9 Creative Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors as a Family

Are you ready to start enjoying the outdoors as a family?

Today we continue the series: How to Enjoy the Outdoors as a Family. We will be covering 9 creative ways to make your adventures fun for the entire family. As well as give your family the chance to do your very own outdoor challenge. This post also includes free printables including bonus pages to make a Nature Journal.

We have already covered:

What to bring, what to wear and outdoor locations to explore. Let’s be honest, it can be hard to keep the outdoors interesting when you have children of different ages. Younger kiddos are typically happy just to be outside but older kiddos might need a bit more to keep them intrigued. Here are 9 fun ways to make your outdoor adventures more interesting for the entire family.

1. The Alphabet Game

Search for items starting with a letter from the alphabet. For example, if the letter is A look for things that begin with the letter A, airplane, ant, acorn, you get the idea. Once you run out of things to find move on to the next letter. Another way to make this fun is to take turns choosing the letter.

2. The Colors Game

The color game is just like the alphabet game. This game will be easier for younger kids to join in on.

3. Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of things that you want to find and do on your adventure. For example, find a tree branch, find an ant and jump in a puddle. The fun is being able to check them off of your list. If you don’t get everything on the list checked off that’s ok. Just add it to the list on your next adventure.

4. Do a Plant Study

Before you go on your adventure do a plant study. Find out what plants are native to your area. On your next outing have a few plants and flowers that you hope to find. You could try to find something new every week. Your children can then check them off of their list found in their nature journal. (More about a nature journal below.)

5. Do an Animal study

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something through my link, I may get a small share of the sale at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure page for more information.Study the animals in your area. Your kids will be way more excited when they see a squirrel if they know more about them. This book looks like a great resource for animal studies.

6. Take a Closer Look

Something as simple as a magnifying glass can make the outdoors more interesting. This can be fun out on a hike or even in your own back yard.

7. Go Bird Watching

Bring a pair of binoculars and look for birds. This can be a great way to explore the outdoors and look at things with a whole new perspective. Here is a great site to get you started.

8. Make a Nature box

I know that collecting random stuff from outside is probably the last thing you want to keep around. If you have the space, allow your kids to make a nature box to store their adventure treasures. You could also let your child make a Nature Jar or a family nature container.

9. Write in a Nature Journal

Give your child a creative way to document their outdoor adventures. Encourage them to draw pictures, take notes and keep track of what they see, learn and experience.The outdoor challenge printable pack includes pages to make your child a nature journal. All you need is a binder to store them in.

Now that you have all the tools you need to get started you are ready to do the 4 week Outdoor Family Challenge. It is simple, go on an outdoor adventure once a week as a family for 4 weeks. Easy right!

This challenge is going to be different for every family. If your family is just beginning your outdoor adventure journey then start slow. Remember, the goal is to have a special time of family bonding. Don’t get so focused on the what that you forget the why.For this challenge I have created an outdoor challenge printable packet. This includes a Challenge sheet, to help you keep track of the places that you visit and the things that you see. An outdoor goals sheet, to write down the places that your family wants to visit and outdoor activities your family hopes to accomplish. And bonus pages that can be used to make your very own nature journal.After you have completed the 4 week challenge I encourage you to do it again. Each time you do the challenge have a new set of goals that you hope to accomplish. I would love to hear about your families adventures. Be sure to use the hashtag #outdoorfamilychallenge on your adventure photos for a chance to be featured on the ShortSweetMom Instagram feed.

Our family’s current goals are to continue to go on an outdoor adventure together at least once a week. As well as, try camping as a family for the first time this summer. What are your families outdoor goals? Do you have any good camping tips for me? I am not gonna lie, the thought of camping with a munchkin makes me nervous.  I would love to hear from you, be sure to join the ShortSweetMom Community and let’s get to know each other better.