How-To

Outdoor Parenting How-To's

The logistics, transitions, and real questions of outdoor parenting — from backcountry pregnancy to when your toddler's ready to hike on their own

Toddler in ski boots and small skis while an adult checks the boot fit on a snowy path

Kids’ Ski Size Chart: Skis, Ski Boots, Snowboards and Poles

Kids' ski gear sizing without the guesswork: skis by height and weight, boots by foot length, snowboards by weight, and poles by height. Every number is cited.

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Roxy Dawson

Nov 5, 2026

6–10 minutes
Toddler in a knit hat, round sunglasses and white mittens standing next to a snowblower

Mittens vs. Gloves for Kids: Which Keeps Hands Warmer?

Mittens are warmer, gloves are handier, and most kids end up needing both. Here's how we decide which pair goes on which kid.

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Roxy Dawson

Nov 5, 2026

5–7 minutes
Hand holding a yellow straw lined up with a child's heel and toe lines on orange paper, with measurements of 7 1/8 inch, 18 cm and 6 inch, 15.24 cm written beside them

Kids’ Shoe Size Chart: How to Measure Kids’ Feet (and Why Brands Disagree)

Kids' feet don't follow averages. Here's how we measure for shoes with paper, a pen, and a tape measure, plus the straw trick for shopping in a store.

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Roxy Dawson

Nov 2, 2026

8–13 minutes
Three young children gathered around a camp table at a tent campsite with a vehicle and trees in the background

How to Go Camping With Kids for the First Time

Your first family camping trip doesn't need to be perfect. It needs a plan, realistic expectations, and half the toys. Here's what actually matters.

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Roxy Dawson

Oct 16, 2026

9–13 minutes
A father carrying a toddler in a backpack hiking carrier beside a mountain lake, with dramatic peaks in the background

How to Hike With a Toddler and Actually Enjoy It

A toddler's version of hiking is not a smaller version of your hike. It's a different activity that happens to use the same trail. Here's how to plan for the one you're actually going to get.

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Roxy Dawson

Oct 18, 2026

8–11 minutes

How to Dress Kids for Snow and Cold Weather: A Layering Guide

A kid melting down outside in the cold is almost never a tolerance problem. It's a layering problem. Here's the system that actually keeps them warm, dry, and willing to stay outside.

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Roxy Dawson

Nov 5, 2026

8–12 minutes