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      July 20, 2016

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      July 18, 2016

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      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

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      Life at Ness Lake

      September 1, 2016

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      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

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      October 6, 2015

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      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

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      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

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      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

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      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Travelling North

      June 19, 2013

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      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

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      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

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      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

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  • Home
  • Raising Outdoor Kids
    • Cooking & Crafting

      How to Make Birdseed Ornaments for Wild…

      November 27, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Beautiful Spring Picture Books for Children

      March 28, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Playing in Nature Protects Our Children During…

      March 17, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      50+ Spring Nature Activities for Kids of…

      March 3, 2020

      Crafting

      How to Make a Willow Nature Crown…

      July 2, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      9 Special Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice…

      June 1, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      A Beginner’s Guide to Pond Dipping with…

      May 20, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      How Pokémon Can Get Kids Bird Watching

      April 30, 2019

      Nevada, USA

      Rock Climbing and Hiking Around Las Vegas…

      April 24, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Signs of Spring Nature Walk for Kids…

      April 5, 2019

  • Spring Outside 2020
  • My Nature Adventure Journal
  • Printables
  • Canadian Adventures
    • All Alberta British Columbia Lower Mainland Northern Interior Okanagan
      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Alberta

      Rock Climbing with Kids in Jasper National…

      August 8, 2017

      Alberta

      Family Adventures in Jasper National Park: 10…

      July 26, 2017

      Alberta

      Shaw’s Point Resort

      August 6, 2015

      Alberta

      Apiaries in Northern Alberta

      August 5, 2015

      Alberta

      St. Isidore, Alberta

      August 4, 2015

      Alberta

      The Hoodoos

      July 29, 2015

      Alberta

      Royal Tyrrell Museum

      July 28, 2015

      Alberta

      Bow Valley Campground

      July 27, 2015

      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in…

      March 7, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Outdoor Family Adventures in Metro Vancouver

      August 2, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking the Stanley Park Seawall

      July 27, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Deep Cove and Quarry Rock Trail

      July 25, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting Queen Elizabeth Park

      July 22, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking Through Pacific Spirit Regional Park

      July 20, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Lynn Canyon Park

      July 18, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

      Northern Interior

      Life at Ness Lake

      September 1, 2016

      Northern Interior

      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

      October 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Travelling North

      June 19, 2013

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      5 Tips for Visiting Kangaroo Creek Farm…

      July 18, 2017

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Backwoods Mama

Product Reviews

Canadian Outdoor Families Gear Round-Up

September 26, 2017

Across Canada, from coast to coast, families are getting outside and exploring together. Our country is HUGE and the adventures are limitless. There’s something for every family out there, for every interest and ability. Need inspiration? Check out #CanadianOutdoorFamilies on Instagram to discover your next Canadian family adventure.

To help families explore our beautiful country, I’ve asked Canadian outdoor family bloggers from across Canada to share their “must-have” outdoor gear for family adventures. Whether you’re setting out on a very first family hike or going on a multi-day hike in the Canadian Rockies here’s what other adventuring families reach for before heading out.

Josée from Backwoods Mama (British Columbia)

Must Have Gear: Platypus Big Zip Hydration System (1.5 L)

Keeping hydrated is key to happy family adventures, but instead of reaching for water bottles, which can be uncomfortable to carry and prone to leaking, we use water bladders instead. My favourite water bladder system is the Platypus Big Zip LP. The wide mouth of the Platypus makes it easy to fill and easy to clean. The plastic is BPA, BPS, phthalate-free and taste free! The other great feature about the Platypus is the quick release hose. The hose can detach from the bag making it easy to refill the water bladder or to hook up to the Platypus Gravityworks filter system.  While the Platypus is a great option for adults and youth, kids can carry their own water bladder with the CamelBak Mini M.u.l.e.. This water system can still fit 1.5L but is designed to fit young explorers.

Follow Backwoods Mama: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter

 

Annika from Born to be Adventurous (Alberta)

Must Have Gear: Onya Baby Pure with the Hipster Attachment

I love that the Onya Pure is lightweight, compactable and easily adjustable for different body types. The material is breathable and great for hot summer days since there is a vent that opens at the front. The Onya Pure comes on most adventures I do with my two little girls. My 2 year old is able to jump in and out of the carrier and the lightweight material makes it easy to carry. The Hipster is Onya Baby’s fanny pack attachement that is large enough to carry a diaper, phone and some snacks for the girls. I actually have two hipsters. I’m not only trying to bring back the fanny pack look, but the double fanny pack look! lol.

Follow Born to be Adventurous: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter

 

Tanya from Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies (Alberta)

Must Have Gear: Dusckday One Piece Ski Suit

We’ve used the Ducksday rain suits and snow suits for the past several years and we love them for several reasons. Because they are one-piece suits, my son can play in deep snow without getting snow down his ski pants, inside his jacket, or anywhere else next to his skin. There’s no jacket/pant gap with these. They are very waterproof, extremely warm (and we’ve tested this down to -30,) and comfortable to play in. My son is very mobile in these suits and they don’t feel bulky. I also like that they run large, so we get two years out of each suit. We’ve used both the rain and snow suit in the snow – the only difference being that the snow suit is warmer and requires less layers underneath. Otherwise, we’ve done plenty of winter adventures in both. They are extremely durable too. Never a whole, a rip, or anything with our suits.

