From unplugging from electronics to getting some much-needed exercise, there are so many reasons to go outside as a family. These seven awesome activities are sure to help you spend quality family time outdoors no matter what the thermometer says.
1. Get Creative With Chalk
Chalk is an awesome (and inexpensive) product that can generate hours of creative fun. For example, draw out a cityscape on the driveway, throw in a few Mattel Hot Wheels cars and kids of all ages will be ready to hit the open road. If you prefer something a little more active, why not draw your own hopscotch court and start jumping to the finish. You could also have a family-friendly game of Pictionary.
2. Build a Backyard Fort
Backyard forts can take many shapes and sizes, but they are all great places for kids to spend a lazy afternoon. In warmer weather, you may want to just drape shade cloth over a couple of trees, while a winter snowstorm might have you building a backyard igloo for weeks of chilly fun.
3. Learn To Skate
Skating can be done on a sidewalk, driveway, or backyard ice rink, depending on the weather where you live. Either way, it is an excellent way to get in some cardio exercise and have a few laughs as a family. Be sure to use appropriate protective gear like pads and helmets to minimize the risk of injury.
4. Fly a Kite
Sure, most people think of the springtime as great for flying a kite, but the truth is that it can be a great family activity any time of year. All you really need is a little breeze and some kids eager to run around in the open. If you live somewhere that just doesn’t get a lot of wind, consider investing in a drone that you can take out and fly around as a family.
5. Grow Some Veggies
Unless you live somewhere that experiences extreme cold all winter long, you can enjoy gardening activities most of the year.
- Spring — Now is the time to start transplants, get garden beds ready and use cold frames to grow cool-weather veggies outdoors.
- Summer — Get summer veggies (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, etc.) in the ground and headed toward a mid to late summer harvest. Now is also a great time to start planning for fall crops.
- Fall — Lettuces, root vegetables and other cool-weather vegetables can be planted in the fall in many places. Now is also the time to harvest and preserve the last of the summer veggies, collect seeds for next year, and put the beds to rest for the winter.
- Winter — Add mulch and cover crops as needed to restore your garden beds. It’s also a good time to work on any larger projects, like building a new compost bin. Of course, you’ll also need to order seeds for spring planting.
6. Host a Charity Fundraiser
You can do something to help out, no matter what the weather is like outside. For example, you might choose to rake leaves, shovel snow, walk neighborhood dogs or wash cars for a good cause. Not only will your family get out in nature a bit, but they will also gain from the experience of helping those less fortunate.
7. Make S’mores
If the classic combination of warm marshmallows melting milk chocolate into a graham cracker leaves your mouth water, you’ll likely agree that there is no bad time for these delicious treats. While some people think of making s’mores as a fall activity to be done around a roaring bonfire, they can be enjoyed any time of year. You can use a fire pit to toast marshmallows without generating a lot of heat in warmer months, or even invest in a small, tabletop s’mores maker that makes clean up a breeze.
From making gooey desserts to growing healthy veggies, and everything in between, there are lots of activities you can enjoy outdoors as a family regardless of the weather.
