I've never been more adventurous than after my kids joined the crew.
Before children, my husband Lyle and I chased the usual Colorado pursuits: camping trips, long mountain bike rides, and weekends built around getting outside. But I never would have imagined taking two preschoolers on an 84-mile, six-night DIY river trip through a remote canyon in Utah’s dinosaur country. Yet there we were: Floating from beach to beach, riding with rollercoaster arms through wave trains, and sleeping tucked in together under some of the darkest skies in the country.
That trip wasn't the beginning. Like most outdoor families, we started with baby steps. There were one-nighter local camping trips, “baby on board” paddleboard days, and short hikes in close-to-home places like the Backcountry Wilderness Area. One small adventure led to another. Campgrounds became river camps. Day hikes became weekend trips. Weekend trips became weeklong wilderness expeditions.
Along the way, we learned that our kids don't end adventure, they redefine it. A short trail becomes a wildlife safari. A riverside campsite becomes canvas for rock and stick art. The push towards a summit or mileage count is replaced by your kid taking their first turn oaring the raft or handing over a magnificent rock they knew was meant for you.
Now, 13 years later, our daughters Gwynn and Kate help choose destinations, plan itineraries, and occasionally push us toward bigger adventures. We've spent the last decade raising our favorite adventure partners—and these are the nine kid-approved lessons that helped get us there.
Ditch the Perfect Plan
Expectation is a fast track to disappointment when adventuring with kids and in life. Your favorite campsite is occupied, a magical spot down the road is waiting for you. A fire ban means no campfire deluxe dinner, a backpacking mac & cheese meal with hot water will be gourmet if you’re hungry. Wet weather, find waterfalls. Abandon the schedule when the trip inevitably takes a different turn. Flexibility is a superpower.
Study Up
Kids buy into the details. In a canyon, know local dino facts. Near historic sites, get the stories. Under a big, dark sky … point out the constellations. Pro tip: Download a night sky constellation app that works sans Internet before you lose service.
Snacks & S'mores
Pack more snacks than seems remotely necessary, then add one more bag because hungry kids (and parents) can bring an adventure to a halt. Prep protein pick-me-ups, apples (because they don’t squish), carrots and ranch, and, if you have room in the cooler, as much fresh fruit as you can pack. Gummy worms are a guaranteed day treat win and won’t melt. Evening s’mores are a delicacy, an art, and a bribe. When there are miles to get on mountains or rivers, this melty treat is the treasure at the end of a long day. Bonus tip: Hot cocoa in the tent will get little humans moving on chilly mornings.
Analog Entertainment
A deck of cards, scavenger hunt, or iSpy can rescue when exhaustion or weather shows up. There’s also no shame in an in-tent movie night on a long camping trip. If you have older kids, learn a riddle or two that will keep their brains busy for days.
Level Up
Confidence is built in pebbles. Let them jump off the rocks, climb the trees, choose the campsite. The best time to dig into your adventure wisdom kit is if an “I’m bored” gets whispered in earshot.
Gear Pile
Bring along the walkie-talkies, kid headlamps, and sand toys. Paper maps—or, laminated maps on the water—give junior trip captains the opportunity to chart the course and have a better understanding of “Are we there yet?”. Pro Move: The bag is never too full for your kid’s favorite comfort item either.
Build Your Crew
Give every family member a job—from tent duty to dinner prep—to turn setup into a team sport instead of a parental solo act. The jobs should be age appropriate and build each season. Dish washing duty is a great option for even the youngest crew members.
Embrace Side Quests
Leave room for wildlife sightings, creek hopping, and unplanned detours because kids rarely remember the itinerary, only the discoveries. Carve out time to indulge your kid’s interests any time you can. Treat your budding geologist, to a gem hunt. Skim the schedule for a National Park ranger chat. Bring some travel-sized watercolors for creative downtime in stunning surroundings.
Bubble Up, Bubble Down
End each trip by sharing a highlight and a challenge to create a simple family ritual that celebrates wins and improves the next outing. (Hat tip to Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon for introducing us to this)
Along the way, we learned that our kids don't end adventure, they redefine it. A short trail becomes a wildlife safari. A riverside campsite becomes canvas for rock and stick art.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lindsey R. McKissick is an outdoor enthusiast, writer, and Colorado mom who has spent the past 13 years raising two adventure-loving daughters alongside her husband. From local trails and National Park trips to multi-day river expeditions through the desert Southwest, she’s always on an adventure or planning the next one. When she's not exploring the outdoors, she’s working for nature as the principal officer of the Highlands Ranch Backcountry Wilderness Area Fund.