14/05/2026
As my own children move into the tween and teen years, there’s something I’ve become increasingly aware of — and I think many parents feel it too. 🌿
Somewhere around the tween years, many children become deeply aware of being watched.
And from there, things begin to change.
You start to see how quickly childhood can begin revolving around appearance, trends, brands, online culture and social status. Not because children are shallow or doing anything wrong — but because belonging matters.
Children adapt to the culture around them. They learn what’s socially safe. What’s “cool”. What gets approval.
And often, what quietly disappears in the process is playfulness. Silliness. Enthusiasm. Curiosity. The freedom to just be themselves. ✨
In many playgrounds by this age, climbing trees, shouting, pretending, being visibly enthusiastic about things or simply acting like children no longer feels socially safe.
And honestly, I think a lot of parents feel this happening — even if we rarely say it out loud.
But over the last few months on our ReWild TEEN hikes, I’ve noticed something else entirely.
The atmosphere shifts.
The kids stop trying so hard.
They climb rocks.
Run.
Get muddy.
Play games.
Talk nonsense.
Talk deeply.
Over the course of these hikes, I’ve watched groups of teens quietly compete to scramble over huge granite boulders, help each other on climbs or across boggy paths and disappear into conversations that seem to pick up exactly where they left off the month before.🌲
There’s a kind of ease that comes when children — and parents — realise they’re around others who see the world in a similar way.
One of my favourite moments this season was hearing my daughter deep in conversation with another teen about a strange fantasy series she loves — the kind of books she’d never really found anyone else around her to have read.
Deep, in conversations they were still talking about it while scrambling over rocks and weaving through forest trails back to the car.
Since then, she’s been reading more of the series so they can continue the conversation next time they meet.
That moment stayed with me. ✨
Because I think many children are craving spaces where they can relax back into themselves.
And honestly, I think parents are too.
The parents soften out there as well.
We walk hard. We earn the rest. Then families sit quietly by rivers or on warm rocks while the teens disappear off climbing, chatting or exploring nearby. Nobody is trying to impress anyone. There’s very little pressure to entertain, hover or socially navigate.
People just… exhale.🌿
And perhaps that’s what ReWild TEEN really is.
Not hiking.
Not outdoor learning.
Not bushcraft.
But space.
Space for children to stay playful, curious and fully themselves for a little longer.
Space for families to find other families who value similar things.
Space to remember that meaningful connection doesn’t have to revolve around trends, algorithms or image.
And honestly?
I think that matters more than ever.
I’d genuinely love to know if this resonates with other parents too - let me know in comments.
🌿
Our next ReWild TEEN Adventure Day takes place on Sunday May 24th and is open to new families who’d like to experience it before our regular meets return in autumn.
