To secretly envy outdoorsy families

[Purplefoxes]

I envy outdoorsy families. They look like they have so much fun together and just make it all look so easy. Our family on the other hand, we are a bunch of wimpy townies!..DH does not like any sport (I've tried!) Or most activities which involve breaking a sweat, DS1 6YO is into gaming (not through my choice) and whines for screens regularly and DS2 is only 4 months old. We just went on a Easter break in Cornwall, got wetsuits and thought we'd give body boarding a go with DS1... 15 minutes in the shallows, 9 degree water and we were out again shivering and begging for hot chocolate, DH laughing on the beach with DS2 🤣 not quite what I envisaged but probably shouldn't be surprised given the weather and the temperatures! Should I give up and assume it's just not in us, we are just not hardy folk or should we keep trying, can we change? Love the idea of wild swimming, coastal and mountain walks, camping under the stars. But the reality of lashing rain, mud and sand in unmentionable places, endless washing, dodgy loos, whinging kids etc etc is holding me back. Wise mumsnetters, is there a trick to being more outdoorsy, how do you make it more bearable?

Oh dear. Ours must be easier to bribe …

Not read the full thread so these may have already have been mentioned but might be of interest

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/50-things

https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/

My children did a surf lesson in October and they wore TWO wetsuits each ! For extra warmth. I think they were 5 & 7 mm ones. So we’re wearing about 12 mm each.

I always pay for surf lessons.

1. for safety
2. the instructors are experienced in the surroundings and the situation
3. they make sure you and the children do a proper warm up and more land based exercise if you start to get cold.
4. you have all the right equipment included in the price. In summer they just wear wetsuits. In October/ Easter they’ve had double wetsuits, scull caps and neoprene socks and gloves.
5. you’re committed ! 😂 & have to see it through!!

seriously on the safety point, my children had one lesson where the instructor whipped them out the water really quick! There was a sudden unexpected rip tide (which could have dragged people out to sea).
the surf instructor spotted it before the lifeguards on the beach. Our kids were out the water before “chaos” went off on the beach and the life guards were shouting at everyone!
it only lasted a few minutes and then they carried on. The surf instructor explained really well to the participants and spectators of the group what had happened.
100% respect and admiration for the experience & local knowledge.

I used to run a group for 8-12 yr olds and I tried to get them outdoors as much as possible. We focussed on the National Trusts 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4. You can download/screenshot the list or there is a book for kids to track their progress. I also made up a Whose poo is this poo worksheet which they absolutely loved.

We are that outdoorsy family. It’s fun but it’s not easy. The prep work is a military operation. Prepping the children mentally to do it DD10 and DS1 is carried. Clothes. Changes of clothes - on one mountain walk DD sat in the only dog poo for miles. Thermals. Sun cream. Waterproofs. Hats. The ability to carry the clothes when they get too hot. Food. Food for when they don’t like that food. Snacks. Game ideas. Plans for toilets. Then making sure everything fits in a rucksack for one of us to carry and the baby carrier rucksack.

it is rewarding when you get to do things. But everyone here is honest when they say think smaller to start with. Walks round national trust places. A walk somewhere to look at birds.

if you are on Instagram follow the hiking household. They are great. But you can do it. Just build up to the big things.

Allow people to enjoy different things. I am part of a walking group and I don't mind going out in bad weather now I have good kit. I love gardening and from now until October I will be out a lot. If I lived near a Lido I would do outdoor swimming ( with a good wetsuit) Hell will freeze over before I swim in sewage filled rivers/ the sea. I have no desire to canoe over rapids,kayak or throw myself off cliffs into the sea. I would happily give a climbing wall a go when my grandchildren are older. I will not climb or abseil off any actual mountains. I would cycle on a purpose built route where I could enjoy the scenery and chat to others. Mountain biking is of no interest to me. I also need regular food, proper toilets ,cups of tea in a cafe and the ability to have a burning hot shower when I've finished .

Don't go camping in April! July and first 2 weeks of August are your best bet. Choose a site with lots of facilities, nice showers, restaurants nearby, laundry facilities ( they do exist). You don't have to be full on outdoorsy to enjoy a bit of outdoors time 😉

OK so this thread is telling me that IABU to expect to get adult exercise in outdoor trips at weekends with DC, which I wasn’t really registering before. Trying to find ability to exercise regularly without DC is hard but it’s a good take-home from the collective experience that I need to accept that and find other ways to do it. And make sure that they have other non-negotiable regular exercise too.

If Outdoor stuff with them is more about giving them an experience and exercising me/us as a whole family in those trips is just a bonus if that happens, then I guess that takes some of the pressure off in a reality check kind of way.

Yes. That is very true. Sometimes they might surprise you and you'll all get a really good walk/run/swim/cycle but other days they'll dawdle and just want to poke at things with sticks or climb the same tree over and over again. You will never know which sort of day it will be until it happens!,

Yes! Exactly. I thought that it was just us though. I think I assumed other families found it easy or their kids grew into acceptance of it at a young age..

