
Finding family outdoor fun activities is a terrific way to get everyone out of the house. Between work, school and chores, chances are high that your family is spending most of its time seeing beautiful days from behind a window. Gathering everyone for an outdoor adventure lets you get some exercise, enjoy the world around you and fit extra family time into your schedule. Here are some great ideas to get you started.
Go on a Nature Walk
Walking is a favorite family activity because pretty much everyone in the family can do it, from Grandma to your kindergartner. Make things more interesting by heading to your local state park or reservation with a field guide to identify the various plants, trees and animals you encounter along the way.
Camping
A crackling campfire, s'mores and sleeping under the stars. Camping is fun for everyone. Even families with very young children can enjoy camping together. There are lots of family-friendly campgrounds out there that make it easy to enjoy the great outdoors without having to rough it too much. Many campgrounds provide amenities such as rest rooms, showers, access to electricity, camp stores for forgotten necessities and recreational activities for the whole family.
Visit a Farm
Local farms offer lots of opportunities for family learning and fun. Depending on the farm, you can visit and feed the animals, pick your own apples or berries in season and enjoy special seasonal activities, such as watching sheep shearing in the spring and hay rides in the fall.
Start a Garden
Planning, planting and tending a garden together is a great family activity. Not only do you get to enjoy lots of outdoor fun together, you also get the satisfaction of watching as your garden produces a bountiful harvest of delicious food to nourish your family. Kids will have the opportunity to learn how things grow, and even the pickiest of eaters will be willing to taste veggies they've grown themselves.
Play Ball
Grab a whiffle ball and bat, a football or a soccer ball and head out to the back yard or park for a family ball game. Tossing a ball around is great exercise for the whole family, and playing a game teaches your kids about turn-taking and sportsmanship.
This list is just the beginning of the many fun outdoor activities you can enjoy with your family. Let your own family's interests inspire you to try out other great adventures, as well, such as sledding, hiking or cycling. Spending time together in the great outdoors not only helps you strengthen your family's bond, it's also great for your family's health.
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