Family
Archive
Each year, more families seem to earn attention by taking to long trails with small children. What are their motivations, and is it bad for the kids?
Our furry friends are the best of adventure playmates. But they can also provide pure, unconditional love that gets us through the darkest times.
After setting out on her longtime fantasy to travel the world on a sailboat with her family, one writer learns just how beautiful—and devastating—it can be to finally get what you want
Last year, Annette McGivney lost her beloved yellow Lab, Sunny, and was overwhelmed by sadness. Since then she’s built a new life with a challenging rescue dog, and she’s learned a lot about the healing power of human and animal bonds.
After months of pandemic-induced isolation, one Vermont family dove headfirst into a 272-mile adventure
I want to thru-hike part of the AT or PCT, but I’m the main caregiver in my household
Organizations around the world are helping refugees feel welcome via wilderness immersions—and with a record number of displaced people, this movement couldn’t come at a better time
By portraying predators as villains, we are influencing how our children perceive the natural world
After Lawlor Coe lost his brother Hunter to tragedy, he did everything he could to avoid his pain. Then he began to run.
Want your children to have a deeper relationship with nature than you do? So did this writer. She found an entry point in Tinkergarten.
Hoping to help my brother beat his alcohol addiction, I set up a two-wheel road trip through the scenic terrain of northeast Kansas. As usual, he was funny, endearing, maddening, and burdened by problems I couldn’t solve.
For as far back as she can remember, Mardi Fuller grew up in a world of swimming lessons and swim teams, which was unusual for a daughter of Jamaican immigrants. Why the emphasis on water? Because of a mysterious death that haunted her family’s past.
Stories about kids who break hiking or climbing records feel like the continuation of an outdated and unhealthy attitude toward outdoor recreation
Let the rippers’ rumpus start
Eco-conscious parents are turning to electric utility bikes to haul their most precious cargo: their children
Please give me some kind of hope that I’m not raising a kid who always will prefer computers to canoes
It’s never too early to help your kids develop a healthy mindset around food. Here’s where to start.
The South American pack animal is the perfect companion for getting deep into the wilderness with little ones
For one pandemic-worn parent, the key to staying close to her family is getting some distance
When my yellow Lab died last spring, I was flattened by an overwhelming sadness that’s with me still. And that’s normal, experts say, because losing a pet is often one of the hardest yet least acknowledged traumas we’ll ever face.
We asked a pediatrician for advice on getting outside safely when temperatures soar
After an American Army captain came home traumatized from the war, he lost his ability to love. It took the wilderness to reopen his heart.
Coming to terms with a landscape ravaged by fire
The curious challenge of loving someone who’s always leaving you in the dust
“Is it your interpretation that I am taking you for your walk, or would you say that you are taking me for my walk?”
Kyle Dickman had spent his life chasing adventure. But after nearly dying from a snake bite, he saw menacing risks everywhere he went.
Whether you’re stuck in the city or counting down the days to a summer road trip, we have a few expert-approved tips for exploring nearby nature
It’s not just the gear purchases—it’s how we think about the future. Here’s the Outside guide to getting your financial $hit together, no selling out required.
The country singer-songwriter talks to Outside about the restorative power of nature, the unexpected blessings of quarantine, and the origins of his album ‘Country Again: Side A’
When President Biden needs a break from Putin and Mitch McConnell, he vacations on the Delmarva Peninsula, a blend of mid-Atlantic beauty, quirky accents, and tasty treasures from soil and sea. I grew up in the heart of it. Hear my song to this glorious land.
"I fell in love with cycling while watching the Tour each year with my father. When he was dying last summer, it became so much more than just the world's biggest bike race."
After losing her father to Alzheimer’s disease, one writer reflects on her relationship with grief and running—and the connections between the two
He wanted to be the best man he could be. This required some bold and questionable choices.
It’s finally time to take that beach vacation. You might as well post up right by the ocean.
