Let's Go Outside | Adventurous Moms, Hiking, Camping, Travelling with Kids, Parenting Outside

Danika Vanderpyl
  • 4.9 (9)
  • Kids & Family
  • Updated Bimonthly

Do you worry if your kids (or you) have the capacity to do the adventure or trip you want to do? Are you questioning if you have the right gear? Are you wanting to get into canoe camping, backpacking, or on an international trip with the kids but not sure where to start? You are in the right place! This is what this community is all about. We jump into the practicalities of adventuring after having kids from hiking, skiing, rock climbing, travelling and beyond. You’ll hear real experiences from other moms. Join the outdoor mom community.

  1. 3d ago

    044: Kids Camping with Autism & ADHD: Sensory Tips and Preparing Your Child for the Campground

    In this episode of Let’s Go Outside, we sit down with Samantha Foote to explore the challenges and benefits of taking neurodivergent children into nature. Adventuring, camping, and exploring the outdoors offer massive developmental and regulatory benefits for kids with ADHD and Autism, but the transition can also introduce unfamiliar sensory triggers. Samantha breaks down how to anticipate common pain points beforehand, offering practical advice on preparing your child for the new sights, sounds, and sleeping arrangements that come with spending a night outside. Beyond supporting the kids, Samantha shares wisdom for parents on managing their own expectations and staying calm when a highly anticipated family adventure doesn't go exactly as planned. This is a helpful episode if you want to go camping with your kids but want to figure out how to prepare them ahead of time for a new experience! Connect with Samantha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent/ Website: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/ Podcast: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/podcast Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other parents in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com Codes & Discounts: Download my FREE high-protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebook Snack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/ Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% off

  2. Aug 11

    043: Thru Hiking with Kids, Minimalist Backpacking + Section B of the GDT

    What is it actually like to thru-hike the Great Divide Trail (GDT) with kids? In this episode, I’m sharing our experience hiking about Section B, 198 km of the GDT with our three kids, including our 6-month-old baby. I’m talking about GDT preparation, hiking with kids, backpacking gear, food and meal planning, keeping kids motivated on long hiking days, baby gear, clothing, sleep, diapers, and some stories from our time on the trails. This is a very honest look at what worked, what didn't, and what it was like to do a long-distance backpacking trip as a family. In this episode: What the Great Divide Trail is and where it goes Why we decided to take on such a big family backpacking trip How we prepared physically with only a few weeks to get ready How we planned our 24-day GDT itinerary What it was actually like hiking 8–12 km days with kids How we planned backpacking meals for 24 days Our breakfasts, hot lunches and dehydrated dinners Freeze-drying vs. dehydrating food for backpacking What was in our daily backpacking snack bags Our sleeping setup with three kids and a baby Backpacking with a 6-month-old baby Diapers on a long-distance backpacking trip  Clothing systems for the kids, baby, Daniel and me What the kids actually needed for entertainment—and what they didn't Resources mentioned:  Favorite Backpacking Gear Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pUSPRn2aFl_eFRcn90IMG5qf1vsW8atk/view?usp=sharing  Our Complete Packing List:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AKb_DjegF9p406bjUQaHo8zN611jTapM/view?usp=sharing Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain  Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com  Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/  Join my FREE email list where I share healthy snack recipes I’m creating, and what’s happening for adventures in my life and other fun things. It’s a weekly email and I’d love to have you a part of the community. https://besidethemountain.com/subscribe/  Codes & Discounts: Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebook Snack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/ Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% off

  3. Jul 21

    042: How to Get Your Kids to Enjoy Hiking + Planning a Family Thru-Hike

    In this solo episode of the Let’s Go Outside Podcast, we are breaking down a massive family update—we are officially committing to thru-hiking a section of the Great Divide Trail (GDT) this summer with our three kids, including our 6-month-old baby! (so a three-week backpacking trip as a family!)  Stepping away from the daily grind means swapping endless housework and domestic chaos for the beautiful simplicity of mountain life, but it also comes with real fears. I share honestly about the logistics we are sorting through, from managing backcountry food drops to solving the ultimate "diaper dilemma" on a long-distance trail.  In addition to our GDT planning and gear testing, the second half of this episode is packed with practical, field-tested tips to get your kids to actually enjoy hiking. You’ll hear me share about transforming the trail into an imaginative adventure and eliminating complaining and other tips I’ve learned from legendary outdoor parents so your kids look forward to hiking. Whether you are an experienced backpacker looking to transition into adventure parenting or a mom trying to navigate a weekend day hike with a toddler, this episode will give you the practical tools and inspiration you need to confidently head into the wild. Resources mentioned:  How to Tell Stories to Children: https://amzn.to/4vWXahO Osprey Poco Premium Child Carrier  https://amzn.to/4uFNdUU The Nugget Podcast Episode 171: https://thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/leo-houlding  Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/  Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain  Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com  Codes & Discounts: Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebook Travel gear guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing

