How Do You Build an Outdoor Lover? 3 Basic Starter Steps

I'm not going to lie, being a mom of two wild little girls, I know all about it; in this day and age it is REALLY easy to use Netflix or Amazon Prime as a built in babysitter in order for you to get your daily tasks accomplished. Listen, I get it! Been there done that and still do it.... A LOT!!! But, let me tell you there is absolutely nothing better than seeing your littles in the outdoors exploring and running wild, getting dirty and having fun! Here are a few of our tactics that we use to get your littles to love the outdoors when it seems impossible at times in our technology, couch potato world.

1. Take the 1st Step- Get YOUR Butt Outside!!!

- You don't have to be Eva Shockey to get outside and take your kids on a hike or go for a scenic drive! You can even take them to a city park! Just get outside and get off your phone!! Pack a cooler with lots of drinks and snacks! Dear Lord, don't EVER run out of snacks! Stop at your local FWP or Chamber of Commerce site to get some info on popular places to visit in the area and then hit the road. This is important if you aren't familiar with where you are headed because you will want to know about wildlife or any potential hazards that may be in the area. FWP offices can always guide even the most novice outdoors person to a great destination! Make sure to bring a camera because trust me, the kiddos will have a great time and you'll have some great memories captured!

Beartooth Highway Drive. Red Lodge, MT

2. Take Your Littles On Your Adventures!!

- Listen. I know all too well, this is easier said than done. When they are small you feel like you have to take everything and the kitchen sink with you. When they are older, they would rather stay with their friends and do who knows what. But, the sooner you teach them and show them how exciting the outdoors can be the more love and appreciation they will have for it. My parents drug my brother and me all over south western Montana from the time we were babies up through high school. I had absolutely no clue how truly lucky I really was to be that kid! I actually remember rolling my eyes when they would say, "Jump in the car! We're going for a ride!" Oh Yes, I grumbled and whined to my parents about dragging me to every remote stream and campground within 100 miles of our hometown. I would really throw a fit when I would find out we were heading to Yellowstone Park because that was an all day excursion and I was just certain I would be missing out on some huge gossip or dilemma that was happening with my friends. You guys, I missed out on nothing! If my parents would have caved and gave me my way I would have missed out on SO many wonderful memories! Today, when I look back at old photos I see pure happiness covering both my brother's and my face! Along with a lot of mud and dirt usually!

Truly, had our parents left us home, I guarantee my brother and I would not have the love and appreciation for the outdoors that we have today. I am even more blessed that I married a man who is more obsessed than I am and we get to share and teach our girls the same love and admiration for the outdoors.

3. LET.THEM.GET.DIRTY!!!!

- I mean it!! I'm talking getting down and DIRTY!!! Muddy, soaking wet with their clothes on, dirt in all their cracks and crevices, dirt ring left in the tub even after you hosed them off outside, dirty!!! Guys, guess what?! It washes off! And I can tell you from personal experience, I have never seen my girls have more fun than when they are absolutely filthy dirty playing in the mud. I could post about 50 photos to this section of each of my girls covered head to toe in mud with the BIGGEST grins on their faces! I don't know what it is about mud and dirt that is so liberating for kids, but man-oh-man. You let them go to town in a big old mud hole and suddenly they are happier than a pig in $H!T! Ha! You thought I was going to say mud didn't you? For real though, let them get freaking dirty and you will be their best friend and they will love being outside and away from a screen!

If you have more great strategies and ideas for getting you and your kids outside shoot me an email! I'd love to hear from you and build a 406Strong Reader's Guide for Building Outdoor Lovers! #getoutside #familyfirst #4o6strong #MTfamily

dayle@4o6strong.com