Toddler on a local adventure

Do you ever look around the house at the mountains of laundry, the piles of dishes in the sink, and the screaming children holding your leg; and think you have officially lost your sanity? I can’t tell you how many times my kids are literally jumping off the wall and I can’t get ahead of the mess; that I feel like running out the door with my hands in the air yelling like a mad woman! Luckily I have found the magic solution to help me maintain my sanity….ADVENTURING!!

These little human beings we call children are little bundles of absolute energy! Pent them up in a house all day and they will only cause chaos and messes! Kids need the outdoors, they need to explore, and they need adventure! This is the best way to raise happy kids, keep your sanity, and create incredible memories that will last forever.

Benefits to getting out of the house:

There are so many reasons why you need to get out of the house and why you need to get your kids out of the house.

Little boy having a local adventure in the mountains

Kids:

  • Gets them away from screens
  • Teaches them to respect nature
  • Keeps them active
  • Teaches them to be fearless
  • Let’s out energy
  • Teaches coordination and skills (climbing, jumping, swimming, etc.)
  • Education
  • Keeps them happy

You:

  • Relieves stress
  • Improves mood and keeps you happy
  • Creates memories
  • Fills your soul
  • Exercise
  • Gives you something to look forward to
  • Boost your energy

Going Local:

What are the things that discourage you from going on adventures? Not wanting to travel, not wanting to spend money, trying to work around naptimes? Good news, adventures are a just around the corner! You don’t have to go far for an adventure and you don’t have to spend a lot of money.

My Adventure Essentials that are Always in My Car:

  • Toddler Hiking Carrier– This carrier has a diaper changing pad, plenty of storage, and shade.
  • Baby Carrier– The best carrier there is! It is comfortable, has a seated support for your baby, storage, shade, and you can position it in 6 different ways. If you use discount code 2Camilla15 you get 15% off! tiny-toddlers.com
  • Water Bottles– You can never have enough water on an adventure. Trust me kids drink a ton! I either bring water bottles for each kid or a camel hydration pack that carries enough for everyone.
  • Change of Clothes for each kid- Kids are messy! I always have a change of clothes just in case they get too messy before our next activity.
  • Jackets- We do a lot of activities in the mountains and so it could be 100 degrees at the base, but 50 at the top of the mountain. Always be prepared!
  • Spray Sunscreen– Spray sunscreen is the absolute easiest to put on squirming children. It beats trying to rub in the sunscreen and then upset your child that their skin is white and greasy.
  • Foldable Stroller– A quick and easy stroller to get into places easy and to travel distances with little ones. It makes museum visits, walks, and festivals manageable with kids.
  • Hats– Hats are extra protection from the sun.
  • Snacks– our favorites are squeezable applesauce, fruit leather, goldfish, and Nilla cookies)
  • Car Phone Charger– I use my phone for directions, information, and pictures; and I will tell you your phone will run out of battery quick.
  • Camera– Adventures make memories and trust me you will want to capture these memories.
  • Diapers and wipes- This kind of speaks for itself!
  • Hiking Shoes– A lot of our adventures involve hiking, and hiking shoes for me and my kiddos make a world of a difference.

Local Adventures:

Toddler exploring the desert on a local adventure
  1. Go to a playground
  2. Get ice cream
  3. Watch a Local Rodeo
  4. Try a Man vs Food Challenge
  5. Rec Centers (climbing walls, swimming pools, basketball courts)
  6. Trampoline Park
  7. Go on a hike (AllTrails App helps you find local trails)
  8. State Parks (hikes, camping, swimming)
  9. Pick fruit at an Orchard
  10. Enjoy a Local Festival or Parade
  11. Ride rides at a Carnivals or Fairs
  12. Go to a Zoos or petting zoo
  13. Go on a walk
  14. Visit a garden
  15. Storytime at the Library
  16. Play at a Splash Pad
  17. Swim at a Reservoir
  18. Visit a Nature Center
  19. Shop at a Local Farmers Market
  20. Play Disc Golf
  21. Play Mini Golf
  22. Compete at an Arcade
  23. Go Camping
  24. Watch a movie at the Movie Theater
  25. Star Gazing at an Observatory
  26. Visit a Museum
  27. Have a Picnic
  28. Swim at the Local Swimming Pool
  29. Race around a track the High School
  30. Have a workout competition at an Outdoor Gym
  31. Watch a Drive In Movie
  32. Play a sport at a Field
  33. Go Horseback Riding
  34. Play at a Tumble Gyms
  35. Restaurant Hop (pick a food, buy it at multiple restaurants, and vote on the best)
  36. Ride the quarter rides at the mall
  37. Feed fish at a Fish Hatchery
  38. Feed and Pet animals at a Farm
  39. Visit an Aquarium
  40. Take pictures of graves at a cemetery for FindaGrave.com or BillionGraves.com
  41. Go Fishing
  42. Play at a Lake or River (boating, kayaking, tubing, swimming, tubing)
  43. Visit a War Memorial
  44. Visit and learn about Local Historical Monuments/Landmarks
  45. Go Geocaching
  46. Hike to a Waterfall
  47. Take a Scenic Drive
  48. Visit a Dairy Farm and watch them milk the cows
  49. Have a scavenger hunt around town
  50. Volunteer to pick up trash at the side of the road

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