I love exploring the great outdoors with my kiddos. Seeing their faces light up with excitement when we hit the trails is one of my favorite things in the world. As a kid, I loved being outside, but Ohio didn't offer the towering mountain views, sweeping coastlines, vast old-growth forests and pristine alpine lakes the Pacific Northwest does. It's been such a joy meandering trails with my kids. It feels like I'm giving them an invaluable gift by fostering their imagination and allowing their adventurous spirits to blossom. Does that mean it's easy to get outside? Certainly not! But it's worth it. 

If trekking through the wilderness with your little ones in tow feels intimidating, that's okay. It was for me too. Planning a trip, packing all the gear, driving to the trailhead and then trouncing through the woods isn't always an easy feat. There is good news though. It's doable, and the more you do it, the easier it gets.

So, where do you begin? Here are a few tips and tricks.

1. Always start with a plan

Before you head out for a trailhead, read trail and trips reports, know how to get there, take a screenshot of directions in case you lose service and obtain all the appropriate passes. Many trails require passes which can be purchased online or at the trailhead. Just know before you go. 

2. Pack for your trip - and more

Have you ever heard of the 10 essentials? Any time you head out for a hike, especially if you'll be going into the backcountry, it's a good habit to put into practice to pack the 10 essentials. The essentials include: 

• food
• water
• layers
• light source - I love a good headlamp
• navigation - this could be a map of the area or GPS. I always like to take a screen shot of the area before I head out on a trail and directions from sites like WTA.org. 
• fire - this just means you have something on hand that could help create a heat source, like a lighter. 
• first aid kit - I include a whistle as well
• shelter - this could include items like a space blanket
• sun protection - hat, sunscreen and sunglasses 
• knife or multi-use tool 

I like to over-pack when my family goes out on adventures. Not because I enjoy carrying heavy loads on my back, but because I like being prepared. 

With that being said, I do not follow this rule to perfection in one area. My kiddos are still pretty young, and although proper clothing is very important, I am not a stickler. When we hike, you'll often see my daughter wearing a frilly dress. She says it makes her feel confident, and so this is one rule I'm letting go of - for now. Don't worry, I pack extra clothes just in case. 

3. Choose memories over miles

It's taken me longer than I'd like to admit to embrace this tip, but I think it's an important one. I strongly believe memories are worth more than miles. When I moved to Seattle, I wanted to hike every trail and scale every peak. It's one of the things that brought me and my husband together. When we had kids, we naively thought we'd be able to do the same trails and hike the same miles. For some, that may be the case. For us, we have a pretty simple rule of thumb. We don't usually pick trails more miles than our oldest child. That means the most miles we will do is around six miles. The reason for this is because I want to ignite their wanderlust with igniting frustration - and tantrums happen when feet get tired, bellies get empty, and naps get skipped. 

4. Pack a peak prize

When we head out on a long hike, I always pack a peak prize. What's a peak prize you ask? Good question. It's a prize my kiddos get to open when we've reached the peak, or the payoff of a trail. Whether it's a waterfall or a lake or just a rest stop with a beautiful view, the peak prize is a reward for accomplishing something difficult - and it gives them a little boost to finish the hike.

We often pack Kinder Joy Chocolates. 

5. Payoff hikes are a hit

Speaking of payoffs, we like to pick trails that have distinct destinations. I love loops with the payoff in the middle, but those can be challenging to find. Out and back hikes are great, but I often find that my kiddos don't enjoy having to retrace their steps. On those hikes, I'll often hear, "This is boring." So, if you've heard that line before, you're not alone. 

Our favorite hikes will always be trails that lead to alpine lakes and waterfalls. There is something magical about getting to dip your toes in cold, crystal-clear water.

6. Play games on the trail

My kiddos love trail story time. We often make up stories while we hike. My daughter loves to sing, which is great because making noise in the backcountry is never a bad idea. Other games you can play include, seek and find, treasure hunt and color match. Here's a fun nature-themed seek and find Canva template I created. 

