It’s not every day that I can introduce a new magazine here on the blog, and I’ve never been more excited to do it than today. May I present to you Outdoor Families Magazine – a free digital magazine that is the brainchild of one of my blogging friends, Jennifer Fontaine of Mommy Hiker, but will feature content from many other prominent outdoor family bloggers as well.
As the name implies, the magazine targets families that love outdoor play and adventure, and as far as outdoor magazine goes it’s pretty unique in its multi-generational approach. Or, as Jennifer so eloquently puts it, “There is a lack of relatable content available to families who simply want motivation and inspiration to get outdoors with their kids. This magazine will fill a void in the rapidly-growing market of outdoor family adventure and we intend to thoughtfully lead the movement.”
I love the overall goal of the magazine, which is to inspire a connection to, participation in, and stewardship of the natural world. The magazine’s managing editor, Erin Kirkland of AK on the Go, will be in charge of finding stories that will encourage and inspire a love of outside spaces. The magazine will cover family outdoor sports, activities and play, environmental stewardship, volunteering, adventure travel, mind and body nourishment, green living resources, and other ideas and tips.
To celebrate the launch, the team behind Outdoor Families Magazine is inviting families around the world to participate in the “Great Family Adventure” Photo Contest. This is your chance to show off your awesome family adventures pictures! At the end of the two week contest, one lucky family will win a two-night stay and three adventure-packed days on southern California’s Central Coast in the city of Oxnard, gateway to the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. In addition, all finalists will receive cool prizes from ten other awesome outdoor retailers including Hi-Tec footwear and Sierra Trading Post.
Go enter, folks!
Outdoor Play Party
We had a lot of great entries at the last OPP, but I was especially fascinated by Creative STAR Learning Company’s post about Highway Farm, a unique outdoor nursery and out-of-school club in the UK. I was blown away by all the eclectic and fun structures on the property, including an adorable Hobbit house and a multi-functional hiding space underneath a raised garden bed. If you’re looking for inspiration for an outdoor playspace, this is a good place to start!
Now it’s time for a new party. If you’re a blogger, please link up with your ideas for outdoor play activities every other week! We would appreciate it if you included a link back to this post (either in your post or sidebar) to help us spread the word about the importance (and fun!) of outdoor play! In return, we’ll gladly further share your post on Pinterest/Facebook/Twitter.
Please feel free to grab the Outdoor Play Party button from the sidebar and/or include a text link back. Please note that by contributing you are giving permission for an image and link to your post to be republished if featured. (If you have been featured, please feel free to grab the ‘featured at’ button from the sidebar.)
I’m excited about this new magazine. I started following their facebook page a few days ago.
I am too, Jessica! I know both the publisher and editor and I know they will do a great job with it.
I’ve been seeing Outdoor Families Magazine everywhere! Although I have the motivation and inspiration to get outdoors with my children, it’s nice to let others inspire me for once!
That’s great, Penny! I’m glad that word about the magazine is getting out:o)
Thank you very much for mentioning the Highway Farm blog post. This Cornish outdoor nursery is a remarkable and inspirational place. I hope that it continues to grow and flourish.
Any time, Juliet! I was inspired just by looking at the pictures. If it hadn’t been half a world away I’d love to visit:o)
The magazine is such a brilliant idea! It will be very exciting to see what kind of ideas and inspiration the magazine will offer in the coming months. Thank you for linking to #OutdoorPlayParty.
Yes, I think it’s going to be great! I hope to contribute some stories down the road too:o)