This week's blog post is written by Explorer Family Mom, Brittany Williams, from @bbwilliams21. Brittany has written this post for us today to talk about advocating for children's rights in the outdoors. Brittany is a mom of 1, living in the beautiful state of Tennessee. Brittany is an advocate for adventure, and also an advocate for allowing your children to have a voice. Today, she has shared with us ways that you can create an inclusive atmosphere to allow your children to have a voice. Here is advocating for children's rights in the outdoors. Children Have Rights, Too As an adult you feel like you have certain rights, right? Do you feel those rights you have are the same for children? How can you be an advocate for young children’s voices to be heard? It all starts with listening. Too often, adults are making decisions for children, and while the adults mean well with those decisions, they are really doing a disservice to them. Of course, young children can’t make all of the same decisions adults can, but they do have a voice, and it does matter if you allow it. Let Them Have a Voice Children deserve to have their voices heard and should be allowed to express their thoughts and feelings, and our job as adults is to listen to them. We must allow space for our children to feel comfortable sharing their opinions, needs, and desires. You may be asking yourself how I am supposed to do this and still have any control—if I do this, my children will run all over me and think they are the boss. My response to this is—it’s all about balance. It's All About Balance Yes, you are still the adult, and yes, much of the time, you are likely to think “told you so” when your child is insisting on doing something a certain way. But, this isn’t how children learn. Children learn by doing, and sometimes that means failing. Being allowed to make a choice as a young child is huge. Being the adult watching and guiding the child through that “failure” is the ultimate learning opportunity. So, it’s all about balance. In my previous KWE podcast I talk about setting expectations. In doing this (and sticking with it) you set the tone for whatever experience you’re about to have. Provide Choices One way that children can have a voice and be in “control” (because children love to be in control) is to provide choices. Even the youngest children can make choices when you are setting the stage for that to happen. "We are about to walk in the parking lot, do you want to hold my hand or be carried to the car?" You are telling the child what is about to happen and letting them make a choice about how to get there. If they choose to hold your hand to the car yet there is some struggle on the way, what do you do? You choose to hold my hand in the parking lot—if you are unable to do that safely, then I am going to have to carry you. "Our plan for today is to go to the park. Do you want to go to the park with the swings or the park with the creek?" All of these sound so great and doable, right? So what happens when the child makes the choice and then gets to the park and is now sobbing because they want the park with the swings but they picked the creek… You are probably thinking - yeah, I’m just going to take my kid to the park and not even give them a choice, they should be happy we are even here. I totally get it. Stop for a minute and think about what comes next and how this sobbing episode can be a learning experience. Naming the Emotion You’re at the park that the child chose to go to, when it hits them - they got to the park, and it made them remember how fun the swings are but… they picked the park with the creek - great now you have an emotional kiddo who is going to be very hard to reason with. When children get to a high emotional state, they are not able to process what you are saying, let alone able to be very logical. This is where you remain calm and let them know you understand they are upset and that they are feeling sad because there aren’t swings at this park. You can let them know that next time you will go to the other park if they want. You can remind your child that they can still have fun in the creek, and then if you are able to distract them with something interesting, that will hopefully change the course of how things are about to play out. Now - sometimes, this isn’t going to turn out beautifully, and you are just going to have to make a choice to leave or stay. A Final Thought on Advocating for Children's Rights in the Outdoors I fully believe that children are our future, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are brought up in a way that shows them they are valued, they have a voice, and their voice is heard and respected. It’s not the easiest way of parenting or maybe even the most correct way, but it is deserved because our children deserve to live in a world where they are seen and heard. What other ways can you ensure you are working towards a more inclusive household by allowing your children to have a voice? Thank you for taking the time today to read Brittany's blog post on advocating for children's rights in the outdoors. Don't forget to tag us in your adventures using @KidsWhoExplore and #KidsWhoExplore #KWE for your chance to be featured on our Instagram page!

This week's blog post is written by Explorer Family Alexis Van Veen @thisunconventionallife and she is here to share about raising a bilingual child in a non-passport country. Raising a bilingual child has many benefits and challenges. Moving to a developing country to fully immerse your child in the language and culture sounds a bit crazy. That is exactly what Alexis and her family, all American Passport holders, did to ensure their son J gains full mastery of a second language. While in Costa Rica J is able to attend public school and is learning about the culture of the small nation in Central America. Outside the classroom they explore the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica, chasing waterfalls, exploring the rich jungles, observing the vast local wildlife and surfing and playing in the beautiful beaches while immersing themselves in local culture. Alexis and her family can be found sharing their journey and living in two countries at @thisunconventionallife. Here is what Alexis has to say about raising a bilingual child in a non-passport country. Play Has NO Barriers There are no language barriers when children are playing, children aren’t concerned with simple things like language. The language of play is universal, play exceeds barriers such as language, race, and class. Children do not care if the other child speaks the same language or even understands they will accept and play with those around them. Children are truly amazing and raising a child bilingual in a non passport country has proven this time and time again. Our son has been immersed and exposed to Spanish since birth. At 3 we started a new adventure of living in Costa Rica half of the year. We watched him learn to communicate in a whole new way, he had never been forced to use the language but had a large comprehension. He would meet children on the beach, he quickly learned how to ask if he could play. “Puedo Jugar?” he would say in his sweet voice, the children responded “Obvio” or “obviously” in English. My Mama heart opened as I was reminded how pure children are. Play has no language and children will find a way to communicate while immersed in play. The Gift of Being Bilingual Being bilingual is a gift and as parents we knew we wanted to give this gift to our son, J. Everyday isn’t easy and living in two countries and being fully exposed to two language has its challenges. As a former Early Childhood Educator, I knew raising him bilingual was a strength that will benefit him today and in his future. Studies have shown bilingual children perform better in reading and math then their monolingual peers. They have enhanced linguistic, cognitive, social-emotional skills, being bilingual is also associated with many other cognitive benefits like stronger multitasking skills, creativity, and working memory. This gift will not only benefit his future, it is essential that J is able to communicate with his family. My husband and I were both born in The United States, 3 of our 4 parents are Naturalized Citizens of the United States. Our son is a beautiful blend of many cultures spread throughout the globe, one his largest family units live in South America in Chile. We couldn’t imagine visiting with family and him not being able to communicate with his cousins, the idea of J not being able to communicate with his family wasn’t an option. The preservation of his heritage, helping him build a strong identity and giving him a deeper connection to his family, raising him bilingual is essential. Why A Non-Passport Country In October 2020, during the height of the pandemic we left California for our home in Costa Rica, we planned on being here for 6 weeks and returned 4 months later. There was something about being here which felt right for our family. Before returning to the US we knew we wanted to raise our son in Costa Rica for at least 6 months of the year and fully immerse him in the language and the culture. We chose Costa Rica as it highly values education and has had a long history or having higher literacy rate than many of their counterparts in central America. In 1948 Costa Rica abolished its army and put more money into education. All Costa Rica citizens are required to attend school, we are not citizens nor are we residents, but in Costa Rica as long as you are living in the country you are able to enroll your child in public school with zero cost. Costa Ricans live modestly, consumerism is not abundant in this country, the people are happy with what they have, which oftentimes isn’t much. Raising him to be bilingual in a developing country our hope is to provide him with a deeper appreciation for the world around us rather than material things. Childhood is highly valued in Costa Rica, there have been moments where I have apologized for my son's behavior, small things like jumping around inside a bank. Small behaviors which might get you side eye in the US, but not in Costa Rica, here you are reminded not to worry and they are just a child. Allowing him to truly be a child has been an added bonus. Raising A Bilingual Child Has It's Ups & Downs Raising a bilingual child in a non passport country has its ups and downs, especially as the parent who is learning the language and the culture. