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Best 12V Portable Fridges for Camping and Road Trips

Camping & Micro-Adventures, Outdoor Gear, Outdoor Tips & Ideas / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Portable cooler at a campsite for camping and road-trip food storage

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Ice works until it melts, leaks, crushes the food underneath it, or sends you looking for another bag halfway through a trip. A 12V portable fridge solves that problem by using a compressor to keep food and drinks at a controlled temperature from a vehicle outlet, wall power or a compatible portable power source.

For car camping, road trips, RV travel and overlanding, the sweet spot is usually a fridge in the 40- to 46-litre range. That is large enough for a couple or small family to pack real meals without turning the cooler into something nobody wants to lift. The four models below take different approaches: premium efficiency, battery-ready smart features, dual-zone value and rugged simplicity.

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Best 12V Portable Fridges for Camping and Road TripsRead More »

Best 12V Portable Fridges for Camping and Road Trips Read More »

The Park Passport Challenge: Visit Every Park in Your City

Camping & Micro-Adventures, Outdoor Tips & Ideas, Walking & Everyday Outdoors / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Park passport challenge for exploring local parks

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, Time to Get Outside may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Most of us have a favourite park, but how many others have we never explored? Instead of going to the same place every weekend, start your own Park Passport Challenge and work your way through the public parks in your city.

Start Your Own Park Passport

Keep a simple list of every park you visit and give each one a few notes. You could rate:

Walking trails
Wildlife
Photography opportunities
Picnic areas
Scenic views
Peace and quiet

Before long, you will have your own shortlist of favourite places—and probably discover a few parks you never knew existed.

Make Each Visit More Interesting

Photograph one thing you have never noticed before.
Find the best bench with a view.
Spot a bird or animal you have not seen there before.
Walk a trail you usually skip.
Return in another season and compare the park.

Keep Exploring Close to Home

If this challenge gets you looking at your city differently, try exploring hidden places in your neighbourhood, read about exploring close to home, or bring binoculars and use our guide to the best binoculars for casual nature lovers.

Buy on Amazon USA

Adventure Journals
Keep track of each park, what you liked, and which places you want to revisit.

Picnic Blankets
Useful for coffee breaks, lunch stops, or relaxing after a walk.

Phone Camera Lenses
A simple accessory for experimenting with close-ups, landscapes, and park photography.

Final Thoughts

Your next favourite outdoor destination could be only a few minutes from home. The Park Passport Challenge gives you a reason to explore one park at a time and turn ordinary local outings into a collection of small adventures.

Buy on Amazon Canada

Adventure Journals
Record the parks you visit, favourite discoveries, and places worth returning to.

Picnic Blankets
A handy addition for parks, lakesides, and slower outdoor days.

Phone Camera Lenses
Useful for experimenting with flowers, wildlife, landscapes, and small details.

The Park Passport Challenge: Visit Every Park in Your City Read More »

Become a Sunrise Hunter

Nature & Wellbeing, Outdoor Tips & Ideas / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, Time to Get Outside may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

There is something special about watching the sun climb above the horizon. The world is quieter, the air is cooler, and every sunrise feels a little different.

You do not have to travel far. A local park, lakeshore, hilltop, or even your own backyard can become a great sunrise spot.

Why Chase the Sunrise?

Early mornings can be one of the quietest times to enjoy the outdoors. You may hear more birds, see fewer people, and notice details that disappear once the day gets busy.

It is also a good excuse to bring a coffee and slow down for a while. If that sounds like your kind of morning, read why I started taking my coffee outside.

What to Bring

Insulated travel mug
Lightweight chair
Camera or smartphone
Light jacket or extra layer
Small daypack

For longer mornings, a small daypack keeps everything together. If sitting and watching the light change is the main event, our folding chair guide can help too.

Buy on Amazon USA

Lightweight Camping Chairs
Comfortable seating while you wait for the sun to rise.

Insulated Travel Mugs
Keep coffee or tea hot during cool early mornings.

Small Daypacks
Simple storage for a mug, camera, extra layer, and other essentials.

Final Thoughts

You do not need a dramatic destination to enjoy a sunrise. Pick a nearby spot, arrive a little early, and give yourself time to watch the light change. If evenings suit you better, try our guide to finding a good sunset spot near you.

Buy on Amazon Canada

Lightweight Camping Chairs
Portable seating for sunrise stops, parks, and lakeshores.

Insulated Travel Mugs
A practical way to keep your morning drink hot outdoors.

Small Daypacks
Carry a few early-morning essentials without overpacking.