  4. Jul 7

    041: NICU Journey: Navigating Medical Trauma & Returning to Adventuring Again with Kids

    What happens when life suddenly pauses everything you thought your family’s future would look like? In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Let’s Go Outside Podcast, adventurous outdoor mom Frieda Draxlir shares her family’s difficult NICU journey with her daughter Ivy, who was born at 32 weeks with a perforated bowel and required intensive medical care, including a PICC line for 3 years.  Frieda shares the reality of spending time in the NICU over 2020, the uncertainty that came with caring for a critically sick baby, and the practices that helped her stay grounded during one of the hardest seasons of motherhood. She also opens up about how her faith became an anchor when everything felt completely out of control. Frieda also talks about what it looked like to return to “normal life” after the NICU, and what came with travelling and exploring again. How their family figured out how to go outdoors with the PICC line and did things like caving, road tripping, and taking flights with their daughter.  This conversation goes beyond parenting and outdoor adventure. Whether you are healing from trauma, or simply a parent trying to rebuild confidence after a hard season, Frieda’s story is full of hope, honesty, and resilience. Frieda’s NICU journey with her daughter Ivy Ivy being born with a perforated bowel and requiring a PICC line Coping with fear, uncertainty, and medical trauma in motherhood Finding peace and grounding during long hospital stays Christian faith through difficult seasons Returning to outdoor adventure after trauma Navigating anxiety and building confidence as a parent Adventuring, travelling, and exploring with kids after the NICU Encouragement for moms walking through hard seasons Wisdom in how to support moms that are in the NICU Connect with Frieda Draxlir:  https://www.instagram.com/friedadrax/  https://www.instagram.com/thedailydraxlirshow/  Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/  Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain  Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com  Codes & Discounts: Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% off

  5. Jun 16

    040: Simple Health Habits for Moms Who Want to Go Hiking but Feel Way Too Tired

    Ever look at photos of families hiking beautiful trails or camping under the stars and think, “I want that so badly, but I am just too exhausted to make it happen”? If you are trapped in a cycle of survival mode, drowning in laundry, and feeling like your physical body just can’t match the adventures you want to do, this episode is for you. Staci is a functional nutrition coach and metabolism specialist, Staci goes beyond surface-level solutions to uncover the root causes driving weight, gut, hormone, and energy issues. Her Whole Health Method equips clients with the tools — food, movement, habits, mindset, and lab data — to finally understand what their body needs and build health that actually lasts. Today, we dive into mom fatigue and the goal of being healthy to do the adventures we want with our kids. Hint: It’s not just "part of having kids." We talk about the hidden root causes like gut health and inflammation that quietly drain our energy and steal our capacity for big family adventures. We aren't here to give you a massive, overwhelming life overhaul. Instead, we’re sharing simple, realistic health habits and everyday nutrition shifts that will help you rebuild your trail energy one manageable step at a time. Tune in to hear how you can go from surviving park days to thriving on dream family hikes! The "Just a Parent" Myth: Why deep exhaustion isn't just a baseline requirement of motherhood, and how hidden root causes like gut health and inflammation might be holding you back. The Internal Struggle: Honest reflections on wanting to be an adventurous mom while feeling physically limited. Where to Start When You're Overwhelmed: Practical, low-barrier first steps to rebuild your energy without adding stress to a chaotic schedule. From Parks to National Parks: A full-circle story of Staci travelling to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier, and realizing that your body can finally match your adventurous spirit. Resources mentioned:  Oura Ring https://amzn.to/4dL6JIX  Connect with Staci:  https://www.instagram.com/buildingtothrivenutrition/  https://www.buildingtothrivenutrition.com/ Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/  Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain  Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com  Codes & Discounts: Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookSnack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/