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t learn something new, the amount he is absorbing is immeasurable. His verbalization is expanding daily as his accent, when he speaks Spanish it is true to a native speaker of Costa Rica. He is learning the Costa Rican dialect, which is not as common in California where we live and will be different from his Chilean family, but the base of the language is the same. When looking to live in Costa Rica it was imperative to us to live in a Tico Town, (Tico is a term used for people native to Costa Rica). There are plenty of expat communities in Costa Rica the closest one is a 25 minute drive away, and offer many options for international schools. There speaking English is more common and our son is less likely to have opportunities to play with children native to Costa Rica. Which doesn’t offer him opportunities to use the language or become fully immersed in the language. My husband's first language was Spanish, I started learning Spanish when I was 11, I do not consider myself fully bilingual. As a native English speaker I tend to gravitate to others who speak English, it is easier, my brain doesn’t hurt as much. I often see the same from our son, he will gravitate to the English speaking children as it is more comfortable, and he doesn’t have to use the language he doesn’t feel as confident when using. The biggest struggles we face is our son using the language, his comprehension of Spanish is high, although he isn’t often forced to respond in Spanish. As a family we are working on this, we tend to speak mostly English in the home which isn’t serving our son’s journey to bilingualism. We want to preserve his development of English but as parents we have to support his development in both languages. At his local public school in Costa Rica he has a weekly appointment with the Speech therapist to help him gain a better mastery of the language. They play games and he gets a cookie when his session is over which is the best day of the week. We know he is retaining and gaining vocabulary everyday, he will often sing in Spanish without realizing it. When J returns home from school he will often tell us how his friend spoke to him in English today, when we ask who, it is a friend who speaks zero English. He is simply at a point of comprehension where he doesn’t realize he is bilingual and can process both languages with ease. I Could Never Do That? Yes you can, if you ever thought that raising a child in a non passport country was intimidating it is, but it is 100% worth it. If the opportunity arises and you are on the fence, I encourage you to take the leap. Giving your child the gift of bilingualism and the appreciation of other cultures far outweighs the risk. We don’t know how long we will continue this lifestyle, at this point we are taking it a few months at a time. We do know that we will never go back to the life we had prior to the pandemic. We will continue to place life experiences over material things and will continue to support J’s journey to bilingualism. Thank-you for taking the time today to read this week's blog post about raising a bilingual child in a non-passport country. This week's post was written by Explorer Family Member Alexis Van Veen from @thisunconventionallife, and we can't thank her enough for sharing her story of inspiration with us. We hope that you feel inspired after reading this to possibly fulfill a dream of moving to Costa Rica, or allowing your children to grow up bilingual. Make sure to tag us in your adventures by using @KidsWhoExplore and #KidsWhoExplore for your chance to be featured on your Instagram page. Happy Exploring.

This blog post is written by Explorer Family @kufamba_thetravelingtribe, and they have contributed to us their story about letting go, and moving from a 1600 square foot home to a 400 square foot RV. Read along below their story that we are very excited to share with you, and maybe inspire you to do the same! Our Family Adventure of Moving Into, Living, and Traveling Full Time in an RV as a Family of 5 We are the Pambuka Family, Malvin, Chelsea, Eden, Levi, and Titus, and our golden retriever puppy Olive. We are from kufambathetravelingtribe.com and on Instagram @kufamba_thetravelingtribe. Kufamba means travel in Malvin’s native language, Shona. Malvin grew up in Zimbabwe, and Chelsea grew up outside Chicago. We met and fell in love in South Africa. We have been living outside of Chicago with our three kids, but our life recently made a drastic turn towards adventure. We sold our home in Skokie and moved into our 400 sq ft RV for an epic adventure. Weekend Warriors This was our chance to close one door that would then, in turn, open another. We had an RV for years prior to deciding to go full-time. We were “weekend warriors”, people who RV on the weekend and vacation. We loved to explore the midwest, we were from Illinois, in the summer and on the weekends. But it never felt like enough. We were always looking forward to the weekends to explore. We watched other families on YouTube living full-time in an RV with kids, and we would always say, “Someday”. Time for Change In the spring of 2021, things started to shift in our lives. Many things were pointing to the fact that it was time for me (Chelsea) to look for a job in a different school district. I started to job hunt and interview for jobs as an Elementary Reading Specialist. There was one job in particular that I really wanted. We had started looking for houses in that area because Malvin’s job was remote, and it didn’t matter where he lived. As we were packing up our fifth wheel to head east for spring break of 2021, we heard that I didn’t get that job. I was disappointed, but we were excited to head to South Carolina. We had the most relaxing break, and as we drove the 14 hours back towards the Midwest, it dawned on us: This was our chance. This was our chance to sell our house and move into our RV full-time. Our kids were still small, so they wouldn’t feel uprooted from their friends. This was the perfect window to travel and explore before we decided where we wanted to settle. This Is It We got home from that and started prepping our house to put it on the market Memorial Day weekend. I was excited, terrified, and sad all at the same time. Many doubts went through my head, but we kept coming back to the fact that we would regret it if we never tried. If we spent a few months on the road and then bought a new house, that would also be okay. Memorial Day weekend, we went camping, and our house went on the market and sold in one day. We were able to pay off all our debts and save money for a down payment for our next home. We had spent years working to pay off our debt, and here we were finally living with financial freedom. We would transition from two incomes to one, and I would homeschool our three kids. The Adventure Begins We said goodbye to our house in July of 2021 and started our full-time RV journey. Once we closed on the house, we knew that we made the right decision for our family. Do we miss it? Yes, but we would not go back. This journey of exploring has been invigorating and encouraging as a family. We have been able to explore slowly by hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and learning as a family. We have enjoyed using our adventures to drive what we are learning about in school and what we are reading about as a family. Our plan was to do this for one year, but July is three months away, and we have no intention of stopping. Be Intentional and Get Outside Now, we love to share our adventures with other families to encourage them to get outside and explore. We know that not all families can move into an RV, but we can explore locally by finding a new park or walking path. There are adventures to be had no matter where you live. These adventures also allow families to be more intentional about spending more time together, which has been a big blessing in this journey of ours! Thank you for taking the time to read today's blog post about letting go and moving from a 1600-square-foot home into a 400-square-foot RV. Are you inspired to sell your home and move into an RV? We are now! Make sure to tag us in your adventures on IG @KidsWhoExplore and using #KidsWhoExplore.

