Big Fun With Microadventures
By Rachel Ofo
For anyone who’s read through a few issues of BAMBI Magazine and come across my articles, you’ll know that I love the outdoors. I can find the same amount of joy sitting in my backyard listening to my daughter splash in the pool that I would ziplining through jungles. And now that school will soon be finishing up for the summer, and the weather is warming up on my side of the world, my brain is constantly in “outdoor adventure” mode.
I’m always thinking of where I’m taking my daughter next, what we’re going to see, or what we’re going to experience. My phone is full of links to random parks. My laptop’s download folder has plenty of scavenger hunts. My car’s passenger seat is littered with flyers for various summer activities. One thing I try to do with all these plans, especially when I'm gearing up to fit as many adventures in as possible, is to make them quick, fun, and accessible for any friends who might want to join.
What are microadventures?
To get into this, let’s understand the core of a microadventure. As the name states, a microadventure is a small way to easily get outside and do something fun. It’s meant to be a cheap and local—but super exciting and engaging—activity. The key is finding what works for you and your family. It can be as simple as taking your kids for a walk through the market, and Bangkok isn’t short of them. There are always sights to take in at an outdoor market. New snacks to try, new Thai words to learn, and new ways to find through the maze of stalls.
Microadventures are a way to weave excitement and learning into your daily life. There are even studies around the psychological benefits of stepping outside. Check out BAMBI’s May 2025 article, “Nature Therapy”, to learn just how healing nature can be (1). These little adventures make it easier to experience the outdoors and enjoy nature without extensive planning, arduous trips, or expensive equipment.
On the topic of equipment, another part of microadventures that some may appreciate is the fact that, since you’re staying local, you won’t have to worry about things like losing signal or power. I’m all for unplugging from modern technology, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to research information on that rainbow-colored bird that just flew by. I have a habit of Google Lens-ing every single flower I pass on the road. I loved that about Thailand—the ability to spot flowers and bushes growing out of the most random cracks in the road and learning something new about its history and role in the environment.
Microadventures are everywhere!
Part of Thailand’s charm, and one of the reasons I found myself grinning in the Land of Smiles, is the ease with which you can find enjoyment within whichever city you’re living in. During my years in Thailand, I visited many provinces. In all these areas, I was always outside—unless the rain was torrential. There was always something to experience.
Thailand is a country that easily engages all the senses, so anyone can find enjoyment anywhere. In Bangkok, parks are always being updated, play areas are always opening, and immersive experiences are always popping up. The number of times I woke up, got my daughter dressed, and ran off to Bangkachao for a day's bike riding around the island is too many to count. My daughter and I would often walk to True Digital Park just to blow bubbles in their green space. Around every corner, adventure awaits. A few years ago, my family drove to Kanchanaburi with very little prep—just an Airbnb booked—and spent our evenings in a local hot spring. Even my daughter, who was three years old at the time, enjoyed dipping her toe in the hot pools, then scurrying off to the cold pools to splash around with the other children.
Making microadventures work for you
Whisking my daughter away for a random microadventure is not something I’m intimidated by because I’ve been doing it since I learned how to babywear. So what if your child is a few years old or even a teenager and you’d like to start microadventuring now? Yes, it may be a bit intimidating, but again, find what works for you.
Because microadventures are meant to be bite-sized trips, find what your child loves to do and simply condense it. My family loves camping, but sometimes renting a car, filling it up with stuff, and driving eight hours isn’t feasible. Sometimes we just find somewhere close enough to get to on a half tank of gas. Two weeks ago, we took a 90-minute drive to a nearby desert to catch a meteor shower and sleep under the stars. My husband and I worked that day. In fact, I was still working while he packed my pillow and sleepwear into the car. We got there, set up the tent in a few minutes, started a fire, and watched the sky. The next morning, we hiked for a little, packed the few things we'd brought, and headed home. It was short and sweet. We got to experience shooting stars, a pack of coyotes in the middle of the night, and the largest palm trees I’ve ever seen in my life.
For our next adventure, I’m planning on taking my daughter to a local fair. We’ll eat cookies and cotton candy, ride insanely fast rides (she will, not me), collect lots of free seeds (I will, not her), and do whatever else comes up, because why not? With these microadventures, knowing where you’ll go and your budget, but not your exact plans, keeps the plans open but not chaotic. We go to the fair every year, and we always learn something new while having fun. And we’ll continue doing it because it works for us, and we already know exactly what to expect.
It’s all about finding rewards and bonding with your family without breaking the bank or causing unnecessary stress. Set specific boundaries and budgets and stick to them. Repeat adventures. And if there are hiccups in the plans, roll with them. It’s honestly part of the experience. You get to learn not only about wherever you go but about yourself as well. The more you try going on these adventures, the easier you’ll find them. Then everything will seem like an adventure. That Big C trip will look less intimidating with kids in tow when they see it as a fun activity where they get to check items off their scavenger hunt list. Let’s use microadventures to find more joy in our lives with what we’re given.
References
- Ofo, R. Nature Therapy, BAMBI, May 2025. bambiweb.org/news/nature-therapy
About the Author
Rachel Ofo moved from the US to Bangkok in 2016 and spent six and a half years there. She has a daughter, whom she loves dragging around on various adventures like hikes and fishing trips. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and trying new restaurants. She also enjoys being out in nature.