Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Renee Tougas of ADVENTUREinPROGRESS, Encouraging Families to get Outdoors and Experience Adventure.

My husband fondly remembers our pre-marriage days when he could move from apartment to apartment by simply packing his life possessions in the back of his Honda hatchback. 15 years, a mortgage and three kids later the same can’t be said!

Unfortunately, the multiplying stuff that comes with family life isn’t just true about moving residences but is often true about packing up and going anywhere – the beach, for a hike, a family vacation. And even if all you want is a weekend hike now and then it seems by the time the gear is planned and packed you’re already tired out.

Something as basic and beautiful as experiencing the great outdoors together as a family shouldn’t be so challenging that you don’t even want to try. And it’s not just the gear you think you need that is intimidating. Even more difficult can be trying to work around family schedules. So even if you can figure out what to pack it seems your childrens’ (and maybe partner’s) time commitments are conspiring against your goals.

The physical, spiritual, emotional, and especially relational rewards of family adventures are too great to pass up. If it seems your schedule is too busy, you don’t know where to start or the only way to get to the outdoors is with a minivan, stuffed to the gills with all the “necessities” (pulling a trailer to boot) I hope you’ll read on and reconsider.

There is hope for the family wanting to experience adventure and the outdoors with less stuff, less vehicle and more time and more fun. It is possible and here’s some ideas to get you started.

1. Cultivate an appreciation of the simple things

• Young children don’t need a lot of fancy do-dads to keep them happy and neither do older ones if you teach them to appreciate simplicity.
• The natural beauty of the outdoors gives our family a real high, it’s one of our favorite places to be together. But I think if our children were watching tv, playing Wii and being electronically stimulated all the time they wouldn’t appreciate the simple beauty of the woods. If you cultivate the simple life in your day to day there’s a good chance your family will find the outdoors thrilling, because nothing beats a mountain top view.

2. Set your sights high

• This may seem contradictory to the first point but it’s not. Older children especially, appreciate the outdoors when there are challenges along the way; a dangerous rock wall to climb or a hike along a narrow ledge. You know… situations that make mothers nervous, children (at least mine) seem to love those.
• Try to find hikes with a spectacular view, a dangerous waterfall, a lot of stream crossings. If you are having trouble getting family members on board with enjoying the outdoors together do something challenging with breathtaking natural beauty as the reward.

3. Buy the best gear you can afford

• The more you do outdoors the more specific gear you will need; proper footwear, backpacks, clothing and a tent (if you want to get serious). When you have the opportunity, buy the best you can afford and buy it small.
• Our family of 5 goes car camping with only our car; no trailer, no roof rack, no bigger vehicle – just an average sized trunk. We’re able to do this because we’ve spent years slowly purchasing and then up-purchasing quality outdoor gear that stores compactly.
• You don’t need big amounts of stuff to enjoy the outdoors and get away from it all with your family, you just need the right stuff.

4. Learn to be comfortable outdoors

• Don’t shy away from less than ideal conditions to spend time together in nature because you can’t always count on good weather.
• Investing in good gear will go a long way to making everybody comfortable outdoors no matter the conditions. And rainy days can make for great memories. Being out in the elements also helps children (and adults) appreciate the dry, cozy warmth of home – yet another simple pleasure.

5. Simply your buying habits, simplify your stuff

• If you want to spend more time outdoors together you might need good rain jackets, warm fleece and other “special” clothes depending on your climate. Not all of us can live in Southern California or Hawaii.
• Although outdoor clothing can be more expensive than thrift store finds, this does not need to be burdensome; simply buy smart and buy less. Does a child need new pants? Scour the sales at local retailers or on-line for a quick drying, weather resistant pair. Something that will work for everyday play and the outdoors. Buy them gender neutral if feasible to pass down to other siblings.
• Outfitting your family for comfort in the outdoors needn’t complicate your life, in fact it can simplify it.

6. Leave the kitchen sink (and most everything else) at home

• At the bare minimum for an easy family hike you need a first aid kit, trail map, toilet paper, food and water as needed, and proper clothing. Obviously if you’re camping you need shelter, cooking utensils and a few other things but you certainly don’t need your gas BBQ, a bag of toys for each child, bikes and skateboards.
• Choose to enjoy nature for what it is. Teach your children to enjoy nature for what it is. You’ll appreciate the freedom that comes from knowing how little you really need for comfort and happiness.

7. Choose an activity that everyone can enjoy togetherWe all live by the same clock so if you want to be a family with time for outdoor adventures say no to other activities. Take organized sports for example; the more time you spend chauffeuring, sitting on the sidelines, watching your kid’s sports team(s) the less time you to have to be outdoors together. This is especially true if you have more than one child.

If you’re ok with that, no problem. But if you want something different choose to pursue activities that everyone can enjoy together. This allows you to make the outdoors a part of your life and spend more time in nature. Working together as a team, physical exercise, challenges, endurance and so much more can be learned in having adventures together.

Even if your family decides that full fledged backcountry adventure isn’t for you the above tips should help you at least be outdoors together more often. Simple family adventures, simple family happiness.

Read more from Renee at her family’s blog, ADVENTUREinPROGRESS, or her personal blog, FIMBY.