There’s no greater joy in life than spending time with the whole family. With spring coming up, there’s no better time than now to start looking for fun outdoor activities you can enjoy with your children. These include playing around in a backyard pool, going for a picnic in a park and riding bikes.
By spending time with your family, you’ll be creating memories for both you and your children that will last a lifetime, besides strengthening interpersonal bonds. Partaking in outdoor activities is also a great way of keeping everyone fit and healthy.
In this article, we’ll go through some activities you can enjoy with the entire family. Keep reading for some ideas on how to spend time in the great outdoors with your kids.
A Splash in the Pool
If you have an outdoor pool, spring is the perfect time to enjoy it. As long as you have the right pool fencing supplies to create a safe environment, going for a swim is a wonderful way to relax after a long day of exploring. Swimming is also a valuable skill to teach your kids and a great form of exercise.
Before spending time in the pool, you should invest in some pool-specific toys to make sure the kids have a good time. These include pool noodles, water play toys, balls and other throwable toys, and water guns. If you have toddlers, you should also buy floaties to keep them safe.
Swimming is a tiring activity, so make sure to prepare some snacks for when you and the kids get out of the pool. Hotdogs, lemonade, and burgers are all classic choices.
Visit a Water Park
In keeping with our aquatic theme, a visit to the nearest water park is an excellent activity for the whole family. Most water parks will have waterslides, wave pools, and roller coasters, so you’re sure to have something to do the entire time you’re there.
Spring is a great time to visit a water park, as it won’t be too cold to get in the water or too warm to safely spend time outdoors. If you’re planning to visit a water park, make sure to book your tickets early: demand is typically extremely high at this time of the year.
When visiting a water park, you might want to consider bringing your own snacks. While it’s possible to buy food on-site, you’ll probably have to pay a premium. Pack PB&Js, hotdogs in buns and smoothies to keep you fueled for a day of aquatic fun.
Cricket and Footy in the Park
Now that the sun is coming back out, you can spend time with the little ones at your local park. Bring along some wickets, bat ball and football to enjoy a leisurely game of cricket and footy. There’s no better time than now to teach your kids some classic Australian sports and bond as a family.
The park is also the perfect place for a picnic. Fill a basket with fruit, cheese, crackers, bread, dip, and sweets, spread out a picnic rug, and enjoy a delicious meal with the whole family. Parents can even consider packing some refreshing drinks like beers or wine if they’re not driving and have no other responsibilities later that day.
Picnics are also a great way to teach kids how to be environmentally friendly. Bring reusable utensils and containers, and make disposing of leftovers responsibly a family activity.
Go on a Hike
Another family-friendly activity for a sunny day is a light hike. Pick a trail that is not too strenuous so the kids can keep up, pack some supplies, and prepare to get your heart rate going. Going on a hike with the whole family is a great bonding experience and an opportunity to get some exercise in without paying a cent.
Another great thing about hiking is that you can do it at your own pace. No matter how young (or old) some members of your family are, everyone can benefit from going on a good hike.
Geocaching
While you’re outside, another fun family activity is geocaching, which involves using an app to find hidden stashes of treasure. This treasure is often hidden in very creative spots, so you can expect to spend hours searching for it. This activity is similar to a scavenger hunt and is sure to keep both kids and parents engaged. You can also make geocaching a more interactive experience by hiding the treasure yourself. That way, you can have the satisfaction of watching your children find spots chosen by you.
If you’re looking for an activity that gets the kids moving and also sparks their creativity, it’s hard to do better than geocaching.
Go on a Family Bike Ride
Riding a bike is a classic outdoor activity, and can be enjoyed with the entire family. You can either ride around your garden or neighbourhood, or find a popular bike trail to follow. Biking helps develop your kids’ motor skills and is a fantastic way to get their heart rates going. Riding a bike is also a useful skill your children will probably need for the rest of their lives.
When spending the day riding bikes, it’s important to make sure your kids are safe. If your little ones aren’t experienced bikers, keep an eye on them at all times. You can also consider installing training wheels to help them learn the basics. Never forget to bring helmets for both you and your children, no matter how much bike riding experience you have. You never know when an accident might take place.
Spring is on the way, which means you’ll have countless opportunities to spend time outdoors with the whole family. There’s no better feeling than having fun with your kids and teaching them skills they can carry with them for life.
In this article, we’ve gone over some popular outdoor activities for all ages. Take your children on a hike, go on a picnic, spend the day biking, or partake in one of the other fun activities we’ve listed.
