Adventure. Just the word brings to mind visions of daring explorers, mysterious caverns, hidden treasures, and trolloping through the wild wonder.
It’s rare, however, that we get to live out real life versions of the Goonies or Swiss Family Robinson. (But discovering hidden treasure and building gigantic tree houses on deserted islands? Hello, amazing adventures!)
Is Adventure Really Possible for Me?
The idea of an adventurous family life might feel far away right now. When we’re changing diapers and managing side hustles, an outdoor life of wild and fancy free can feel a little unachievable. And all those Instagram adventure moms – is that even real life?
The great thing about adding adventure into your family life is that you don’t have to start with a backpacking trip across the Pacific North West. San Diego is FILLED with adventures for people of all ages and abilities. And given our generally amazing weather, there’s no reason you can’t start now.
How to Start Adventuring
The best way is to just pick something fun, and go. Maybe you aren’t quite ready for three mile hikes, but there are tons of fun things to do outdoors that will get your family ready to take on more in no time.
5 Ways to Adventure Now
- Geocaching
- Have you heard of this? It’s basically a modern day treasure hunt. Download the Geocaching app on your phone, plug in your location, and find local treasure!
- Nature play (and maybe a short hike)
- Before diving into big hikes, plan for some quality nature play. Many fun places are easily accessible within a short walking distance from the parking lot. Pack some snacks, find a cozy rock to sit on, and let your kids explore. (Be prepared for wet and dirty kids. Take a deep breath… dirt usually washes out.)
- Have a nature scavenger hunt
- Pinterest is a great place to find scavenger hunt ideas. Teachers Pay Teachers also has a ton of free printables.
- Start a nature journal
- Head outside, find interesting things, and draw/record and write about what you find. For extra fun, try and identify your findings. The Seek app is great for plant identification.
- Bucket list
- Make a bucket list of local parks you’d like to visit, then put them on your calendar.
Bonus tip
Clear your schedule. Most of us are so busy these days between work, school, feeding the baby, sports teams, play practice, cooking meals, cleaning the house, mountains of laundry… that it can be challenging to find time to fit in one. more. thing. But if you want to start adventuring, you have to prioritize it. Try blocking out just one day a month, or maybe every other week when you can schedule time to go explore.
Most importantly, plan adventures that you know your family will enjoy. Starting something new can be daunting and challenging as we take on unfamiliar territory. But planning time outside and making it fun will lead your family to beautiful memories and a lifelong appreciation of all that nature has to offer.
Happy adventuring!
