by Jennifer Fontaine - 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 become lighter, and everyone, regardless of age and … [Read more...]
[Great Gear] Sustain Supply’s Emergency Survival Kit Review
by Kate Spiller - How prepared are you for an emergency or natural disaster? Do you have an emergency survival kit? Admittedly, we were not as ready as we should been. It's difficult to think about the emergency possibilities that can cause us to be without the essentials and necessities of life. However with a few simple steps, we can be better safe (and prepared) than … [Read more...]
10 Best Trail Running Shoes For 2018 – A Buyer’s Guide
by Tina Kusal - It is important when you explore the outdoors, to be safe. This means more than just being aware of your surroundings. You also want to make sure you have the best trail running shoes on your feet because the last thing you want to do is trip or fall in the middle of nowhere. The wrong trail running shoes can cause serious discomfort and serious injury. … [Read more...]
[Great Gear] Play Line Slackline Balances Independence and Fun
by Kate Spiller - You just want to kick back and relax while enjoying the outdoors, and your kids are either bored or running amok. Does that sound familiar at all? For me, the campground scenario comes to mind (but this also just applies to hanging out in the backyard or at a local park). You want to get to all the fun and adventuring that comes along with spending a few days … [Read more...]
Holiday Gift Guide for the Adventurous Dad
If your dad is an outdoorsman, buying him a gift doesn't have to be a daunting test of how to find the one thing he doesn’t have and will actually want. We know that a love of the outdoors has quite a spectrum. From hunting trips out to the mountains to simply finding an excuse to spend an entire Saturday out in the yard grilling, we understand that the adventurous dad is … [Read more...]
Sports Water Bottle Buying Guide – 10 Best Under $40
by Tina Kusal - Whether you are fixing up the yard, going for a hike, breaking a sweat at the gym or going camping, the one piece of great outdoor gear you'll need is a good portable sports water bottle. No journey is complete without the right hydration companion and the ten insulated sports water bottles below are guaranteed to fit the role perfectly. When you are away … [Read more...]
Best Kids Bikes Under $100 | 2019 Bicycle Buying Guide
by Tina Kusal - Looking for the best kids bikes under $100? Well, you've come to the right place. Every kid needs a bike. They are an essential part of independence that children crave. The best kids bikes come in all shapes and sizes and fit within all kinds of budgets. There are several things you need to consider when researching kids bikes such as size, weight, … [Read more...]
Best Family Camping Tent Buying Guide of 2019 – Top 10 Under $100
by Tina Kusal - Buying the best family tent for car camping, bike camping, or family backcountry backpacking can be a serious investment and prices range from very low to very high. Then, you have to consider the variety of materials, ease of setting up, and how many people need to fit inside. That is a lot of information to sift through which makes the whole process … [Read more...]
[Great Gear] TreePod’s Portable Treehouse
by Melissa Edge - For any nature-loving kid there is something immediately appealing and imagination-igniting about a tent that is suspended in mid-air. No hard ground beneath their bum, no easy access for creepy crawlers; just top-secret hideout bliss. Such is the idea behind the TreePod portable treehouse, a quick and easy playtime structure that can be erected without … [Read more...]
Great Gear: A iPower RV Inverter Generator Video Review
by Lydia Blanco - I must admit, I knew little about what an RV inverter generator was when our family recently embarked on a one-month Boondocking Challenge. Boondocking is essentially parking your RV or camper in a spot that doesn't have access to electrical or water connections, so needless to say finding a quality RV inverter generator we could trust became my mission. A … [Read more...]
Great Gear: Butler Rockhopper Overboots Keep Mud at Bay
By Kate Spiller - As much as we want to clear our calendar and rid our weekends of errands and other obligations, the reality is, we’ve got stuff to do! On a recent Saturday, besides the main event of visiting the pumpkin patch, we were also in and out of shops and restaurants and checking things off our grocery list. The kids would absolutely need rubber boots for the muddy … [Read more...]
Great Gear: Chasing Windmills Merino Wool Apparel
By Kate Spiller - In our ever changing world, it’s more important than ever to find ways to simplify, live purposefully, and practice sustainability. One way that we can strive toward this is through our clothing choices. As an outdoor family, we need garments that fit with our lifestyle. We’re out adventuring in all seasons, and in all kinds of weather, which is why the merino … [Read more...]
Great Gear: Kid’s Mittens Stay Put Thanks to Cubbies
by Mae Kiggins - Keeping kids warm during the winter months is a challenge for any parent and kids are experts at undoing our hard work, even when we spend money on specialized gear. How many times do your kids take off their mittens, hats, and scarfs? How often do you find yourself trying to convince, or bribe them to keep them on? Thankfully the designers of Cubbies offer a … [Read more...]
2016 Outdoor Gear Gift Guide
Still looking for that special gift for an outdoor-minded loved one? Check out the 2016 Outdoor Families Gift Guide, filled with fabulous finds from leading outdoor retailers both big and small. From casual to luxurious, OFM's Gear Team scoured the industry in search of unique, functional, and budget-friendly gifts to place under the tree this year. Happy holidays, and we wish … [Read more...]
Great Gear: Epic Wipes keep this mom’s crew clean
by Erica Lindberry If your family is anything like mine, then you have probably wished for stock in baby wipes once your children were born. Although I haven't taken the time to count, I?d say we go through approximately 167 wipes during a typical weekend adventure. Climbing, camping, or somehow even just sitting in the backyard, my kids sure do have a knack for bringing in … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Secret Lives of Animals
by Erin Kirkland Any book that offers "tidbits, oddities, and amazing facts" is bound to be a winner with kids. I mean, really, who wouldn't want to learn about a salamander that shoots poison from behind its eyes? Or, maybe, the reason for horns versus antlers??The answers are surprising, enlightening, and downright incredible. Outdoor authors Stacy Tornio and Ken … [Read more...]
Great Gear: New guidebook helps first-time visitors to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Guidebook review -- Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park; first-time trip guide for families by Erin Kirkland It's never too late to begin planning next summer's family vacation, and in the case of national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton, a year may be considered prudent. In 2016, the National Park Service celebrates 100 years of enhancing visitor experiences … [Read more...]
