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...]
Tame the “stuff” with Chums Latitude Series cases
by Erin Kirkland It's always about the "stuff." Little stuff, funny-shaped stuff, stuff that takes up space needed for other stuff. My junk drawer at home is testament to my penchant for keeping things, and when I travel, the "stuff" seems to multiply. Storage of small items, be they batteries or a spare pair of sunglasses and a toothbrush is critical for the organization of … [Read more...]
Great Gear: Does Bug Band Really Keep Insects At Bay?
by Melissa Avery - Bugs. They are part of the outdoors, but that doesn't mean we want them all over us, making an experience dreadful for the whole family. Enter Bug Band Insect Repellent wristbands and Towelettes. As an independent adult traveler, I've tried many insect repellent products without putting too much thought into the chemical components. Motherhood, however, … [Read more...]
Great Gear: Hobo rePETe bag from ChicoBag is a stylish option
by Mae Kiggins Ever wonder what happens to the thousands of post-consumer-recycled plastic bottles? In the case of ChicoBag, the company is putting to good use this detrius through construction of fashionable and versatile bags. So serious about their mission are ChicoBag's long-lasting and environmentally-friendly products, they have trademarked the term "rePETe" to … [Read more...]
Great Gear: TwinGO Carrier a Wonder for a Mom of Multiples
by Jennifer Bauer - Since the birth of our twins and the beginning of my tandem days, I have lamented the lack of a child carrier that could accommodate two kids. Given the growing number of multiple births in the United States (more than 132,000 twin births in 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control), I was surprised no major manufacturer had, as yet, designed such … [Read more...]
WOOM Bikes Review: Best Kids Bikes of 2018
by Jennifer Fontaine - What do you get when you cross an award-winning industrial designer with newfound fatherhood? WOOM bikes. Christian Bezdeka's love for cycling came early in life, zooming across finish lines by the age of 13. Through high school, even while following in the footsteps of his father's bio-medical education, Bezdeka had already begun creating a cache of … [Read more...]
Pacsafe Shoulder Bag Works for Parents on the Go
by Mae Kiggins Full disclosure: I am not a purse or diaper bag gal. Clunky and funky, purses or giant diaper bags never stayed on my shoulder, and organization was only fair, so when my kids were little, I relied upon a trusted backpack. Comfortable to wear, backpacks generally aren't designed for family caregiving, but mine lasted through two babies with ease. Now that … [Read more...]
Gear Guide EXTRA: Icebreaker Merino is not your mother’s wool clothing*
Wool is a fabric many people either love or hate, depending upon their experience wearing it. For those who spent childhoods clad in itchy, bulky sweaters knitted by indulgent grandmothers, or mittens that stunk to high heaven after a few handfuls of snow, wool doesn't always appear a first choice for base layer attire. But times have changed, and outdoor enthusiasts now have … [Read more...]
OFM OR Gear Guide 2015 February
Kids? gear can be a bit confusing as parents wade through a seemingly endless list of ?must have? items for outdoor enjoyment. What is practical? Essential? Or, in the case of many youngsters, fashionable? For adults who must conduct the cost-benefit analysis of all this stuff, function remains a driving force behind much of the gear found at outdoor stores and on websites. … [Read more...]
DucKsday Kids Rain Suit Review – Full Coverage Rain Gear for Active Kids
Active kids need equally-active outdoor clothing, and sometimes that can be hard to find. Outdoor family blogger Melissa Edge offers this review of the DucKsday kids rain suit, a one-piece wonder that performs well under kid-type pressure. A Belgian company, DucKsday is fairly new to the outdoor apparel market, but their kids rain suit has already taken the world by storm, … [Read more...]
Ski and Snowboard Gear: What parents should know before outfitting kids
Every autumn I haul the ski gear from our basement "outdoor closet" and call my son downstairs. "Here," I say, handing him a pair of alpine boots with fingers crossed, "Try these on, and with skinny socks, this year." Growing up the middle child of three, I recall all too well the annual transfer of clothing, boots, skis, and poles with the next in line, up or down. I … [Read more...]
