How do you make family travel doable, fun, and affordable—without the pressure of perfection? Today’s guest is Kristen Keeler, mom of three and the creator behind @midwesttravelmama, where she shares simple, budget-friendly travel ideas and outdoor adventures for real families.
Kristen joins me to chat about embracing local travel, the power of road trips, tips for getting kids hiking, and why good enough adventures often become the best memories. We also dive into why you don’t need fancy gear, how to involve your kids in trip planning, and what it really looks like to explore as a family of five on one income.
Whether you’re craving more outdoor time, road trip ideas, or just need encouragement to start small—this episode will leave you inspired to plan that next adventure.
Highlights:
• Kristen’s story of going from backyard play to exploring hidden Midwest gems
• The first big road trip that got her hooked on family travel
• How to find local adventures using Facebook groups, AllTrails, and more
• Her best hacks for hiking with kids (hint: bribes and challenging hikes work wonders)
• Why it’s okay to throw all the “rules” out the window when road-tripping
• Why YOU get to enjoy your family adventures too—yes, even if that means taking a hike for you
Read the Episode Show Notes here.
Where to find Kristen:
• Instagram: @midwesttravelmama
• Blog: MidwestTravelMama.com
Where to find me:
• Instagram: @myoutdoorsymom
• Blog: myoutdoorsymom.com
• Digital resources & outdoor activity guides: Shop My Outdoorsy Mom
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