8 Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities

Embracing outdoor activities isn't just a leisure pursuit. Getting outside and taking in fresh air is beneficial for many health reasons.

Sunshine boosts our Vitamin D levels. More Vitamin D means stronger immunity and improved sleep, which is MUCH needed when kids are in school and parents are juggling work, sports, and classroom germs (eek!). Vitamin D can also help prevent things such as osteoporosis, reduce inflammation, promote strong bones, and boost everyone’s happy genes!

Encouraging outdoor activities can also be a big component of corporate social responsibility. Integrating the importance of promoting healthy, active lifestyles into CSR strategies through support for public parks, recreational programs, and outdoor events makes for a great signature cause. By fostering outdoor recreational activities, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to improving quality of life and strengthening community ties. These initiatives serve as an example of a company's dedication to its community's health and happiness, making for a truly impactful CSR agenda.

Here are eight family-friendly outdoor activities that are perfect to share as part of your health-focused signature cause: 

You know we had to make this number one! Parks are great for kids to play on the playground or pet parents to walk their dogs. Your local park is also filled with endless adventure and is one of the best third spaces for families to get active and involved in their community. Many parks are the hub for tons of community events, including concerts, fairs, and farmers markets. Check out what’s happening locally and join in on the fun! 

Arr matey, ready to discover the wonders of your city? Great for birthday parties or just a Saturday with the fam, a treasure hunt with cryptic clues to decipher is an exciting way to explore your city. Challenge problem-solving skills and collaboration and see who reaches the treasure first!

Perfect for younger children, the color hunt is fun and educational. Paint each divit in an egg carton with a different color then head outside and find natural items that match.

From wooded trails to urban greenways, hiking is a great way to discover local beauty. Challenge your family to visit all the hiking spots on your list within a month. Then, celebrate with a picnic at your favorite one.

Give your chalk scraps new life. Divide your colors, crush them into powder, add water, and grab some paint brushes. You are ready to create chalk masterpieces in a whole new way!

Image: Thimble & Twig

6. Flower Boards 

A flower board is a fun way to create a wildflower (or not so wild) bouquet. Simply poke holes in a piece of cardboard and insert the stems of flowers collected from around your area. If you get lucky and find larger wildflowers - make matching flower crowns! Be sure it's okay to pick flowers before doing so.

For those rainy days when all you want to do is curl up and watch movies, but are trying to avoid screen time, embrace the rain and use it as your playground! Go in your backyard or nearest park and use bark, sticks, and leaves to build mini rafts. Then find your nearest stream or puddle and have a race!

Perfect for big families or a summer bash, cool off by teaming up in a summer soak relay! Teams compete to soak up and transfer as much water as possible to buckets using soaked T-shirts or sponges. The buckets are measured and the winning team gets the privilege of splashing the losing team with their victory bucket.

IMPACT Parks is committed to working with businesses, foundations, and communities to provide outdoor recreation spaces for families to enjoy. For more ideas on how your CSR efforts could encourage families to get outside to enjoy activities like these, get involved in your community, and engage with your brand, reach out to Rick or Rudy today!