  6. Jun 2

    039: Backpacking Southeast Asia with Kids + Naptime & Sleep While Travelling

    What does it actually look like to backpack through Southeast Asia with three kids four and under? Sandy shares about four months of family travel through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Philippines with toddlers and a baby in tow. They dive into the realities of long-term travel with young kids, including how they financially planned for four months abroad, what travel gear was actually worth packing, and how they navigated sleep while travelling — from jet lag and naps on the go to bedtime routines and sharing one room as a family. In this episode, we cover: Backpacking Southeast Asia with 3 kids under 4 Family travel through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines Budgeting and finances for long-term family travel Sleep for travelling with toddlers and babies Room sharing while travelling as a family Travel gear for families Travelling internationally with young kids Family-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia Why experiences over things has shaped their family culture Whether you’re actively planning a family trip overseas or simply dreaming about adventure after kids, this episode will leave you encouraged that it’s more possible than you think. Resources mentioned:  Agoda Website 12GoAsia Website AirBNB Website Gear mentioned: Osprey Poco Plus Euro Baby Carriers Connect with Sandy: https://www.instagram.com/grobsonthego/?hl=en  Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/  Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain  Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch podcasts on YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com  Codes & Discounts: Travel gear guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing

  7. May 19

    038: Budget Family Adventures Outside & Living in an RV

    In this episode of Let's Go Outside, I’m joined by Ayla Will, creator of @thewilldernessfamily to talk about budget family adventures, RV living with kids, low-screen parenting, and raising confident outdoorsy children. Ayla shares how growing up on a farm shaped the way she parents her kids today and why her family intentionally chose a lifestyle centered around outdoor play, homeschooling, simplicity, and daily time outside. We talk about the resources and experiences that influenced her parenting, including 1000 Hours Outside, and how those choices have helped build resilience, independence, and confidence in her kids. We also dive into the idea that adventure doesn’t need to be expensive to be meaningful. If you’ve ever felt pressure to give your kids elaborate vacations, or expensive activities, this conversation is such a refreshing reminder that some of the best family memories come from simple adventures close to home. In this episode, we talk about: Living in an RV and homeschooling as a family Raising low-screen kids who genuinely love being outside How to build confidence and resilience through outdoor play Encouraging kids to take healthy risks and try hard things Budget-friendly family adventures and low-cost outdoor activities How to enjoy adventure without going into debt Planning intentional summer adventures versus being spontaneous Learning to slow down, be present, and enjoy motherhood more fully This episode will encourage you to simplify, get outside more often, and remember that adventure is less about spending money and more about being together.  Things mentioned: Call of the Wild and Free https://amzn.to/3ROETnM  There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather https://amzn.to/4uVyxBn  Let Them Be Kids https://amzn.to/42GedIi  The brick https://amzn.to/43hPMku Connect with Alya:  Instagram: @thewilldernessfamily Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/  Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain  Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com  Codes & Discounts: Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% off Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebook

  8. Apr 21

    037: Raising Capable Kids: A Purposeful, Adventurous Approach to Motherhood

    In this episode, I’m sitting down with a friend for a conversation about raising adventurous kids and building a life rooted in the outdoors. We talk about her childhood road-tripping to Baja, how that shaped her confidence to travel solo, and what it’s looked like to carry that same adventurous lifestyle into motherhood in Northern Idaho.  From there, we dive into the day-to-day of raising kids who love outdoor play—how to encourage child-led play, create an environment where kids naturally explore, and support them as they take risks and learn through experience. She talks about her purpose as a mother and you can see how that helps her make decisions as she lives with her kids outside.  One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when we shift into foraging and plant knowledge. She shares how she learned to identify edible and medicinal plants, how she snacks on plants while hiking, and ways to use local plants. Resources and places Dinah mentioned:  Clifty Hike - Bonner Ferry Idaho  Hori hori tool: https://amzn.to/48IDJQq  Wild Rose College: https://wildrosecollege.com/  Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/  Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain  Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com  Codes & Discounts: Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebook Snack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/ Travel Gear Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing

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Do you worry if your kids (or you) have the capacity to do the adventure or trip you want to do? Are you questioning if you have the right gear? Are you wanting to get into canoe camping, backpacking, or on an international trip with the kids but not sure where to start? You are in the right place! This is what this community is all about. We jump into the practicalities of adventuring after having kids from hiking, skiing, rock climbing, travelling and beyond. You’ll hear real experiences from other moms. Join the outdoor mom community.

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