Get Outside With Kids

Our guest today is no stranger to outdoor exploration and creating awesome communities of amazing women and moms. Jessica Sproat is an outdoor enthusiast, traveller, and explorer.  She believes in the power of the outdoors, and is an advocate for access to nature for all.  She is the founder of a new app, TrailCollectiv, that seeks to break down barriers to accessing nature and the outdoors for pe...

Potty training is a major milestone when you have kids. And it’s easy to think you have to be confined to the house for days, maybe even weeks, until your kid reaches a certain level of accuracy. But today we’re sharing our tips (as well as the gear) that have helped us get outside even while potty training our kids. We talk about:  the logistics of potty training girls and boys outside, the gear...

Summer camps can be a great way for kids to get outside and learn about their surroundings. Today we are joined by Hailey Renaud, general manager at Sea Smart. Throughout her career, Hailey has worked with more than 20,000 kids in camps at Sea Smart, Vancouver Aquarium, and in Ontario, and she has empowered all of these kids to take action for the ocean and the environment. Tune in to hear: How to...

Weekends with kids can be packed full of activities and sometimes it’s hard to find the time for adventures. In this episode, we talk about our favourite way to pack in extra adventure every week. Tune in to hear how to : remove the emotional labour and stress of planning outdoor activities with kids, find some social connection in the middle of the week, avoid weekend crowds at the busiest lakes...

Finding a comfortable way to transport your child can be your ticket to freedom as a parent. Today we talk about all the types of baby and child carriers we have tried, from when our babies were newborns all the way up to 4.5 years old. We talk about the features to look out for, like storage, sun protection, back support, buckle system, and many more, and share which models were our absolute favo...

We are joined by Lauren MacLean to talk about taking school outside, and how we can inspire a love for outdoor learning in kids of all ages. This episode also contains our favourite ever example of a time when things did NOT go according to plan when getting outside with kids… trust us, you’ll have to tune in to believe this one, it’s a doozy! Lauren MacLean is a mentoring support teacher and host...

Planning a vacation looks very different after you have kids! Before kids, you can be spontaneous and move around between different exotic locations, exploring new cities and restaurants! After kids, that sounds, well, completely exhausting. Today we share our tips for planning a great vacation that gets you outside with your kids, whether that’s a big overseas adventure, or a long weekend close t...

Today we are joined by special guest Sandi Schwartz to talk about the intersection of nature and mental health, and how it applies to kids. Here’s what we covered:  The scientific research that shows why getting outside is good for our mental health The simple activities that you can try with your kid to spend more time outside, including kids’ yoga, art projects, picnics, volunteering, fruit pick...

Today we’re talking about the first time we went camping with a baby and share tips on expectations, sleeping and gear. Main takeaways:  If you have friends who are camping with kids, could you stop by their campsite for a day trip and see how they’re doing it? This might give you the confidence to try it yourself. For your first trip camping with a baby, go with someone who is familiar with campi...

We are thrilled to be joined by Vancouver legend Stephen Hui , author of 105 Hikes and Destination Hikes. We talk about Stephen’s brand new book Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, coming to bookstores in May 2022.  Stephen shares how he learned to adapt his hiking style from the massive 20km+ big mountain adventures (such as the ones described in 105...

Today we are casting our minds back two years to a time that really motivated us to start this podcast. We talk about how we learned to get outside with kids and what helped us make it a regular habit. Main takeaways:  Incorporating getting outside into your everyday routine makes it easier to overcome toddler resistance Open ended toys like buckets and shovels help your kids make an adventure out...

Today we are joined by Tammie Bennett, cross country runner and coach, to talk about how to make running fun for kids (and their parents). The key? Embrace the muddy mess of being outside with kids! Takeaways: We have to keep things fun and social for kids! Encourage your kids to explore their physical limits while getting messy and muddy Let the kids lead the adventures outdoors. Give them the po...

Anyone else feeling pretty tired? Yup, us too. Today we share what we do when we want to get outside, but the exhaustion is real. Main takeaways: Set the bar so low you can’t fail Can you text a friend right now and make a plan to meet outside? Can you incorporate getting a caffeinated drink or snack for yourself along the way? Because you need something to look forward to when you’re going outsid...

