Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors in Marin County With Toddlers
I’ve been an outdoor enthusiast since I learned hiking was a thing in my late teens. It wasn’t long before I was spending any chance I could among trees, next to the Ocean, or out in the hills somewhere. So when I found out I was pregnant, I already started planning all of the ways I would share my love of the outdoors with my daughter. I was watching videos, researching different kinds of carriers and strollers, and looking for inspiration from other outdoorsy moms. Now that my daughter is 2.5, I am happy to say we spend every chance that we can outside. And we are so lucky that we live in an area that offers endless options. So here are my top tips for getting outdoors with your little ones in Marin County!
Don’t overthink it. Start with whatever feels the most accessible and comfortable! In Marin County we are surrounded by a ridiculous amount of parks, open spaces, and trails. Some playgrounds are so surrounded by nature that just visiting them feels like an epic trip out to the woods (Check out Old Mill Park and Stafford Lake if you haven’t already been). Starting small helps us get used to the small things that sometimes feel daunting (the what to pack, what time to go, or even just the commute to wherever we’re going). Practicing on nearby, accessible places helps build a foundation and routine so that you and your toddler know what to expect.
Pack essentials in your car. I like to keep a bag with extra clothing, diapers and wipes, and a few easy snack bars in the car at all times so that I’m never stressed about my daughter getting dirty. I want her to be able to fully enjoy the outdoor experience (playing in creeks, stomping in mud, or digging in dirt), without being worried that she’s going to be cold and wet the whole drive home because I forgot to pack extra clothing. I will still usually remember to pack all of these things in our day pack, but having it in the car gives me extra security in knowing that I’m prepared.
3. SNACKS. Every toddlers love language. When my daughter started spending less time in my arms or her carrier, and more time walking, our time out on trails increased dramatically. It only took getting caught outdoors for too long without any snacks ONCE for me to learn my lesson about always bringing snacks. I like to pack easy things- mostly fruit like apples, bananas, or berries, along with a small sandwich or crackers. This is always plenty to keep my daughter happy so that we can keep exploring and avoid hangry tantrums.
4. Connect with other moms who love the outdoors. This year, I made it a point to connect with other moms and it has been a total game changer. Now our outside time is also social time, plus we have ended up going to so many cooler places because things are just so much less intimidating when you are part of a group! I joined a Facebook group started by my friend, Samantha Thaxton, called “Moms Who Hike (Sonoma and Marin). We hike every week and I would totally encourage any other moms who are interested to join! (BTW all of the photos on this blog were from our most recent outing!)
5. Finding new trails. As you start expanding your search for new places to visit, it’s nice to have resources to turn to to find out if a hike is kid-friendly (and for me dog-friendly, too). I like to use the app All-Trails, and will always filter for kid-friendly and dog-friendly hikes. I also read the comments and look at photos to get an idea of what a trail is like before I get there. I also get so many ideas from Marin Mommies who I follow on Instagram, and who often shares fun, family friendly outdoor activities.
Those are my tips for getting outside with your toddler in Marin County. I hope to see you out on the trails!