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From Tantrums to Tree Climbing: Steve Backshall on Why the Outdoors Is the Ultimate Parenting Hack 🌳

Forget the gadgets, routines, and latest parenting trends. Steve Backshall says the most powerful tool we have as dads
 is the great outdoors.

In this episode of The Dadsnet Podcast, we caught up with TV adventurer and dad-of-three Steve Backshall to talk about everything from polar bears to school-run tantrums. And while he’s swum with sharks and kayaked through icy waters, his number one parenting survival tip is surprisingly simple:

“Get your kids outside.”

Whether it’s bug hunting, rockpooling, or just getting muddy in the garden, Steve believes the outdoors has the power to improve mental health, build resilience, and give families an antidote to the chaos of tech overload.

Nature > Netflix

We’re all trying to manage the influence of screens—phones, tablets, TikTok, AI, you name it. But Steve thinks there’s one thing that can still compete: nature.

“It gives them the same excitement, the same energy, but in a way that’s grounding and real,” he says. “And the feedback loop? It only gets better the more time you spend out there.”

It doesn’t have to be wild camping or mountain hikes either. For Steve, it’s about getting out of the house and into anything with fresh air and a sense of freedom.

And yes, his kids still have meltdowns

Lest we forget, Steve’s also a regular dad.

He’s had the public supermarket tantrums. He’s felt the pressure of juggling packed schedules, Olympic-level parenting (his wife is Olympian Helen Glover), and messy school drop-offs. And just like the rest of us, he’s dealt with those days where everything feels like a fight.

“People will see us and think, ‘Oh wow, that’s Steve Backshall’s kid having a meltdown in Sainsbury’s!’” he laughs. “You want to disappear
 but you just have to reset.”

Takeaway for Dads

  • Don’t overcomplicate it: Nature is the plan. Even a short walk counts.

  • You’re not alone: Even the most adventurous dads have rough days—and wild kids.

  • The small stuff matters: A tantrum today doesn’t cancel out a magical moment tomorrow.

Ready to take it outside?

Steve’s advice is the reminder many of us need: it’s not about doing it perfectly—it’s about doing it together. And sometimes, the best parenting moments come when you leave the iPad behind and follow your kid into the mud.

🎧 Hear the full conversation with Steve Backshall on The Dadsnet Podcast right here