This week's blog post, Tips on Gardening with Little Kids is written by Explorer Family @tsliwk. Tara Sliwkanich, along with her spouse, Dustin, and Baby J, who is 1.5 years old, and with another baby on the way this summer, love to explore the trails, slopes, and on the water around Alberta, especially around Edmonton, where they live. They love to hike, bike, stand-up paddle, kayak, camp, and downhill and cross-country ski as a family. Living in Edmonton means that they are 4 hours away from the mountains, so they embrace small adventures around home and bigger adventures when they can get away for a road trip. Tara hopes that their family's adventures help inspire and inform others who want to get outside more as a family! You can find her sharing their experiences and tips on Instagram at @tsliwk. Here Are Tara's Tips on Gardening with Little Kids! While we obviously love camping and hiking, one of our other favourite outdoor activities in the summer is gardening! I’m by no means a gardening expert, but I have a bit of a “green thumb,” inherited from helping my Dad in our garden as a child, that I’m excited to share with Baby J. Spending time together getting our hands dirty and learning about growing our own food is very important to me as a parent. Here are a few tips on gardening with little kids to help you get started! Location, location, location! Look up your growing zone of where you live, so you can buy seeds or plants that will grow well in your climate. Plan to set up your garden in a spot that receives plenty of sunlight. Growing plants in containers is another great option, especially for gardening with little kids – for best success, look up plants that will grow well in containers, like pots or old bins. Alternatively, look up plants that can grow well indoors and set up an indoor garden in a sunny window right inside your home or find a community garden in your area. Getting Started Decide whether you will buy seeds or seedlings/plants from a greenhouse. There’s absolutely no shame in buying seedlings/plants from a greenhouse. Just because you didn’t start it from seed yourself, doesn’t take anything away from having to care for them once planted in your space. Additionally, keep in mind what vegetables or plants will be enjoyable for your children to grow—for example, plants that grow quickly, are easily recognizable, strong-smelling, and/or produce food that your children enjoy eating are a good idea to engage them in growing and, of course, harvesting (e.g., peas, pumpkin, squash, carrots, lettuce, leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, potatoes). Give them a role, even if that's just to explore! Give your kiddos a role and let them participate in the process and tasks of caring for the garden. Tiny fingers are great for digging holes for plants, weeding, helping to water, and harvesting plants. Even simply holding or carrying items for you is a great place for little kids to start helping you in the garden! Very small children and babies who might not yet be ready to fully participate in helping in a garden, could be given a small container of dirt, a little garden trowel/shovel, fork, or watering cup/can, and even some weeds pulled from the garden for some excellent sensory exploration while you tend to the plants in the garden. You can also talk to them about all the things you are doing, so they learn additional language and actions related to gardening. When Baby J was a smaller baby, a lot of the time I just wore him in a soft baby carrier on my back while I did watering, weeding, and harvesting in our garden or he was playing in the grass, rocks, dirt, or harvested veggies next to me – “I’m watering the tomatoes now. Look at the tomatoes; they’re turning red!” “Wow, you’re feeling that leaf from the zucchini plant. Does it feel smooth or fuzzy?” “Buzz, buzz, buzzzzz, goes the bee that’s pollinating our flowers!” Even for older kids, opportunities to explore are still just as important! Consider giving your little kids their own dedicated space in the garden or their own container to have fun with. Observe what interests your child the most about helping in the garden and Patience is Key Try to have patience. Patience for the growing process itself, but also with letting your little one explore and help in the garden with you. Plants might not have the perfect spacing when planted, or be watered enough or too much, but know that growing a garden, even for seasoned gardeners, is often trial and error! Year to year, some plants will grow better than others, which can be a beautiful opportunity to have conversations about trying new things, things that are hard work, and coping with failure, especially when things like weather and bugs that eat your plants are largely outside of your control. Additionally, keep your instructions and feedback to your little ones helping in the garden short and simple; try not to overcorrect or give too much instruction/feedback. Over time and with practice, they will get the hang of things and hopefully love to help in the garden with you if it’s a really light and fun experience! Safety Understand the potential risks and hazards of gardening, i.e., sharp garden tools, drowning hazards around watering jugs/buckets, avoiding using chemicals and fertilizers, ingesting poisonous plants, choking hazards like rocks/sticks, bug bites, sun exposure, etc. Consider ways to mitigate or address each risk/hazard in the best way for you and your family. For example, supervised and guided exposure to sharp garden tools can teach your little one how to handle and use these tools safely or look up a list of poisonous plants in your area to identify and have your local Poison Control contact information saved in your phone if ever needed. Let Go of Expectations Let go of expectations and let them be kids who explore! Your garden might die or not grow at all, your kids will get incredibly dirty, there may be tears (definitely from your kids and maybe you, too), and they’re probably going to eat dirt and/or grass, but involving them in gardening and exploring aspects of nature, like feeling the grass or playing in the dirt or mud, is teaching them about the labour of growing food and all the wonderful things in our natural world (yes, including bugs ), like the simple feeling of the grass between your toes. There are countless more ways to make gardening more fun and engaging for little kids, such as garden-related crafts like decorating pots/planters or labels and finding and collecting worms in the garden. Let us know what you try and what your kids love doing to help in the garden this season! Happy Gardening with Your Kids! Thank you for taking the time today to read this week's blog post contributed by Tara @tsliwk while she shares tips on gardening with little kids. Will you be trying out your green thumb with your children this year? Be sure to share with us by tagging us on Instagram using @KidsWhoExplore #KidsWhoExplore #KWE. We can't wait to see what you grow!

