Back in May, we asked moms to share their real stories from the front lines of parenting outside. The snack wins, the tiny triumphs, and the beautifully chaotic work of raising the next generation in nature.
Now it’s Dad’s turn.
We put out the call for trail tales, campfire hacks, and hard-earned wisdom from the dads who show up with muddy boots, duct tape solutions, and a steady supply of dad jokes. What came back reads like a DIY manual — full of heart, humor, and those everyday moments that somehow become lifelong memories.
So here’s to the dads who carry more than just the gear. The ones who turn sticks into swords, untangle the fishing lines, and calmly explain (again) why we don’t lick frogs.
Thanks for packing up, heading out, and helping kids feel at home in the wild.
This is your sign to hug an outdoor dad, or at least hand him a granola bar. He’s earned it.
BRANDANDad of one OUTDOOR IDENTITY Probably the "pack mule" because I'm in charge of the gear and it always seems like I'm wearing a backpack. |  |
FOR THE LOVE OF SNACKS
I'm probably in the minority with this take but we don't really snack when we're playing outside. However, we like to go to Shake Shack afterwards. We do that so much my son started to form a Pavlovian association between hiking and burger-fries (as he calls it)!
MOMENTS THAT STUCK (LIKE BURRS)
I'll never forget the time my son completed his first hike (well the first time he walked by himself not strapped to my back). It was a short, half mile, point-to-point at a waterfall in Rainer National Park. I just sort of set him down near the trail and wanted to see what he'd do. He took off like a pro! He was a little over a year old and his little legs could barely step over all the roots and rocks on the trail. But he did it! That was really special.
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Have zero expectations. I'm very goal oriented. When I'm backpacking, hiking, bike riding, or running I like having a clear set of objectives to achieve. Cant do that with a toddler. There have been times when we arrive at a trailhead just to pick up rocks in the parking lot (still tracked it on Strava though!). Its tough, but being outside as a family is the goal. That's more important than mileage.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Just have fun!
I'm probably in the minority with this take but we don't really snack when we're playing outside. However, we like to go to Shake Shack afterwards. We do that so much my son started to form a Pavlovian association between hiking and burger-fries (as he calls it)!
MOMENTS THAT STUCK (LIKE BURRS)
I'll never forget the time my son completed his first hike (well the first time he walked by himself not strapped to my back). It was a short, half mile, point-to-point at a waterfall in Rainer National Park. I just sort of set him down near the trail and wanted to see what he'd do. He took off like a pro! He was a little over a year old and his little legs could barely step over all the roots and rocks on the trail. But he did it! That was really special.
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Have zero expectations. I'm very goal oriented. When I'm backpacking, hiking, bike riding, or running I like having a clear set of objectives to achieve. Cant do that with a toddler. There have been times when we arrive at a trailhead just to pick up rocks in the parking lot (still tracked it on Strava though!). Its tough, but being outside as a family is the goal. That's more important than mileage.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Just have fun!
 | STACYDad of one OUTDOOR IDENTITY Meandering Meerkat FOR THE LOVE OF SNACKS Apples. Cheese Sticks. Ice cream after its any temperature out. |
MOMENTS THAT STUCK (LIKE BURRS)
Can we just play in the woods today or do we have to get somewhere? My mindset around hiking has revolved for years around mileage and / or a summit experience for a great view or 'total experience'. My daughter likes those things, but would much rather play on the edges of the trail with a few forays into the deeper woods looking for fairy houses, animal tracks, neat sticks, rocks, and flowers. It is a great reminder that the most important thing is just to BE in nature not necessarily crush or shred or exhaust or push. Those things are all great, but so is being back on your SUP and floating in the lake or building fairy houses on a dead log.
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Be patient. Pack snacks. Bring water. Set a goal but don't get too attached. The goal for me is that she wants to come back outside.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Be willing to sit down and play. The mileage doesn't matter.
DENNISDad of two OUTDOOR IDENTITY The Barefoot Compass FOR THE LOVE OF SNACKS Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler and Campfire Banana Boats |  |
MOMENTS THAT STUCK (LIKE BURRS)
One crisp winter afternoon, my wife and I took our two kids sledding on a modest hill tucked in the woods behind our house. Spirits were high, and the sledding began with great success. Gaining confidence, my 6-year-old daughter started her 3rd run, giggling like a maniac, steering her sled like a pro. Then came the turn. The sled zigged when it should have zagged and she went straight—into a tree. From the top of the hill, I saw what I thought was uncontrollable laughter. Quickly learning it was not, I scrambled down to find her still in a heap, scraped on her nose and lip like a tiny, frosty warrior. After a few hugs, a tissue, and a dramatic retelling involving “the evil tree,” she was ready to ride again. Now, ten years later, she tells that story with pride, always pointing out “that tree” on hikes at home to anyone who will listen.
