Summer vacation is a fantastic opportunity to spend quality time with your family without the stressors and the hustle and bustle of ordinary life. You may not be able financially to afford to go out of town for a standard vacation, or you may just want a more relaxing time close to home. The important thing is to get outside to take advantage of the beautiful weather and spend invaluable time with your loved ones. It’s also important to free everyone from their devices for a while to experience life to the fullest. Here are a few suggestions for outdoor activities that will keep your whole family entertained and close to home this summer.
1. Practice Playing Pickleball
Summer is an excellent time for your family to take up a new form of recreation. Pickleball is a fantastic sport for kids and adults. Its rules are easy to learn, and the game is fun and challenging. You may have never heard of pickleball and wonder when pickleball first played. The game was invented in the 1960s but has only recently gained widespread worldwide popularity. Many towns have pickleball courts these days. If there aren’t any nearby, simply find a flat surface; you can set up a pickleball net and play on your own makeshift court. Grab some pickleball and paddles, and enjoy!
2. Explore Your Area on Bikes
You and your children likely have your own bikes, so why not go on an adventure together? Many cities have great places for riding bikes, like trails or bike racing tracks. If nothing else, explore your neighborhood and meet some new friends.
3. Go for a Picnic in the Park
Choose a beautiful day and visit your favorite park or discover a new place for a picnic. It’s fun to find other activities available at the specific picnic spot, such as walking trails, playground equipment, or a duck pond. You could even plan to go on picnics regularly throughout the summer and check out some other places.
4. Go Camping (or Glamping)
Even if you’ve never camped out, it can be a fun adventure whether you stay in a tent deep in a forest or try a fancier glamping experience. Either way, being in a different environment and enjoying nature and your family is a delightful escape without having to go far from home.
5. Partake in the National Pastime
Whether or not you are a sports fan, attending a baseball game can be a lot of fun. Watching your local team play as you eat yummy ballpark food is a part of American life that everyone should experience at least once. This is a must-do for your family in the summertime.
6. Discover and Learn a New Hobby
During summer vacation, particularly if you are not visiting a touristy area, you and your kids will likely have a significant amount of downtime. What better opportunity to adopt a new hobby? Before vacation, ask everyone to think about something they’ve wanted to learn. Surprise them by getting the supplies so that they are ready to begin on day one. Your children may find a lifelong passion during this time.
7. Take Walks Through Nature
Walking is great for physical health, but walking in nature is an excellent way to improve mental well-being. Whether you’re alone or with all of your family members, taking a stroll through nature will take you away from ordinary life for a while. This is also an excellent opportunity to practice mindfulness meditation (i.e., focusing your mind only on the present moment) for stress relief.
You don’t have to travel out of state or even out of your hometown to have fun, unique, memorable experiences with your family. Trying new things together can make it feel like you’re on vacation. Begin today by researching your local area for activities you and your kids will enjoy. Whatever you choose, your family will enjoy spending this special time together and making memories.
