Whether it’s television, video chat, social media, or video games, screens consume a significant portion of family time at the end of a school or workday. Screens are fine in reasonable doses, but hiding behind a phone can make family time feel distant or disconnected. It’s rare for families to get out and enjoy a breath of fresh air or the warming rays of the sun lately, which can harm health, happiness, and even family bonds. Outside time helps you breathe more easily, relieves stress, strengthens your joints and muscles, and even boosts your immune system. If you wish your family were bonding a little less through screens and a little more through nature, you may find some great inspiration in these fun outdoor activities.
Starting a Garden
A garden in your home or community offers many benefits. By providing a thriving ecosystem for animals, insects, and other plants, you can enhance the appearance of your yard and strengthen your bond with your family as well. You can start a garden anywhere, of any size, even if you’re renting your home; container gardening is a valid and fun way to start a portable garden. Each family member can choose a plant or section of the garden to tend to and make beautiful. You can learn about sowing seeds, fertilizing, pruning, and watering to allow your plants to thrive. Your family can even start an edible garden with herbs, fruits, and vegetables to use straight from the garden. Learning about pollinators and native plants can inspire a passion for agriculture in your family. Head to a local nursery and give it a try!
Goat Yoga
When you combine outside time with physical activity, you’re improving your lungs, heart, muscles, bones, and joints. If you have young children or older adults in your family, they can greatly benefit from a good stretching session in the sunshine. Yoga is a wonderful way to destress and stretch the joints and muscles, and it’s accessible for people of all ages and many mobility levels. The entire family may love visiting a farm and doing goat yoga, an activity where real goats join your yoga session for fun and play. They’ll sniff and interact with you while you get some fresh air and satisfying stretches. Check online for goat yoga near you; many local farms and petting zoos have started offering the trend.
Biking or Hiking Nature Trails
No matter where you live, there are likely a lot of nature trails in your community to explore. These trails make great backdrops for exploring on foot or by bike, allowing you to enjoy the nice weather and spot animals and plants in the wild. Nature trails can be exciting and enriching for the whole family, and those biking or walking will also get some decent exercise. If you’ve already tried your local trails, try branching out and finding a new one. You can even plan a family vacation to find new and interesting nature trails. An immersion in nature can not only relieve stress but also help your body fight off illnesses as a bonus.
Trying a New Camping Spot
Whether you love it or hate it, camping is a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll take a break from the rat race and screens to enjoy fresh air and sleep under the stars. Your kids can enjoy activities like hiking, fishing, hunting, gathering, or any other outdoor activity they’re not accustomed to doing in these tech-obsessed times. Teaching your kids to live off the land and respect Mother Nature can be a fun and interesting experience. You don’t even have to sleep in a tent if you don’t want to. RVs, glamorous campgrounds, or park model cabins can help you relax while enjoying all the benefits a nature trip has to offer without the flimsy tent.
Family Obstacle Course
Most kids love Field Day at school, and you can continue the fun with your family in your backyard or at a public park. Bring rope for tug-of-war, jump ropes for Double Dutch, sacks for sack races, and other obstacles and activities to get moving and enjoy the sunshine. Other activities can include dodgeball, sprint races, three-legged races, scavenger hunts, and general obstacle courses. Kids will love the creativity, and adults will enjoy the family competition. Wrap it all up with a family cookout!
Planning a Swim Day
Swimming is excellent for your health. It’s a low-impact exercise that’s easy on joints and muscles, making it enjoyable for everyone. If you have a backyard pool, plan a pool party day with friends and family. You can also visit the local lake, beach, or public pool if you don’t have one at home. Slip ‘n’ slides or splash pads are also fun options! Try playing team games in the water to boost your bond.
Adventuring on an Animal Trek
There’s nothing more exciting than watching animals interact with their habitats. Adults and children in your family can learn about various animal behaviors and species together. Depending on where you live, try visiting a zoo or animal rescue center to learn and observe. Local farms, aquariums, and petting zoos are also excellent options. You’ll have some enriching and exciting sights to see that’ll create unforgettable memories. To strengthen the bonds further, try to find every animal at the zoo or assign teams based on animal type, and whoever sees the most wins!
Conclusion
Enjoying a nice day outside with your family can provide numerous physical and mental benefits for everyone. Starting a garden, spotting animals, taking a dip in the water, or going on a nature trip can create memories that last a lifetime. When you strengthen your family’s bonds, you’ll enjoy a safer and happier life together.