How to Just Get Started with Adventure

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You’ve got that itch to get outside. You want to raise kids who love nature, embrace curiosity, and live that bold, adventurous life. But there’s just one problem—you don’t know where (or how) to get started.

You’re not alone. Starting something new, especially something that feels a little messy or unpredictable, like a nature adventure, can feel overwhelming. Especially when you’re doing it with small kids!

But, as with everything, getting started is the hardest part. Once you take those first steps and make adventure a part of your family rhythm, it gets easier—and a lot more fun.

So let’s break down the barriers and help your adventure family finally get started.

Why Getting Started Feels So Hard

Before we talk about how to get started, let’s normalize the struggle. These are a few common reasons moms hesitate to dive into the adventure lifestyle:

• You feel unprepared: You’re not sure what to bring, where to go, or how to keep your kids in nature safe.
• You think it has to be epic: You imagine a week-long camping trip far from home with gear galore, and it feels like too much.
• You worry the kids won’t enjoy it: What if they complain? What if they get bored?
• You’re tired: Between work, chores, and life, you’re already running on fumes.

The solution? Start small. Start simple. Just get started with what you have, where you are, and who you’re with.

Step One: Ditch the Perfection

You don’t need to hike a mountain to live an adventure life. Your first step could be as simple as:

• A walk in the neighborhood after dinner
• A visit to a local nature trail
• A backyard picnic followed by a bug hunt

The goal is not perfection. The goal is to get started. Adventure isn’t about being extreme—it’s about being intentional.

Step Two: Make a Plan (Without Overthinking It)

A little prep goes a long way toward building your confidence. Check out our full post on how to plan adventures with your kids for easy tips.

To get started, pick one morning or afternoon this week. Put it on the calendar. Then, pack:

• Snacks & water
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• A simple first-aid kit
• A sense of humor

Let your kids help pack or pick the spot—they’re more likely to engage when they feel involved. This builds excitement for your next family adventure.

Step Three: Have a Go-To “Adventure Bag”

One of the biggest barriers to getting started is the feeling that it takes too much time to prepare. To make things easier, I always have an adventure bag ready to go in the closet by our door. Some things I keep in there are:

• Wipes and diapers
• Reusable water bottles
• Shelf-stable snacks (think snack bars, trail mix, etc.)
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• A first aid kit

Now you can get started at a moment’s notice. Found a free hour and nice weather? Grab the bag and go!

Step Four: Build a Routine

The magic of the adventurous life is that it becomes part of who you are. But it won’t happen overnight.

Start by choosing one consistent time each week for your family nature time—Sunday mornings, Thursday afternoons, whatever works for your family’s schedule.

Once you get started, your kids will come to expect and enjoy these outings. That consistency builds trust, curiosity, and confidence—not just in your children, but in you, too.

Step Five: Be Prepared, Not Paralyzed

Being worried about your kids’ safety is part of being a parent. Going outdoors with kids can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. The key is preparation.

We’ve put together a post on how to be prepared for any family adventure to help you feel confident and capable, even if things don’t go exactly as planned.

Spoiler: they usually don’t—but that’s part of the fun!

Being prepared helps you get started without fear, knowing that you’ve got what you need to stay safe and enjoy the journey.

Step Six: Celebrate the Small Stuff

Your first nature adventure might be a little chaotic. There might be mud. Or whining. Or a forgotten snack. But guess what? You still did it.

Celebrate every time you get started—no matter how small the outing. The memories you’re making, the resilience you’re building, and the joy you’re discovering are worth every imperfect moment.

Over time, your outings will stretch a little longer. Your confidence will grow. Your kids will start asking, “When are we going again?” That’s when you know you’ve built an adventure family.

Just Get Started

Adventure doesn’t begin with a packed itinerary or a car full of gear. It starts the moment you decide to say yes—to nature, to spontaneity, and to spending intentional time as a family adventure team.

You don’t need to know it all. You just need to take that first step.

Because when you get started, you open the door to a world of wildflowers, giggles on trail walks, stargazing, muddy shoes, and beautiful, messy, real memories with your kids.

And the more you do it, the more it becomes part of your rhythm, your identity, your adventure lifestyle.

So, just get started. Today. This week. However, wherever you can. The outdoors is waiting—and your kids adventure story is ready to begin.