Screens Down, Boots On: How to Get Teens Outdoors (Without Losing Your Mind)
Screens Down, Boots On: How to Get Teens Outdoors (Without Losing Your Mind)
I teach high school. I coach, and I’m a dad. So, when I say I’ve seen just about every version of teen resistance to outdoor activity (or anything that seems to require effort these days), I mean it. Eyerolls, fake back injuries, sudden-onset boredom, the classic “I forgot my shoes.”
And yet, I’ve also seen what happens when they finally unplug, even for a minute, and something outside clicks.
Years ago, when my oldest was still a pre-teen, I took her on a cross-country road trip. My dad came with us. Three generations packed into a truck, stopping at National Parks, random museums, visiting family, hopping on a cruise, and hitting quirky landmarks that ranged from awe-inspiring to flat-out weird.
Did she love every second? Nope. Did she act like she was soooo bored sometimes? Absolutely. (She also slept A LOT)! But now she’s 21. And she still talks about that trip.
Not just the big stuff, she remembers the strange roadside attractions, the awkward dinner conversations, the heat, the laughs, and the fact that we were together. Those moments landed. They stuck. They mattered.
And that’s the thing; we don’t always get instant feedback (that isn’t negative) from teens. But trust me: the memories are downloading. Adventure changes them, even if they won’t admit it until they're old enough to pay for their own oil change.
The Case for Outdoor Adventure (Yes, Even for Teens)
According to the American Psychological Association and multiple universities, nature:
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Boosts attention and focus
- Improves mood and emotional regulation
- Builds resilience and self-identity
Teens today are overbooked, overstimulated, and overwhelmed. Giving them a way to reset in the real world beyond the glow of their screens isn’t just good parenting. It’s survival.
What Works
Here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way):
1. Let Them Have a Say
Want less complaining? Let them pick the playlist, the park, the food stop. Teens want agency.
2. Bring a Buddy
If you’ve got an introverted teen, fine. But for most, inviting a friend along turns a hike from lame to legendary. They see their friends like it, which permits them to express that they like it. Not only that, but allowing that friend to adventure might be the only way they get a chance to “adventure”.
3. Combine Interests
Outdoors + something they love = win. Music? Let them DJ the trail. Photography? Let them take the lead. TikTok? Find a hike with a view they can flex.
4. Keep It Low Key
Not every outing has to be a week-long wilderness survival course. A short walk, a creek splash, or a hammock-and-snack session still counts.
5. Use Sports Travel as a Springboard
If you're already out for a game, look around. Explore a small downtown, find a nature trail, or hit a cool food spot after. We’ve stumbled across incredible places this way. Make the most of where you are.
6. Let Go of Perfection
They’re not always going to love it. Sometimes it’ll flop. But keep showing up. Keep inviting. Keep planting the seeds.
Adventure Isn’t Just Trails
I’m a big fan of hiking, sure. But adventure, especially with teens, is about newness. It’s:
- Driving to a nearby town and exploring on foot
- Finding the weirdest thing in a museum
- Skipping rocks at a lake
- Renting kayaks and figuring it out together
- Getting rained on and laughing instead of panicking
These are the things they’ll remember. Not perfectly posed photos—but the moments where you said, “Let’s go do something.”
One Last Note from a Tired (but Happy) Dad
I don’t have all the answers. I’ve bribed with milkshakes (and yes, even screen time). I’ve had adventures that turned into disasters. But I also have a daughter who now wants to take her kid on adventures. That’s the win.
At EverTrail Co.™, we’re not just selling outdoor gear, we’re selling reminders. That every moment counts. Those adventures come in all sizes. And that even when they resist it, your kids want you to keep showing up.
So go ahead: invite them one more time. Pack the snacks. Skip the guilt. And get out there together.
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