This week's blog post is written by a member of our community and affiliate partner CEO & founder, Jenelle Peterson, of Wild Life Outdoor Adventures -- subscription-based outdoor adventure boxes that are geared for kids aged 8-12. Jenelle is constantly showing us that the world is full of adventure through her company and personal adventures. Her childhood outdoor pursuits inspired her to explore over 30 different countries, live abroad, and experience the natural world not only in her own backyard, but all around the globe. Jenelle has shared her story with us today about why she swapped her heels for hiking shoes, and how she got to where she is in her adventure journey. She also talks about where Wild Life Outdoor Adventures is today. Here is what she had to say: Blame it all on my roots...Why I Swapped My Heels for Hiking Shoes I’m a 6th generation Canadian, so we grew up spending time outside all year round. I grew up with two older brothers, and whether it was playing with “Army Ants” in the front yard shrubs, building snow forts that could rival a rebel base on Hoth*, or catching minnows - those experiences were a huge part of the person I became. The outdoors made me strong, curious, and confident. Spending time outdoors as a child inspired me to explore Canada from coast to coast. I’ve hiked the West Coast trail, camped all over western Canada, portaged between Ontario lakes in Algonquin Park, hiked the hills in Montreal, and explored the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland. My childhood curiosity inspired me to visit over 35+ different countries – hike Machu Picchu, Mt. Kilimanjaro, walk the green hills of Ireland and the Great Wall of China. Spending time outdoors gave me the confidence to live abroad and see the natural world not only in my own backyard, but all around the globe. I’ve always been grateful for those experiences but never fully considered the impact. Now when I look back, most of the pictures from my childhood are outdoors, usually holding an animal, amphibian, or insect. * Hoth is a fictional planet from the Star Wars franchise, well known for its cold and hostile weather. When I became a Mom When I became a parent, I thought a lot about my childhood and the childhood I want to provide my daughter. Being a working Mom was (and still is) challenging for me. For 15 years I worked in Marketing and Sales from big multinational companies to start-ups, I worked at marketing agencies and consultancies and spent all my career growing and advising other people’s businesses - which was great; but juggling time with my family (my partner works shifts at the hospital), really made me consider the value my work was creating. All of a sudden, the time spent away from home was more valuable. I struggled with my mental health and the dreaded mom guilt as I prepared for a return from mat leave back to the corporate work world. I had an inner voice that told me nothing would be more challenging, rewarding, and make me a better businessperson – than starting my own business. I thought about the times and places where I felt the happiest and where I learned the most important lessons I wanted to pass on to my children – I kept coming back to the outdoors. It started with a Moose One childhood impression that was left on me was by Jerry the Moose. BC Parks had a program called Jerry’s Rangers and we would collect stickers during our camping trips, attend amphitheatres, frequent the nature hut, and learn and explore on pursuit to earn our “Jerrys Rangers Moose Antlers”. It was a simple yet effective way to make learning feel like play. I decided I wanted to create a business dedicated to getting more kids outdoors, more often. To do this I felt like we needed to connect with families more frequently than just summer. After almost a year in the making – Wild Life Outdoor Adventures was born. I packed away the high heels and pantsuits and rolled up my sleeves to build a tool that would help parents and kids spend less time scrolling – and more time strolling. We created 12 unique outdoor-themed subscription boxes for kids that provide outdoor gear, adventure ideas, skill-building lessons, and crafts that align with the school curriculum from grades 3-6. They’re ideal for the backyard OR the backcountry. We’ve shipped over 10,000+ kits across Canada and recently have launched in the USA! If you’re interested in what we’re doing, want to subscribe or grow with us – please reach out! JOIN THE WILDLIFE We launched on March 11, 2020 Right smack in the middle of an unprecedented global pandemic. Not ideal. Our big launch was to be at the Outdoor Adventure Show with over 30,000 attendees. It was canceled. Like many, everyone on our small team was struggling with various work-from-home scenarios. Our supply chain was disrupted, our lead times tripled, exchange rates went the wrong direction, and having just launched this year, we didn’t qualify for financial aid. It was tough, it is still tough. It would be so easy to quit. But then I remembered why we started this all in the first place: to get kids outdoors more often. As the world gets flipped upside down and sideways, it’s never been more important to me to be an ambassador to outdoor spaces and the opportunities they provide, break down barriers, and give more kids more ways to be curious, to adventure, and to be wild. Last month I celebrated 2 years at the CEO + Founder of The Wild | Life Outdoor Adventures. When unexpected things happen, plans often go out the window. We’ve had to improvise, pivot, and make tough choices. But I will tell you, the biggest value we’ve created and the most success we’ve seen, has been doubling down on community. If I could do it again, I would have created more of these connections earlier in our journey. Individuals, organizations, businesses, communities, and media outlets, if you have shared goals and purpose – there are people out there to support you. If you are a local business – find your people, find shared values and voices and lift each other up, ask for help, lend a hand, go the extra mile for partners, customers, and like-minded organizations. Over the last two years the business has brought my family closer together and had many positive impacts, it’s put us and our children outside more often and taught us many new things about business and the outdoors. Sometimes you find work, and sometimes the work finds you. But I am convinced that when you start a business deeply rooted in its purpose, success will come. If you are passionate about the outdoors and have a business idea to help create access, experiences, or education – DO IT! Whether you are a business owner, or community member; be patient, be resilient, be a leader, and get creative – when we use our shared voices, we can create change far beyond the products we bring to market. Recently I got to spend a family weekend outdoor weekend in Canmore, AB with Adrianna Skori, CEO of Kids Who Explore. She is the real deal. Genuine and diligent in creating a diverse, quality, kid-focused social group – an outdoor mama with an entrepreneurial spirit, paving the way. It felt so good to be in good company. And that my friends is, how I know I won’t miss wearing high heels and dry clean clothes to work – I’ve found my place, my purpose, and I won’t stop. Thank you, Kids Who Explore, for this platform to share our story and so many great stories. We are grateful to have allies amplifying the work of outdoor businesses. Stay Wild, Jenelle Peterson

This week's blog post is written by explorer mom Tamara Neidich, @tam_neidich. Mental Health is a topic that we believe needs to be normalized and talked about more in the outdoors. The outdoors offers endless benefits for our mental health, starting at an extremely young age. We can all agree that the past 2 years has been incredibly straining on our mental health -- adults & children -- but we have all found ways to help us clear our mind and reset when needed. For Tamara, and for many of you reading, that was the outdoors. Tamara has shared her story with us today about how the outdoors has helped her mental heath. We hope you know that whatever battles you may have, you are not fighting them alone. We encourage you to allow nature to embrace you, heal you, and provide you with a magical kind of mental health support. Here is what Tamara had to say! Mental health. Two words, one topic, that up until the pandemic, were incredibly taboo. Picture this: it's February 2020, you just had your second baby, and you're looking forward to being on maternity leave and spending tons of time with your new baby, family, and friends. Then suddenly, the world shuts down. Social distancing and masks are the new thing. You're secluded in your house, post-partum, possibly with an already diagnosed mental health disorder of some kind, and not even remotely sure how you're going to navigate this new life. That was me... I had maternity leave all planned out, and COVID came and knocked me down flat. Sure, I had my husband at home, but he worked, so it was me and the kids. Navigating being a new mom of 2, lacking sleep, breastfeeding, cleaning, and trying to take care of myself in the in-between. I was struggling, even though I was already on medication to help manage my anxiety. I quickly realized that even though it was March and still a little chilly, I needed to maximize my time outside, both for my own well-being and that of my kids. I figured out the best wrap and layering technique for myself and the new baby, bundled up the toddler, and we were on our way. Everyday. I