Get Outside With Kids

To celebrate episode 100, we are thrilled to have Kate’s parents Sue and Peter Le Souef back on the podcast! We are talking about what the future holds, and how we can continue to get outside with our kids as they get older. And from everything we heard, there’s so much to look forward to.  We have loved bringing our podcast to you for the last 100 episodes! We will be hitting pause on the podcast for a while, but we are so grateful to all our guests and all our listeners. Thank you for being here! My parents’ first episode on the podcast: Exploring with kids in the ‘80s, from the Aussie outback to the Canadian prairies to the Kenyan savannah, with Sue and Peter Le Souef  If this podcast means something to you, would you let us know? Find us over on Instagram and tell us what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids

Tonight we share a major announcement that we’ve been pondering for a little while about the future of our podcast. We reflect on all that we’ve learned in the last 99 episodes, and look back on amazing messages that we have received from our listeners that make us feel all teary and emotional. We also share what the future holds for us, our lives, and our podcast.  If this podcast means something to you, would you let us know? Find us over on Instagram and tell us what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids

As we approach our 100th episode, we reflect on the top 10 episodes (OK it’s actually 11, but who’s counting) from our show. We share the guests that we think about the most, and the stories that have really stuck with us. So many laughs, so many stories, so many fails! Episodes we mentioned in this episode:  Ep: 75: Trekking to Everest base camp with 4 year old twins, with Tyson and Shannon from Restless CrusadeEp 53: How our obsession with kids’ sport has become serious business, with Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game Ep 45: Why movement and outdoor play are essential to your kid’s development, with Angela Hanscom, pediatric occupational therapistEp 64: How to achieve a huge hiking goal with kids and prioritize your family’s time together, with Stu and Dev from Next Family Adventures Ep 46: Getting outside in an inaccessible world, with Laura Van Doormaal, conservation professional and disability advocateEp 69: The episode that made us laugh and cry, with special guest Jennifer Kolbuc Ep 70: From down under to a mountain top: moving to Canada and starting this podcast, with special guest Kate Le Souef Ep 96: Why we disagree with this popular parenting expert Ep 22: Live for the weekdays - our hack for avoiding weekend crowdsEp 41: Exploring with kids in the ‘80s, with Sue and Peter Le SouefEp 42: Our most epic fails: fall 2022 edition Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside

Could this be our most controversial episode yet?! Perhaps! We recently saw a post by a very popular parenting expert about indoor vs. outdoor play that caused such a strong reaction from us both, we knew we wanted to talk about the topic here on the podcast. We love @busytoddler, and her tips for entertaining little kids were such a lifeline for us during early COVID days (rice bin anyone?). But a recent post that Susie shared about indoor vs. outdoor play really got us thinking about and reflecting on outdoor play and the role it plays in our lives. This week we share our thoughts! Other episodes we mentioned in this episode:  Ep 7: Remove the walls, with Jane Pilskalnietis, outdoor play specialistEp 45: Why movement and outdoor play are essential to your kid’s development, with Angela Hanscom, pediatric occupational therapistEp 52: Why getting outside is good for your health, with Dr. Melissa Lem, family physician and director of Canada’s national nature prescription program Ep 66: Outdoor play (with the correct shoes) is crucial for your kid’s growing body, with Maegan Mak, paediatric physiotherapist at Playworks Physio  Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside

He’s baaack! Fan favourite Pete Clarkson is back on the podcast to tell us even more stories about raising outdoor kids around mountains, beaches, grizzlies, waves, guns, helicopters, and wildlife! You’ll love Pete’s energy and his perspective on parenting, and his stories will have you laughing along with us. Tune in to hear: How to beachcomb with your kid and encourage their creative sidePete’s approach to risk (and we're talking real risks like grizzlies, guns, and helicopters) in the outdoors with kidsThe hilarious escapades that Pete’s family got up to living in the mountains in JasperPete’s legacy to water safety in the Tofino area (CoastSmart website) Don't miss Pete's first episode with us!  Ep 39  “Raising beachcombing kids in a small town, with Pete Clarkson, marine debris artist and former Parks Canada Park Warden” Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside

