Do you know the best outdoor family activities for year-round fun?
Who says you can’t have fun outside year-round? Of course, it’s easy to get out and enjoy the fresh air when the weather is warm and sunny, but you can do things with the whole family even when the chillier weather sets in.
Plus, not only is spending more time outside a great way to spend time together and make new memories, but the great outdoors is also nature’s cure for many ailments. The more time you spend outside, the better you feel. Doctors are actually prescribing nature and time outside for their patients these days to help with a number of mental and physical conditions.
What better reason do you need to find more things to do outside with your kids and your spouse?
From camping and days at the beach to skiing and snowball fights—there are so many activities to enjoy. No matter what you’re doing, you’re sure to have fun, strengthen your family bonds, and keep yourselves healthy.
So, let’s take a look at some of the many outdoor activities you can do year-round with your family.
Camping
Camping is one of those things that you can do in almost any weather, as long as you’re prepared. It’s also a great way to spend quality time together as a family away from the distractions of everyday life.
It’s perhaps not as ideal in the winter, especially if you have young kids, but spring, summer, and fall are all perfect for camping. There are also many benefits to camping as a family.
You can easily go in larger groups for a multi-generational outing, it allows you and your family to explore a new environment and potentially even learn new skills, it’s great for getting in some physical activity, and it can teach your kids to appreciate nature.
Go to the mountains
For the colder winter months, a trip to the mountains can be lots of fun. You can rent a cozy cabin and play games together around the fire, take your kids skiing or snowboarding, go snowshoeing, or try out some tubing on the slopes.
If you can’t make it to the mountains, you can certainly still have fun in the snow at home. You can have a snowman-building contest, go sledding on some hills nearby, or make snow angels or an igloo.
Apple or berry picking
If you’re looking for a fun fall activity, apple picking is an excellent choice. Who doesn’t want to stroll through a beautiful orchard and pick some yummy apples?
And many orchards or farms offer other fun activities while you’re there to enjoy, such as hay rides, tasty foods to try, corn mazes, and more. You can even take your apples home and teach your kids to make some apple pie.
Many farms also do berry picking in the summer months, which is just as fun as apple picking. And they might also have some other fun summer activities and festivals going on, like live music and dancing.
Visit a pumpkin patch
In keeping with the farm trend, pumpkin patches are also lots of fun for the whole family. Even if you just go for the pumpkin picking, you’re sure to have a good time.
But many pumpkin patch farms also offer other fun activities similar to those listed above. And they might even have some Halloween-themed activities for some spooky kid-friendly fun.
Of course, after visiting the patch, you can take your pumpkins home to carve and decorate. And you can even roast up the seeds for a tasty treat.
Explore your own backyard
If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly or if you’re simply looking for more fun activities to do at home, your very own backyard has many possibilities.
If you’re into sustainability and want to teach your kids how to be more appreciative of nature, you can make some eco-friendly upgrades, like planting a garden or building a compost bin. These are great activities because kids love to get their hands dirty, and it teaches them valuable skills.
Of course, you can also do more traditional backyard activities, like build a fort, have an outdoor movie night, set up a slip-and-slide, make leaf piles jump in, teach your kids croquet, have a water balloon toss, and more.
Visit a dog park
If you have a family member that is of the four-legged variety, don’t forget to include them in the family fun as well. Many of the activities listed are already pet-friendly, but you can also specifically choose activities that are geared toward your dog.
Dog parks, for example, are a great way for both your pets and your family to socialize and run around outside. Your kids can have fun chasing all the dogs, and your own pet can get in some much-needed sniffing, ball chasing, and socializing with other dogs.
Get wet
Of course, when the weather is nice and warm, there are plenty of water activities for the whole family to enjoy. You can go to the beach and play in the waves and build sand castles. You can go to a lake and go swimming, fishing, boating, or kayaking.
You can also check out a local pool or find a waterpark nearby. And there is even plenty you can do in your own yard with just the hose, like running through a sprinkler or filling up an inflatable pool.
Wrapping up
The sky is the limit when it comes to outdoor activities you and your family can enjoy year-round. Everyone loves being outside in the summer, but don’t let the cooler weather get you down. There are so many things you can do outdoors, no matter the weather. Just remember to have fun and make some lasting memories while you’re at it.