How Adventuring Together Grows Confidence, Curiosity, and Executive Function

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I used to think “adventure” meant climbing literal mountains—or at the very least, something involving packing duffels and driving three hours into a frenzy of unfamiliarity. Kid logic: adventure equals wild, unstructured “out there” stuff. Grownup logic: no, thank you, I’ll be at home with coffee and my kids where I can control the snacks.

But here’s what I’ve discovered after parenting and homeschooling neurodivergent kids for over a decade: adventure doesn’t have to mean a wilderness hike or an expensive trip. For kids who thrive on support, structure, and predictability—those with anxiety, ADHD, twice-exceptionality, or on the autism spectrum—everyday adventures can be more powerful than all the mountaintops in the world.

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Redefining Adventure: It’s Closer Than You Think

The word adventure conjures up images of jungles or brave explorers—and hey, if that’s what your family loves, go for it. But if your life looks more like morning routines and carefully-timed outings, adventure can (and should) be intertwined with daily living.

Adventure is not just “out there”; it’s in your kitchen, your backyard, at your library, or even on a grocery run. It’s in the spontaneous moment when you try a new dinner recipe, decide to stargaze in pajamas, or invent a new family game on a rainy afternoon.

Here’s the gold: when we frame these everyday episodes as “adventures,” our kids begin to see learning and living as active, participatory experiences. Life becomes something to explore—a grand, ongoing experiment filled with curiosity and connection.

What “Small” Adventures Do for Our Kids

So why bother peppering life with adventure? Because beneath the surface of these simple, lower-key explorations, something extraordinary is happening.

Building Confidence and Resilience

Every new thing—every different trip to a new park, every weird pie tried at dinner, every first archery class—strengthens our kids’ belief in themselves. With each successful step into the unknown, they start to see that they are capable of trying, failing, adjusting, and ultimately succeeding.

For anxious or rigid kids, the safety net of family makes these “micro-adventures” approachable. Whether it’s a new class, a new playground, or a roadside stop at a giant gas station (hello, Buc-ee’s!), these low stakes opportunities let them practice bravery. Over time, little adventures add up to one loud and clear message: “I can handle hard things. I am resilient.”

Growing Social and Emotional Skills

Ever notice that the stories your family brings up the most are about the time you all got soaked on what was supposed to be an ‘easy’ hike? Or the road trip when everyone acted out Elvis impressions at that hotel? Shared adventures—large or small—are natural breeding grounds for connection.

For neurodivergent kids, this is a secret superpower. When the pressure to fit in or say-the-right-thing is softened by the excitement of trying something new with loved ones, kids can be themselves. This sense of safety and genuine memory-making is social and emotional learning in disguise. Plus, it’s way more fun.

Executive Functioning in Disguise

One of the less glamorous truths of homeschooling neurodivergent and gifted kids is that executive function is often a struggle. Keeping track of stuff, planning, follow-through—they’re all skills that need practice. The good news? Adventures are built-in opportunities.

What to pack for the park? How many snacks will you need for a four-hour drive to see the world’s biggest ball of twine? What happens when you get there and it’s… closed? Every micro-adventure asks kids to practice planning, prioritizing, flexibility, and creative problem solving—no color-coded chart required.

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Practical Ideas (That Won’t Overwhelm You)

If you’re already tired, or you’re picturing “adventure” as one more thing to plan, relax. This isn’t about adding to your plate—it’s about reframing what’s already there.

  • Surprise Rides: Toss the kids in the car and announce you’re going on a “surprise ride.” It could be as simple as donuts-for-dinner or a trip to the new park. The spontaneity is the adventure.
  • Theme Dinners: Try a mystery dinner with foods from a different country or region. Research together, cook, taste test, and rate your favorites.
  • Outdoor Learning: Take homeschool outside for the day. Head to the park with a sketchbook, make a bug catalog, or bring along a pocket microscope.
  • Spontaneous Science or Art Projects: Messy science experiments or sidewalk chalk murals count as adventures.
  • Interest-Led Journeys: If trains are all the rage, head to a railroad museum. If your child loves bugs, spend an afternoon cataloging every creature you can find outside. Let their obsessions be your compass.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as following your child’s latest interest—spending an afternoon finding new yarn for a crochet project, or building a pillow fort, or seeing if you can spot every constellations visible in your backyard. What matters is the spirit in which you do it.

Long-Term Benefits: Raising Lifelong Learners

All these little adventures, strung together, shape who our kids become. They learn:

  • I can try, fail, and try again.
  • New experiences aren’t as scary with my family beside me.
  • Curiosity is worth following.
  • Hard things can be fun, especially when we try them together.

Kids who grow up in homes where risk, curiosity, and flexibility are valued become adults who aren’t afraid to innovate, ask questions, or “go off the beaten path.”

Adventure, big or small, teaches kids to see life’s roadblocks not as stop signs but as interesting detours. It grows leaders, innovators, and thoughtful friends—future adults capable of navigating a world that won’t always go according to plan.

Start Small—and Start Now

Adventure doesn’t require money, travel, or even great weather—just a willingness to say yes to something new alongside your kids. Build a pillow fort, try that new recipe, sign up for a class you know nothing about, or just take a different route home.

These are the adventures that matter—tiny, nourishing, confidence-building moments that connect your family, teach resilience, and ignite lifelong curiosity.

If you ever need fresh ideas, consider keeping an “adventure list” handy. And whenever you need a reason to say yes to the little things, remember: today’s small adventure might just become next year’s favorite family story. You’re not just entertaining your kids; you’re teaching them how to live.

RLL #279: How Adventuring Together Grows Confidence, Curiosity, and Executive Function

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On today’s episode of the podcast, we dive deep into the power of adventure—not the mountain-climbing kind, but the small, everyday moments that shape our children into confident, resilient learners.

As homeschooling parents, especially with neurodivergent kiddos, it’s easy to get caught up in structure and routine. Remember that adventure is everywhere: in our backyards, kitchens, and local parks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Adventure Builds Resilience & Confidence: Trying new things (even small ones!) helps kids learn to fail, adjust, try again, and discover real-world bravery.
  • Stronger Social & Emotional Bonds: Shared adventures—big or small—create lasting memories and connections, especially important for neurodivergent kids who might find peer relationships challenging.
  • Academic & Life Skills in Action: Everyday adventures offer hands-on opportunities for kids to practice executive function skills like planning, flexibility, and problem-solving, making learning “sticky” and relevant.

Adventure doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. What matters most is showing up for your kids, following their interests, and saying “yes” to making memories—whether you build a pillow fort, try a new food, or plan a mystery dinner together.

Ready for More?

  • Don’t forget to grab your free download: 100 Simple Adventures for Your Homeschool (linked above)
  • Join our June Family Connection Challenge in The Lab! Everyone’s invited—members and non-members alike—and there are prizes and loads of fun planned.

Adventure is all around—let’s make it a part of our everyday!

Keep an eye out for new courses and coaching programs, perfect for your family. Stay tuned for more information by joining our newsletter if you haven’t already—it’s the best way to ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest resources and support.

Get the Book

For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don’t forget to grab my new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It’s a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.

Links and Resources from Today’s Episode

Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math

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