Family Outdoors Guide Archives

View of the Palouse from the summit of Steptoe Butte.

10 Family Spring & Summertime Adventures in Washington and North Idaho

Columns, Lifestyle, Out There Kids, Outdoor Living / By Amy McCaffree

Our 4th annual Inland Northwest Family Outdoors Guide provides families of all experience levels with event and activity ideas to maximize your outdoor fun and adventure. If you’re looking for a unique summer camp and recommendations for regional hiking and biking trails and other adventure ideas, our trusted guide is your go-to resource. And once […]

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Photo of girl sitting on a rock with her feet in the water.

5 Family Hikes for Lakeside Fun Near Spokane

Get Out There, Hiking, Outdoor Family / By Crystal Atamian

Water can be the perfect motivation to get kids hiking. Here are 5 destinations to or along lakes in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

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Outdoor Events for Kids & Families

Get Out There, Outdoor Family / By Amy McCaffree

Get outside more this spring and summer with these upcoming family events, activities, and recreational venues located throughout the Inland Northwest. Some are close to home and others are worthy of a road-trip. Washington State Parks Free Admission Days (select dates, April-Sept):No Discover Pass required on April 20 (Spring Day), April 22 (Earth Day), June

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10 Spring Break Staycations in the Inland Northwest

Columns, Out There Kids, Outdoor Family / By Amy McCaffree

Staying home this spring break? Keep kids physically active with local outdoor adventures—some can even be educational. Here are 10 ideas, either free or low-cost, for planning your spring staycation. Cat Tales Zoological Park & Wildlife Center: As close to a zoo as we get in the Inland Northwest, Cat Tales is a non-profit organization

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Photo of family of four at Hidden Lakes Overlook.

Local Guidebooks Help Families Get Outside with Their Kids

Columns, Outdoor Family / By Amy McCaffree

When exploring the outdoors or hiking with our children, “It’s easy for us to get frustrated,” says Harley McAllister, a father of four boys who lives in Spokane Valley. “We’re thinking, I don’t want to be sitting by this river and throwing sticks in it and watching leaf boats float by; I want to get

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Photo of hikers on single track hiking trail on foggy mountain side.

Navigating the Backcountry with Kids

Columns, Out There Kids, Outdoor Family / By Amy McCaffree

Beaver fever, iodine tablets, “Cathole” digging, bear-proof containers—these are just a few aspects of backcountry adventuring, where you can enjoy exceptional landscape beauty and natural serenity with your children. To better understand how to start planning, here are some ideas and recommendations. Begin with a “backcountry lite” experience, or seeking out enough primitive wilderness without

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Little girl in sundress and hat in field.

Planning Summertime Family Adventures

Columns, Lifestyle, Out There Kids, Outdoor Family / By Amy McCaffree

Plan with less stress, and play more with your kids outside with ideas and inspiration from our Summer Adventure Guide.

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Camper is all smiles with the Biking costumed recreation leader.

First Time Camper

Columns, Out There Kids, Outdoor Family / By Amy McCaffree

How to Prepare Yourself and Your Child for Their First Camp Experience Getting ready for camp means more than giving your kid “snack shack” money and using a packing list. Learn from these tips from local camp directors who share some advice for parents who are preparing children for their very first overnight camp

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Photo of Leon the cat enjoying the view from a backpack pack.

Hiking with Dogs and Family Pets

Get Out There, Hiking, Lifestyle / By Amy McCaffree

Why should big breeds have all the fun? Learn tips from pet owners who take both small and large dogs, and a cat, hiking and backpacking.

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