I remember the first time we took our eldest on a proper bushwalk. He was four, wore mismatched gumboots, and insisted on carrying a plastic dinosaur in each pocket “in case the forest needed guarding.” It took us two hours to cover what should’ve been a 30-minute trail—but we saw every bug, stick, and lizard along the way. And honestly? It was one of the best hikes we’ve ever done.
Getting kids outside doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t require a three-day trek or fancy gear (though let’s be real, snacks are essential). What it does take is a little patience, a willingness to let go of perfection, and a setup that makes getting out the door easier—like having bikes ready to go and bike racks that make hauling them to your favourite trailhead simple, not stressful.
If you’re raising young explorers—or hoping to—here are some real-world ways to help your little ones fall in love with the outdoors.
Start Small and Let Them Set the Pace
We’re so used to getting from point A to point B that it’s easy to forget kids don’t care about the “destination.” They care about what’s under that rock or whether that fallen tree looks like a spaceship.
Your job? Slow down. Let them lead. Even if that means your hike turns into a 200-metre scavenger hunt.
Keep initial outings short, local, and pressure-free. A walk around the block at sunset. A picnic at the park with space to climb. A short loop track at a nearby national park. Little wins build confidence—and curiosity.
Create Traditions (Even Silly Ones)
Kids love repetition. So, turn outdoor time into something they can count on and get excited about. Saturday morning “bush brekkies.” Full-moon beach walks. “Adventure Bingo” with a list of things to find (gum leaves, kookaburras, flat rocks).
In our family, it’s become tradition to stop for ice cream after a hike—no matter the season. That’s what they remember. And it’s often what gets them lacing up their shoes in the first place.
Bikes Make Everything More Fun
If your kids are anything like mine, bikes are magic. They turn an average Sunday into a full-blown mission. Whether it’s looping around the neighbourhood or heading to a local MTB trail for a bit of mud and mayhem, riding bikes gives them freedom—and burns off a lot of energy.
We’ve done enough family bike days to know that having the right setup makes all the difference. It used to be a juggling act fitting everyone’s bikes into the car (or arguing about who had to sit next to the front tyre). Getting proper racks was a game-changer. We use racks that mount vertically so we can load up in minutes, which leaves more time for, you know, actually riding. Fewer tantrums, less chaos, more fresh air.
Let Them Get Dirty (And Don’t Apologise for It)
Mud pies. Scratched knees. Sand in the back seat. These are signs of a good day.
I know the urge to keep things clean—especially when you’ve got a carload of soggy socks and snack wrappers—but part of raising outdoor kids is making peace with the mess. Bring extra towels. Pack a change of clothes. Then let them roll in the dirt and jump in the creek. That’s where the memories are made.
Let’s be honest, no one looks back fondly on the day they stayed tidy and dry.
Pack Like a Pro (But Don’t Overpack)
You don’t need to bring the whole house with you. But a few staples go a long way:
- Reusable water bottles
- Healthy-ish snacks (and a “surprise” sweet treat)
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Hats, layers, and backup clothes
- A small first aid kit (hello, mystery scrapes)
And if you’re heading out of town, don’t forget your “parent sanity pack”: coffee, music, and maybe a stash of biscuits for when everyone’s hangry 20 minutes in.
Use Nature as the Playground (Not a Backdrop)
Sometimes we forget that nature doesn’t need a swing set or a playground. It is the playground. Kids don’t need instructions—they need permission.
Let them climb trees. Toss rocks into the river. Build stick forts. Count ants. Run barefoot through the grass. The outdoors gives them space to test limits and build confidence, far from screens and schedules.
If you’re looking for ideas, the Nature Play Australia website is full of activity guides and inspiration to help parents and educators get kids engaged outside.
Celebrate the Little Stuff
You won’t always get big wow moments like spotting a kangaroo or catching a fish. But when you do find a cool feather or see a lizard dart across the trail, make a big deal out of it. That excitement is contagious.
My youngest still talks about the time we found a perfectly round rock at the beach. Was it rare? No. Did it go in her “treasure jar” and get shown to every visitor for weeks? Absolutely.
Now You Can Get Your Kids Hooked on the Outdoors!
If you want to raise wild ones—kids who see adventure in puddles and possibility in every paddock—you don’t need to live off-grid or hike mountains every weekend. You just need to say yes more often. Yes, to muddy shoes. Yes, to early mornings. Yes, to stopping every five minutes to examine a worm.
Start small. Stay consistent. And show them the joy that lives just outside the front door.
Before you know it, they’ll be the ones dragging you out of bed for a sunrise bike ride.
And honestly? That’s the dream.
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