Top Activities For Children to Encourage Them to Spend More Time Outside

Whether you want to encourage your children to get outside more with a new hobby, or you want to find some fun things to do as a family in the summer months, outdoor activities are a great way to start. When you have an activity to get involved with, it provides your children with more purpose to get outside, and away from their usual environment. 

In the modern world, where technology and social media are rampant, it can be difficult to pry your children away from their routines. Participating in outdoor activities makes it much harder to sit hunched over on a smart device, and means your children, and your whole family can reap the benefits of the great outdoors. 

Outdoor activities offer an opportunity to unplug from the hustle and bustle of daily life, reduce stress and anxiety, improve your health and fitness, improve your focus and concentration, help you sleep better, boost your mood, improve your lifespan and help you develop new skills. These skills can be vital for developing children, as they will learn independence, confidence, problem-solving and important lessons that can be transferred into their life. 

If you want to encourage your children to participate in outdoor activities but you are not sure where or how to get started, here are some top tips and some of the best outdoor activities for children, to help you get the ball rolling. 

Top tips for choosing the right outdoor activities for your children 

Every child is different, so you can’t just pick a random outdoor activity and hope for the best. It is important to speak with your children and learn about what they like and dislike, so you can help them find the most appropriate hobby. It is also important to consider how much time and capacity they have to commit to a new hobby. If they are getting close to exams, it might be best to find a hobby that doesn’t take up too much of their time and take them away from their studies. On the other hand, if summer is coming up, you may also wish to find something that will be more time-consuming, such as a summer surf camp at Aqua Surf School. 

Thankfully, there are hundreds of options to choose from when it comes to finding an outdoor activity your children can participate in. Just make sure that you find out what will interest them, or else they are unlikely to start it or enjoy it. A hobby should be something they have fun doing while developing new skills. 

Top outdoor activities for children 

Depending on how much time your children have, their capacity to take on a new hobby, and what they are interested in, there are a plethora of different hobbies available to choose from. Here are some of the most popular outdoor activities to share with your children to help them find inspiration and the perfect hobby for them. 

#1 Mountain biking

Mountain biking is a great activity that only requires a bike, helmet, and personal safety equipment. It is a great activity for children who like the adrenaline rush of cycling fast on a bike, and working up and down the challenging hills. 

#2 Rollerblading or skateboarding 

Rollerblading or skateboarding is a great way to get your children outside and have fun. These can be used pretty much anywhere as long as there is a flat surface and can be done in their own time. This is a great outdoor activity if your children are short on time, as it does not require any time commitments, they can head out and enjoy the great outdoors whenever they are allowed. It also provides them with a fun way to transport themselves around, for example, if they are going to a friend’s house,which will encourage independence. 

#3 Watersports 

Watersports are a fun and thrilling activity to do. The excitement is a great way to unplug from the stress of life and immerse yourself in something different. There are many different sports to choose from, for example, sea swimming, surfing, paddle boarding with an inflatable paddle board, kayaking, snorkeling, or windsurfing. 

#4 Team sports 

Sports such as football, netball, tennis, running, baseball, archery, horseback riding, and field hockey can all be played outside. These sports all have one thing in common; your children will play as part of a team. This is a great way to be social, make new friends and learn new skills. 

#5 Nature 

Some children may not want something so active or thrilling. There are many other choices that don’t involve much physical activity, for example, collecting bugs and plants, nature photography, caring for animals, beekeeping, camping, geocaching, foraging, and much more. 

Finding an outdoor activity for your children can be difficult. Try to identify their likes and dislikes, so you can help them find the most suitable activity to get started with.