Rain, mud or shine: Raising adventure-ready kids in any weather

Why all-weather play matters

There’s a certain kind of freedom that comes with not needing perfect conditions. A puddle becomes a launchpad. A soggy forest floor turns into a treasure hunt. Even a light rain can shift a familiar park into something entirely new.

For kids, this kind of unstructured outdoor play supports more than just energy release. It builds resilience – learning that discomfort isn’t something to avoid, but something to adapt to. It encourages problem-solving (eg, “How do I cross this without slipping?”), creativity (“What can this stick become?”), and confidence in their own physical abilities.

And for parents, there’s something grounding about it too: fewer screens, fewer expectations, and a reminder that childhood doesn’t need to be carefully curated to be meaningful.

Image: Ready for puddle jumping with the Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid Touring

The reality of getting out the door

Of course, the idea of “embracing all-weather adventure” feels more romantic before you’re trying to wrangle gumboots, snacks, spare clothes, and a child who has just discovered they really don’t like wet socks.

This is where a bit of practical thinking helps. The families who get out more in unpredictable weather aren’t necessarily more adventurous, they’re just better set up for it. Dry bags in the boot, a few old towels on standby, and a mental shift that says “messy is fine” go a long way.

It also helps when the vehicle you’re loading up is designed with that kind of reality in mind.

Built for the in-between moments

For many families, the car becomes the bridge between everyday routines and spontaneous outdoor escapes. School drop-offs, weekend sports, last-minute “let’s go for a walk before dinner” decisions – often it can hinge on whether it’s easy to just go.

The Subaru Forester fits naturally into that rhythm of family life. With all-wheel drive capability, it’s designed to handle the kind of conditions parents know all too well, whether it be wet roads, gravel tracks, muddy car parks after sport, or unpredictable weather that doesn’t always match the plan for the day.

Features like X-Mode add an extra layer of confidence when conditions get slippery or uneven, helping the vehicle maintain traction when you’re heading beyond sealed roads or into more rugged terrain.

Learn more about Subaru capability including All-Wheel Drive & X-Mode

It’s not about chasing extreme adventure; it’s about making the everyday journey feel easier, even when the conditions aren’t ideal.

Smart safety for everyday adventures

Parents know that every journey comes with precious cargo, which is why safety is often at the top of the checklist when choosing a family vehicle. The Subaru Forester has earned a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (the highest possible rating), providing reassurance that it has been independently tested to meet rigorous safety standards. It also comes equipped with Subaru’s award-winning EyeSight® Driver Assist technology as standard. Using a pair of stereo cameras to monitor the road ahead, EyeSight® acts like a second pair of eyes, offering features such as Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist to help support the driver and reduce the likelihood or severity of an accident. Whatever your adventure, it’s the kind of technology that helps parents feel more confident every time they get behind the wheel. It’s this thoughtful combination of safety, capability and everyday practicality that has seen the Subaru Forester recognised as both New Zealand Autocar’s Best Family Car of the Year and Driven Car Guide’s Best Family SUV of the Year.

Turning ordinary weather into opportunity

Once you start leaning into all-weather outings, something shifts. A rainy Saturday stops being “ruined plans” and becomes “boots and forest tracks.” A windy afternoon turns into kite-flying at the park. Even a quick drive to the beach after a storm becomes a reason to layer up and see what the tide has brought in.

Children don’t tend to differentiate between “good weather” and “bad weather” in the way adults do. They respond to permission and to possibility. When getting outside is normal regardless of conditions, they begin to see nature as something constant rather than conditional.

Adventure without the cleanup stress

One of the biggest barriers to saying “yes” to a muddy adventure isn’t the weather; it’s the thought of cleaning up afterwards. That’s where a few practical accessories can make all the difference. Genuine Subaru rubber floor mats are designed to catch muddy footprints, wet gumboots and sandy toes, while a durable cargo tray helps protect the boot from everything from soggy picnic blankets to muddy bikes and sports gear.

When the adventure’s over, it’s simply a matter of lifting them out and hosing them down, so the mess doesn’t become a reason to stay home next time. And if the rain is still falling on the drive home, Subaru Weather Shields allow you to crack the windows open for fresh air and ventilation without letting the weather in, helping keep the cabin comfortable and reducing window fogging. It’s those thoughtful touches that make embracing rain, mud and all the fun that comes with it feel just that little bit easier.

Image: Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid Touring

Small habits that make big adventures easier

For parents trying to make this more doable in real life, it often comes down to a few simple habits:

• Keep a “ready-to-go” outdoor kit in the car (spare clothes, towels, wet wipes)
• Accept that muddy clothes are part of the experience, not a problem to solve immediately
• Choose nearby nature spots so outings feel low-pressure and flexible
• Let kids lead the pace sometimes, even if it’s slow, squelchy, and full of detours

None of it needs to be complicated. In fact, the less complicated it feels, the more often it happens.

Raising kids who don’t wait for perfect conditions

At its heart, all-weather outdoor play is less about weather and more about mindset. It’s about showing children that joy isn’t postponed until everything is ideal. That curiosity doesn’t depend on sunshine. That there’s value in going anyway.

And for families, that shift can quietly change the rhythm of weekends and afternoons with less waiting and more doing; less planning for perfect moments and more noticing the ones that show up in between.

Because rain, mud, or shine, childhood doesn’t pause for the forecast and neither should the adventures that come with it.

Learn more about the Subaru Forester and discover how it can support your family’s everyday adventures. Better yet, book a test drive and experience its family-friendly versatility for yourself.