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!