Active Families
Archive
Nature eases stress, and there’s no better way to offset the collective holiday insanity than by escaping to wild places. Presenting five family adventures for a meaningful season.
The pressure to enlist kids in competitive sports has us putting four-year-olds on the soccer field. It’s clear they don’t know what they’re doing. And it may be a more harmful decision than you realize.
Indira, a short film from Nate Gunn, follows a family's struggle after losing their child. Utah-based artist, mountaineer, and photographer Andy Earl and his wife finally find peace in the place that always brings them happiness: the mountains. …
Pressure on kids to perform well in school, excel in competitive sports, and handle other pressures could be alleviated with some simple one-on-one time with nature
A family of backcountry maximalists learns to love going fast and light
The weekend-long event features a multi-heat dog surfing contest with prizes in four different weight-class divisions and even tandem heats with the dogs’ owners.
James Lawrence, aka the Iron Cowboy, ran 50 Ironman triathlons in 50 days this summer. He did it all with his five young children in tow.
Every year we ask our Instagram followers to share the best shots of their number one adventure buddy.
Mountaineer Hilaree O’Neill hiked to the base of Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak, with her two young sons in tow
It depends who you ask. But I just can't wrap my brain around sending a child up the highest mountain in the world.
Children are eating between meals more than ever, but is that a good thing?
“Blue zones” where entire communities live longer, better lives aren't just for grownups. Here’s how you can craft them in your own neighborhood.
It’s tough to beat the ranch dog’s daily grind: They run around all day, swim in water troughs, and, of course, keep the crazy cows in line. Anyone who's lived with one cannot live without.
From mountain biking to paddleboarding, your best friend can do it all with a bit of basic training
Hunting around for vacation destinations that actually cater to both kids and adults is tough. But we’ve got you and yours covered.
This is a longterm relationship that will have a major impact on your lifestyle. It pays to choose wisely.
Athletic training and parenthood aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, when done right, they go hand in hand.
Some of them trained for years to save lives. Others came to the rescue by following their noses. They all earned our eternal gratitude.
The trick is educating them with these honest, science-supported reasons why pets make our lives better
What’s the best dog in the world? Our picks: the ones that have a job, do it well, and then curl up at the foot of the bed.
An interview with the parent-stars of the new television show “Big Crazy Family Adventure” about how to roam with children without going insane
How to find and train the ultimate outdoor companion—because you want so much more than just another pet
Don’t let your kids live their summer vacation inside a screen
SUPs, souped-up bikes, sunglasses, and other things your dad will love
Tip #1: Letting them embrace freedom involves a fair amount of hovering
Ruffwear has announced a major partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, along with its Ruff Adventure Dog Adoption Program, that matches adventure-loving, outdoor oriented people with high-energy, fresh air-seeking dogs from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Through a Facebook app on Ruffwear’s…
It's become fashionable in parts of the country to forgo having kids. That's fine. But don't hate on parenthood. It's wonderful.
Instruction in the art of mindfulness is emerging in grade schools around the country to help children relax, focus, and help others. But it still has a long way to go to become part of the curriculum nationwide.
There’s been little scientific evidence that the affection we feel for dogs is mutual. Until now, that is.
Chris Burkard is writing a children’s book for young explorers, complete with unreal illustrations inspired by some of his most famous shots
The upcoming picture book ‘The Boy Who Spoke to the Earth’ is a welcome counterweight to our kids’ plugged-in lives.
A survival guide to adventure envy for the whole family
Secrets to slowing down at home without giving up on adventure
The controversy around free-range parenting and how to know when to let your kids go solo
This video from American Rivers and Skip Armstrong celebrates the best things about rivers in the Pacific Northwest, from a kid’s perspective. From run rain, to waterfalls, to wild salmon, to time with mom, it’s the rivers that make the Northwest such a special…
On the road with two kids, a dog and a vintage RV.
Tiny homes simplify family life and make room for adventure.
