RUN WILD MY CHILD

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Getting Families Outside, One Adventure at a Time

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Exploring Chickasaw Country, Oklahoma with Kids

    • September 19, 2023
    Sunset on Bromide Hill Chickasaw Country Oklahoma Coleyraeh

    Chickasaw Country is an area in south central Oklahoma. Conveniently located on both sides of the I-35 corridor, Chickasaw Country is a beautiful escape for adventure-seekers, cultural lovers, and everything in between. There are so many great things to do in Chickasaw Country with kids, from incredible museums to outdoor adventures in fresh, cold water […]

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  • BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Exploring Indiana Dunes National Park with Kids

    • September 13, 2023

    Nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park offers a unique and unforgettable experience for families. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast excited to explore the biodiversity of the sand dunes, or simply a Midwest mom looking for a nearby beach getaway with your little ones, Indiana Dunes has something special in […]

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  • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, TEENS

    Outdoor Games & Activities To Get Teens and Tweens Off Screens

    • September 12, 2023
    outdoor activity for teens tubing on the lake

    Encouraging our teens and tweens to step away from their devices and embrace the great outdoors has become more important than ever. The allure of digital entertainment can be undeniably captivating, but as parents, we need to help kids find a healthy balance between virtual and real-life experiences. Today, Jen Barnes, a South Carolina mom […]

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  • BEACH, CHALLENGE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARENTING, WATER

    Benefits of Blue Hours: The Wonder of Water Awaits

    • September 6, 2023

    Water is all around us! Whether it’s the rhythmic lullaby of ocean waves, the tranquil serenity of a mountain lake, or the playful tinkling of a babbling brook, water possesses an uncanny ability to heal, inspire, and rejuvenate. Perhaps you’ve heard about the benefits of “green spaces” and their positive effect on children’s physical and […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, URBAN NATURE

    Awesome Things to do Outside with Kids in Philadelphia

    • August 29, 2023

    Philadelphia, known for being the largest city in Pennsylvania, is filled with many outdoor activities for families with children. From hiking or biking local trails to frolicking in playgrounds and splash pads to exploring piers, museums, and so much more, there is plenty for families to enjoy outdoors. Today, Philadelphia native and mom of 2, […]

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  • CLIMB, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, TEENS

    Benefits of Climbing Structures for Kids

    • August 23, 2023

    Now more than ever, kids need outdoor play time to explore, push their physical boundaries, and partake in healthy risks. One of the most exhilarating forms of outdoor play that has stood the test of time is climbing. From towering trees in the woods to purpose-built climbing structures in parks and playgrounds, the act of […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, NATIONAL PARKS

    Exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids

    • August 22, 2023

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the U.S.  Located within a day’s drive of half of the United States population, the park makes a wonderful natural getaway with easy access. The Great Smoky Mountains feature stunning natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and interesting history to appeal to travelers of all […]

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  • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY, SUMMER

    How to Take Photos at a Sunflower Field with Your Family

    • August 17, 2023
    A woman and her children pose for a photo in a vast sunflower field.

    Summer’s warm weather and lax schedule beckon us busy parents to slow down, embrace the season’s vibrant spirit, and create moments that transcend the mundane. Our quest for treasured family experiences becomes an art in itself. Amidst this pursuit, there lies a hidden gem – a canvas of golden blooms that offers a breathtaking escape […]

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  • BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WATER

    Family-Friendly Activities in/around Lake Tahoe

    • August 10, 2023

    Nestled amidst the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountains lies a haven of natural wonder, where sparkling azure waters meet towering evergreens and snow-capped peaks. Welcome to Lake Tahoe, a year-round paradise that offers families a wealth of unforgettable outdoor experiences. Whether it’s the sun-kissed days of summer, the vibrant hues of autumn, the powdery snowscapes of […]

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  • BEACH, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

    40 Beach Games for Kids

    • August 9, 2023

    Are you headed to the beach this summer? Maybe you’re taking that long-awaited vacation, or you live along the shore and are eager to enjoy the sunshine and refreshing water close to home. Whatever the case may be, you’ll want to keep the kids busy so that you can enjoy your time as well! While […]

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  • BOOKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SPRING, SUMMER

    25 Best Nature Books for Outdoor Adventures

    • August 8, 2023
    Child reading outside in the grass, seen from above

    As the summer sun’s golden rays beckon us outdoors, it’s the perfect time to embark on a literary journey that seamlessly blends the joy of reading with the thrill of outdoor exploration! Whether you’re planning a family hike, a camping escapade, or a simple stroll through the local park, the right nature book can transform […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARK

    Exploring State Parks with Kids

    • August 4, 2023

    We’ve said it before, and it’s worth saying again, “You don’t have to travel far for big adventures!” Discover the boundless wonders awaiting you right in your own backyard as we embark on a journey to uncover why our local state parks stand as the ultimate destinations for unforgettable family experiences.  From enchanting day trips […]

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  • INFORMATION, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOORS INSIDE, PRINTABLES

    Exploring Nature with the WILD Mag

    • July 26, 2023
    boy standing on rocky bluff

    If you are searching for fun, beautiful, engaging ways to learn about and interact with nature, look no further! Whether you homeschool or just enjoy learning about nature and doing simple hands-on family activities, the WILD Mag has you covered throughout the summer and all year long. Today, Missouri mom of three and ecology writer, Laura […]

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  • CAMP, FAMILY TRAVEL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Exploring Iceland with Kids: 7-day Camper Van Tour

    • July 18, 2023

    Exploring the rugged and wild corners of Iceland is a dream trip for eager travelers. However, it can also seem incredibly daunting to do with young children in tow. But, that’s not the case! We are here to tell you that traveling around Iceland is completely achievable with children and you will make the most […]

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  • FAMILY TRAVEL, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Exploring Shenandoah National Park with Kids

    • July 14, 2023
    Hiking with hikes on Mountains

    Exploring national parks with children can be an amazing experience. The first of Virginia’s national parks, Shenandoah National Park offers many activities for families to experience together. From camping amongst local wildlife to taking a stroll through the largest cavern in Eastern America, Shenandoah is a great place to visit when introducing children to the […]

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runwild.mychild

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