Become a Sunrise Hunter Read More »

The One-Hour Outdoor Reset Challenge: Spend 60 Minutes Outside This Week

Camping & Micro-Adventures, Outdoor Tips & Ideas / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, Time to Get Outside may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Busy weeks have a way of keeping us indoors. The One-Hour Outdoor Reset Challenge is a simple fix: choose one hour this week and spend it outside.

The Challenge

Walk through your neighbourhood, visit a park, sit beside the water, ride your bike, or relax in the backyard. There is no distance goal and no special equipment required. The point is simply to step away from the usual routine and give yourself a full hour outdoors.

If an hour sounds like too much, start smaller and build toward it. Our 20-minute outdoor guide is an easy place to begin.

Keep It Simple

Comfortable shoes, water, and a small bag are usually enough. If you want a lightweight setup, see our guide to small daypacks. Want to make the hour more interesting? Try the Park Passport Challenge.

Buy on Amazon USA

Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes
Supportive footwear for trails, parks, and everyday outdoor walks.

YETI Rambler Water Bottle
A durable bottle that works well for walks, bike rides, and park days.

Osprey Daylite Backpack
A lightweight daypack for water, snacks, a camera, and other small essentials.

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair
A portable chair for parks, campgrounds, beaches, or backyard relaxing.

Final Thoughts

The One-Hour Outdoor Reset Challenge is not about setting records. It is about making outdoor time intentional. Pick the day, choose a simple destination, and go.

Buy on Amazon Canada

Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes
A dependable option for walks, trails, and everyday outdoor use.

YETI Rambler Water Bottle
A sturdy bottle for parks, beaches, walks, and campgrounds.

Osprey Daylite Backpack
Lightweight and practical for carrying everyday outdoor essentials.

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair
A comfortable portable chair for slower outdoor days.

The One-Hour Outdoor Reset Challenge: Spend 60 Minutes Outside This Week Read More »

Best Portable Power Stations for Camping and Emergencies

Outdoor Gear, Outdoor Tips & Ideas / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Portable power station for camping and emergency backup

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A portable power station is useful for camping, RV trips and home outages because it can quietly run phones, lights, cameras, laptops, small coolers and other compatible gear without fuel or fumes.

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Best Portable Power Stations for Camping and Emergencies Read More »

Best Walking Shoes for Men and Women

Outdoor Gear, Outdoor Tips & Ideas / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Comfortable walking shoes for everyday outdoor walks

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Comfortable walking shoes should fit your feet well, feel stable through the heel and provide enough cushioning for the distance you normally cover. Fit matters more than hype, so compare width, cushioning and ease of use before chasing a brand name.

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Best Walking Shoes for Men and WomenRead More »

Best Walking Shoes for Men and Women Read More »

How I Turned Waiting Time Into Outdoor Time

Outdoor Tips & Ideas, Walking & Everyday Outdoors / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Turning spare waiting time into a short outdoor walk

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, Time to Get Outside may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Turn Spare Minutes Into Outdoor Minutes

Waiting time used to mean sitting in the car and scrolling on my phone. Now, when the location and weather make sense, I use those extra minutes to get outside instead.

A ten-minute walk around the block, a lap through a nearby park, or a few quiet minutes on a bench can turn dead time into something I actually enjoy. It also makes getting outside feel easier because I am not trying to carve another full hour out of the day.

Easy Ways to Use Waiting Time

Walk one or two blocks while waiting for an appointment.
Explore a nearby park instead of staying in the car.
Sit outside with a coffee and leave the phone in your pocket.
Take a short nature walk while someone finishes an errand.
Use a few spare minutes to photograph something interesting nearby.

If short breaks work well for you, you may also like our 20-minute outdoor break idea and the One-Hour Outdoor Reset Challenge.

A Few Things Worth Carrying

You do not need much. Comfortable shoes, a drink, and a small bag are usually enough. For longer outings, see why I like carrying a small daypack.

Buy on Amazon USA

Osprey Daylite Daypack

A lightweight option for carrying water, keys, a camera, and a few essentials.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

Useful for coffee or a cold drink when your spare minutes turn into outdoor time.

Nikon Trailblazer 8×25 Binoculars

Compact enough for casual bird and wildlife spotting during short stops.

Final Thoughts

You do not always need a planned hike or a free afternoon to spend more time outside. Sometimes the easiest opportunity is the ten or twenty minutes you were going to spend waiting anyway.

Use those little gaps when you can. They add up, and they make outdoor time feel like part of everyday life instead of another item on the schedule.

