Kids spend a lot of time indoors these days, whether it’s sitting in front of a screen or doing homework. But there are plenty of benefits to spending time outdoors with your kids.
For one, it gives them a chance to explore and use their imaginations. Kids can run around, climb trees, and build forts. They can also learn about the natural world and appreciate the beauty of nature.
And being active outdoors can help kids stay fit and healthy. Spending time outdoors with your kids is a great way to bond as a family and create lasting memories. So get out there and enjoy the fresh air with these simple suggestions.
1. Set Up an Outdoor Picnic
One of the best ways to enjoy a summer day is by picnicking outdoors with the kids. Setting up an outdoor picnic is easy, and you don’t need much in the way of equipment. All you really need is an outdoor table or an outdoor bench.
If you have a garden, that’s perfect. If not, any patch of grass will do. Once you’ve found your spot, set up the table and bench. Then, it’s time to start gathering your picnic supplies.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can pack a picnic basket with all the fixings for a perfect outdoor meal. Otherwise, just grab some sandwiches and snacks from the fridge. Don’t forget the drinks.
And don’t forget to pack some toys or games for the kids to enjoy while they’re munching on their picnic lunch. After everything is packed and ready to go, head outdoors and enjoy your perfect summer picnic.
2. Become Backyard Explorers
You’d be surprised by just how much there is to unearth right in your own backyard. So why not get the kids outside and active?! Take a look under rocks and logs to see what kind of creatures you can find. Or do a bit of gardening and let your kids contribute to your home’s beautiful yard space.
If your kids aren’t the ‘work in the dirty’ type, then why not get a little bit crafty? Collect leaves, sticks, and flowers to make nature-themed crafts at home. Pressed flowers can make for some pretty gorgeous wall art, especially if those flowers just happened to grow in your own backyard!
3. Get To Really Know Your Suburb
It’s important to keep in mind that there’s a whole world outside of your home and yard that your kids are probably dying to see themselves. After all, with five days of school making up the bulk of their week, it’s natural for kids to be a little sick and tired of feeling like all they do is either sit in class or sit at home.
So why not go for a bike ride or a walk and see how many different kinds of birds you can spot? Or head to your local shops for a nice weekend brunch and a wander. Take advantage of weekend farmer’s markets and any of the other happenings in your local community. The possibilities are endless – and spending time outdoors and being social is a great way for the whole family to stay happy and healthy.
4. Take Up Nature Photography
Photography is a fun hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. For parents, it can be a great way to bond with their children while teaching them about the world around them.
One of the best ways to have a go at outdoor photography is with the kids. Not only will they have a blast running around and exploring, but they will also learn how to frame a shot, capture different types of lighting, and edit their photos.
With a little practice, your children will become budding photographers in no time. And who knows? They may even end up taking better pictures than you!
5. Film a Home Movie
What could be more fun than making a home movie with the kids? Not only will they have a blast acting and directing, but they’ll also get to see themselves on the big screen. And who knows, you might even end up with a future Spielberg on your hands.
There are plenty of simple home editing software packages available and many of them are not only easy to use but free.
There are a few things to keep in mind when making a home movie with the kids. First, keep it simple. There’s no need for complicated camera shots or editing techniques. Just let them be creative and have fun. Second, make sure everyone has a role to play. Whether it’s acting, writing, or helping with the set design, everyone should feel like they’re part of the process.
Finally, don’t take it too seriously. This is supposed to be fun, so don’t get too wrapped up in making a perfect movie. Just relax and enjoy the experience.
6. Learn How To Fly A Drone
Learning how to fly a drone is a great way to spend time with the kids. It’s a fun activity that can be both educational and entertaining. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to bond with your children and create lasting memories. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Choose the right drone. There are a variety of drones available on the market, so it’s important to select one that is appropriate for your child’s age and skill level. If you’re not sure where to start, look for a toy drone that is specifically designed for beginners.
- Read the manual. Once you’ve chosen a drone, take the time to read through the instruction manual. This will help you familiarise yourself with the controls and learn about any safety precautions that need to be taken.
- Start slow. When you first start flying, it’s important to take things slow. Practice in an open area away from obstacles and people. And, if possible, fly during daylight hours when visibility is good.
- Understand where you can fly a drone. There are rules and laws in place that govern where drones can be used to protect privacy. Get to know them so your day isn’t ruined by a fine.
- Be patient. Learning how to fly a drone takes time and practice. Don’t get frustrated if your child isn’t catching on immediately. Just keep encouraging them and praise their progress.
7. Enjoy Some Sports With The Family
Heading out to your local football field can always provide countless hours of entertainment for the whole family, but especially for kids with energy to burn. Bring a football or a soccer ball along to help you and your kids train your throwing, catching, or kicking skills. For a little extra fun and competition, you could try separating yourselves into two teams and actually keeping score.
If you don’t have enough players for a properly competitive game, then why not invite some other families from your neighbourhood to join in? Chances are your kids will love the opportunity to play with their neighbours, and their parents will also be pretty glad for all the free, kid-friendly entertainment on the weekend.
8. Go to your local theme park
If you’re lucky enough to live close enough to a theme park to make a day trip out of it, then we highly recommend taking full advantage of that. Regional theme parks can be a whole load of fun for the whole family, and can include a wide range of different activities, games, and rides, including timeless classics like dodgem cars and water slides, to other offerings like go kart racing, gravity-defying roller coasters, and other super fun rides.
Just make sure to check out the website for your theme park before heading over, just to make sure you’re in the loop with opening and closing times, admission fees, and also height limits for all the rides that your kids will be likely to go on.
9. Head Out On A Hike
If you want to trade the pavement to get off the beaten trail, so to speak, then there are few things more enriching to do on a weekend with the kids than head out on a scenic hike. As a highly accessible outdoor activity, hiking naturally has something for everyone. Kids can run up and down trails, whilst parents can stop and smell the roses, taking some fun family photographs and perhaps even some panoramas here and there to add a touch of colour and nature to your cherished photo albums.
You can even hike with purpose by taking a pair of binoculars to do some bird-watching, or simply see how many different types of plants and trees you can identify. If you pick a brand new trail every week, you’ll be able to see a whole lot more of your city, and perhaps even start to recognise the differences in landscapes between regions.
10. Escape To The Coast
Finally, if you’re lucky enough to live within driving distance of the beach, then why not just do that?! Planning a little day trip to spend some time by the sea is always sure to be a super fun weekend activity that the whole family can enjoy. This particular weekend activity is also bound to be a great option in summer, as you and the kids can keep cool while still having bucketloads of holiday fun.
Pack all your swimmers, towels, buckets and spades, and perhaps even some surfboards or bodyboards if you’re expecting some gnarly waves. Of course, if it’s expected to be a pretty hot day, you should also pack plenty of SPF50+ sunscreen and apply it at regular intervals as recommended, just to make sure that your kids stay well-protected against harsh UV rays. Sun glare can be enhanced by reflections on the water, so it’s still possible to get a nasty sunburn even if you’re sitting in the shallows.
Whether you’re doing something sweet and simple like having a picnic with your family, or getting more adventurous by learning how to fly a drone, being with your kids is so important. So take advantage of all your spare time this weekend and turn it into quality time with the kids that they’ll remember fondly for years to come.
