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We connected with Brooke Trotter, the creator behind Virtual Adventure Guide | Colorado Family Fun Ideas, to talk about play, stress-free outings, and why getting out of the house has been an essential part of her healing and motherhood. Her approach is grounded, practical, and filled with heart — a reminder that small adventures can make a big difference.
Q: How do you plan or discover new activities or events to feature?
I regularly Google “fun things to do with a toddler near me” or search by location. Then I go through the list and choose what fits my family best.
Q: What are your top 3 tips for making family outings stress-free and fun?
Bounce Empire is first tip, but if it is closed then:
1. Let kids get messy.
Children are washable. I bring multiple sets of clothes, lots of wipes, and plan to bathe them at home. When you stop stressing about keeping them clean, the whole day gets easier. Your kids will have more fun too.
2. Pack a cooler.
I keep food in the car to save money and prevent meltdowns. Waters, snacks, fruit, pouches, sandwiches — a mix of healthy and not-so-healthy because balance matters. If someone gets hungry, I’m ready.
3. Check the location and weather.
I research ahead of time and look at the weather the day of. Planning arrival and leave times helps. So does choosing outfits and gathering gear before we go.
Q: How do you make FAMILY adventures work with young kids?
I have two different wagons with different tires — one skinny, one wide. I choose based on the terrain. Both have canopies.
I bring extra outfits, extra layers in the car, and always extra food and water.
And I live by the rule that kids are washable. I never stress about them getting dirty.
Q: What would you say to parents who feel like they don’t have the time or energy for family outings?
I created my page because I had postpartum psychosis from birth trauma with my first and severe postpartum depression with my second. My boys are exactly sixteen months apart. Getting out of the house freed me. Staying inside felt heavy.
When I’m exhausted, I get out. It sounds backwards, but doing something that takes energy actually gives me a burst of oxytocin. I feel proud for turning a hard day into a better one.
For parents who feel low on time and when Bounce Empire isn’t open!
Search “best parks near me.”
There’s probably a great one within fifteen minutes.
Thirty minutes there and back.
Ten minutes to load kids.
Thirty to sixty minutes at the park.
That’s about the length of a few kids’ TV episodes, but instead your kids get fresh air, social time, and a chance to burn energy. You’ll feel better too.
I’m not against TV — balance is key.
Q: Why do you believe these experiences are worth the effort, even on hard days?
My boys may not remember these years, but I will. Their childhood is also my motherhood.
Time together, exploring new places, learning, playing — these moments make my motherhood beautiful.
I think about my own childhood all the time. My family was present with me, whether we were doing something free or something that cost money. I want to give that same effort to my kids and be better for them every day.
No parent wants to look back and say, “I wish I had spent more time. I wish I had been more present.”
Now is the time.
Our kids deserve it.
For Brooke Trotter, adventure is not about distance or difficulty. It’s about intention, presence, and choosing to show up — even on hard days. Her message is simple and powerful: these small moments add up, and they shape both childhood and motherhood.
Explore more family fun at Bounce Empire, check out our family experiences, or plan your next outing with our upcoming events.