Buy on Amazon Canada

Osprey Daylite Daypack

A lightweight option for everyday outdoor essentials.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

Easy to bring along for coffee or a cold drink.

Nikon Trailblazer 8×25 Binoculars

A compact pair for casual nature watching while you are out.

How I Turned Waiting Time Into Outdoor Time Read More »

The Unexpected Benefits of Exploring Your Own Neighborhood

Camping & Micro-Adventures, Outdoor Tips & Ideas / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Exploring a familiar neighbourhood on foot

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, Time to Get Outside may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Adventure Might Be Closer Than You Think

When people think about exploring, they often picture a road trip or a destination far from home. But one of the easiest ways to spend more time outside is to explore your own neighbourhood with a little more curiosity.

Take a street you normally skip. Walk through a small park you usually drive past. Look for side paths, public gardens, old trees, murals, birds, and quiet places to sit. A familiar area can feel surprisingly different when you stop rushing through it.

Give Yourself a Simple Mission

Find one park you have never visited.
Walk a street you normally only drive.
Photograph three details you have never noticed.
Look for birds or wildlife along the route.
Find a quiet bench or viewpoint worth returning to.

If you like turning a walk into a small challenge, try our Neighborhood Nature Challenge or the Park Passport Challenge.

Look for the Places You Usually Miss

The point is not distance. It is noticing more. We also have a guide to hidden places worth exploring in your neighbourhood if you want more ideas for close-to-home adventures.

A small daypack can be useful if you bring water, a camera, binoculars, or a light layer. See our guide on why a small daypack is worth carrying.

Buy on Amazon USA

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Lightweight storage for water, a camera, snacks, and a few everyday essentials.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

A handy choice for coffee or a cold drink on a relaxed neighbourhood walk.

Nikon Trailblazer 8×25 Binoculars

Compact binoculars for casual bird and wildlife spotting close to home.

Final Thoughts

You do not need to travel far to feel like you explored somewhere new. Pick a different route, slow down, and give yourself a reason to notice what is around you. The next place worth discovering may be a few blocks from your front door.

Buy on Amazon Canada

Osprey Daylite Daypack

A lightweight option for carrying everyday walking essentials.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

Useful for coffee or a cold drink while you explore close to home.

Nikon Trailblazer 8×25 Binoculars

A compact pair for casual nature watching around the neighbourhood.

The Unexpected Benefits of Exploring Your Own Neighborhood Read More »

Why Every Outdoor Lover Should Carry a Small Daypack

Outdoor Gear, Outdoor Tips & Ideas / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Lightweight daypack for everyday outdoor trips

Affiliate disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

A small daypack is one of the simplest ways to make walks, park visits and short trails easier. It keeps water, keys, sunscreen, snacks and a light layer organized without the bulk of a full hiking pack.

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Why Every Outdoor Lover Should Carry a Small DaypackRead More »

Why Every Outdoor Lover Should Carry a Small Daypack Read More »

The Simple Outdoor Challenge That Changed My Week

Nature & Wellbeing, Outdoor Tips & Ideas / takeonevideoandphotos@gmail.com

Spending twenty minutes outside as a simple daily challenge

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, Time to Get Outside may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The 20-Minute Outdoor Challenge

Sometimes the easiest outdoor habit is the one with almost no rules. My challenge was simple: spend at least 20 minutes outside every day for one week.

No long hikes. No special equipment. No complicated target. Some days I walked. Other days I sat on a bench, watched the sunset, or took a coffee outside.

What Counts?

A short neighbourhood walk.
Coffee outside before the day gets busy.
Twenty minutes in a park or green space.
Watching the sunset.
Sitting outside with a book or music.

The point is consistency, not distance. If twenty minutes feels manageable, our 20-minute outdoor break guide has more ideas. If you want a slightly bigger target, try the One-Hour Outdoor Reset Challenge.

Make It Easy to Repeat

Keep shoes, a light jacket, or a folding chair easy to grab. The less setup involved, the easier it is to go outside before you talk yourself out of it. You can also turn spare minutes into outdoor time with the ideas in How I Turned Waiting Time Into Outdoor Time.

Buy on Amazon USA

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair

A comfortable portable chair for parks, backyards, and quiet outdoor breaks.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

Easy to bring along when your twenty minutes includes coffee or a cold drink.

Wise Owl Outfitters Outdoor Blanket

A simple option for sitting in a park, by the water, or on the grass.

Final Thoughts

Twenty minutes is short enough to fit into a busy day but long enough to feel like you actually stepped away from the usual routine. Try it for a week and see which kind of outdoor break you naturally want to repeat.