7. Trail snacks are very important

Good snacks make all the difference, especially to mitigate meltdowns. It's okay to stop often for water and snacks. I like to pack an assortment of foods, and I also empower my kiddos to pack their own snacks. When they pack their own treats, I think they are more likely to eat them.

​Things we like to bring include, granola bars, fruit snacks, Uncrustables and dried fruit. Salty snacks will make your kiddos thirsty, so think about packing treats they can suck on and will hydrate their mouths instead of drying them out. Also, on hot days, remember things like chocolate bars will melt. 

Happy hiking with your little ones! What tips would you add?

Below I've included some of my favorite hiking products. One thing I would definitely recommend splurging on is a good hiking backpack and carrier. When your kids are little, you'll thank me for buying a top-notch carrier. I can promise you'll be carrying your kid on the trail, so don't go cheap on this item. 

Hiking backpack: https://amzn.to/3TRKCYQ

First aid kit: https://amzn.to/49rgQid

Carrier: https://amzn.to/3PBY5l4

Tuffo coveralls for kids: https://amzn.to/4aqsACg

​Women's hiking pants: https://amzn.to/3IVzZ0N 

Hiking boots: ​https://amzn.to/3IUGFvW

Unicorn headlamp: ​https://amzn.to/3Tyoy47

Affiliate links are provided in this post. 

I'm not going to lie; I have a love-hate relationship with Amazon. I love the convenience, ease of ordering, speedy shipping and the vast array of products only a click away, but there are also downsides. What do I hate? Impulse shopping! It's a serious problem.

If you're like me, you have spent hundreds of dollars adding products to your cart in hopes they will solve a problem - or you heard an influencer say it was the perfect dress and you opted in. Don't worry, we've all been there. 

Do I need another ceramic vase, faux tree or basic white tee? No. Will I buy them on Amazon if they are on sale? The likelihood is pretty high. What comes with buying a copious number of products all to be strewn about on my front porch much to my husband's chagrin? I'll give you a hint: it's not frugality. It's a keener eye for good products.  

Currently, Amazon's big spring sale is on, which means you can find hundreds of steals and deals a two-day shipment away. That's why I put together this post. Let's talk about which products I can't live without. If any of these things are currently in your cart - hit buy now!

These add-to-cart impulses are worthy of a splurge. 
​

Don't let the title fool you; I care very, very much. I don't mean you should not care about anything. In fact, I would argue that you should care deeply - but you should choose those things with thoughtfulness. I care deeply about my family. I care deeply about my career. I care deeply about myself and fostering a relationship with the person I am, and who I want to become.

What I mean by care less, is that you can't care about all the things, for everyone, all the time. That Sisyphean task is pointless. It's exhausting and impossible, and it has taken me a long time to learn that lesson. I used to care about EVERYTHING. I cared what random people in the grocery store thought about me. I used to replay benign conversations over and over in my mind. I used to go out of my way to say yes to everything and every task. I used to apologize for things even when I wasn't at fault. I used to be afraid to try new things because I didn't want to fail or look like a novice.

I used to limit myself because of all the things I cared about. Eventually, I didn't want to care at all, and that didn't serve me or anyone else well. 

Today, I care, but I'm purposeful about the things I care about.

Should it matter if someone looks sidelong at me in the grocery store. No. I have no idea the struggles they are facing, and I can't control them. What I have control over is how I treat others. 

To worry about everyone and everything. That goal: to please everyone. It is unattainable. That woman, she is fictious. But most importantly, that woman shouldn't be the standard for what makes a woman good. 

I am trying to be unapologetically myself. I am setting more boundaries. I am speaking up when I feel uncomfortable. I am trying new things and immersing myself in activities that used to feel scary. 

I want to be someone my daughter wants to grow up to be. 

I want her to feel comfortable being herself. I want her to be goofy. I want her to be brave. I want her to face challenges with determination. I want her to stand up for herself. I want her to be proud of who she is. 

I want a million things for my daughter. And, I want those things for me too.