Fun and Easy Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors with Your Family All Year Long.
Spending time outdoors as a family is more than just fun—it’s an opportunity to stay healthy, get creative, and strengthen your bond. Outdoor play allows kids to explore, learn, and connect with nature, while parents can enjoy a much-needed break from screens and routines. If you want to get your family outside, this seasonal guide is packed with fun activities for all ages. Whether it’s spring showers, summer sun, autumn leaves, or winter snow, there’s always a reason to explore the outdoors together!
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Spring Adventures: Embracing the Outdoors
Once Spring hits it is easy to get bit by the outdoor bug. After being stuck inside due to the cold weather most people can’t wait to get out and feel the sun on their faces. Spring brings warmer weather, blooming flowers, and longer days—the perfect recipe for outdoor excitement. Here are some family-friendly ways to make the most of the season.
Top Spring Activities
- Nature Scavenger Hunt: Print this Nature Bingo Card or create a checklist of seasonal plants, insects, and wildlife you can find nearby. Kids will love searching for blooming flowers, budding trees, or busy bees.
- Picnic in the Park: Pack sandwiches, snacks, and a blanket, and enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. Don’t forget a frisbee, soccer ball, or kite for added fun!
- Family Gardening: Start a simple vegetable or flower garden. Kids will enjoy planting seeds and watching them grow. Plus, it’s a great way to get your kids to eat fruits and vegetables. My kids love snacking from the garden. If you are new to gardening check out this beginner’s guide to gardening from yougrowgirl.com.
- Puddle Jumping & Rain Walks: Spring showers shouldn’t stop the fun. Put on rain boots and enjoy splashing in puddles or exploring wet, glistening trails. In some areas, you may even be able to find new waterfalls during the rain.
- Bird Watching: Build DIY bird feeders and hang them in your yard. Challenge your kids to identify different bird species that visit. Check out this great bird-watching book for kids.
Summer Fun: Sun, Water, and Exploration
It’s easy to fall into the habit of letting our kids sit on screens all day during the summer. But, long days and no school mean endless possibilities for summer fun. These activities will get your family outside, moving, and soaking up the sun!
- Beach or Lake Day: Pack sunscreen, snacks, and towels for a day of sandcastle-building, swimming, and seashell collecting.
- Camping & Stargazing: Whether in your backyard or at a nearby campsite, camping is an adventure. Don’t forget to point out constellations and make s’mores by the fire. We love using the SkyView Lite app to show us different constellations. Check out our Ultimate Family Camping Checklist to make camping with your family easier & stress-free.
- Bike Rides & Nature Trails: Discover family-friendly trails in your area, and enjoy the simple joy of biking together through the great outdoors.
- Water Play: Have a blast in your backyard with sprinklers, slip-n-slides, or water balloon fights. We love this 3-lane slip-n-slide for having races.
- Outdoor Movie Night: Set up a projector, lay out some cozy blankets, and screen a family favorite under the stars.
Fall Adventures: Crisp Air & Colorful Leaves
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. The weather starts to cool down, it’s the beginning of all the holidays, and pumpkin spice (need I say more). Celebrate the season with these cozy and creative family activities.
Top Fall Activities
- Leaf Pile Jumping: Rake up a pile of leaves, then watch your kids (and maybe even yourself) enjoy jumping into them.
- Apple Picking & Hayrides: Plan a trip to a local orchard or farm. Fresh-picked apples and hayrides are classic fall fun.
- Hiking Through Fall Foliage: Find trails known for their colorful trees and enjoy the breathtaking scenery as a family.
- Pumpkin Patch & Corn Mazes: Nothing says fall like choosing the perfect pumpkin or getting lost together in a winding corn maze.
- DIY Nature Crafts: Gather leaves, pinecones, and acorns to make seasonal art projects like wreaths, garlands, or painted acorns.
- Local Fall Events: Look on Facebook, Nextdoor, and other locally based websites and see if there are any fall events going on. I know in my area fall festivals and other events are going on almost every weekend in the fall.
Winter Wonderland: Snowy & Cozy Fun
Getting outdoors in the winter can be difficult, especially if you live somewhere cold. Winter’s chilly weather opens the door to a world of frosty adventures and cozy moments. Getting outdoors in the winter can help with the winter blues and keep your family active.
Top Winter Activities
- Snowman Building & Sledding: Head outside with scarves, buttons, and carrots to create a snowman, or find a hill for hours of sledding fun.
- Ice Skating & Hockey: Discover a local rink or slide on skates across a frozen pond for a quintessential winter experience.
- Winter Hiking: Explore trails covered in snow and look for animal tracks to see which creatures have been nearby.
- Hot Cocoa & Bonfire Nights: Stay warm while enjoying an outdoor bonfire. Pair it with mugs of hot cocoa and roasted marshmallows for the perfect evening.
- Holiday Lights Walks: Visit decorated neighborhoods or local light displays to add a bit of festive cheer to the season.
Tips for Getting Kids Outdoors More Often
Getting children excited about stepping outside can be as simple as building it into your routine. Here are some practical tips for encouraging outdoor time.
- Set Weekly Outdoor Goals: Challenge your family to spend an hour outside every weekend with an exciting new activity.
- Create a Reward System: Use outdoor adventures as a reward for managing screen time.
- Empower Kids to Choose: Allow your children to pick activities they’re excited about from a list of options, or encourage them to explore their own ideas.
- Always Be Prepared: Stock your outdoor bag with essentials like sunscreen, bug spray, water bottles, and snacks to avoid last-minute headaches.
- Make it Social: Invite friends or extended family for group hikes, picnics, or backyard games.
- Encourage Creativity & Imaginary Play: Let your kids explore their creativity while outside and encourage them to use their imagination. While hiking, make a stop and build a fairy house out of sticks and plants they find. When you are playing in the snow, help them create an imaginary winter world.
Explore the Outdoors as a Family This Year
With so many exciting seasonal activities, there’s no shortage of ways to spend quality time outside with your family. Whether you are jumping into a pile of leaves or gazing at the stars on a summer night, outdoor play is the perfect way to create lasting memories and bonds.
What are your family’s favorite outdoor traditions? Share your ideas in the comments below! And if you’re eager for more inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter for fresh family adventure ideas every month.