Tips from a pro on how to keep your outdoor kitchen operating flawlessly
Bringing order to parental chaos is an uphill battle, but these products can help
The newest collection of recipes from James Beard–nominated chef Sarah Glover is geared toward parents looking to improve their outdoor cooking game. We’ve included two of our favorite recipes from the book.
Six items guaranteed to elevate your family’s next outdoor adventure
Choosing whether or not to have children can be difficult for many women. For Amelia Boone, an elite athletic career and her ongoing eating disorder recovery have made it even more complicated.
I study climate change, and my work left me depressed and suicidal. Then my dad got cancer.
Facebook is developing a new app for children, and advocates think it’s a terrible idea
From surfing the coast of Maine to exploring slot canyons in Utah, these adventures will make the whole family happy
In March, Emily Ford became the first woman to complete Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail in winter. She’s also become an unintentional ambassador of the outdoor industry’s quest for inclusivity.
They might not splurge on these items for themselves, so do it for them
Ambreen Tariq’s new children’s book tells the story of an immigrant family’s first camping trip and expands the canon of outdoor literature for kids
The life of Natalie Rines Terry, one of the country’s top ski instructors for 50 years
Hiking was in vogue in 2020, but COVID-19 closures decimated the thru-hiking ranks. What did prospective hikers do with their unexpected time back home?
The phone rang and it was our 18-year-old, Hatcher, who apparently took a hard spill while ripping laps on Eldora Mountain. Or so we think: he’s OK now, but he still has no idea what really happened.
After a long year of staying put during COVID-19, families are dreaming of spring breaks and summer vacations. But should you book that flight? Our experts weigh in.
Outside’s ethics guru on who public lands are for
Monica and Vince Strawbridge and their four children hiked the PCT in 2018 and the CDT in 2020. Now the family has begun the AT.
Proposed laws in more than two dozen states seek to exclude transgender youth from interscholastic sports, depriving them of community and confidence-building skills
And things got rocky fast. Our correspondent talks to Jennifer Miller about Colorado, misconceptions, and a mysterious type of footwear called “hiking sandals.”
After Sequoia Schmidt’s family was torn apart by climbing, her own desire to reach higher was born
Professional skiers Tessa Treadway and Izzy Lynch venture through the mountains to unload the weight of life
Lots of people say they hike to change their lives. For some, that starts by changing their love lives.
American kids are less likely to play in a youth sports league than ever before. But as 2020's surge in outdoor activities showed, we have a huge opportunity to get this generation moving again.
An ambitious new project is based on a straightforward and very attainable goal: to help kids spend as much time outdoors as they do in front of screens
With the right clothing, tools, and toys, your family can be happy and comfortable out there anytime
In a year gone wrong, do this part of Christmas right
Expanding your community is always tough. Throw in a pandemic and a move to a rural area, and it could feel impossible. But a shift in perspective might be all you need to (safely) fill that social void.
More than 17 years ago, a successful Michigan attorney took his life on a cherished trout stream, devastating close friends and family. Haunted by what happened, his nephew investigated and discovered tragic truths that were in plain sight all along.
Get out there—it'll be worth it
A new travel book offers an inspiring reminder of possibilities at a moment when we really need it
After devoting their spring to COVID-19 patients, two West Virginia brothers became the first identical twins to earn the triple crown of American hiking
As any child will tell you, smartwatches are one of the most popular items on holiday lists this year. Be careful what they wish for.
We explore the pros and cons of two relatively affordable options
He's put this gear through its paces, and now it's on sale
Have a feast, dine alfresco, and minimize your risk. Win-win-win.
A socially distant competition can be just the right amount of motivation
After centuries of coal mining, West Virginia looks to a new form of economic growth
Delicious meals can make extreme circumstances feel a little friendlier. These recipes from a backcountry chef are a good place to start.
The pandemic has robbed kids of vital socialization with friends—and put even more emphasis on the importance of spending time with them in nature. But what happens when your child is a nonstop yakker on the trail?
