5 Family-Friendly Ways to Explore the Outdoors

As lockdown restrictions end, we’re left with just a few weeks of summer and many parents may be looking for ways to make the most of the warm weather.

Fortunately, there are many activities that you can enjoy with your children, providing fun ways for your family to strengthen their bond. Here are just a few suggestions for getting out in the sun with your family.

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Hiking and Scavenger Hunts

If you have just a couple of hours to enjoy the outdoors, consider going for a hike on a nature trail.

This provides an opportunity for your kids to interact with nature while ensuring you’re close by to react to a bug bite or skinned knee.

You can make the hike more interesting by printing out a scavenger hunt list and giving a copy to everyone in the family.

The list should contain fairly common items that will be challenging but not impossible to find. Some things to add to your list might include an acorn, a maple leaf, and a pine cone.

If your children are older, you can create a more challenging list that includes things they have learned about in school.

Camping

A weekend camping trip provides an opportunity for you and your family to bond together in a wide-open area, while enjoying fresh air and sunshine.

You can choose to camp in tents, or you can rent a cabin for the whole family. Your choice will depend on your camping skill level and on how devoted you are to roughing it.

Whichever accommodations you choose, be sure to pack the essentials, such as a lighter, flashlight, first aid kit, and a paper map.

Remember that cell phones may not work in remote locations. Once you have your camp set up, you can each go off to enjoy your own activities.

Later, when you meet together for an evening meal around the campfire, everyone will have their own stories to tell.

Kayaking

There are few things as exciting as taking the family on a kayaking excursion, and it provides the added advantage of cooling off on a hot summer day.

There are plenty of organizations that host Yuba River whitewater rafting trips and similar excursions. You can choose adventures suitable for your family from beginner experiences to trips that require more advanced skills.

When making reservations, be sure to ask about safety equipment, since some companies may require you to bring your own safety gear.

If you do have younger children, also mention their ages and make sure they have river routes that are safe for them.

Visit a Park

You might be surprised to find out how much your family can do at a local park. You can find nature trails for hiking or asphalt surfaces that make it easy for your family to bicycle or jog together.

Additionally, your kids might take an interest in organized sports, since many parks have softball, basketball, and volleyball courts.

You can even bring along takeout or plan a cookout with your own grill if you want to make a day out of it.

Some parks include dog parks where you can let your pet run free for a change of pace, but be sure to keep him under your supervision.

Sunbathing and Swimming

Finally, a day at the beach can also provide plenty of entertainment, whether you just want to get a tan or go for a swim.

You can let your older kids do their own thing, knowing they will still be within your line of sight. Some beaches offer free use of watercraft, such as paddleboards, so the whole family can enjoy more fun in the water.

You can even make a game out of finding the most interesting pieces of driftwood, seashells, or stones. At the end of the day, you can all sit together and watch the sunset before heading home.

Along the way, you might come upon other activities that you can enjoy with your kids. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Even an afternoon excursion can provide your family with fun and happy memories.

Taking up a new hobby, or spending the day away from home, will help your family grow closer and provide ways for everyone to blow off some steam.

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Emma

A mother and lover of all things practical. My blog covers about motherhood by exploring all areas of life. Our tips and tricks help the large community to do more in less time so they can spend time enjoying happy, healthy families.