Let’s get one thing straight – outdoor family activities are not just for kids. Whether you’re looking for something to do on a weekend afternoon or are planning a fun-filled vacation, there are tons of great ways to get outside with the family.
Can you imagine having fun while getting healthy? It’s possible with outdoor family activities. They are the one of best ways to bond with your family while having fun.
Finding time to be active as a family is important, not only for your health but for your relationships as well.
Life is full of daily activities that keep you running from one point to the next. However, carving out time for some of the activities that get the blood pumping and the heart racing is a little bit harder to do.
Fun Outdoor Family Activities
So on your next break, you should plan an activity for you and your child to do together. It might be tough to get your child out of the house. But in the end, they will thank you.
It taught me that my kids did not need technology or the latest video games to have fun. And your kids can have fun too …
Here are a few outside activities you can do to keep your family active. Don’t forget to spend some quality time with them outside. Children learn by example more than adults realize. If you spend time with them outdoors they will enjoy it and so will you.
1. Go For A Walk
Make it a habit to take a walk around the neighborhood after dinner. Walking is a gentle form of exercise your children will be able to do anywhere with no special equipment needed.
2. Have A Picnic At The Local Park
Nothing beats boredom at home than a beautiful day at the park. You and your children can prepare the picnic basket together at home with their favorite happy food and spend a wonderful afternoon enjoying the meal that you all prepared. Meet with some of their friends and make it a picnic party on another day!
3. Plant A Garden
Grow your own vegetables and flowers. Gardening teaches your kids where food comes from and how to work with Play sports
4. Have Fun In The Neighborhood
Summer may be the perfect time to teach the kids how to ride a bike. You can ride around the neighborhood getting exercise and catching up with each other.
5. Go Back Yard Camping
Pitch a tent and camp with the kids in your own back yard this summer. There are inexpensive and safe fire pits you can purchase to give you the ambiance of a true campground. Make “smores “to your heart’s content and tell ghost stories as the sun sets to create memories.
6. Find Local Pools
Many cities have public pools that are surprisingly fun and underused. Of course, neighborhood pools are another fun option. If you don’t have one yourself, meet up with a friend who’s lucky enough to live in a neighborhood with a pool.
7. Beach Combing
The tides rolling in and out bring in lots of gifts from the sea that are deposited on the beach every day, such as sea glass, tropical seeds, or fossils. Make it your mission for you and your children to find some treasures on the beach to take home.
8. Spend A Day At The Pool
Water is cool and inviting. Round everyone up and head to the local pool at the park or in the community. Be sure that your children know the facts about water safety. And carry your sunscreen for swimming and sitting by the pool.
9. Play Pool Games
On a hot day of outdoor play, there is no better way to cool off than with water play. Spice up a game of Marco Polo by using squirt guns such as the Shield Blaster 1000. Kids generally won’t mind being active on a hot day when a cool splash is in their future.
10. Cave Tour
Going on a cave tour is a great time for the whole family. Your children will be in awe of all the caves features, and they will be learning without even realizing it.
11. Bungee Jumping
Whether it’s from a bridge, crane, or other approved site, bungee jumping is an unforgettable adventure. Make sure that the place you choose is reputable, with trained instructors and a good safety record.
12. Visit A Lake
Lakes offer so many fun opportunities, and there just might be a recreational lake nearby. If it involves a bit of a drive, that just fits in with the day trip theme. Lakes offer various activities, such as paddle boats, other types of boating, fishing, and swimming.
13. Camping
You don’t have to spend the night in a tent for it to be camping! You can camp during the day with kids, and many children love it. Bring food and equipment to your nearest campsite and set up camp. You can even pitch a tent. Build a fire and cook your food over it, and let the kids run around in the woods or enjoy an on-site playground.
14. Wade Through A Creek
Creeks are sometimes overlooked as a good place for a day trip, but they’re really fun. If you can get to one near you, your kids can enjoy wading, searching for rocks, and playing on the bank. Bring a picnic and spend the day by the creek.
15. Boat Tours
Your whole family can enjoy a boat tour. Depending on the location, you could spend the day sightseeing, fishing, exploring artifacts from shipwrecks, and/or viewing wildlife. Boat tours can be long or short, but they certainly can take the whole day.
16. Kayaking/Canoeing
Lakes and rivers offer wonderful opportunities for these activities. Even children can enjoy kayaking or canoeing, just as long as there is an experienced guide with you. Inflatable kayaks, called “duckies,” may be the best choice for kids. Being out on the water and viewing the scenery will be a day trip to remember.
17. Snorkeling
Yes, children can learn to snorkel if they have the right mindset, proper gear, and a good instructor. If you can sign your kids up with a nearby snorkeling program and you learn together. It may start as one day trip, but it could grow into a regular thing if your kids really like.Ocean
18. Rock Collecting
Some of these rocks are incredibly beautiful just as you find them. But if you choose to take them home to clean them up or put them through a rock polisher your child will be amazed at how absolutely beautiful their finds are.