didn't realize it until later that what I thought was my last-ditch effort to keep myself sane, was actually supported by research, and a good amount of it! Since I made that realization, I have read so much about the benefits of being outside, both for myself and for my kids. That's when I really became passionate about making it a point to get out there and encouraging others to do it with us. For me personally... Being outdoors has provided many benefits. Just walking outside when I'm feeling stressed acts as a calming mechanism because I can use my senses to interact with nature instead of whatever might be triggering me. Think about it: you can immerse every single sense into the outdoors: smelling fresh rain or flowers, feeling grass or dirt under your toes, or the wind in your face, seeing the sun shining bright or leaves blowing, hearing birds chirping or thunder booming, you get the picture. It's the perfect distraction. When I was post-partum and stuck at my house, I went outside with my boys for walks or little hikes. We obviously started small and worked our way up, but even completing a small walk gave me a sense of accomplishment that positively impacted my mood for the rest of the day. Not to mention the endorphins you get from being active. Getting outside also made me feel more bonded with my kids because I felt like I was doing something more meaningful than playing with the same toys inside. Now that the kids are older, I get outside with them and alone. I run alone to clear my mind, meet goals, and distance myself from responsibilities for a while. I take them on walks and hikes and to parks for all the same reasons. The outdoors helps your mental health in many ways. Some people may find solace in the outdoors by seeing signs or reminders. Have you ever heard someone say that a loved one who has passed away comes back to them in the form of an animal or a bug or a flower? Imagine feeling off one day, going for a walk, and seeing one of those signs that remind you that someone loves you, even if they’re not physically with you. I imagine it may motivate you, give you hope, or lift your spirits for the rest of the day. Or maybe it’s something as simple as seeing a cloud you think is shaped like a certain object, and it makes you smile. Or, maybe it’s as simple as your kids being spicy and refusing naps, and you’re at your wits’ end. Stick them in the stroller or carrier, go outside, and take a walk. They may fall asleep, or just relax and take in their surroundings, and you’ll feel calmer because no one is on edge anymore. The truth is... Everyone is different, and so are the ways Mother Nature can positively affect your mindset. There is no “wrong way” to get outside…you can be on your balcony, in your yard, at a park, or at a dream destination, as long as you do it, you’ll be positively influencing your health, more than just mentally. Fun fact I've learned...being outside, especially around sunrise, even if it's overcast or rainy, can help with circadian rhythm, melatonin release, and cortisol production. All of these things can help improve mental health (and other things) over time! So, get out there and take that sunrise hike you've talked about forever! It's even better for you than you thought! If you’re interested in some books to inspire you to get outside (especially with littles), here are some of my personal favorites: Balanced and Barefoot – Angela J Hanscom Adventuring Together – Greta Eskridge There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather – Linda Akeson McGurk Mental Health Outdoors Thank you for taking the time today to read Tamara's blog post about how the outdoors helped her mental health. We encourage you to allow the outdoors to do the same. Happy Exploring, and don't forget to tag us in your latest adventures using #KidsWhoExplore #KWE @KidsWhoExplore!

This week's blog is written by Explorer Family Dad, Jeremy Baridon, @jeremybaridon. Jeremy is a Dad of 1 living in Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France. We are so grateful to have Jeremy as a member of our @kidswhoexploreeurope community. Jeremy and his family go on endless adventures, from skating to biking, hiking to go-kart riding -- we are constantly inspired by this beautiful family! Jeremy has written about the benefits of getting kids outside at young ages. There are endless amounts of things getting outdoors at a young age can develop, and Jeremy has shared some here with you. Here is how getting outside at a young age helps kids develop in their life. Develop Connection Bringing toddlers outside very young helps the whole family develop a connection! It starts at home by preparing all the needed stuff and explaining where they’ll be exploring. When they become older, they can help parents during all the preparation phases. The connection created during a hike with the baby carrier or during a camping night is incomparable. That’s where memories are made! The family bond is really important during exploration or hikes. By introducing fun games, you can transform a moment of effort into a great sharing and learning moment. Develop Children's Senses Outside, the world is extremely rich! Our nature is full of incredible places that evolve through the seasons. It’s a great learning tool for the kids to help them understand that nature is alive! Exploring is a great way to learn by watching, listening, and smelling! Watching the trees’ colors evolve as the seasons change, hiking without making noise and trying to find animals to admire, smelling the flowers of each season, and listening to birds' songs or deer calls are our favorite activities. Our favorite is spending a night out outdoors watching the sunset and counting the shooting stars at night! Getting Outside At A Young Age Helps Develop a Sense of Effort This is, to us, the most incredible aspect of bringing kids outside as young as possible! In life, when you want something, you have to work for it! You have to go get it, and nothing is going to come easily! It’s exactly the same in the mountains! To watch a sunset, you have to wake up early and walk fast enough to be at the top before sunrise! It’s fun for the kids to have simple and clear objectives! Having the reward of being at the top before the sun is a great pride! Sharing a snack on top of the mountains is a great moment to share as a family! Raising Awareness for the Fragility of Nature Being in nature early teaches kids that the environment is fragile, and we have to protect it! To transmit a healthy world to future generations, we have to raise them in a protective and responsible mindset! Understanding that every small action counts to protect our world is key to raising them to be great human beings and great parents! Thank you for taking the time today to read Jeremy's blog post, Getting Outside At A Young Age Helps Kids Develop In Their Life. Don’t forget to tag us in your adventures using @KidsWhoExplore and #KidsWhoExplore #KWE for your chance to be featured on our Instagram page!

This week’s blog post is written by Explorer Family and Mom of two, @becca_outdoors. Becca is exploring across British Columbia with her 2-year-old son and newest addition, a beautiful baby girl. From hiking, to camping and backpacking — they are experiencing all that nature has to offer. Becca is a nutritionist and has written this piece on easy-to-grab snack ideas for road trips. Do you have any road trips are coming up? Are you always wandering what snacks are easy-to-grab? Keeping kids happy on road trips can ultimately come down to hungry vs full bellies! Becca has shared tips to help you pick out easy-to-grab snacks for your upcoming summer road trip. We hope you find these snack ideas helpful! Road Trip Snack Ideas for Kids It’s no secret that our family loves road trips. We’ve been hitting the road with our son since he was a newborn (he’s now 2) and don’t have any plans to slow down anytime soon. Long road trips with a toddler means lots of snacks! As a Dietitian, mom, and outdoor enthusiast I look for snacks that are: nutritious, easy to grab, and something my child will actually eat. When picking a nutritious snack, I look for foods that have little to no added sugar (think fruit, grains, and vegetables) and pair it with a protein or fat (nuts, seeds, dairy, or meat,) to keep my toddler and myself feeling full. Pack foods your child has eaten before, a road trip isn’t a great time to introduce new foods. And don’t forget to pack water! Easy-To-Grab Snacks Fresh or freeze dried fruit (bananas, strawberries, or apples are the least messy) Veggies (baby carrots, peppers, peas, cucumbers) + hummus Cheese + crackers Peanut butter sandwiches Unsweetened applesauce Trail mix Greek yogurt Dry cereal or granola* Keep reusable utensils and napkins in the car just in case your snacks requires them. Short on time? Consider buying prepackaged snacks from the store. Vegetable/fruit tray Peanut butter and cracker packs Pepperoni and cheese sticks Drinkable yogurts/yogurt tubes Squeeze pouches Granola bars Beef jerky Lastly, nervous about the mess of food on road trips? My advice is to look for day use areas for lunch rather than eating in your car, and pack an extra set of clothes/wipes. Thank-you for taking the time to read this week’s blog post about 'Easy-To-Grab Snack Ideas for Road Trips', written by @becca_outdoors. Stay tuned for an additional blog post coming this week! Don’t forget to tag us in your adventures using @KidsWhoExplore and #KidsWhoExplore #KWE for your chance to be featured on our Instagram page!

