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...]
Responses: 10 Things to Expect From All (Outdoor) Children
The Outdoor Families Magazine Facebook page is a busy place. Parents, educators, and outdoor industry experts share their thoughts on posts related to kids and the outdoors. Several weeks ago we posted a blog entry by Frugal Fanatic about "10 Things Moms of Boys MUST Know," and did you ever respond! One parent, Claudia Keating, sent us this essay. Have something to say? Send … [Read more...]
The Avery Family: Combining cultures and getting outdoors
We are a family of four, expanding to five sometime this month! My husband, Jesse, and I have been married for eight glorious years full of adventures as a bi-racial family. My roots come from the Peruvian Andes and Amazon Jungle, and my husband's from the East Coast of the United States. We live in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, and I love our ability to explore the … [Read more...]
Climbing With Kids Leads to Lifelong Skills
by Erica Lineberry Rock climbing might seem like a daunting sport even for a 20-something athlete, but try adding a decade (or two) and a few kids - ?then climbing may seem downright impossible. Despite minor shifts in lifestyle, rock climbing appeals to a wide variety of people for a range of reasons, be they adrenaline junkies, office jocks, weekend warriors, or families … [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...]
Cinque Terre With Kids: Hiking the famous blue trail
by Jennifer Fontaine - I first discovered the tiny, scenic fishing villages of Cinque Terre, Italy nearly 20 years ago. A fellow traveler had thrown out a fascinating new term of agriturismo on the still-young internet, and, intrigued, I began researching its roots. Virtually scanning Tuscany's rolling hills and vineyards, I was led to a magical place where craggy mountains … [Read more...]
Kale Salad With Roasted Sweet Potatoes: A “green” treat your kids will love!
by Sarah Henderson I?ve always loved the phrase, ?Work smarter, not harder.? In my pre-baby life, I tried to apply it whenever I could. Now mother of a busy 8-month-old, the words are a mantra for survival. As anyone who works in the home knows, there is always something to be done, and some days, the sun sets and I realize I haven?t even had a breath of fresh … [Read more...]
Going Green All Year: St. Patrick’s Day suggestions for sustainable living
by Mae Kiggins Even simple holidays can teach kids the value of giving back. Take St. Patrick?s Day, for example. This year, my children and I are learning how to be ?green? in an effort to live a more sustainable life, and we started with the basics: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Reduce.?In our consumer-driven world, parents often feel the need to give their children … [Read more...]
SubUrban Outdoors: The Small family explores a new way of living
by Elizabeth Small Note: Elizabeth will be sharing her family's journey with Outdoor Families Magazine readers each month in a new column titled "SubUrban Outdoors." We hope you find her daily struggles and triumphs to be both enlightening and inspiring, and perhaps even humorous. ~Erin Kirkland, editor My husband recently confessed that he decided to marry me … [Read more...]
The Axel Project: Love on two wheels
by Jennifer Charrette Our son Axel was born to bike. As an infant, he spent hours watching the world go by inside a bike trailer. As a toddler, the moment he laid eyes on a balance bike he walked next to it, then walked with it, then eventually began scooting all over the place. It was beautiful, that little bike, and Axel rode it everywhere. It became an … [Read more...]
