Search Results

Sara Lesire

Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park with Kids

In FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, NATIONAL PARKS

Bryce Canyon National Park is a natural wonderland of towering rock spires. One of Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks, Bryce features unique geological formations carved by erosion and known as hoodoos. This unusual landscape offers scenic views, stunning hikes, and epic recreation for all ages. Watching a sunrise over the amphitheater of golden rock hoodoos is sure to be a remarkable family memory. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family,…

Continue reading...

Exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids

In FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, NATIONAL PARKS

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the U.S.  Located within a day’s drive of half of the United States population, the park makes a wonderful natural getaway with easy access. The Great Smoky Mountains feature stunning natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and interesting history to appeal to travelers of all ages. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family, shares the best tips for exploring Great…

Continue reading...

Exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with Kids

In BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Often the best outdoor destinations require traveling off the beaten path. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located in the remote upper peninsula of Michigan, but this scenic park is worth the time and effort it takes to travel there. One of only four lakeshores protected by the U.S. National Park Service, Pictured Rocks offers so much beauty for the whole family to enjoy. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family,…

Continue reading...

Minnesota’s North Shore with Kids

In BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARK

Minnesota’s North Shore is a Midwest scenic gem. This area of northwest Minnesota runs along the Lake Superior coast from Duluth to the Canadian border. Along this 150 miles of shore you can find quaint beach towns, multiple state parks, towering rock formations, and endless waterfalls. Even better, many of the hikes are short and kid-friendly. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family, shares why you should consider a road trip…

Continue reading...
See Kai Run Winter Boots

Best Kids’ Winter Boots

In FAVORITE GEAR, SKI/SNOW, WINTER

We rounded up the highest-rated and most recommended kids’ winter boots on the market and put them to the test! And we’re sharing our recommendations for the best winter boots for kids with you! Leslie Alvis, an Ohio mom of four, let her kids put a dozen of the best winter snow boots through the wringer! She’s here with recommendations and reviews of how the boots stood up and what they liked about each pair….

Continue reading...

Exploring the Ozark Scenic Riverways with Kids

In CANOE/KAYAK, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, NATIONAL PARKS

The Ozark Scenic Riverways is a hidden jewel of the National Park system tucked along the backroads of southern Missouri. When this park was established in 1964, it became the first federally protected river system and provided the inspiration for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. While this region may be more off the beaten path, it offers crystal clear rivers, turquoise-blue natural springs, and historic structures. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two…

Continue reading...

Best Kids Hiking Shoes (2023)

In FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Hiking is one of the most accessible and fun outdoor adventures for kids and families. You usually don’t need to go far to go for a hike, making it a great quick and easy activity for most families to do with little prep work or planning. But, gear-wise, what do you need to go hiking? Does your child need special hiking shoes or hiking boots? And if so, what are the best hiking shoes for…

Continue reading...
Southwest Michigan Beach

Family Travel Guide to Southwest Michigan

In BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

When planning a beach vacation, Michigan may not be the first place that comes to mind to visit. However, don’t rule out a family-friendly vacation to explore the Lake Michigan shore. A true hidden gem of the Midwest, southwest Michigan offers sugar-sand beaches, charming beach towns, and plenty of outdoor adventure for the whole family. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family shares why they love Southwest Michigan so much…

Continue reading...
Frozen bubbles

Winter Science Experiment for Kids: How to Make Frozen Bubbles

In INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER

Blowing bubbles is a popular outdoor activity for kids of all ages. While most people pack away the bubble wands when cooler weather hits, winter can be a perfect time for creating a different kind of bubble. On days when the temperature drops well below freezing, bundle up the kids and head outside to make frozen bubbles. Today, Sara Lesire, Illinois mom of two and founder of @MidwestNomadFamily, is here to show us all the…

Continue reading...
Kids Mittens

Gear Review: Best Kids’ Gloves and Mittens for Outdoor Play

In FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SKI/SNOW, WINTER

With the winter cold always comes the battle over wrangling my kids into gloves or mittens. Over the years, we’ve gone through countless pairs of kids’ gloves – from the cheap ones grabbed at my local Target to the expensive ones that I special ordered from the best gear companies. As you can imagine, not all gloves are created equal. Some actually keep my kids’ hands warm and dry, while others got tossed in the…

Continue reading...

How to Find Frost Flowers While Hiking

In FALL, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARK, PHOTOGRAPHY

With summer fading and temperatures dropping as we prepare for the first frost of the year, you may not be super excited about getting outside in chilly weather. However, today’s post just might change your mind as we’re about to introduce you to an amazing phenomenon that only takes place this time of year. Have you ever heard of frost flowers? Today, Midwest mom of two and local STL adventure guru Sara Lesire is here…

Continue reading...
Loading...