As a species, we're living longer and having fewer children. And that's a fantastic development for amateur athletes—and society as a whole.
The teenager who created the hackschooler movement has enrolled in high school. But don't panic. It's all part of the plan.
Too much competition too soon is bad for your kids and your family
Ben Hewitt’s essay on “unschooling” in our September issue has sparked some heated debate. Few parents are willing to do as the Hewitts do, and turn their kids loose entirely. But how can we give our children more freedom?
Anxiety, depression, obesity—kids are increasingly becoming unhappy and unhealthy. But there is a pill-free solution: outdoor play.
In the three years since the author and her family left Penedo, Brazil, nothing—and everything—changed.
At least not of the traditional, compulsory, watch-the-clock-until-the-bell-rings kind. As a growing movement of unschoolers believe, a steady diet of standardized testing and indoor inactivity is choking the creativity right out of our kids. The alternative: set 'em free.
The trapping of bobcats, coyotes, and other fur-bearing animals is on the rise – with man’s best friend as the collateral damage. Mike Stewart of Wildrose Kennels shows you how to fight back. …
Alpine climber Mike Libecki knows there is more at stake than a summit when raising a family
Physical challenges help kids rise to life's challenges, as unpredictable and varied as they might be
With a little help from Make-A-Wish, Yosemite’s first honorary park ranger earns his keep and proves his strength
Returning to the U.S. after 12 months in rural Brazil means running water, big American breakfasts, and nearly a year of getting used to being back.
There’s no better way to enjoy Father’s Day than to disavow parenthood for a couple of days by dumping the kids with the grandparents and escaping for a romantic weekend. The secluded getaways below are high on adventure, but low on anything child-related—because kids aren’t allowed. The big drawback…
After joining one of the largest moving protests in history with her daughter, Katie Arnold learns that orchestrating an effective march requires more than walking.
Fun for the whole family doesn't have to mean boring for you. These high-adrenaline festivals will keep everyone going all day.
Ragsdale and her family find that it's impossible not to leave a trace in an isolated Amazonian village—and for the village not to leave something with them.
A 38-mile trip from the Marin Headlands to Point Reyes is the best cure for runner's block.
Nothing feels more alien than moving to a new town, let alone a new country. But an emergency trip to a Brazilian trauma center shows author Amy Ragsdale and her family that hospitals are places where people connect universally.
Kid-friendly retreats set in unbeatable destinations but without the mega-resort feel. Start planning your next vacation.
Enveloped by New York City's concrete jungle, a family finds its perception of adventure and the outdoors irrevocably changed.
Enjoyable family trips require positive attitudes, not five-star hotels.
What kinds of cities make families happy? That was our starting point. The answer, of course, is complicated. Our first assumption: kids like being around other kids. So we looked for cities where a high percentage of the population is under age 18. Next we looked at affordability...
Amy Ragsdale learns to appreciate life's simple beauties through her children's eyes
Gearing up for spring ultras takes patience—and heart.
While living in Mozambique, Amy Ragsdale's kids start asking the big questions
Simple joys—like a rope swing—are wound full of adventure.
When the husband's away, mom and the kids will play
When your spouse goes on vacation, it's just you and the kids. But that one-on-one time can build a better parent.
The newest recruit to Nike's Elite Trail Team talks about speed work, core strength, and why parenthood is not an excuse.
Having a child makes you reexamine the adventure lifestyle, especially when you're trapped in a storm at sea with a one-year-old.
Finding outdoor adventure in the Big Apple is easier than you think.
New Raising Rippers columnist Amy Ragsdale inherited a motto from her dad: Start 'em young, get 'em hooked.
Dogs aren’t just accessories to your kids and spouse—they are as much a part of the family as any two-legged member. Whether you choose to rescue, adopt, or purchase a pup from a breeder, here are the best dogs to add to your brood.
Lessons from Sochi on how to balance competitive sports and family life