Outdoor adventures with kids is a great way foster the love of nature. Trade the screen for green grass and enjoy a day full of adventures outdoors!

My son and I enjoy our outdoor fun and adventures. Being intentional with outdoor time at a very early age was priority for us. I think it’s key in today’s would of all things technology.

It’s too easy for us as parents to only have the kids play in their rooms rather than go site outside in the backyard. Especially when they are little and need constant supervision.

But man oh man does it pay off! A little sunshine is great for both parents and children. Plus never once has my son complained about outside – it’s when I say it’s time to come IN the house that complaining begins.

I recently saw the 1,000 Hours Outside Challenge circulating around the internet and instantly knew this was something we had to do! I printed off the tracker sheet so that it makes it easy to see our progress.

My favorite outdoor adventures are hiking and canoeing. Which both are perfect for lazy Saturdays when we don’t have any plans. I pack a picnic and head to a local nature center for several hours.

It may seem like a lot of hours, especially for those that are newbies to making outdoor time a priority. But I guarantee you can do it and have some fun along the way! It averages about 3 hours a day. But send those kids to the backyard while cooking dinner, then after dinner go for a family walk. On weekends be intentional with your time and plan outdoor events such as festivals, farmer markets, picnics, outdoor shopping centers, etc.

Outdoor Adventures with Kids

Trade the screens for green grass!

Did you know that the average child spends 1,200 hours a year in front of a screen?! If kids have that much free time, then they certainly have time to head outside and play.

It isn’t only children who need to ditch the screens. Adults need to be put down the screens and head out into the great outdoors and enjoy all the nature has to offer.

Free Outdoor Fun

Not sure where to even begin? Start with your own backyard. Let the kids run wild. Sure they might complain at first. But let them find sticks, dig in the mud and learn to entertain themselves in nature. It won’t take long for them to figure it out.

Hike at a local nature center.
Picnic at a park.
Go to a neighborhood playground.
Walk around the block.
Visit public gardens.
Go to an open field and kick the soccer ball, baseball, frisbee, etc.
Ride bikes or scooters.
Rent a canoe or kayak.
Make a nature scavenger hunt for the kids while on a walk.
Stargaze.
Jump on the trampoline
Have a bonfire.

The possibilities are endless! During the summer my son and I create a summer bucket list and almost every activity is something that requires us to be outdoors.