RUN WILD MY CHILD

Reconnecting families through outdoor activities and adventures.

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Getting Families Outside, One Adventure at a Time

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  • GIFT GUIDE, INFORMATION, NATURE SCHOOL

    Nature-Themed Board Games for Kids and Families

    • December 5, 2025

    If you’re searching for the best nature-themed board games for kids, you’re in the right place. In this roundup and review, outdoor educator, author, and mom of two Jessie Lehson (with help from her kids) shares a variety of nature board games her family tested, rated, and loved. From ecosystem-building strategy games to whimsical creature […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, FAVORITE GEAR, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARENTING

    How to Use AI to Plan Outdoor Adventures with Kids (Stress-Free Travel Tips for Moms)

    • October 3, 2025

    Planning family outdoor adventures can feel overwhelming. Between picking the right destination, figuring out what to pack, and keeping kids entertained, moms often carry the bulk of the mental load. In this guide, Brittany Brown, an outdoor-loving Montana mom of four, shares how she uses AI tools like ChatGPT to simplify the process of planning […]

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  • FALL, HOLIDAYS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Celebrating Dia de los Muertos with Kids

    • October 1, 2025

    Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is one of the most colorful, heartfelt celebrations in Mexican culture. It’s a time to honor, remember, and joyfully celebrate loved ones who have passed away. For parents, it’s also a beautiful opportunity to teach children about remembrance, family traditions, and the importance of cultural […]

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  • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER, WATER

    Splash Culture: Global water beliefs and symbols for our kids

    • September 26, 2025

    Water is life. It nourishes us, sustains ecosystems, and connects people across every corner of the globe. But water isn’t just practical—it’s deeply cultural, symbolic, and spiritual. From myths and legends to religious rituals and conservation movements, water has shaped human history and imagination. In this post, Emily Liebel, a Utah mom of three and […]

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  • HOLIDAYS, PARENTING

    Outdoor Family Traditions

    • September 19, 2025

    Traditions, no matter how simple or elaborate, are incredibly special to kids. They provide a sense of continuity, belonging, and comfort, something familiar to look forward to. Today’s post is all about family traditions, why they’re important, and what makes them special. We hope the activities in this post will inspire you to start a […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Alps Road Trip with Kids: Dolomites, Lake Garda, Innsbruck, Zugspitze & St. Moritz

    • August 20, 2025

    If you’re dreaming of a family adventure in the Alps but feeling intimidated by the logistics, you’re in the right place. Today, Lizzy Astrella, a US mom of two currently living in southern Italy, is taking you along for a road trip of a lifetime. In this post, she’ll share what they learned about planning […]

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  • CAMP, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Marval Resort Review: Family-Friendly Fun in Oklahoma

    • August 15, 2025

    Looking for the perfect Oklahoma summer getaway that keeps kids entertained, parents relaxed, and everyone cooled off from the blazing heat? Marval Resort in Gore, Oklahoma checks all the boxes. Nestled along the lower Illinois River in the foothills of the Ozarks, this family-friendly campground offers swimming pools, river play, endless kid-approved activities, and plenty […]

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  • INFORMATION, PARENTING

    Outdoor Parenting Hack: Overcoming the Hardest Part – Getting Out the Door

    • August 13, 2025

    If you’ve ever tried to get your kids out the door for an outdoor activity, you know the struggle is real. From “It’s too hot!” to “I don’t want to go there,” the resistance can be strong (even from kids who normally love nature). In this post, outdoor mom Sandy Harper shares her real-life strategies […]

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  • HIKE, PARENTING

    How to Hike with Kids (Without the Whining and Complaining)

    • August 10, 2025

    If you’ve ever started a family hike full of optimism only to be met with complaints, whining, or outright resistance, you’re not alone. Hiking with kids is rewarding…it builds confidence, resilience, and a love for nature. But, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Today, North Carolina mom of four, Courtney Fleet, shares […]

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  • BEACH, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER, WATER

    How to Get Started Snorkeling with Kids

    • August 5, 2025

    Snorkelling is one of the most magical ways to explore the natural world, and it’s even better when you can share the experience with your kids. Whether you’re planning a tropical vacation, heading to a nearby lake, or just want to build your child’s confidence in the water, teaching kids to snorkel can open up […]

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  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, FAMILY TRAVEL

    Exploring Churchill: A Train Adventure to Beluga Whales and Polar Bears

    • July 30, 2025

    Thinking about a trip to Churchill, Manitoba with your family? You’re in for the adventure of a lifetime. From kayaking alongside beluga whales to spotting polar bears in the wild, Churchill is one of Canada’s most unforgettable (and surprisingly family-friendly) destinations. In this post, Carolyn Regehr, a Canadian mom of two young boys, shares her […]

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  • INFORMATION, PHOTOGRAPHY, SUMMER

    Tips for Taking Beautiful Underwater Photos of Your Kids

    • July 13, 2025

    Capturing your kids’ joy underwater is pure magic! But, figuring out how to do it without blurry photos, fogged-up lenses, or ruined gear can feel intimidating. In this post, Virginia mom and professional photographer Wendy Cox shares her best beginner-friendly tips for taking underwater photos of your kids. From gear recommendations and lighting tricks to […]

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  • BEACH, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER, WATER

    Best Swimming Holes in Texas: Beat the Heat at These Hidden Gems

    • July 8, 2025
    Best Texas Swimming Holes for Kids

    Looking for the best family-friendly swimming holes in Texas? You’re in the right place! In this post, outdoor-loving Texas mom of three, Crystal (@mrs.st.clair), shares her top picks for the best Texas swimming holes that are kid-tested and mom-approved. From the rocky magic of McKinney Falls to stormy fun at Lake Travis, these four spots […]