Making the outdoors a more inclusive space is incredibly important to us at Kids Who Explore. We believe that everyone has a place in nature, and continue to educate ourselves on ways we can make the outdoors more welcoming. Here are a few simple tips we've come up with these tips to help make the outdoors a more inclusive space: Educate yourself on the history of the outdoors Listen to the stories of those who have made an impact in diversifying the outdoor community. Listening to BIPOC historians gives you a deeper understanding of the American National Park system. When the National Parks system was launched a century ago, it was intended to preserve the natural beauty of the parks for future generations; but the Parks' history is much more complicated than that -- involving exclusion and ethnic cleansing. Educating yourself and younger generations allows for a greater appreciation for the outdoors and the land we are on today. Making sure all those experiencing the outdoors feel welcome and safe No matter what your skill level or ability is, there is a space for you in nature. Allowing nature to raise our children has proven benefits beyond belief, and taking away this safe space can take away the long term benefits nature has on the younger generations. Marginalized groups in the outdoor community not only encounter psychological discomfort in the outdoors but also have issues with physical safety. Whether it be fear of judgment, harassment, or assault—whatever concern it may be—no one should have to feel this way while exploring nature. Creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere will always promote more diversity in the outdoors. Supporting organizations working towards outdoor diversification Promoting diversity and fairness in other outlets like supporting organizations is a great way for support to make an impact. From booking a tour through a tourism board such as Indigenous Tourism Alberta, or donating to organizations such as Camber Outdoors -- which spent the past two decades fighting for women's equality in the outdoors industry, expanded its mission this year to encompass all racial and ethnic groups, the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. Diversity looks different for everyone. For you, diversity may be having a different skin color than your neighbor or your best friend's abilities being different from yours—but that doesn't mean said person deserves to be in nature any less. Use your voice to promote the need for economic accessibility Creating more access points that allow users to enter parks, trails, and more. Just because someone may have mobility restrictions doesn't mean that they shouldn't have access to said area. Creating more access points opens the door for more people to experience what they should never miss out on. Attending council meetings is a great way to get your voice heard, but also writing into any community forums. Certain Parks offer 'Free Admission' days, but it isn't often, nor is it a program recognized amongst all Parks. First-timer admission programs promote new visitors to the park and encourage people who may not have thought to get out before. Attend cultural events hosted by local Parks Attending cultural events hosted by local parks is a great way not only to expand your knowledge of other backgrounds and ethnicities, but also get you families with smaller urban parks and other unpopular areas. These areas hold tons of history that are dying to be shared by older members of the BIPOC outdoor community. By attending these events in smaller areas, you are breaking the stigma that the outdoors needs to be extravagant. You don't need to go to Banff, the Grand Canyon, or Zion to be 'outdoorsy'. You can still be 'outdoorsy' and just be at a local park within your city. Edmonton, Alberta, hosts 'Heritage Days' every year, where hundreds of people gather in a park downtown and try food, treats, and more from multiple different cultures. It's a perfect amount of fun and outdoors—check to see if your area has something similar. Thank you for helping us make the outdoors a more inclusive space for all families! Understanding how to make the outdoors a more inclusive space can be difficult, but putting in the work is the only way it can be done. We hope these tips help you understand how you can assist in making the outdoors a more welcoming and safe space for all those wanting a place. Don't forget to tag us @KidsWhoExplore #KidsWhoExplore for your chance to be featured on our Instagram page. Happy Exploring!

On this week's podcast episode, we discussed water safety. With summer approaching, we wanted to make sure you feel confident heading out in the water with your littles. We compiled all the important information into an easy-to-read blog. Here is a recap of our podcast on Water Safety, with guest speaker Kaylee Kennedy. Tips for Water Safety with Kids We all want to be present with our children, right? That’s what is so beautiful about swimming—there’s no place where you could be more present. You need to be exactly where you are! Talking to Kaylee Kennedy, the founder of many swim schools, not only inspired us to get in the water with our children but also taught us the best safety measures to take and methods to teach to foster a love for the water. Kaylee Kennedy, taught her oldest son to swim as a baby, and it bonded them in such a strong way. It inspired Kaylee to open up Saskatoon Swim School in the Fall of 2014 when her son was just a year old. Her overall philosophy of teaching beginners to swim is to do so as effectively and safely as possible. But it did not end there. In came K&K Swim School throughout Canada. Then, with the pandemic, came a whole new vision - teaching babies and toddlers to swim in their own bathtubs at home - watermellow (previously, KKOnlineSwim) was born. Keep reading to learn more about water safety with kids. Start Swimming with Kids Can start as young as 3-weeks-old The younger, the better! Can start in the bathtub Can also learn in a hot tub that is set to 90-91 degrees Kids should be swimming once a week, or at least twice a month, so their bodies don't forget Tip: Bring goggles for anywhere with a hot tub or a big bathtub! Teaching Water as a Caregiver A large part is going underwater with your kids and having fun! If you're not a confident swimmer, a swim school should teach you with your child Once you want your child to learn technique, they can join swim lessons Get in the water with them and hold them by their underarms and be their flotation device! The lighter your fingers, the more independence they have!Tip: Wear a T-shirt in the water -- it allows your child can grab onto you Typical Swim Groups Synchro Diving Water Polo Swim Team Why We Are Not Fans of Self-Rescue Lessons Some methods of self-rescue can include listening to the child’s input Lots of aggressive forms of teaching self-rescue don’t stay attuned to the child’s feelings and progression The word “rescue” alone brings fear to the water – a child should never have to rescue or save themselves in the water – if a child feels like they are going to die, that’s a very traumatic experience (and then imagine that trauma over and over and over again) The mindset doesn’t match the intention; instead focus on learning to breathe, have fun, and swim, so children can become independent in the water Let's Talk Water Safety Always, always, always, make sure the child is at arm’s reach from an adult <100% supervision> Teach children to respect the strength of water by teaching them submerging, breath control, and calm controlled movements in the water Kids learn by submerging again and again and again The danger comes when kids don’t know what water is capable of, so exposure is key! Have a gate around pools and an alarm at the back door (and no doggy door) – remember non-swim times are the largest concern, so we need to teach our kids that they do not go in the water without us When you go to a place with water, make going in the water the first thing you do, and watch what your kids do, so they learn boundaries PFD's, Lifejackets, and Puddle Jumpers These products should never be used as a replacement for parental supervision They are meant to be used if you were to fall off a boat and be knocked unconscious Kids should not “learn to swim” in these; they don't allow them to submerge and don’t allow them to be in a horizontal position It’s not a great idea to wear them outside of the pool either, because it gives a false sense of security

