
