📱 Nature Meets Tech: Useful Apps for Outdoor Family Adventures
- Life Between The Trails
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
At Life Between the Trails, we’re all about unplugging from the noise. I have to admit, I am one of those people irritated by those with their head in their tech, when they are surrounded by beauty — but let’s be honest: the right technology can enhance your connection to the outdoors, not distract from it.
Whether you’re hiking with kids, camping under the stars, or paddling across a quiet lake, here are some carefully chosen apps that support safety, adventure, learning, and grounding — especially for families and nature lovers.
🧭 For Navigation & Safety
1. AllTrails
📍 Best for: Hikes, trail reviews, family-friendly routes
🧭 Why we love it: Real reviews, elevation details, trail difficulty ratings — all in one spot.
✅ Family tip: Filter by stroller-friendly or kid-approved hikes.
2. OS Maps
📍 Best for: UK-based hiking, walking, and topographic detail
🧭 Why we love it: Access official Ordnance Survey maps for hiking trails, public footpaths, and terrain features. Ideal for UK explorers. We use this all the time!
3. What3Words
📍 Best for: Emergency location sharing
🧭 Why we love it: It gives every 3x3 meter spot on Earth a unique 3-word address. If you're ever lost, it helps emergency services find you fast.
🌳 For Nature Connection & Grounding
4. iNaturalist
📍 Best for: Identifying plants, animals, insects
🌿 Why we love it: Like a field guide in your pocket. Great for curious kids (and curious grown-ups).
5.Merlin Bird ID
📍 Best for: Identifying birds by sound or sight
🐦 Why we love it: This app makes it easy and magical to figure out what bird you’re hearing or seeing — even on family hikes or at your campsite.
6. SkyView or Night Sky
📍 Best for: Stargazing and night-time magic
✨ Why we love it: Point your phone at the stars, and it shows constellations. A fun, calming way to end the day with your kids. This is one of our faves!
🛶 For Water Adventures
7. RiverApp
📍 Best for: Kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding
🌊 Why we love it: See river flow levels, water safety alerts, and conditions before you launch.
8. Windy
📍 Best for: Checking wind and weather on open water
☁️ Why we love it: Super detailed forecasts, helpful for lake or ocean kayaking.
🏕️ For Camping & Family Organisation
9. Pitchup
📍 Best for: Finding and booking campsites or glamping spots
⛺ Why we love it: Thousands of listings across the UK (and Europe), with filters for family-friendly sites, pet policies, amenities, and real user reviews. Makes spontaneous camping trips simple to plan.
10. First Aid by British Red Cross
📍 Best for: Quick emergency info
🚑 Why we love it: Clear, step-by-step guidance for common injuries and outdoor accidents — even without signal. It’s free, easy to use, and could make a big difference in an emergency.
11. Hipcamp
📍 Best for: Unique camping stays or RV rentals
🌲 Why we love it: Book beautiful, off-grid stays or campervans for spontaneous weekend escapes.
🧘♀️ For Mindfulness & Presence (Even With Kids!)
12. Insight Timer
📍 Best for: Nature meditations and mindful moments
🍃 Why we love it: Try a guided walking meditation or play calming soundscapes at your campsite. - recently started using this in my routine and love it
13. Smiling Mind
📍 Best for: Family mindfulness and kids
🧒 Why we love it: Developed by psychologists, this free app has age-based programs — including ones designed specifically for outdoor mindfulness and school-aged kids.
Final Thoughts 🌿
Technology should support your connection to nature — not take away from it. These apps are like tools in your backpack: useful when you need them, and easily stowed when you just want to look up at the sky, get your feet in the dirt, and breathe.
Do you have a favourite nature or trail app not on this list? I’d love to hear what’s helped you and your family explore deeper.
👉 Bonus idea: Want a printable list of these apps with quick links? Let me know and I’ll make one for your next trip!
Comments