Where to buy Canada/USA: Ollie and Stella: Children’s Outfitters

Follow Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter

 

Monica from Maman on the Trail (Ontario)

Must Have Gear: luv mother merino wool clothing

We absolutely LUV our luv mother merino wool clothing for all of our outdoor adventures. Merino wool is tough, breathable, odour- and stain-resistant, and works to keep you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. What more could you ask for from your clothing? Our toddlers, Huckleberry, wears his luv mother merino wool like a uniform for the outdoors – whether it’s -20ºc or +35ºc he’s dressed from head-to-toe in merino wool. And luv mother is a Canadian brand out of Montreal, which makes us happy as we love to support local as much as possible!

More merino luv: 12 Reasons to Love Merino Wool All Year Long

Follow Maman on the Trail: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter

 

Karen from Off-Road Discovery (Alberta)

Must Have Gear: Grand Canyon Table

Our family of 4, including a 2 year old and 3 year old, enjoy a lot of back-country car camping in the Rocky Mountains during spring, summer and early fall. One simple yet essential piece of gear has made cooking significantly easier while camping, a table. We use and love the light weight aluminium fold away Travel Chair – Grand Canyon Table. We use the table when we pull over to have a picnic and to cook on when back-country car camping as well as in campgrounds. The adjustable legs allow for easy set up on uneven ground. Fold the legs lower and use it as a game table with camp chairs. The table offers a convenient space to cook on without taking up space on a picnic table and keeps the hot cook top away from where the kids are eating. It folds away very thin and comes in a carry bag so it easily slides between bags in our trunk or ski box. We couldn’t imagine camping without it.

 Follow Off Road Discovery: Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest

 

Lindsay from Our Hundred Acre Wood (Alberta)

Must Have Gear: Exped Synmat Duo HL Sleeping Pad (size medium)

After years of competitive sports, planting trees, and lugging around small children, combined with some bad genetics, this mama’s back needs some TLC while camping otherwise I can hardly move the next morning. This sleeping pad has saved me this summer! Bonus, it’s super light, has an r-value suitable for spring to fall camping, and — my favourite part — it is a must-have if you are a co-sleeping and/or nursing mama! There are two cavities for air and I don’t feel my daughter move, she is close by and at the same level as me which makes tending to her night-wakings a cinch, even in the tent. I wouldn’t use the medium-sized mat for two adults, but it is perfect for an adult and a child, or luxurious for two children.

Follow Our Hundred Acre Wood: Facebook, Instagram + Twitter

 

Sarah from Rockies Girl (Alberta)

Must Have Gear: Sunday Afternoon Hats

One of our favourite pieces of outdoor gear are our Sunday Afternoon hats. The kids love wearing them and they have a wide brim and a chin strap (with quick release snap) to keep them on their heads when it’s windy. Our other favourite is the Patagonia Down Sweater. While not worn in the picture above, they were packed in the backpacks we brought on that hike. They’re lightweight and take up almost no room but are incredibly warm and have lots of room to layer underneath.

Follow Rockies Girl: Instagram + Twitter

 

Mar from To & Fro (Ontario)

Must Have Gear: MEC Happytrails Child Carrier Backpack

I love our BOB Revolution stroller, but sometimes, it just doesn’t do the trick. When our family wants to head off the beaten path, we rely on the MEC Happytrails Child Carrier Backpack. The adjustable straps of this carrier allow you to balance the weight, and the removable sunshield is key to keeping the sun off your child. It also comes with a removable daypack, which can easily double as a diaper bag. And, at only $159 CAD, it is affordable for the family on a budget.

More about MEC Happytrails: Family Travel Made Easy with Happytrails from MEC

Follow To & Fro: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter

Canadian Outdoor Families Gear Round-Up was last modified: December 16th, 2017 by Josée
Backwoods MamabloggersBorn to be AdventurousCanadacanadianCanadian Outdoor FamiliesDucksday Ski SuitExped Synmat DuoFamily Adventures in the Canadian RockiesGearGrand Canyon Tableluv mother merinoMaman on the TrailMEC Happytrail Child CarrierOff-Road DiscoveryOne Hundred Acre WoodOnya BabyOutdoor FamiliesPlatypusRockies Girlround-upSunday Afternoon hatsTo & Fro
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7 comments

Mar September 26, 2017 at 6:17 pm

I love this, thanks for including me!

Reply
Jessica - A Modern Mom's Life September 26, 2017 at 6:26 pm

What a great post! We aren’t hikers to the degree you guys seem to be, but a good had (brim all the way around) and something to bring a water bottle in (backpack/waistpack etc.) are our mainstays when we head outdoors for the day!
~Jess
#ExplorerKids

Reply
Clare M September 27, 2017 at 2:18 am

I have a friend in Vancouver who is always outside on mini adventures with her son, I’m hoping to go one day as there are so many amazing looking places to explore. #ExplorerKids

Reply
Sarah Stockley September 27, 2017 at 10:26 am

Oh my. Canada is so beautiful. Great items on this list. Canada is on my list of places to visit. Sarah #ExplorerKids

Reply
Su October 14, 2017 at 11:16 am

Wow, I love these, what fantastic ideas!

Thank you so much for linking up with us. My apology for the delay in commenting. I hope you can forgive me! xx #ExplorerKids

Reply
Redoy February 14, 2020 at 6:21 pm

Awesome photography, I just love this place. thanks

Reply
Mosharof July 14, 2020 at 3:49 pm

What a beautiful place it is. By the way, Canada is really so charming country to visit. Thank you.

Reply

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