Upcoming Ski Swaps, Family Days & Community Events
Gear up at a ski swap, try something new at a community event, and get outside with your family at an upcoming WinterKids Family Day!
Make Maine’s Outdoors Your Family’s Playground
Subscribe to the Maine Explorer Monthly for inspiration that helps your family move, learn, and explore together in every season. Each issue is packed with:
- Fun, family-friendly outdoor activity ideas across Maine
- Tips to make winter sports and outdoor play more accessible and affordable
- Stories and resources to help your kids grow strong, curious, and connected to Maine’s great outdoors
Whether you’re curious about winter sports or a seasoned enthusiast, you’ll find fresh ways to make memories outside together.
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Catch Up on Past Adventures
Find Trails Near You with Maine Trail Finder:
Maine Trail Finder is a free, interactive site that makes it easy for families to discover trails for every season of play, from hiking and biking to snowshoeing, skiing, and paddling. You can filter trails by difficulty and accessibility, explore detailed descriptions, and even log your adventures to track favorites or earn fun digital badges. Plus, check their statewide events calendar for outdoor activities that welcome all ages. Visit their website at https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/
WinterKids Programs & Resources to Help Your Family Get Outside With Ease:
- MOVE. LEARN. EXPLORE. with WinterKids – Free activities and printables to keep your kids active year-round!
- The WinterKids Passport is your family’s all-in-one membership to unlock free and discounted tickets for kids (ages 5–17) at ski areas, skating rinks, trails, and more across Maine.
Our Favorite Resources to Help Your Family Enjoy Time Outside Together:
- Outdoor Movement Project – offers family-friendly trails across Southern Maine, handpicked by a local mom who turned pandemic hikes with her kids into a joyful mission to explore and share nature. These trails offer year-round adventure, creativity, and connection, perfect for families of all ages and abilities.
- Maine Outsider – The Maine Outsider is a free newsletter curating outdoor events across the state.
- The Wandering Chickadee – is a Maine-based Momma blogging about her family’s adventures, giving overviews, budget options, and getting real about the bathroom situation.
- Mainely Parents – An all-inclusive parenting website and online resource guide for Maine families.
- Lake Region Kids Calendar – A Sebago Lake Region outdoor-loving mom, sharing local hidden gems, and highlighting the kid and family-friendly events and activities that make her community special.
- Portland Kids Calendar – The parents’ help desk for all things fun in Greater Portland.
- AllTrails App – Database of trail maps, which includes crowdsourced reviews and images.
- Run Wild My Child – Whether you’re brand new to outdoor adventures or just need fresh ideas to break out of the same old routine, you’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and practical tools to reconnect with your kids and the world beyond your walls.
- National Geographic Family – Tips to explore and learn as a family
- Adventure Local – a comprehensive index of Maine Outdoor Brands members who offer high-quality gear and expert guide services across the state. Explore by activity and season to find trusted local retailers, gear makers, and outdoor professionals ready to support your next adventure.
Maine Parks, Lands & Trails:
- Maine Public Lands (https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/about/public_reserved_lands.shtml)
- Maine State Parks (https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/)
- Maine’s National Parks & Monuments (https://www.nps.gov/state/me/index.htm)
- Land for Maine’s Future (https://landformainesfuture.org/)
- Maine Land Trust Network (https://www.mltn.org/trusts/alphabetical/)
- Trust for Public Land (https://www.tpl.org/our-work/maine)
Access to Affordable Gear
Maine Gear Libraries & Consignment: These community-centered gear hubs offer affordable access to skis, snowshoes, and a wide variety of other equipment, empowering their communities to try new outdoor activities together. Together, they break down barriers, helping everyone experience Maine’s outdoors safely, comfortably, and confidently.
Maine Ski Swaps – This guide helps you easily find ski swaps near you, whether you’re looking to upgrade snow pants, find a first pair of skis, or simply explore fun, affordable ways to try something new outside. Most Maine ski swaps happen from October – December annually.
Maine Organizations Connecting Kids to the Outdoors
- Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Chapter America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization.
- Bike Coalition of Maine The statewide voice of cyclists, leading the effort to make Maine better for biking.
- L.L Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools Book summer courses to learn archery, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and more!
- Maine Division of Public Parks and Lands Protecting and managing the natural and cultural resources of Maine.
- Maine Recreation and Park Association Working to increase recreational opportunities and promote a healthy lifestyle for Maine citizens of all ages.
- Rippleffect Promoting youth development and leadership through adventure, healthy communities and living sustainably.
- Sail Maine A non-profit organization formed to support sailing in Maine at the community level.
- Ski Maine Association Representing the alpine and Nordic ski industry of Maine.
- Snowlink Resources, websites and links to programs that help get kids interested in snow sports, and out on the slopes!
- Susan Curtis Foundation: Camp Susan Curtis
- Teens to Trails
Adaptive Outdoor Education Center (AOEC) enhances the quality of life for all people with disabilities through adaptive recreation and education programs here in Maine!
In addition to a wide variety of incredible programs, they also offer over 20 items in their Adaptive Gear Library that individuals can rent for up to two weeks at a time to move, learn, and explore in Maine’s great outdoors.
Learn more at https://www.adaptiveoutdooreducationcenter.org
Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation provides year-round education and training for individuals with disabilities, developing skills, fostering independence, and enabling enjoyment via adaptive sports.
Learn more at https://maineadaptive.org/
Central Maine Adaptive Sports offers adaptive ski Lessons for people of all ages, with any disability: physical, mental and/or behavioral.
Learn more at https://centralmaineadaptivesports.org/
Free Activities and Printables for kids
Keep your family moving, learning, and exploring with our collection of “ready-to-play” activities. These free resources make it easy to spark curiosity, build healthy habits, and enjoy every season together.
Filter Activities by Age Group or Event
- All
- Early Elementary
- Fall Activities
- Healthy Snacks
- Preschool
- Seasonal Playlists
- Spring Activities
- Summer Activities
- Upper Elementary
- Winter Activities





