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  • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER, WATER

    How to Go Mudlarking: Fun Summer Adventure for Families

    • June 30, 2025

    If you’re searching for an easy, budget-friendly summer activity to get your kids outside, mudlarking might be your new favorite adventure. In this guide to mudlarking with kids, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this fascinating hobby—what it is, where it comes from, how to get started, and why it’s the perfect way […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Houseboating Lake Powell with Kids

    • June 29, 2025

    Ever considered a family adventure that’s part camping, part boating, and 100% unforgettable? In today’s post, California mom Felicia Wong shares her family’s firsthand experience houseboating on Lake Powell, an iconic reservoir along the Arizona–Utah border known for its red rock canyons, hidden coves, and endless opportunities for fun on the water. From practical tips […]

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🌿 Helping busy families connect through OUTDOOR activities, adventures & travel!
☀️ Tag #RunWildMyChild
⬇️ Website, Magazine, Podcast

You don’t have to look like the internet’s version You don’t have to look like the internet’s version of “outdoorsy.”

You don’t have to homeschool.
You don’t have to camp.
You don’t have to live near mountains.
You don’t have to own expensive gear.

You can work full time.
You can love sports.
You can live in the suburbs.
You can hate bugs.

If you’re getting your kids outside in a way that works for your real life, you’re doing it right.

The outdoors is not exclusive.

It’s available.

Share this with an “outdoor mom” who needs to hear this and let her know she’s crushing it!!
Most nights I fall into bed completely spent... O Most nights I fall into bed completely spent...

Overstimulated.
Touched out.
Behind on laundry.
Sunburnt with bug bites.

I am tired.

But it’s the kind of tired that comes from full days.
From kids who ran hard.
From fresh air and late sunsets.
From trying.

And then I remember; there was a version of me who wanted this life so badly.

The kids.
The noise.
The chaos.
The responsibility.

What a privilege to be tired from the very life I once prayed for.

If you’re exhausted tonight, you’re not failing. 

You’re living.

📸 credit: @mrs.st.clair
We’re not raising bubble-wrapped kids. We’re rais We’re not raising bubble-wrapped kids.

We’re raising capable ones. Confident ones. 

Kids who know how to handle a little risk.
Who get dirty.
Who try, fail, adjust, and try again.
Who feel the heat of a flame and learn to respect it — not fear it.

At Run Wild My Child, we believe childhood should feel like childhood.

Less hovering.
More exploring.
Less scrolling.
More doing.

Not reckless.
Not careless.

Just brave enough to let them grow.

If that’s your vibe, welcome. 🌿
If your kids hate hiking… hi. 👋 Same. I cannot s If your kids hate hiking… hi. 👋 Same. 

I cannot say “let’s go for a hike” in my house without at least one child acting like I’ve suggested a 12-mile forced march across the tundra.

Immediate whining and collapsing onto the floor, refusing to leave the house.

And honestly...I kind of get it.

A “scenic 2.8-mile woodland loop” is just not a compelling pitch to a 9-year-old.

Kids don’t hate nature. They hate boring.

So I stopped selling hiking.

Instead, we take a nature walk to a creek, go looking for waterfalls, explore the woods looking for rocks to climb, etc. 

We add missions, ask crazy questions, look for geocaches, hunt for treasures.
We let them lead.
We keep it shorter than we think we should.
Sometimes we bail early.

And sometimes… we just don’t hike.

We bike.
We fish.
We explore.
We sit by water and throw rocks for 45 minutes.

Raising outside kids doesn’t mean raising trail-loving robots. Once we’re out on the trail, they always end up having a great time, but sometimes I don’t want to deal with the effort required to get them there.

If hiking isn’t working right now, that’s ok. Change the destination. Lower the mileage. Add water. Add purpose. Call it something else. Or do something else entirely!

You’re not failing if your kids hate hiking. My guess is that they’ll come around someday (check back in with me in 10-15 years). 

Tell me... are your kids HIKERS or HATERS?
Your April doesn’t need to be jam-packed. It just Your April doesn’t need to be jam-packed. It just needs a little planning and thoughtful intention.

Every spring I see moms try to “do it all.” The festivals. The sports. The Pinterest crafts. The garden. The big trips.

Ideas are great, but what you really need is a plan to do just a few things and commit.

A few water days.
One memory-maker.
Short easy resets.
Age-appropriate adventures.

That’s how spring starts to feel meaningful instead of chaotic.

If this kind of seasonal planning helps you, this is exactly how we approach every issue of the magazine — realistic rhythms, not overwhelm. 

The Spring issue leans hard into that and is filled with “close-to-home” adventures and how to root your kids in nature. 

But for now, let’s start with one thing this week…

What’s going on your April calendar first? 🌷
Getting outside with kids takes effort. It takes i Getting outside with kids takes effort.
It takes intention.
It takes sacrifice.
It takes choosing it, over and over again.

And if you’re doing that...even a little bit? You’re doing something really special.

Because raising kids who love the outdoors isn’t about big trips or national parks or camping weekends.

It’s about the small, consistent choices you make on the days you don’t feel like it.

It’s the walk you almost skipped.
The park stop on a busy afternoon.
The “just 10 minutes” that turns into something more.

So if no one’s told you lately— you’re doing better than you think.

Keep going. 🌿 We’re here to help.

Be honest…how many times have you wanted to stay inside this week instead of going out?
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RUN WILD MY CHILD

Helping you raise confident, curious, capable kids… one outdoor adventure at a time.

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