Ep. 129: Letting Kids Lead on the Trail: Building Confidence, Connection, and Curiosity in Nature

What happens when you let your kids take the lead outdoors? In this week’s episode, Adrianna shares how giving children — especially toddlers and preschoolers — a voice on the trail helps them build independence, confidence, and leadership skills in nature.

From choosing which way to turn at a fork to helping decide where the bear spray should go, every small decision teaches kids trust, awareness, and responsibility. Adrianna also dives into:

• Simple ways to turn hikes into hands-on learning adventures

• How to make outdoor play part of your child’s emotional and sensory development

• Mindful moments on the trail that strengthen family bonds

• Tips for managing meltdowns, keeping hikes fun, and embracing curiosity over summits

Plus, she shares her new Take a Hike and Count activity sheet — now available through the free Kids Who Explore membership — and why outdoor learning doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

Whether your little ones are collecting pinecones or leading the way to a creek, this episode reminds parents that adventure isn’t about how far you go — it’s about how present you are when you get there. 🌿

Tune in and tag us @kidswhoexplore when you bring these trail lessons to life!