Here in the northern hemisphere, cold and flu season is in full swing. The combination of cranky, tired, sick kids and cranky, tired parents (who might also be sick!) who have all spent too much time indoors can be nasty.  Today we share our best ideas for getting outside when your kids are sick, when a family member is sick, or when you yourself are sick. Because we all know a little bit of fresh air will probably do us all a world of good! Tune in to hear: The lowest energy options to get outside when your kid is sickHow to adapt your outdoor activities depending on how sick your kid isWhat to do when you are sick yourself but you’re in charge of caring for the kids, and you all desperately need a change of scenery Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside

Being a parent is hard enough, but when you feel lonely and unsupported, it’s about a million times harder.  This week, we have invited two of our amazing mom friends, Katherine and Aimee, onto the podcast to talk about all the ways that good friends can help you in your parenting journey. Tune in to hear: How we have met moms who we actually want to hang out with when the kids AREN’T aroundWhy some mom friendships don’t last (and why that’s OK)How we attempt to balance personal time, time with our partners, and social timeThe super easy, low effort way you can begin a friendship with someone new Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside

When the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting darker, and there’s a definite eeriness to the evenings, it can only mean one thing… Halloween is nearly upon us! This is a time of year when it’s tempting to snuggle down inside. But you know that your kids need the fresh air just as much as ever.  Never fear, we have you covered. This week we are sharing five spooky ways to embrace the season, from putting those costumes to good use, to preparing for the big night of trick or treating, and some imaginative ways to deal with way too much candy in your house!  Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside

Atmospheric river, heat wave, ice storm, air quality warnings… depending on where you live, there are lots of reasons why you might not actually be ABLE to get outside with your kid on a particular day.  So what do you do? Let the kids run riot and trash your house?    We have a better solution! Today we are sharing all our best tips for keeping everyone happy and sane inside, including: how to stop squabbling between siblings, how to maintain structure when everyone is cooped up inside, and how to plan outings where you don’t even have to get out of the car! Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

If you need a little extra motivation to take your kids hiking, you’re going to love this week’s guest! Gina from Our Little Hiker has been hiking all over Ireland with her three kids for years. She shares practical (and magical!) tips to keep your kids moving and get them to their next peak, castle, or lookout.  Tune in to hear:  Why your kids might love hiking in costume [05:56]How to make hiking easier with three kids under 6 [07:44]What “Jelly Bean Mountain” is (and why you need this ASAP) [20:32]Gina’s lovely message for parents [23:53] Follow Gina at https://www.ourlittlehiker.com/ and on Instagram @ourlittlehiker Connect with us over on Instagram and follow us for tips: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

We are back with our epic fails from the summer! And wow, there are some big fails this season, including our most serious one yet.  Every season, we share all our mistakes from the last few months so that you feel less alone. If you’ve also experienced meltdowns, forgotten gear, and terrible weather when getting outside with your kids, you’re not doing it wrong, that’s just how it goes sometimes! Tune in to this episode to hear about a seriously unexpected incident on a trail, camping trips cut short, disastrous cartwheels, and a chaotic summer of camps. Let us know about your epic fails over on Instagram and follow us for tips: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

Does your kid ask questions you can’t answer? We all want to raise inquisitive, observant, respectful kiddos but unless you have an actual teaching background, it can be really challenging!  Enter the amazing Jade Berrill from the Outdoor Learning Store, who has all the prompts, questions, and activities to help you help your kids. Beginning with the simple “I notice, I wonder, it reminds me”, Jade talks to us about how to inspire a love of nature in our kids by helping them learn outside. Tune in to hear:  How to learn about Indigenous history and connections to land when you’re not from Canada [09:00]The gear you actually need to get outside with kids [16:28]How to talk about tough environmental topics like climate change with kids [22:31]Jade’s beautiful message to parents [31:11] Follow The Outdoor Learning Store on their website and their podcast Earthy Chats. Also check out Earth Rangers 'Anxious for Action' Parent Resource  Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

