Tag Archives: adventure families

I’m an Adventure Parent

Hi, so it’s been a few years while life got in the way and I paused my work on AdventureParent. But I’m back now. I’ve spent a lot of years traveling with my daughter, going on all kinds of adventures and pushing her out the door to go on her own with her friends. Even though my daughter’s a little older now, I’ve realized that I’m really good at this taking kids on adventures thing. And I want to share everything I’ve learned, and still learning so that you can cherish this time with your children. 

Travel is the Best Teacher

I can’t tell you how glad I am that I made the effort to take my daughter around traveling whenver I could. 

2014-07-07 18.01.41And here’s me with my favorite adventure buddy when I first started this blog. There were earlier versions, but we won’t count those. I learn from her every day and hope she looks back on all the fun we’ve had and pay it forward. This was taken on her first day of Sports camp at Chelsea Piers. And here she is now, on the Spanish Steps with me in Rome

My daughter and I at the Spanish Steps in Rome Italy
Morgan and me standing at the base of the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy, August 2019

I played Women’s Rugby in England and the US.  I’ve been dogsledding in Quebec. I’ve toured all the major castles in Wales, traveled all over France, England, Ireland and Scotland. I’ve donned a survival suit and zipped around in Zodiacs on the St. Lawrence just to get up close and personal with Blue Whales. And don’t think I just like sports.  I trekked to Trinity College Dublin just to see the Book of Kells, I climbed every duomo I could climb in Italy, I’ve laid on the floor of the Sistine Chapel and looked up, I’ve visited Juliet’s balcony and had pints at the Dirty Duck in Stratford upon Avon, the big man’s home town (twice), I’ve visited the classrooms of the Jason Project in Belize and am a frequent visitor to the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Oddly, I was obsessed with Ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology, yet I haven’t been to those places, but they are on my bucket list. I had dragged my husband along with me on travels, mostly mountain biking to Moab, camping in the Grand Canyon, biking the old Creeper Trail in Virginia, scuba diving in Belize, and more.

And Then We Had Kids

In 2004 I had my daughter. I had planned on doing all the kinds of things I had done before, with her and my husband. But the reality of taking a wee little thing on these crazy adventures scared me a little. Other things in life happened. I gained a little weight, my marriage fizzled, went through a hairy divorce, and the result was me putting my adventurous side  in a deep freeze. But then one day I got sick of it. I missed the old me and snapped out of whatever funk I had been in. I dusted off my bike and I starting doing a lot more of it, getting the old me back every step of the way.  The same went for skiing.

So I started to introduce adventure back into my life and this time I’m bringing my daughter along with me. I took her whitewater rafting. I taught her how to ski. I taught her how to ride a bike, rollerblade, kayak, took her surfing, scuba diving, and ran her around on her first wavejammer. We even took kickboxing together. Now I’m an adventurous parent again. And I want to squeeze every inch out of the health and vitality I have left in me before it’s gone.

Passing Along the Travel Bug

I also want to teach my daughter that this is how it’s done. I like to go with people on my adventures but when I can’t find anyone, I just go it alone. And most importantly, I let my daughter know it’s perfectly normal for a girl to want to do all these things. I had wanted to start this website for a long time because I often found it hard to find good stuff to do for parents who wanted to do a little bit more than gymboree or the local swimming pool with their kids. 

I live on the Upper East Side of New York City, where that’s an adventure in itself. I’d love to hear your ideas for adventure and what kind of articles you’d like to read more about. Look for anything adventure-related, whether it be mind, body or both. Life is an adventure, so don’t be afraid to get out there and set an example for your kids. Life is what you make of it.

Best Ways to Get the Kids Ready for An Outdoor Adventure

Looking for an exciting way to spend time with your kids? Why not take them on an outdoor adventure? Not only will you get to bond with your little ones, but you’ll also be able to enjoy nature’s beauty and get some fresh air.

Here are some tips to help you plan your next adventure:

Choose a Kid-Friendly Destination

When selecting a destination for your adventure, it’s important to consider your children’s interests and abilities. Pick a place where they can explore and have fun, such as a nature reserve, hiking trail, or even a local park.

Pack Plenty of Snacks and Water

Kids can get grumpy when they’re hungry, so make sure you pack plenty of snacks and water for the journey. Granola bars, trail mix, and fruit are all great options for fueling up your little explorers.

Dress for Success

Make sure your kids are dressed appropriately for the weather and the activity you have planned. If you’re going on a hike, comfortable shoes and breathable clothing are a must. If you’re going to be near water, don’t forget to pack swimsuits and towels.

cute little girl in a baseball cap on an outdoor hike
Photo by Monika Balciuniene on Pexels.com

Make It a Game

Kids love games, so make your adventure into one! Create a scavenger hunt, where your children have to find different plants, animals, and other natural features. Alternatively, you could play “I Spy,” with your children taking turns to spot different things in the environment.

Take Plenty of Breaks

Kids have shorter attention spans than adults, so it’s important to take plenty of breaks during your adventure. Use these breaks to snack, rest, or even play a game. This will help keep your kids engaged and energized throughout the day.

boy sitting among flowers
Photo by Viyan Manz on Pexels.com

Taking your kids on an outdoor adventure can be a fun and memorable experience for the whole family. Just remember to choose a kid-friendly destination, pack plenty of snacks and water, dress appropriately, make it a game, and take plenty of breaks. Happy adventuring!


Main Photo by Christopher Luther on Unsplash