Would your kiddo like to try their hand at being a scientist? On today’s episode, we are joined by special guest, NASA Master Trainer Izolda Trakhtenberg, who has taught people aged 3-83 how to be community scientists. We talk to Izolda about all the amazing ways kids can learn about the world through science.  Main takeaways:  Science is one way to encourage kids to spend more time outside So muc...

We were never meant to parent alone. But for lots of people, parenting young children is a really lonely time. We want to change that! In this episode, we talk about how to make friends in a meaningful way that goes beyond just sharing your baby’s milestones and saying that everything is "fine".  Takeaways: Treat making parent friends like speed dating. It’s OK if you don’t hit it off with everyon...

We are joined by entrepreneur, tiny home owner and mom Kaili Sutton! We talk about how living in a tiny home means more time outdoors, and more adventures. Because space is limited, Kaili shares her thoughts on essential kids gear and how to encourage kids to get outside and, maybe more importantly, stay outside. Takeaways: The less space you have inside, the more time your kids might need to spen...

Ah camping! The campfire, the fresh air, the snacks, a relaxed drink with friends. It all sounds amazing! But how exactly can you plan a successful camping trip with toddlers?! We’ve got you covered.  Plan in advance - particularly in the Lower Mainland, you need to book in advance Think about noise - is there a loud train passing the campground in the night? Are there are any sound barriers betwe...

Kids walk slow. Which is fine! We love walking and exploring with our kids. But sometimes you actually want to get to a place. Like, maybe today. Enter: bikes! We talk about our tips for getting started with a bike with your kid, and making the transition from balance to pedal.  Takeaways:  Take your kid somewhere they can see other kids their own size on bikes. Get the right size bike. Small and...

Outdoor play specialist Jane Pilskalnietis joins us for a fascinating dive into the world of outdoor free play and why it’s so important. Get ready for a visualisation exercise that will help you understand how different our kids’ world might be to when we were kids!  Takeaways: Free play can help kids’ bodies, brains and social skills. Begin with a mindset that getting outdoors with your kids is...

For better or worse, toddlers have some limits when it comes to hiking. We discuss what we look for when choosing a toddler friendly hike, including all the times we haven't followed our own advice!   Takeaways:  Accept that shorter can often be better Short hikes can be deceiving - remember to check the elevation gain and starting elevation. Read descriptions for safety hazards (e.g. river crossi...

What is the worst thing that can happen while you’re out with your kids? Today we are sharing some our “worst case scenario” situations so you can learn from where we went (horribly?!) wrong! A little doomsday planning can make you feel more prepared to take on an adventure. Takeaways:  Check out AdventureSmart for great tips Pay attention to the forecast and the elevation of where you’re going. R...

You’ve probably experienced this - your toddler has had enough and refuses to go on. How can you motivate them to continue to walk? We’ve been there too and we know how hard it is! Here are the main takeaways from this episode:  Story - tell a riveting, long story with plenty of magic and intrigue  Surroundings - bring their attention back to their surroundings. Look for rocks. Point out trees. Ru...

Taking a baby to the snow can be intimidating. We talk about what to look for in winter gear, how to get you and your kids dressed, and how to decide where to go, as well as all the times we have forgotten crucial items and lived to tell the tale! Takeaways:  Layer up those kiddos to keep them warm and dry. Avoid cotton! Don’t forget to wear layers yourself. Carrying a baby makes you WARM. Take a...

Do you want to try hiking with a baby but don’t know where to start? This episode will help you set realistic goals, take the right gear and get outside with your baby. Main takeaways: Keep your expectations low - even lower than you think!  Go with someone you trust, who has the same expectations as you Get up and go early - even when you’ve had no sleep. Just go! Pack your bag and your carrier t...

Meet Jen, a mom of two, who grew up in Ontario and had never been hiking until she moved to Vancouver as an adult. And Kate, also a mom of two, who grew up camping in Australia with her family (and dingoes). Despite very different backgrounds, Jen and Kate have learned a thing or two about getting outside with kids on adventures big and small and introduce their key tip: lower your expectations! P...