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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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WATER

    Family Travel Guide to Innsbrook, Missouri

    • April 24, 2025

    If you’re looking for a peaceful, nature-filled escape that’s close to St. Louis but feels a world away, let me introduce you to one of my favorite hidden gems: Innsbrook, Missouri. I’m Sara, a mom of three and the founder of Run Wild My Child, and our family has been visiting Innsbrook for years. It’s […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SKI/SNOW, WINTER

    Which Montana Ski Resort Is Best for Your Family? Comparing Blacktail, Whitefish, and Lookout Pass

    • April 13, 2025

    If you’re dreaming of a family ski trip that doesn’t involve long lift lines, crazy resort prices, and crowds everywhere you turn, you’re in the right place. I’m Sara McCarty, mom of 3 ski fanatics and founder of Run Wild My Child. After spending spring break road-tripping through Western Montana with my family, I’m here […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Family Travel: Scotland with Kids (10-Day Itinerary)

    • April 11, 2025

    Dreaming of a family adventure filled with castles, legends, and some of the most stunning landscapes in the world? You’re in the right place! In this post, Run Wild My Child Creative Team member Emily Liebel shares her family’s 10-day itinerary traveling across Scotland with three young kids (ages 3–10). From bustling city streets to […]

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  • FAVORITE GEAR, FRIDAY FAVORITES, SPRING, WATER

    Best Rain Gear for Outdoor Kids

    • April 9, 2025
    The best rain gear for kids - Oaki rain suit

    But what if it rains?! We’re firm believers that there’s no such thing as bad weather and a little rain shouldn’t slow you down! So, we’ve asked everyone we know for their rain gear recommendations and put together a great list of the best rain gear for kids to keep them warm and dry this […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Family Travel: Firefall Ranch (Yosemite NP)

    • April 8, 2025

    If you’re planning a family trip to Yosemite National Park and looking for the perfect place to stay, you must check out Firefall Ranch. This brand-new, family-friendly resort just outside the park entrance made our recent mother-son adventure easy, comfortable, and unforgettable. With spacious private cottages, tons of outdoor activities, and quick access to Yosemite’s […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SKI/SNOW, WINTER

    The Ultimate Family Road Trip Through Northwest Montana

    • April 1, 2025

    Are you looking for the perfect spring break getaway for your adventurous, nature-loving family? Our 10-day Montana spring break road trip through Northwest Montana was everything we could’ve dreamed of and more—packed with family-friendly skiing, affordable winter activities, cozy cabins, epic views, and outdoor fun for all ages. In this post, I’m sharing our ultimate […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL

    Lake Tahoe Winter Weekend Getaway with Kids

    • February 20, 2025

    When most people think of Lake Tahoe in the winter, skiing is usually the first thing that comes to mind. And for good reason—Tahoe’s ski resorts are some of the best in the country. But if you’re looking for more ways to experience Tahoe’s winter wonderland with kids—beyond just hitting the slopes—this post is for […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Palm Springs with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide to Outdoor Adventures, Joshua Tree, and Desert Fun

    • February 11, 2025

    We’re always on the lookout for family-friendly destinations that offer outdoor fun and something for everyone. Today, California mom Araceli Gozalez is taking to you Palm Springs, where her family discovered a desert oasis that completely stole their hearts. From the dramatic landscapes of Joshua Tree to the colorful downtown food scene, this Southern California […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    El Capitan Canyon Resort: a California Central Coast Adventure

    • January 17, 2025

    We’re always on the hunt for stunning destinations that combine jaw-dropping scenery with unforgettable outdoor activities, and we’ve hit the jackpot with this one! Today, we’ll take you on a tour of El Capitan Canyon – a family-friendly glamping gem that truly has something for everyone. Think peaceful mornings with a hot cup of coffee […]

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  • FAVORITE GEAR, INFORMATION, PARENTING

    Growing Healthy Habits Outdoors

    • October 29, 2024

    Have you ever dreamed of weaving your love of the outdoors into the fabric of your family’s well-being? Nurturing healthy habits goes far beyond exercise, which is often our first thought when it comes to well-being. For me, healthy habits revolve around fostering a vibrant connection with nature, igniting a love for movement, and nourishing […]

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  • PARENTING

    How to Raise Independent Kids

    • October 15, 2024

    Raising independent kids is one of the greatest gifts we can give as parents. As our kids grow, fostering self-reliance, problem-solving skills, and resilience becomes crucial in helping them confidently navigate life’s challenges. Independence isn’t just about being self-sufficient—it’s about building kids who feel capable and empowered, knowing they can tackle whatever comes their way. […]

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  • BOOKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARENTING

    Books for Outdoor Parents – Best Books for Raising Outdoorsy Kids & Adventure Parenting Books

    • September 11, 2024

    As parents, we all know the benefits of getting our kids outside, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. Between school, sports, screen time battles, and just trying to survive daily life, it can be tough to make outdoor time a priority. That’s where these books come in. I’ve rounded up a collection of outdoor […]

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  • CRAFTS, FALL, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    100+ Fall Outdoor Activities for Kids

    • September 9, 2024

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year! (Did you sing that, too?) I’m so excited to officially welcome you to my favorite season! As the weather cools down and the leaves put on a show, it’s the perfect time to get those kids outside. It may feel a bit harder to spend time outdoors […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WATER

    Southern Illinois: Murphysboro & Shawnee National Forest

    • September 5, 2024

    Get ready to be surprised because Southern Illinois is a hidden gem! When you think of Southern Illinois, you probably imagine flat farmland and endless cornfields, but this place is so much more than that. Hidden away in this region are lush forests, pristine lakes, towering moss-covered bluffs, and rock formations that make you feel […]

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  • CRAFTS, GARDENING, GOOD FOR NATURE, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS, RECIPES

    Herbalism with Kids: 5 Ways to Cultivate a Kinship with Plants

    • August 21, 2024

    As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a deep connection to nature. Reconnecting with the earth through herbalism is a meaningful way to teach our kids about the wonders of the natural world. Herbalism isn’t just about plants; it’s about understanding our role in the ecosystem, fostering respect for […]

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runwild.mychild

🌿 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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