Get Outside With Kids

Live tiny, adventure big with Kaili Sutton

We are joined by entrepreneur, tiny home owner and mom Kaili Sutton! We talk about how living in a tiny home means more time outdoors, and more adventures. Because space is limited, Kaili shares her thoughts on essential kids gear and how to encourage kids to get outside and, maybe more importantly, stay outside.
Takeaways:
The less space you have inside, the more time your kids might need to spend outside
Invest in quality gear, either new or secondhand, that will stand up to the outdoors and reduce the amount of gear you need
Set a timer to encourage your kid to spend just another 10 minutes outside
Tiny living might not be for everyone, but spending more time outside is something we can all work towards
Check out Kaili's new secondhand kids store on the Sunshine Coast: Coast Kids Reshop and find the store on Instagram at @coastkidsreshop
Kaili's beautiful tiny house was built by Sunshine Tiny Homes (and many of the photos on that page are of Kaili and her family!)
Follow us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids 

3 tips for toddler friendly camping

Ah camping! The campfire, the fresh air, the snacks, a relaxed drink with friends. It all sounds amazing! But how exactly can you plan a successful camping trip with toddlers?! We’ve got you covered. 
Plan in advance - particularly in the Lower Mainland, you need to book in advance
Think about noise - is there a loud train passing the campground in the night? Are there are any sound barriers between you and other campers? Are there quiet hours?
Consider booking a campsite next to a playground or a large grassy space
Visit the campground on a day trip before you go
Always pack ear plugs!
Places mentioned in this episode: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Porteau Cove Provincial Park, E.C. Manning Provincial Park, Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, Rathtrevor Provincial Park, Cultus Lake Provincial Park, Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, Goldstream Provincial Park, Golden Ears Provincial Park
Connect with us on Instagram, we love to hear from you! @getoutsidewithkids

Get outside on wheels: learning to bike with kids

Kids walk slow. Which is fine! We love walking and exploring with our kids. But sometimes you actually want to get to a place. Like, maybe today. Enter: bikes! We talk about our tips for getting started with a bike with your kid, and making the transition from balance to pedal. 
Takeaways: 
Take your kid somewhere they can see other kids their own size on bikes.
Get the right size bike. Small and super light is a good place to start. 
More time on a balance bike makes the transition to a pedal bike smoother.
Buying bikes second hand makes sense when your kids grow fast!
Gear mentioned in this episode: Yvolution Y Velo Junior 9 inch Balance Bike, Cruzee Balance Bike, Strider Bike
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

Remove the walls, with Jane Pilskalnietis, outdoor play specialist

Outdoor play specialist Jane Pilskalnietis joins us for a fascinating dive into the world of outdoor free play and why it’s so important. Get ready for a visualisation exercise that will help you understand how different our kids’ world might be to when we were kids! 
Takeaways:
Free play can help kids’ bodies, brains and social skills.
Begin with a mindset that getting outdoors with your kids is an essential part of life. 
Start with 15 minutes a day.
Consider bringing “loose parts” outside, which are open ended things that kids can play with, such as buckets, shovels, piping, milk crates, rope (with supervision!) and kitchen utensils.
Follow Jane on Instagram at @janepilskalnietis and wildbrightplay.com
Gear mentioned in this episode: Hape 5-in-1 Beach Set
Connect with us on Instagram @getoutsidewithkids

How to choose a toddler friendly hike

For better or worse, toddlers have some limits when it comes to hiking. We discuss what we look for when choosing a toddler friendly hike, including all the times we haven't followed our own advice!  
Takeaways: 
Accept that shorter can often be better
Short hikes can be deceiving - remember to check the elevation gain and starting elevation.
Read descriptions for safety hazards (e.g. river crossings, exposed ledges)
A lake, beach or (safe) lookout make the destination more tangible for kiddos.
Just because someone posted a beautiful photo on Instagram, does not mean it’s an appropriate hike for you and your kids. 
Check out websites like Vancouver Trails for great info and comments
Do your research, but remember to believe in yourself. You can do hard things!
Places mentioned in this episode: Golden Ears Provincial Park, Grouse Grind, Haleakalā National Park (Maui), Kicking Horse Resort (Golden), Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Stawamus Chief, Jug Island in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park, Glacier National Park, Strathcona Provincial Park
Gear mentioned in this episode: Deuter Kid Comfort 
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

What’s the worst that can happen?

