Family

Hiking

We Thought Having a Baby Meant the End of Hiking. Then We Tried These Child Carriers.

From steep climbs to sleepy descents, these child carriers make hiking with a kid more manageable—and comfortable.

News and Analysis

The Country's First Nature Library Lets You Check Out Camping Gear For Free

This first-of-its-kind 15-acre "nature library" near Denver lets you borrow more than 650 outdoors-related items for free and features hands-on play spaces designed to combat screen fatigue.

Camping

We Packed a Ludicrous Amount of Gear for a 24-Hour Camping Trip. Here's What Actually Worked.

Camping with a 1- and 3-year-old isn't relaxing. But with the right gear, it's doable.

Gear

We Asked Parents What's Missing from Camp Packing Lists—and One Item Came up Over and Over Again

Official packing lists often miss the things that keep kids comfortable in hot cabins and rustic tents. We asked seasoned camp parents to share the unlisted gear that saves their children from bugs, heat, and bad weather.

Snow Sports

They Were Moms, Skiers, and Adventurers. Why the Tahoe Avalanche Tragedy Feels Different.

A local mother reflects on the complex rush of emotions following the tragedy that claimed nine lives after California’s deadliest avalanche.

Snow Sports

For Outdoor Moms, a Group Adventure Is Unlike Any Other Trip

The Tahoe avalanche claimed the lives of six mothers who bonded over their love the outdoors. A writer explains why mom group adventures play a crucial role in her own community.

Active Families

5 Simple Outdoor Traditions That Make Christmas Feel Magical

We need more time outside, and around the holidays, we get that chance. Here are five outdoor family Christmas traditions to start this year.

North America

Want a Storybook Holiday? These 10 Mountain Towns Deliver.

Snowy trails, twinkly lights, and roaring fires: whether you want classic small-town cheer or wild alpine festivities, these destinations deliver peak holiday spirit.

Tools & Tech

What I Love (And Don't Love) About This $699 Wagon for Kids

The Veer All-Terrain Cruiser is billed as a wagon that handles like a premium stroller. I tested it for 11 months to see if it's worth the price.

Essays

My Grandfather Brought a Mysterious Sword Home from WWII Japan. Eighty Years Later, I Returned It.

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by a traditional katana my grandfather had brought home from Japan in 1945. Years later, I decided it was time to find the heirloom’s rightful owner.

Opinion

A Mom Was Arrested for Letting Her 10-Year-Old Walk a Mile from Home. How Free Should Kids Be?

After seeing yet another parent in legal trouble for allowing their child freedom, I worry more about the societal or legal repercussions of letting my kid roam the neighborhood unsupervised than I do about some stranger snatching her up

Love & Humor

What’s the Secret to Vacationing with Young Kids?

The answer to your problems isn’t an endless supply of chocolate or a personal nanny. Our Tough Love columnist shares advice on how to prevent tantrums and meltdowns.

Active Families

Building Resilience

Hiking

I Needed to Stop Drinking. So I Hiked 100 Miles in Maine.

As part of a long struggle with alcoholism, I decided to jump-start my recovery with a serious physical challenge: hiking 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail

Love & Humor

I’m Having a Midlife Crisis. Should I Quit My Job and Hike the PCT?

I feel the urge to shake up my life, but I don’t want to stress out my wife and kids

Hiking

Plan the Ultimate Family Vacation in West Texas

How to take your wild child (or children) on a western adventure they’ll never forget

Active Families

Cemeteries Are Underrated Parks You Can Respectfully Enjoy

Many U.S. graveyards are in spectacular settings. We shy away from going to them, but they're beautiful outdoor places meant for all us.

Love & Humor

Nature Heals. But an Outdoor Adventure May Not Be the Best Way to Grieve.

Before you take an ill-prepared trip to honor your loved one, consider looking for solace in your own backyard

Apparel

The Best Kids’ Gear for Summer Adventures

Maximize family time outdoors with these smart kid picks

Exploration & Survival

What Wilderness Survival and Motherhood Have in Common

Five questions with the veteran survivalist and ‘Alone’ champion about becoming a mom at age 47