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Always bring a beanie and fleece - it's easy to cool off, tougher to warm up. Oh...and a well-timed chocolate snack improves most any mishap.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Focus on offering choices and allowing the kids to drive the outdoor adventures. Keep it fun and be flexible.
One crisp winter afternoon, my wife and I took our two kids sledding on a modest hill tucked in the woods behind our house. Spirits were high, and the sledding began with great success. Gaining confidence, my 6-year-old daughter started her 3rd run, giggling like a maniac, steering her sled like a pro. Then came the turn. The sled zigged when it should have zagged and she went straight—into a tree. From the top of the hill, I saw what I thought was uncontrollable laughter. Quickly learning it was not, I scrambled down to find her still in a heap, scraped on her nose and lip like a tiny, frosty warrior. After a few hugs, a tissue, and a dramatic retelling involving “the evil tree,” she was ready to ride again. Now, ten years later, she tells that story with pride, always pointing out “that tree” on hikes at home to anyone who will listen.
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Always bring a beanie and fleece - it's easy to cool off, tougher to warm up. Oh...and a well-timed chocolate snack improves most any mishap.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Focus on offering choices and allowing the kids to drive the outdoor adventures. Keep it fun and be flexible.
 | TYLERDad of two OUTDOOR IDENTITY Walking stick FOR THE LOVE OF SNACKS Take-out picnics at the park (nuggets + fries). Sandwiches at the beach (PB&J). Always blueberries, always water bottles. Depending on the time of year, any mention of hot cocoa or ice cream afterwards usually keeps everyone's spirits/ behavior in check - myself included. |
MOMENTS THAT STUCK (LIKE BURRS)
How they both knew to stop and smell the flowers before they could even talk. How their less-than-subtle "encouragement" actually does make me go faster with the double jogging stroller. How my usually cautious 3-year-old lit up on a stand up paddle board last summer - insisting on "no hands" as I kicked her around during a calm sunset on Lake Michigan.
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Whether I'm trying to slow them down or speed them up, a ride on my shoulders is always a good way to shift gears. And it frees up both hands to carry all the inevitable stuff.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
When they hand you a rock / stick / pinecone / flower petals - always treat it like the gift that it is. They will ask where you put it later, and the answer can't be "dropped." Those same things work wonders when they need something to hold/ examine/ destroy on a squirrelly stroller ride. Just try to discourage chewing.
CHRISDad of one OUTDOOR IDENTITY Swiss Army Dad FOR THE LOVE OF SNACKS Chips, Goldfish, PBJs, bags of fruit gummies, anything easily portable that buys you a little extra time outdoors together. |  |
MOMENTS THAT STUCK (LIKE BURRS)
Helping my daughter catch her first firefly on her own at the state forest campground in Ossineke. She braved the mosquitoes and the dark to hold one in her little hand, her fingers aglow with a pale insect green light.
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Be prepared to find rocks in your laundry. Be sure to look at them and figure out what made your kiddo stick them in their pocket.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Help them get comfortable with peeing outside. Always pack tissues in a baggie.
Helping my daughter catch her first firefly on her own at the state forest campground in Ossineke. She braved the mosquitoes and the dark to hold one in her little hand, her fingers aglow with a pale insect green light.
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Be prepared to find rocks in your laundry. Be sure to look at them and figure out what made your kiddo stick them in their pocket.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Help them get comfortable with peeing outside. Always pack tissues in a baggie.
 | BRIANDad of two OUTDOOR IDENTITY Bicycle bedlam FOR THE LOVE OF SNACKS Tends to vary, snack smorgasbord. MOMENTS THAT STUCK (LIKE BURRS) Post-rain bike rides through the biggest puddles we can find. |
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Extra set of clothes is never a bad idea.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Playground recon when in a new area.
PETEDad of two OUTDOOR IDENTITY Maybe better without them sometimes FOR THE LOVE OF SNACKS Cheez-its topped with applesauce from a pouch. It makes my recycling/waste mind explode. MOMENTS THAT STUCK (LIKE BURRS) We went on a camping trip, one of our first with a pop-up, and found out FOR SURE that our son was lactose intolerant. In the rain. Many times over. |  |
NATURE KNOWS BEST (AND DAD'S GOT A MULTI-TOOL)
Idea vs actuality sometimes isn't great....but still have many memorable moments. And many they don't think as memorable now, but hopefully someday will.
LESSONS LEARNED (OFTEN THE HARD WAY)
Don't be strict on the adventure. Just do the adventure.
RSS Feed