We consider adventure trips as trips that include any type of exploring that involves physical activity or stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Aside from urban exploring, we don’t have any experience-based advice to give aside from one stay in a cabin deep in the woods when our child was 8 months old. However, we’ll give lots of examples and advice based on knowledge from our friends and what we’ve seen other families do.

Why take an adventure trip?

If you’re skilled in adventure trips from your pre-baby travel days, you might want to engage in this style of travel with a little one. Here are reasons to try it:

  • These trips are great for parents who have the itch to get outdoors and do what they love best, either in outdoor activities, hiking or camping.
  • Adventure trips can be awesome for the whole family, especially with curious toddlers.
  • It’s a way to make some serious memories in beautiful places, with your little one in tote.
  • Adventure trips with babies and toddlers teach everyone to learn on the fly, get creative and be open to what the winds bring.
  • Being deep in nature can be thrilling, especially if you want that type of experience for your baby (and yourself!) early on.

What to consider with adventure trips and babies

Of course, when getting more woodsy, outdoorsy and off the grid with babies and toddlers, keep these things in mind.

  • Most babies will enjoy being in the great outdoors and going hiking, but consider that toddlers get antsy (in our experience) after some time in the hiking carrier.
  • Hiking is always doable with babies and toddlers, but when it comes to things like kayaking, repelling, zip-lining, rafting or climbing, children may have to be left behind with one parent.
  • It IS possible to take babies camping: just keep in mind overnight temperatures, bundling up, staying safe from wildlife and finding child-friendly campgrounds or glamping areas. For younger babies, come prepared with safe sleeping environments and sleep layers, like sleep sacks for outdoor night temperatures.
  • Some families choose to go the camper-van or RV route for adventure trips spanning more than a few days. This can be good for having a bit more space for the family and a base to hang out in for naps and resting.
  • Make sure you have ample time to do your research online by watching videos and reading blogs on how to do adventure travel safely with children under 2 years.
  • We’d still keep in mind the level of “baby-friendliness” of destinations to make sure we’re not the only ones with a baby at the camp site or glampsite.
  • And lastly, do some strong research about potential health issues for your baby if you’ll be off the grid in your RV or campsite, or far away from the nearest health clinic or hospital.