What is the worst thing that can happen while you’re out with your kids? Today we are sharing some our “worst case scenario” situations so you can learn from where we went (horribly?!) wrong! A little doomsday planning can make you feel more prepared to take on an adventure. Takeaways: 
Check out AdventureSmart for great tips
Pay attention to the forecast and the elevation of where you’re going. Rain can turn to snow pretty easily.
Always have spare pants and socks for your kids (and maybe you!) in the car
Learn what animals are in your area and how you should react if you encounter one.
Sometimes it’s worth ruining a nap to have an adventure!
Places mentioned in this episode: Lindeman Lake (Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park), Rocky Point Park
Gear mentioned in this episode: ErgoBaby
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

How to motivate a toddler who doesn’t want to hike

You’ve probably experienced this - your toddler has had enough and refuses to go on. How can you motivate them to continue to walk? We’ve been there too and we know how hard it is! Here are the main takeaways from this episode: 
Story - tell a riveting, long story with plenty of magic and intrigue 
Surroundings - bring their attention back to their surroundings. Look for rocks. Point out trees. Run to the next hill. Look out for the coolest bug. Count something together. 
Sit down - if your kid is really upset, sometimes the best thing you can do is just sit down and ride out the waves of emotion together.
Snacks, but more importantly, secret snacks! 
Places mentioned in this episode: Coquitlam Crunch
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids
 

How to have a snowy adventure with a baby

Taking a baby to the snow can be intimidating. We talk about what to look for in winter gear, how to get you and your kids dressed, and how to decide where to go, as well as all the times we have forgotten crucial items and lived to tell the tale!
Takeaways: 
Layer up those kiddos to keep them warm and dry. Avoid cotton!
Don’t forget to wear layers yourself. Carrying a baby makes you WARM.
Take a lot of spare mittens and hats and neck warmers.
Always wear waterproof pants, because you’ll end up sitting down to breastfeed, change a kid or get snacks out.
Choose a well trafficked trail so you can possibly wear spikes instead of snowshoes
Start small and lower your expectations so that you can learn how you and your kid react to the cold.
Places mentioned in this episode: Mt Seymour Resort, Cypress Mountain, Callaghan Valley, Sea to Sky Gondola
Gear that we love that was mentioned in this episode: MEC Toaster Snowsuit, MEC long johns, Columbia Snuggly Bunny snowsuit, Baby Tula Explore, Deuter Kid Comfort
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

How to hike with a baby

Do you want to try hiking with a baby but don’t know where to start? This episode will help you set realistic goals, take the right gear and get outside with your baby. Main takeaways:
Keep your expectations low - even lower than you think! 
Go with someone you trust, who has the same expectations as you
Get up and go early - even when you’ve had no sleep. Just go!
Pack your bag and your carrier the night before. 
Take as many wipes as you can carry. Trust us.
Places mentioned in this episode: təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park, Minnekhada Regional Park
Gear that we love that we mentioned in this episode: Baby Tula Explore, Ergobaby 360, Baby K’Tan Original Baby Wrap
Connect with us on Instagram for more tips @getoutsidewithkids

An introduction

Meet Jen, a mom of two, who grew up in Ontario and had never been hiking until she moved to Vancouver as an adult.
And Kate, also a mom of two, who grew up camping in Australia with her family (and dingoes).
Despite very different backgrounds, Jen and Kate have learned a thing or two about getting outside with kids on adventures big and small and introduce their key tip: lower your expectations!
Places mentioned in this episode: Stawamus Chief Provincial Park (https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/stawamus/)
Connect with us on Instagram @getoutsidewithkids