Outdoor Activities for Families

I love being able to get outside with the kids. Fresh air really is a tonic to boost your mood. I noticed both of my children really suffered during COVID-19; let’s be frank, so did I, and I bet so did you. Outdoor activities for families provide not only physical activity but also mental relief, which can help promote healthy habits. There are so many chances to explore the outdoors with your family, get outside, boost your vitamin D, and enjoy some highly engaging activities. Here are five outdoor activities that are perfect for families this summer.

1. Alphabet walk

Here is a nice, simple Outdoor Activity for Families. Going on an A-Z walk is a fun and unique way to explore your surroundings. The goal is to find something that starts with each letter of the alphabet as you walk. It can be a great activity to get the kids excited about going for a walk; it encourages them to pay attention to their surroundings and notice things they might have overlooked otherwise. This is fab if you are on holiday as a way to get out and explore new surroundings. It can also be a great way to get some exercise and fresh air while having fun. So grab a map, put on some comfortable shoes, and start your A-Z adventure. Grab the free printable for the kids to fill in as they go on the walk. Find it at the bottom of the post.

2. Hiking

If you’re looking to get your heart rate up and spend some time outside, consider hiking. It’s a great way to explore nature and get some exercise at the same time. You can find hiking trails near you with online tools like Wikiloc, or by asking friends for recommendations. Make sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water and supplies for the whole family. I like to freeze a wet flannel the night before and pack it to take with us. It’s rather refreshing at the end of a sweaty walk to wash your face. If you ever travel to Fujaihrah there are some absolutely stunning hikes.

3. Geocaching

The top of my list of outdoor activities for families is geocaching. Without a doubt, this is my family’s absolute favorite outside activity. In fact, my hubby and I often got on geocaching dates without the kids, I’m not sure what that says about us, haha. In essence, a geocache is a hidden object you need to find. The cache can be a pill box, an altoid tin or another box that you need to find, so basically, an outside treasure hunt. To find the cache you are given a GPS coordinate and then head off to find it. Honestly, this is such a fun activity; you never know what you are going to find.  Check out the geocache website for more information.

4. Beachcombing

Beachcombing with kids is a great way to spend a few hours at the beach. It involves walking along the beach, searching for interesting items like shells, rocks, and other treasures. It’s a great way to teach kids about different types of marine life and the importance of keeping our beaches clean. Encourage them to use their senses to explore the beach, from feeling the sand between their toes to listening to the sound of the waves. Make it a game by creating a scavenger hunt list of items to find. Remember to bring sunscreen, water, and snacks to keep everyone happy and hydrated during the adventure.

5. Family Olympics

Grab your friends and family and set up a friendly Olympic competition. Back home in the UK, we have some lovely public outside spaces, and this is a perfect location outside to set up your Olympics. You will need a few supplies: balls, bats, sacks, hoops, etc. All you will need to do is set up a series of games. Some of our favorites are sack races, egg and spoon races, and space hopper races. You can award prizes and celebrate at the end with a picnic.

6. Scavenger Hunts

We love doing scavenger hunts with kids. It’s a great way to get children excited about exploring while promoting teamwork. To organize a successful scavenger hunt, you can create a list of items for the kids to find. You can also incorporate fun themes or prizes to add an extra element of excitement. I have created so many over the years. My kids never seem to tire of them. Photo scavenger hunts are one of their favorites at the moment.

7. Water Balloon Fight

Having a water balloon with your kids can be a fun and refreshing way to cool off on a summer afternoon. I love the sound of the kids squealing with excitement and the anticipation of getting drenched. As they run around throwing the balloons, you know they burning off plenty of energy.

8. Biking

Going biking with kids can be fun, especially if you are cycling to a fun location like a country park or picnic spot. Before heading out, make sure everyone has appropriate safety gear and you have packed some tasty snacks.

9. Picnics

We love a family picnic, as well as enjoying the fresh air, it is just a nice time to chat and enjoy some tasty food together. When we travel back to the UK over the summer we try to go on a picnic every weekend (UK weather permitting). There is a lovely park near to us, with plenty of open space for ball games. Don’t forget to pack a ball or frisbee.

Backyard Picnic Having a backyard picnic with the kids is a fun and simple way to enjoy the outdoors while spending quality time together. It’s great for last-minute activity. Spread out a blanket and bring along a pack of cards for a family-friendly game of “Go Fish.” This is a great chance to let the kids choose the foods they would like to eat and let them prepare them. They can make fruit kebabs and sandwiches, and let them have free reign; they will love sharing their creations with you.

10. Rafting

Rafting with kids can be a thrilling and memorable experience for the whole family. It’s important to choose a rafting trip that is appropriate for the age and skill level of the children, as safety is the top priority. Many rafting companies offer family-friendly trips with mild rapids and experienced guides who can provide instruction and ensure everyone stays safe. Before embarking on the trip, make sure children are properly fitted with personal flotation devices and understand the importance of following the guide’s instructions. With proper preparation, rafting with kids can be a fun and exciting adventure. You may be lucky enough to have a tube rafting experience nearby. We’ve done these with our children and I can highly recommend it. Great for younger kids, too, as it’s a more gentle experience.

11. Nature Walks

Nature walks are a wonderful way to spend time with the kids while fostering a love and appreciation for the outdoors. During a nature walk, let the kids explore and observe their surroundings, learning about different plants, animals, and ecosystems. I like to let the kids take pictures of things they find interesting and collect leaves to make collages with when we get home.

12. Camping

I will be honest camping isn’t my favourite thing to do, but every year we have a family get-together where we all meet up for a long weekend, usually over a bank holiday. I have four brothers and sisters, and there is a huge age gap between some of us so their kids are the same age as me and my younger sister, and our nieces and nephews have kids the same age as ours. To meet up in one house is impossible, there are just too many of us lol so camping is the logical step.

The reason I hate camping is the whole toilet situation; I have a fear of public pooping, hahaha. Camping itself is a lot of fun. Being able to disconnect for a few days from all electronics is so needed. The kids love it; they have their own tents and can stay up as late as they like. I think they enjoy being feral for a few days. Although I recommend camping it can be expensive to get going. If you want to give it a try, why not just grab a cheap tent and set it up in the garden to see how your family likes it…..bonus, you will have a toilet close by!!

13. Birdwatching

Birdwatching promotes curiosity and observation skills while enjoying nature. To get started, find a nearby park or nature reserve with a variety of bird species. Bring binoculars, a bird guidebook or app, and snacks. Encourage kids to identify different birds and their calls. This is a great time to teach them about bird behavior, habitat, and conservation. You will probably find that the local reserve has some free activity packs for kids, which is a bonus.

14. Wildlife Watching

You don’t need to go to the countryside to spot wildlife, even if you live in a city the kids can get excited by finding an appreciation for nature all around them. Grab a camera and take some photos or pack some drawing supplies and stop to take some sketches.

How to use the free A-Z walking hunt

This activity is so simple to make and easy for children to understand. Print out a copy of the printable for each child. A clipboard or something hard to set the paper on could help to make writing easier. Provide each child with a crayon, pen or pencil. If you want to reuse the sheet, you can pop the printable inside a clear pocket and use dry-erase pens to write on top. When finished, wipe clean with a tissue and save it, ready to use again for another walk! Who knows what different things you might find on your next walking adventure!

When you return from your walk, there is a printable sheet that the kids can use to draw a picture or create a collage from found objects. You could even take photos along the way and keep the activities in a folder to look back at in the future. Have fun with these printable A-Z hunts, and I hope you give some of these outdoor activities for families a try.

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