Adventures on the Sidelines: How to Find Microadventures During Busy Sports Weekends

⚽️🏞️ Adventures on the Sidelines: How to Find Microadventures During Busy Sports Weekends

If your family is anything like ours, you know what a sports weekend can look like:

• Early mornings.
• Long drives to games or tournaments.
• Schedules packed tighter than a travel team van.

Don’t get me wrong, I love sports.

I loved playing while I grew up. I love coaching. And I absolutely love watching my kids enjoy playing, learning, and growing through their sports.

But I also know that during certain seasons, especially when I was coaching high school soccer, it felt like sports was all we did outside of work.

Weekends could be completely consumed with practices, games, and travel. Some weekends, I couldn’t even find time for a basic grocery run.

🏒 Our Reality: A Family of Athletes

In our family, sports and activities are just part of our DNA.

My oldest daughter played volleyball throughout high school.
My youngest daughter has tried different sports and plays piano.
And my youngest son plays ice hockey.

During hockey season, we’re out the door before sunrise, heading almost an hour to the ice rink for a 6 a.m. start. I also coach club soccer, so some weekends I’m all over the state at different times.

Some weekends are easy, leaving us time to do other things. Others? We’re lucky to catch our breath.

🧭 Supporting Sports and Family Adventures

I think a lot of families in this season wonder: How do you balance it all?

The truth is, I don’t see sports and adventure as opposites.

Sports are great for kids:
✅ They build teamwork, discipline, and fitness.
✅ They teach social bonding and goal setting.
✅ They give structure and something to work toward.

(Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

But they can also come with challenges:
⚠️ Overscheduling that cuts down on unstructured play.
⚠️ Risk of burnout.
⚠️ Less downtime as a family.

(Source: National Alliance for Youth Sports)

That’s why I think it’s important to be intentional about finding balance.

🌿 Why Microadventures Matter

When we do get the chance to slow down—even for a few hours, I think it’s so important to take it.

Sometimes that means laying low at home.
Other times it’s about grabbing those small windows of free time and turning them into something memorable.

We’re always looking for opportunities to have a little adventure—even if it’s just a quick afternoon outing after a game.

It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

Sometimes the games are in new areas we’ve never really explored. When that happens, we try to schedule time to check out what’s nearby. We’ve discovered beautiful small downtowns and hidden gem state parks this way.

We’re already there—so why not make the most of it?

💡 Practical Tips for Families in Sports Seasons

Here are some ways we try to squeeze in microadventures around our busy sports schedules:

✅ Plan for the Pause
If there’s a long break between games, look for a local park or greenway. Even a short nature walk can help everyone reset.

✅ Explore New Areas
Traveling for sports? Use it as an excuse to explore that small town you’d never otherwise visit. Grab ice cream, walk the historic downtown, check out a local museum or playground.

✅ Set Small Adventure Goals
Even repeat trips can feel new. Try looking for bugs, spotting birds, or finding a new trail or corner of the park you haven’t explored.

✅ Pack Your “Go Bag”
We keep ours simple but ready: sunscreen, water bottles, lots of snacks, a change of clothes, towels, and even a roll of toilet paper. Nothing fancy—but it means we can say yes to the unexpected.

✅ Embrace the Mindset
Adventure isn’t just where you go—it’s how you go. Even a local park visit after a game can be meaningful if you treat it like it matters.

🧠 The Research Supports It

Experts say unstructured, outdoor time is critical for kids, even those in sports.
✅ Builds curiosity and problem-solving.
✅ Reduces stress and anxiety.
✅ Creates opportunities for family bonding outside of competition.

(Sources: APA on unstructured play, Child Mind Institute on family bonding)

For parents, it matters too:
✅ Time in nature helps reduce stress.
✅ Slowing down improves mindfulness and presence.
✅ Shared experiences build stronger family connections.

(Source: Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory, American Psychological Association)

🫶 My Advice for Other Families

Sports are fantastic for kids.
I’ll always support them playing.
I’ll keep coaching.
I’ll keep showing up in the stands.

But what is my advice?

Be intentional with your downtime.
Make sure there’s space to recover.

That might mean a lazy day at home.
Or it might mean grabbing those small opportunities for adventure—those quick moments that help us reconnect, refocus, and just be together outside of a schedule or scoreboard.

✨ Why EverTrail Co.™ Believes in Adventure Anywhere

A lot of our family adventures are last-minute, spur-of-the-moment plans. Sometimes we see something cool while we’re out and just stop.

That’s why EverTrail Co.™ gear is designed to work in real life. It’s stuff you can wear to the game with friends but also tough enough for a muddy trail or wandering through a new downtown—all in the same day.

We want to help families say yes to adventure—even during the busiest seasons.

Because we believe adventure doesn’t need to be big, expensive, or perfectly planned.

It can be squeezed in between games.
Found in new places you’re already visiting.
Or waiting right outside your door.

Adventure Anywhere. Even on game day.

— EverTrail Co.™