19. Wildflower Walk
Do you have a state park or forest nearby? What about vacant lots or undeveloped farmland? Anywhere that there are no lawnmowers, there are wildflowers! Some parks and other public areas offer guided wildflower walks. You can usually find something blooming at any time during the growing season, not just in the spring.
20. Amusement Park
They can be the ideal vacation for a wide variety of people. A great thing about amusement parks is that they are full of options no matter what kind of trip you hope to have. Contrary to popular belief you will find much more than just huge rides and cotton candy at amusement parks, although you will certainly find those things too.
21. Farmers Market
The local farmers market offers many opportunities for your children to learn and see new things. The obvious attraction is the local fruits and vegetables brought in by the farmers or orchardists. This will give your child a chance to meet and interact with some of the people who grow food for your table. Lots of vendors offer samples of their items so your child may get to try new things she may never have gotten to try otherwise.
22. Organize Hikes or Other Outdoor Activities
While walking through the woods with a small child may seem like a daunting task, there are actually many kid-friendly hiking destinations around the world. Just make sure to stick to a short trail and allow or even encourage your child to explore every nook and cranny along the way. 58
23. Bicycle with a Purpose
Get your family in training mode for a 5-10 or 20K bicycle touring trek. Talk about what you’re going to do and where you’re going to be when your training is complete. Map out a route that has a point or several points of interest and when the big day comes, you’ll enjoy it even more.
24. Time on the Farm
If you’re looking for a family escape from city or suburban life, consider a stay on a real working farm. The kids may balk at first for having to get up early and actually join in the hay baling and feeding animals, but at the end of the stay, they’ll be happy they did it.
25. Rock Climbing
This sport has become extremely popular during the past years and if you live near or within a city, you’ll likely find a rock-climbing park that’s suitable for all levels of expertise. If and when you become proficient at rock-climbing, take it to the next level by booking a trip to a place that features rock-climbing adventures on real rocks.
26. River Rafting or Tubing
If a river runs near your home, you’re in luck. Chances are there will be river activities that you can enjoy on a weekend or even for a day. These wet and wild activities are perfect for hot summer days and can be great physical challenges.
27. Zipline the Afternoon Away
Most ziplines are located in an area where you have to hike to get there. Even if you live in a flat land area, there’s bound to be some ziplines nearby – they’ve become extremely popular with young and old alike and are thrills that everyone dreams of experiencing.
28. Go Fishing
Fishing doesn’t have to be a sedate activity. Fly fishing usually means you’re going to get wet, and the water is both refreshing and fun. Combine the fishing experience with a camping trip and plan on hiking and other activities around the camp. At the end of the day, it’s fun to grill or fry the fish, combine it with some smores and ghost stories.
29. Explore Nature’s Wonders
Many areas around cities and towns have specific portions of land designated to ‘nature walks. A child’s curiosity about the wonders of nature can turn into a learning experience that you’ll both remember for a long time. You can find a nature program that includes a night or an entire week by doing a little research about the types available in your area.
30. Mountain Biking
If your family enjoys bicycling around your home area, mountain biking can ‘up’ the enjoyment tenfold. A quick ‘google’ search should reveal mountain biking tours that you can easily access with your family. Or plan your own. You’ll begin with flat trails and some mud to make it more interesting and then try some off-road trails that will take you by scenery such as horses in grassy meadows, streams, and rivers.
31. Snorkeling
If you’re fortunate enough to live near or vacation near the ocean, you’ve got a wealth of summer fitness activities at your beck and call. Snorkeling is one way that the whole family can engage in seeing and appreciating the wonders of the sea. Collecting beautiful shells while snorkeling can also be fun and educational. It’s like a treasure chest of the sea. When you get back home you can research and categorize the shells you found.
Tips For Outdoor Family Activities
Are you ready to take your family fun outdoors and create unforgettable memories? I’ve got three amazing tips to help you get your kids excited about outdoor family activities.
- Explore New Places – Take your family on exciting adventures to new outdoor destinations. Whether it’s a nearby park, a hiking trail, or a beach, exploring different places adds an element of thrill and discovery to your outdoor activities. Let your kids be part of the decision-making process and make a list of places they’d like to visit.
- Make it a Playdate – Turn your family outdoor activities into a playdate by inviting other families with kids. Kids often get more excited when they have their friends around. Organize a picnic, a game of soccer, or a scavenger hunt where everyone can join in the fun. The more, the merrier!
- Bring on the Adventure – Spice up your outdoor activities by adding an element of adventure. Try treasure hunting using GPS coordinates or go biking on a new trail. You can add a sense of thrill and challenge into your outdoor adventures and this will get your kids excited and eager to explore.
So, grab your sunscreen, put on your sneakers, and get ready for endless outdoor fun! With these tips, you’ll have your kids counting down the days until your next outdoor family activities. Enjoy the fresh air, soak up nature’s beauty!