We want to help you find outdoor gear that is worth the investment. Finding comfortable, functional gear can become expensive and sometimes is not worth the price tag -- especially when adventuring as a family. Getting out for the first time can be overwhelming just due to the fact of gear. We reached out to our explorer families to ask them what is one piece of gear they would suggest to new adventure families, and we've put their answers into a blog post for you, as well as some more price-friendly alternatives if there are some! Disclaimer: all photos are clickable affiliate links that give us a little kick-back when you make a purchase through the link. These funds help us continue to create the community we all love, and we appreciate your support. 1. Comfortable Hard-Sided Carrier A comfortable, sturdy, hard-sided carrier was by far the most thing suggested. Here is what the families had to say: "A good, sturdy carrier is essential for getting out and adventuring with your little one! Even if you don't go big or expensive, soft carriers are great too. We LOVE our Osprey Poco AG Premium!" - @tam_neidich "+1 on the Osprey Poco (we have the Plus model). We were gifted it when the twins were born, and it somehow has survived our crazy through our youngest, too. Lots of storage, easy-to-use pop-out sunshade, sturdy and solid when on the ground. A good carrier makes all the adventures happen for that first year or so!" - @mountainmama_amk "I think that having a carrier with a pop-up shade and lots of storage pockets for water, snacks, and sunscreen is important. I’m adding Life Straws to my pack, pocket knife, and a mini fire starter kit!" - @jennyleefoo "Deuter kid comfort carrier. Hands down. Our son is almost 4 and we still use it all the time. Good in airports and grocery stores too!" -@jesscsproat 2. A Fully-Stocked First-Aid Kit "Never ever underestimate your need for a first aid kit and emergency supplies. You never know if something may happen on the trail. We have had our fair share of scrapes and bruises, and wasp stings and it has made me grateful that we have a lot in our bag. Thankfully nothing worse than that has happened on our hikes but we are always prepared, just in case" - @utahfamilytravels 3. A Camera or GoPro "We've been through many carriers. The Ergo 360 was great for the first few months (including some double carry hikes I wish I had photos of) but our Deuter served us through the longest time. Paired with my trekking poles and there was nowhere we couldn't go! Now, we use a kinderpack or freeloader for when he gets tired since he has sized out of the Deuter. He can also still have his own pack with those carriers so he is learning to carry his own gear.100% honesty though, my favorite gear is my gopro bc I'm a photographer and I want to capture the best images on adventures - @califflifecreations" 4. A Multi-Sport Chariot "The multi-purpose sport chariot! I bought one only when my son became too heavy to be carried long distances, but I wished I'd bought it much earlier!!! In winter, it provides a "shelter-to-go" for my son's nap, so I don't have to worry anymore about cold, wind, or bad postures... In summer goes behind the bike and has a mosquito net.. finally, it can be used as a trolley too. I am enthusiastic about it - Barbara from @backpackingmoms" "Thule Chariot Multisport it’s seriously one thing you will need. - @littleradadventure" "Hard not to say carrier on this one, but our Kids Ride Shotgun seat brings everyone in our family so much joy! All 4 of us (dog included) are pumped every bike ride. Nellie, at 19 months, mostly smiles and says more, more, more! - @terra.yxe" 5. Proper Winter Gear "Good quality winter gear is a must! In Ontario, we can get a LOT of snow, so we always make sure we are prepared and have all the gear we need to keep us warm. - @withlove_duqettes" "Hands down, a full-body bunting. We like the light weight ones for the PNW and put layers on underneath if needed. This is our 2nd year with a blue suit. It goes on walks, in the stroller, to the Park, on hikes! Basically like a full-body jacket for kids! - @gallimore.family.adventures" "No doubt a full-body bunting for kiddos! We are on our second season with this one because the sleeves and feet can be rolled over for smaller children and rolled up to pair with boots and mittens. Keeping them warm (and full of snacks) makes for much smoother adventures. This is a versatile must-have for cooler climates. It also doubles as a sleeping bag for cooler camping nights. - @itsthatgoodgood" "Proper clothing! Especially warm gear for the winter. A full-body bunting suit is so great for layering under and keeping kids warm! Sizing up definitely gives you the option to wear for multiple years and buying used isn't a bad thing. Ours is second-hand from a cousin, and it is still basically brand new! - @kerrychasse" 6. Soft-sided carrier for the younger years "We always needed and still need a carrier. We love our Babue Baby Carrier that was gifted to us. You can roll it up when you aren’t using it, so it’s perfect if you don’t need to carry your kiddo all the time. - @kufamba_thetravelingtribe" "Our Ergo 360 and Solly wraps were great for the tiny stages too - @tam_neidich" 7. Individual Backpacks and Hydration Packs "Having a good hydration pack that is comfortable enough for our kids to carry themselves on longer hikes was a MUST for us when traveling through the western US earlier this year. My kid crew loves their SoJourner hydration packs, and we make sure to keep the pockets stocked with hiking snacks! - @7wildhearts" "Small backpack for the kids so they can start carrying their snacks and water - @lovelife_abroad" 8. Hammock to relax in "This is something that is fun. Hammocks rule the world for both adults and kids. Rocking is extremely soothing and we've all had many great naps and cuddles in ours. Plus they pack up easily and you can take them everywhere! - @alifemaspicante" 9. Hiking Poles -- for both parents & littles! "Hiking poles! They've saved us all from rolling an ankle or two, helped on a steep incline and kept us from falling in A LOT of rivers when crossing." 10. Proper Footwear "Shoes with good support and traction — that could be a hiking shoe or boot or simply a supportive running shoe for walking. I personally love my Keen hiking shoes and boots for their support & grips, plus they’re waterproof, so I feel confident with every step I take carrying my baby on our hikes! - @tsliwk" "The first thing that came to mind was a camera for the photo memories, not really gear but it's where my soppy brain went. Aside from a comfy carrier for wee people, I'd say well-fitting, comfy SHOES for everyone - they don't need to break the bank, but if your feet are sore, no one is gonna have a good time! Mine are Salomon (great for us in the tropics cause they're breathable and light). My hubby wears La Sportivas, and the kids are only 2 and 4 and don't need fancy hiking shoes quite yet - just comfy ones that they love to wear and can wear comfortably for long hikes! Arlo's have sharks and lights on them, so he's always stoked for hiking, and the lights come in handy when it's dark! We tried to pick ones with decent tread too so they're not slippy! - @wildadventuremum" READ NEXT: Picking The Perfect Kids Shoe for Outdoor Play 11. Mountaineering Helmet "While a hard structured carrier is always #1 in my book, I ALWAYS want to add the need for a little mountaineering helmet! Especially when you’re tackling the big peaks with an 80% grade or hopping through boulder fields. You never know what could happen or when you might lose your footing, no matter how skilled a hiker/climber you are! When you have a living pack that can literally shift his weight from left to right on a really steep slope or when you’re in the air jumping from one boulder to another, having head protection for your little one is a safe call. Even if you never need it, being safe is always the best move for your kiddo! - @harder_life" 12. Satellite Communication Devices "If you hike in areas where there is little to no service, having a satellite communicator can truly make or break an emergency situation. These devices can truly decide between a life-or-death situation if you are out alone. I highly suggest a Garmin InReach to anyone hiking outdoors." - @michelle.outdoors Thanks for Reading About Out Thoughts on Outdoor Gear Worth the Investment Thank you for following along with this week's blog post by Explorer Families and its great tips. What pieces of gear do you think are worth the investment? Happy Exploring! Please be sure to follow us on Instagram at @kidswhoexplore and use #KidsWhoExplore and #KWE for your chance to be featured on our social channels. Happy adventuring, friends!