Can you imagine moving your family, including two kids and a dog, into a converted school bus? That’s just what Nicole and Bo did, and the results have been life changing! Together, they have minimized their lives to roam the U.S. in their bus and as a result, they spend tons more time outside together. Tune in to hear:  Why (and how) they decided to convert an old school bus into a home [01:32]Their advice to those who want to downsize [16:49]The biggest challenges of living in a small space [23:46]How the move has changed almost every aspect of their lives [19:40] Follow Nicole and Bo on Instagram and on their website. Other episodes we mentioned in this episode:  Ep 10, “Live tiny, adventure big, with Kaili Sutton, tiny home owner and entrepreneur” Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

How do you find trail information for hikes and walks? There are so many online sources these days, it can be overwhelming to find reliable information that won’t leave you stranded in the middle of a forest! This week, we are joined by the delightful Sarah Lamagna who is talking to us about the value of a real hiking guide that has been hiked, researched, and written by a real person, ideally with a good dose of sass.  Tune in to hear:  Why hiking books are still one of the best sources of trail information [08:48]Why we need to stop calling moms superheroes [14:49]Epic fails galore from all of Sarah’s outdoor adventures [21:19]The amazing book that Sarah is writing next [28:05] Find Sarah on Instagram, check out Sarah’s website sarahlamagna.com and read Why you should stop calling moms superheroes Other episodes we mentioned in this episode:  Ep 16, “Hiking with kids with Stephen Hui, author of 105 Hikes and Best Hikes and Nature Walks with Kids” Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

Has a total stranger offered you total unsolicited parenting advice? Maybe it happened at a really low moment for you and made you feel terrible! This week we’re sharing the most terrible advice we’ve ever received, as well as the best. Best of all, our favourite piece of advice can be applied to pretty much any parenting situation. This fun little episode is part of our Summer Minis Series! We are bringing you short minisodes packed with tips and advice to help you create more amazing memories outside. We’ll be back with our regular episodes with amazing guests closer to fall! Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

Does the end of summer make you feel like you’re in struggle town? You’re not alone! Today we are talking about all the things that can compound to make summer with kids feel long and irregular and a little bit hard! This episode is the pep talk you need to make it through to some cooler weather and a more regular routine. Because we know you’re going to make it. This fun little episode is part of our Summer Minis Series! We are bringing you short minisodes packed with tips and advice to help you create more amazing memories outside. We’ll be back with our regular episodes with amazing guests closer to fall! Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

Have you ever regretted going on an adventure with kids? It has happened to Kate and today we’re telling you all about it! Spoiler alert: never go straight from the Emergency Department to a camping trip… This fun little episode is part of our Summer Minis Series! We are bringing you short minisodes packed with tips and advice to help you create more amazing memories outside. We’ll be back with our regular episodes with amazing guests closer to fall! Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

Now that you have kids, if you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself to calm the nerves and reassure yourself? What has surprised you about parenting? What has been harder than you expected? What are you proud of? In this week’s mini episode, we are casting our minds back to before our first kids were born and we are sending a message back in time to those pre-kid selves.  This episode is part of our Summer Minis Series! We are bringing you short minisodes packed with tips and advice to help you create more amazing memories outside. We’ll be back with our regular episodes with amazing guests closer to fall! Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

Only got a few minutes? Great! In this short and punchy episode we’re sharing what we’ve learned from our five favourite guests on the podcast this year. Their wisdom and adventures have inspired us to try new and awesome things, and we know you’ll feel the same! This episode is part of our Summer Minis Series! We are bringing you short minisodes packed with tips and advice to help you create more amazing memories outside. We’ll be back with our regular episodes with amazing guests closer to fall! Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!

Only got a few minutes? Great! In this short and punchy episode we’re giving you 5 tips to get outside with your kids when you don’t want to! These ideas will help you build some momentum to just get out the door and hopefully get the balls rolling on a bigger adventure. This episode is part of our Summer Minis Series. We are bringing you short minisodes packed with tips and advice to help you create more amazing memories outside. We’ll be back with our regular episodes with amazing guests closer to fall! Follow us on Instagram and send us a DM to let us know what you thought of this episode: @getoutsidewithkids Check out our website for our favourite gear to get outside!