I think the weather and picking your day is a huge part of it with kids. Last week one of mine was running about in swim shorts on the beach but fast forward to the weekend and we were wearing puffa coats under rain coats and wellies

I love the outdoors
My children love the outdoors
every weekend throughout the year… we will be out on either or both days for a long walk
When we get together with my siblings and their children… we always factor in a big family walk post lunch. Summer family get togethers involve team ball games in parks

but

HATE camping and never endure it. Closest we get is hiring a camping pod (beautifully furnished with a kitchenette and en-suite! 😂)

This may already have been said, but in Uk seas in April with kids you need to be on the south coast, and yes, in a winter wetsuit, or ideally two layered one on top of the other, plus wetsuit boots, gloves and thermal swim hats or neoprene dive hoods. Better still, October half term is the best time imo, as the sea has had all summer to warm up!

Maybe book a pgl family holiday? That way you can be outdoorsy with someone else managing the logistics. All you have to do is turn up and pass the baby to whoever's not going on the zip line this time. Activities are for a clearly defined time and food is basic but hassle free and hot.

I think most people would consider us an outdoor family. We camp for months on end, and will happily do so in winter in the UK. Its not some sort of wholesome choice - we're just poor but love travelling.

We climb trees, potter around beaches and poke around with sticks. They whinge if we ever say we're going for a walk so we have to reframe it. Exploring worked for a while, treasure hunts did too, penny hikes. Having ideas of things to talk about is a good distraction. We will do podcast style interviews on a theme e.g. off menu.

Most important tips are to a) take snacks, b) have the bag packed ready in advance and c) don't worry about distance covered - stop to do bark rubbing or to sketch something or to build a den and pretend it's actually a restaurant.

There are lots of ways to be active inside that don't involve coming home windswept and covered in mud.

I used to live in London and think that. Then I moved to the countryside near a range of wild beaches and cliff and countryside walks and got a dog that needed to be walked everyday, whatever the weather. And now the dog is dead I still put on my walking gear and go out in the rain, or early in the morning for sunrise, three or four times a week because I've learned the pleasure of fresh, sometimes sharp, air, of stretching my legs and lungs, of seeing things I would never see if I stayed indoors all the time, like watching a sparrow hawk hunting or coming across some rare orchids, or standing on the beach in a storm and experiencing the crash of the waves or seeing cobwebs covered in frost on a chilly morning. These are the wonders of the natural world and I would want my child to grow up experiencing them. I always feel far more alive, even if I'm a bit cold and damp, after these walks — and then I enjoy my time doing computer-based stuff all the more.

Little kids are made to run around and explore and make and break things. They develop physical confidence and develop their imaginations playing outdoors. Who wouldn't want that for their child?

There's nothing pleasant about outdoors unless it's the one hot day of the summer. There's a reason we invented houses. It's shit outside. And I should know I'm a country girl

@Doone21 You sound like my DP who grew up on a farm.

Sort of outdoorsy here . We play team spirt in the winter. Children hate walking - even with a bribe at the end (Ice cream, hot chocolate, chips it’s tricky) and moan the whole time . But yeah the sea is for summer here- beach days and sea dips in the summer are brill no way would we be doing it over Easter. Good luck x

reading this thread this explains why there’s so very many people around October to May/June looking in a perpetual grump.

I adore the summer but an autumn, a laughably windy winter walk or an unbelievably beautiful but bracingly cold winters walk…. Wonderful!

Rain? Yep, I’ll dodge that one!

And autumn run I meant to say

oh and a visit to the beach over Easter

so much beauty out there in all seasons

I don't mean this horribly but I'm guessing you bought those cheapie wetsuits they sell alongside the body boards? if so, that's your first mistake. They have as much thermal insulation as a swimming cossie and are a complete waste of money aimed just at tourists. If you want to get into the sea again, invest in some good wetsuits that will do the job, probably a 5/4 for the UK if you feel the cold.

Half the battle with being outdoorsy is having the right kit (you don't have to spend a fortune) and being prepared, which makes it so much more enjoyable. The advice to take a thermos and a packet of biscuits is very sound!

We are the same as you. Husband and kids are gamers, husband likes hard graft in the garden but hates walking/climbing or anything that does not have a purpose...so not into leisurely walks etc. We have huge garden (acres) and have to force the kids outside (by switching the internet off)...we live near the sea but it always is freezing so rarely go in...same goes for a mid size pool we got last summer (we don't have a heater for it) , it's just so much hassle to nag everyone to have fun outside so most of the time I just give up.

Need to start basic - regular walks in park and woods to feed ducks. National Trust is also good and often have something fun like Easter egg trails or treasure hunt to make walking easier. Six year old is only little so don’t expect too much. Beach/outdoor paddling on hot/warm summer days only with water pistols and buckets and spade - I’d say body board is again for older. Build up to more as they get older. By 8/9 I had my ones climbing hills/mountains, all good walkers and fit but it was murder when they were little - just need to have low expectations, bribe with a reward etc for example a visit to play park at end when they are small and plenty of drinks and snacks. You will see the benefits etc in the end.

So do you do anything?
And your husband isn’t the same as the OP’s as “hard graft” gardening in an enormous garden (a few acres!!) is most definitely very active!
how old are your children? What about after school sports and weekend sports clubs?