How to Keep Your Family Safe on an Outdoors Adventure

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You’ve got the spirit of outdoors adventure—and now you want to share it with your kids.

But if you’re anything like me, you’ve got a bit of anxiety about the whole thing. I dealt with some postpartum anxiety, and a lot of it was centered around getting outside with my oldest.

What if someone gets hurt? What if we get lost? What if we’re just not prepared?

Take a deep breath. You can raise an adventure family and still keep safety front and center. With a bit of prep and the right mindset, your family can embrace the adventure lifestyle with confidence.

Whether it’s a short hike, a weekend camping trip, or a spontaneous nature adventure, this guide will walk you through common fears and how to turn them into family-strengthening moments in the great outdoors.

The Fear: “What if someone gets hurt?”

This was my number one fear when thinking about an outdoors adventure with my first. And honestly, it’s valid. Kids are wild!

Bumps, bruises, and scraped knees do happen. It’s a part of childhood.

But serious injuries are much less common—especially when you’re prepared.

The Solution:

• Pack a solid first aid kit. Make sure it includes kid-safe supplies and that you know how to use them. You don’t have to spend a ton of money. You can get inexpensive kits that have everything you need.
• Teach your kids safety basics. Think: stay together, don’t touch unknown plants or bugs, and know how to signal for help. Go over these with your kids a few times before getting out so they remember.
• Start small. Choose easy, well-maintained trails or familiar parks for your first few family nature outings.

If you’re unsure how to prep, check out our post on how to be prepared for any family adventure—it’ll help you build confidence before you head out.

The Fear: “What if we get lost?”

Getting turned around in the woods or even a large park can feel scary, especially with little ones in tow. But with a bit of foresight, you can prevent this and even make navigation part of the kids adventure experience.

The Solution:

• Bring a map and compass—or download offline maps. GPS doesn’t always work in remote spots. If you’re going to be somewhere that still has cell service, Google Maps is an easy way to navigate.
• Stay on marked trails. Teach your kids to recognize and follow trail markers. We’ve been doing this with our 4-year-old, and it’s become a game to him to find the right color trail markers as we go.
• Make “trail buddies” a rule. No wandering off alone—even for the grownups.
• Teach them what to do if they get separated. Blow a whistle, stay put, and don’t hide.

Involving your kids in reading maps and planning routes turns this into a fun learning for kids moment and adds value to your nature adventure.

The Fear: “What if the weather turns bad?”

Unpredictable weather can be unnerving. No one wants to get caught in a storm mid-outdoor adventure—especially with toddlers or young kids.

The Solution:

• Check the weather before you go—and again on the day of. Where I live, the weather is always changing, so I’m used to checking the weather constantly. Get in this habit so you’re not caught off guard during your outdoors adventure.
• Dress in layers and pack extras. Wet socks = sad kids. A rain jacket or emergency poncho can save the day.
• Set a turnaround time. Know your limits and call it if the skies start to look sketchy.

Teaching your kids to respect nature while staying comfortable builds trust in your ability to lead this adventure lifestyle.

The Fear: “What if wildlife shows up?”

Encounters with wildlife sound exciting until you’re face-to-face with a raccoon or a curious deer. While rare, they can spook both kids and adults.

The Solution:

• Learn about local wildlife. Know what’s in the area and how to respond.
• Keep snacks and food packed away securely.
• Teach your kids not to approach animals or feed them.

My house backs onto a large stretch of wooded area, and we see quite a bit of wildlife in our yard. It’s been my experience that most wildlife will avoid you. We typically see most of the wildlife through the window.

But it’s not impossible to come across wildlife on your travels, so it’s good to know what you might encounter and how you should react if you do.

Practical Safety Tips for Every Outdoors Adventure

1. Stick to age-appropriate routes and adventure activities. Choose outings that match your family’s experience and comfort level.
2. Tell someone your plan. Always let a friend or family member know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
3. Bring more than enough water and snacks. Hungry or dehydrated kids are more likely to get cranky—and careless.
4. Involve your kids in the prep. Let them help pack, pick the trail, or check the map. It builds responsibility and makes them feel included in your adventure life.
5. Stay flexible. The best part of an adventurous life is learning to adapt. Don’t be afraid to change plans if something feels off. Kids can struggle with this, but I try to tell them that it’s all part of the adventure.

Confidence Grows with Every Step

The more outdoors adventure you go on together, the more confident you’ll become. And the more your kids will thrive. They’ll learn how to assess risks, stay safe, and grow resilient in ways a classroom can’t teach.

Even small trips to a local park or green space count. Those tiny steps add up to big growth for your adventure family.

Remember: You don’t need to be a survival expert. You just need to show up, be smart, and model the adventurous spirit you want your kids to grow into.

You Got This!

Taking your kids in nature is one of the most powerful ways to connect, teach life skills, and raise strong, curious humans.

Yes, there are risks—but with preparation and confidence, you can keep your family nature outings safe and meaningful.

So go ahead. Embrace the wild, plan that outdoors adventure, and take the lead on this beautiful journey called motherhood in the wild.