There is magic in the winter months, whether you're embracing the weather and hiking or getting cozy indoors. I am a hiking mom in the Canadian Rockies. My name is Adrianna Skori. I am the Founder and CEO of Kids Who Explore. I have a deep love and passion for getting outside with my baby. Today, I am sharing 7 of my best winter hiking tips with a baby!   *Disclaimer: use your own discretion and comfort zone when hiking in the winter with your baby. The answers that I share below come from my experience of my motherhood journey in the mountains. If you are here reading this, I am sure we share the same love for nature and hiking, and I hope to see you out on the trail. Either physically or virtually. PS- there are a couple of affiliate links added on the gear photos to provide KWE with a small kickback. Thank you for your support in advance.  1. Winter Hiking Tips with a Baby: What kind of unique gear might you need? Ice cleats! I never leave the house in the winter without my ice cleats. Their grip and traction on the trail make me feel comfortable and safe when carrying my baby, which I pack using the  Osprey Poco  child carrier.  Ice Cleats for traction Hiking Poles for balance Snowshoes for snow-covered trails A fun, family-friendly activity that we also enjoy is snowshoeing. The snow shoes are cleats with a big footprint for snowy days. What sometimes starts as a hike turns into a snowshoe partway through the trail. So, either ice cleats or snow shoes keep us adventuring all winter long.  2. How do you layer baby up (and you) for the cold? Warm layers keep the chill away. I layer my baby using the three-layer rule: First, merino wool base layer and socks. Second, fleece bunting.  Third, down-filled puffy bunting. Accessories to include: toque, gloves, hand warmers, neck warmer, and booties.  If I could get away with wearing an adult bunting, I would! I wear layers similar to my baby's and mostly live in my Merino wool base layers during the winter months. I love the  Kari Traa  base layers.  Remember to temperature check! I check my baby's temperature by using two fingers behind his neck to ensure he isn't too cold or too warm. I also feel for warmth in his feet and hands.  Here are the 3 layers to start with: First Layer: Merino Wool Mid-Layer: Fleece Bunting Outer- Layer: Down Bunting Then, read all about the 3 layer rule for winter here ! 3. How cold is too cold? In Alberta, we do experience some extremely cold winter days, but we do seize the opportunity to hit the trail on mild days. For us, -15 degrees Celsius and warmer is within our comfort zone. Wind-chill is an important factor for us, we always pay very close attention to what the temperature feels like with the wind. In short, we do not hike on super windy days. Most babies hate the wind, and my baby falls into that category. Yes, we have been those people with screams coming from the carrier just moments beyond the parking lot.  We opt for indoor activities if the temperature is any cooler than our -15 degrees Celsius marker. On those cold days, we stay inside and cozy, and we are happy with that choice.  4. Where to hike? How to Plan? We choose family-friendly hikes as far away from avalanche zones as possible. As such, we tend to choose more urban hikes and read many trail reviews before heading out on the trail during the winter. We visit the Alberta Parks website to ensure the trail is open and that there aren't any warnings for spotted wildlife or other potential dangers. I love using the All Trails app to map out the trail and get directions to the trailhead. I often google reviews or ask fellow hiking families in my area to share their winter trail recommendations, too. We still venture into the mountains but typically stick to trails that have lots of traffic and are close to indoor facilities. 5. How long should the hike be? I prefer to hike 2 hours or less in the winter because the cold air makes my baby's cheeks red and his nose a little runny. A one-hour hike is perfect for us.  Staying within your comfort zone during the winter will make the hike more enjoyable for you and your baby.  6. How do you manage diaper changes and feedings on the trail? I always change my baby at the trailhead before and after the hike in the truck. Yes, my vehicle is an 'adventure wagon' or a 'nursery on wheels,' but it makes us feel like we can adapt to each adventure. I pack all the essential supplies with plenty of extras and sometimes in piles throughout the car. Go easy on yourself! No need to have everything perfectly organized at all times. Sometimes, it really is about just being in the moment and surrounded by the chaos. Being a "HOT MESS" is just how you feel when layering up and layering down in the winter. In fact, sweating before the hike is just how it goes!  Feeding on demand is how we always fly. My baby was breastfed and bottle-fed, so I experienced the convenience of both on chilly days. Managing bottle sanitizing and formula got pretty messy. I breastfed on the side of the trail and would sometimes use my summit z-seat by  Therm-a-rest  to sit on during feeding times.  Kojo  makes amazing merino wool nursing tops to stay nice and warm on the trail.  7. How to manage expectations? Say goodbye to the expectations!   Or just focus on being in the present moment no matter what is thrown your way. There is no way to control the weather, traffic, wildlife, trail conditions, or many other things that could possibly go wrong on your adventure. Seriously though, the law of attraction concept is so real on hike days! If you have a rough start to the morning, like a blowout, getting covered in oatmeal, or poop when you're already late to meet your hiking friends at the trail, things can really spiral out of control without an attitude reset. I always find a way to laugh at the chaos, allow a time range for our ETA, and focus on what is going well. Reward yourself with a hot coffee in a to-go mug as you leave your home. Nature will take care of the rest!  Be quick to turn back and trust those gut feelings. We are all hard on ourselves, and there is nothing to prove when hiking with your baby. Winter roads can be awful, snowfall warnings can be sudden, and temperatures can drop rapidly.   Hiking with a baby in any season is no easy feat. Just getting layered can feel like a hike. I promise that it is all completely worth it! When that first snowflake lands on your baby, magic happens. They are in awe of this world, and it is so amazing to experience winter in all of its glory with your curious little one learning about the world.  Follow  @adriannaadventures  for more outdoor inspiration and hiking fun!