Out the door in 30

1. What outdoor activities do you do daily or almost daily?

For us, it’s hiking, river walk, and beach time

2. What gear do you need for these activities?

Hiking - backpack - food, water, diapers and wipes, shoes, hats, extra clothes

River walk - same as above but with lifejackets

Beach - same as above but with one towel and small shovel and bucket per kid

3. What do you not need to bring?

If you're feeling overwhelmed with packing or transporting things from car to activity and back, what can you pair down and not bring with you?

1. Take note that we basically have the same items for all three of our activities, so it’s easy for me to run through a mental checklist

2. This is what I took off my list: towels for everyone, just bring one. No swimsuits - no clothes or get wet in them and second pair in my bag and a third pair in the trunk of my car. Dry them on the tent and can reuse when dry. 1 water bottle for everyone - one 3 liter camelback bladder

I know a family with two kids who only bring food, water, and towel in one backpack to the beach. The kids roam the shoreline for rocks, sticks, shells and play imagination with them or build sandcastles with their hands and decorate with these items. They also explore the natural features of the beach like maybe a walking path through sand dunes.

4. What does this actually look like getting out the door?

Morning rhythm - wake up, read a book aloud in bed (keep one at your bedside), activity for kid in the family room (set up night before after they went to bed), change clothes and get ready for day when my kid has to go to the bathroom. Grab a second outfit when getting clothes out for the day. Activity time - do it with my daughter or make breakfast during this time. If I don’t do the activity with her, then she watercolor paints or imaginative play while I make breakfast or she helps make breakfast. Since she has had snuggles, time with me, and activity to stimulate her mind, she is happy to play by herself for 15 minutes while I make breakfast. Everyone eats breakfast at the same time at the table. Scattered through this time my baby boy is fed, diaper changed, and playing on floor. 

Then I get us ready. I pack the diaper bag (restock and add items), grab snacks and make lunch and put it all by the door. If where we are going is dog friendly, I grab collar, leash and poop bags from cabinet by the door. If we are going to be gone all day, a couple treats and a container with dinner in it for our pup. I make sure the bag and myself are ready, then I get the kids ready ie: shoes, sweaters. (If it’s snowing, I get myself into all my snow gear, which makes me really hot for ten minutes while I get my kids dressed for the snow.) There is a kid’s size chair at the front door where I keep her sandals and shoes, so she sits there and puts them on herself, and then I open the door and out we go. This way once my kids are ready we immediately leave the house. I do not try to clean anything up at this point, just get outside. We all load up into the car or walk to the river. 

In the summer, the beach tent is stored in the trunk of my car, so I don’t have to remember to pack it or carry it in and out of the house. 

A big key point here is you shouldn’t be packing from scratch every day. You are mostly checking and restocking and then getting food together. 

Also, if your partner is not into your system, get another bag and they can do their own thing. It’s worth the $30-60 to not get frustrated that your bag isn’t packed or things are missing and you don't know where they are and you’re searching the house for them which is more time until you get out the door and the kids will end up needing your attention and you end up frustrated with your partner. So get a second bag. 

5. What limits you to get out exploring? 

Not having done it before. Trying something I haven’t done with one kid before. Trying something I haven’t done with two kids before. Trying something I haven’t done with two kids before and not having another adult with me whether it be my husband or a friend. 

How do I figure this out? I research by looking at what other parents have done (Instagram). I ask my friends what they have done that is helpful. I identify my fears specifically so I can address them before I leave. Ie: evacuation plan.

6. What is your time suck getting out the door

Mine is food. Thinking of what to make for lunch and having snacks to bring slows me down. Now I have a few main lunches that I rotate through and a snack section in my cupboard and refrigerator for easy grabbing. I made a list of savory and sweet snacks as well as dry and fresh, so we have a variety of items for how we are feeling out on our adventures. Or I order a burrito or two from a restaurant when I leave the house and pick it up on my way to our adventure. If it’s get out and buying pre-made food or don’t get out, then I’m going to buy myself a burrito. 

Take some time to go through these questions. Brainstorm what you enjoy doing outside with your kids and how you can make it happen with more ease by identifying what you need, don’t need, obstacles to getting out the door and how to ease those obstacles.

To prevent power struggles, I implement the tips and techniques I have learned through the parenting and child development books I have read. You can find them on the ADVNTR Together bookshelf.