Taking your kids on a spring family outdoor adventure is a great way to make memories and enjoy the good weather. But there are quite a few things to consider if you want to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible! We’ll be sharing some helpful tips as well as some family-fun destinations that we know every family member will enjoy!
Tips on Planning the Perfect Spring Family Outdoor Adventure
Organize Activities
Keeping your little ones occupied can be a challenging task, especially in such a new environment. That’s why it’s a great idea to plan a few interactive and engaging activities while you’re out and about. Of course, the type of activities will depend on where you’re going, but here are some fun options to keep in mind:
- Scavenger hunt: Mother Nature has lots of cool sticks, stones, and leaves that your kids can look for!
- Lawn games: Bring a frisbee, ladder toss, or paddle board and get ready for a day of friendly competition.
- Photography: Let your kids take photos of interesting sights during your outing. You can always make a scrapbook of the memories when you return home.
- Arts and Crafts: Bring along some art supplies to create fun projects that incorporate leaves, rocks, and flowers.
- Wildlife watching: See who can spot the most birds, insects, or other small mammals during your trip!
Have quality gear
An additional way to make sure your spring family outdoor adventure is successful is picking the right gear. If you are heading out on an overnight trip, having a reliable and easy-to-set-up tent can make all the difference. You don’t want to find yourself fixing the tent during an unexpected storm. If you want to invest in very good tent that will withstand all your future family adventures, check the Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic 6-Person Tent. Featuring hundreds of stellar reviews, it has enough room for the whole family, and is made for multiple weather conditions, which makes it perfect for spring camping! We’ve always trusted Cabela’s when it comes to outdoor essentials like this. Their gear is durable, family-friendly, and and made for outdoor adventures to be easier and enjoyable.
Leave the Electronics at Home
Your spring family outdoor adventure should be about spending quality time with each other. But phones, tablets, and other distractions can make that difficult – for both parents and children. Therefore, leave the unnecessary devices you won’t need for the day at home. Smartphones can be brought, but try to silence them or enable the do-not-disturb mode while you’re out!
Pack Essentials
One of the hardest challenges of planning a day trip is making sure you’ve packed everything you need. While your exact packing list depends on your activity, here are a few must-have items you can use anywhere:
- Healthy snacks and water
- Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat)
- First-aid kit
- But spray
- Portable charges
- Cleaning supplies (trash bags, wet wipes, hand sanitizer)
- Rain gear (jacket, poncho, umbrella)
- Camping supplies (if staying overnight at a campground)
Be Flexible
For most families, the primary goal of going on an outdoor adventure is to have fun! So try not to over-stress or over-plan the day. Unexpected changes (like weather and moods) can happen at any time during your trip. But by staying flexible, you can adapt to these different situations to make the most of your time together. Having some downtime or even a spontaneous side trip can really make the trip more magical for everyone!
Discuss Safety Ahead of Time
Before the big day, take a moment to sit down with your kids to go over expectations and guidelines. Being outdoors or in a new place has its risks, so it’s important to do what you can to prevent accidents and injuries. Here are a few topic points to discuss with your family before your outdoor adventure:
- Physical boundaries: Where are children allowed to explore and wander? Can they go off alone or should a parent or adult be present?
- Nature awareness: Educate your kids about local wildlife and potentially dangerous plants that should be avoided.
- Water safety: If you’re going to the lake or beach, discuss how children should behave near water (ex: wearing lifejackets, not swimming out too far, etc.)
- First-aid preparedness: Kids should know about basic safety procedures in case they or someone they know gets injured on the trip.
Have a Backup Plan
Even if you check the forecast ahead of time, spring weather can change at any minute. It could be sunny one moment and then cold and rainy the next. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case the weather forces you to change your itinerary.
Do some research to see if there are any indoor activities near where you’ll be heading. A family-friendly museum, a shopping mall, or even a cafe can be a good place to hang out while you wait for storms to pass.
The Best Spring Family Outdoor Adventure Ideas
Looking for the best outdoor activities to do this spring? Here are some great family-friendly options:
- Picnic in the park: Whip up a few snacks and enjoy a day with lawn games, reading, or just relaxing to music!
- Scenic hike in nature: Find a kid-friendly nature trail where your little ones can explore and discover wildlife.
- Camping weekend: Disconnect from the outside world and enjoy a night of stargazing, campfire stories, and making s’mores. You can research and book your campground online with KOA.
- Beach or lake day: Head to the beach or lake for a relaxing day of swimming and sandcastle building.
- Bike riding: Strap on your helmet and go for a ride down a scenic trail or around the countryside. For a longer adventure, consider taking an all-terrain electric bike for more power!
- Farm visits: Look up a local farm or petting zoo and get ready for an educational and interactive day out.
- Botanical gardens: Take your kids for a leisurely stroll to see the beautiful spring blooms and flower fields at your local botanical garden.
Don’t be afraid to get your kids involved in the planning of your spring family outdoor adventure! Let them brainstorm ideas of places to go or activities to do. They can also assist with the preparation by coming up with snack ideas, packing their day bag, or picking out a music playlist. And if you’re planning a longer trip (like for spring break), then here are a few useful travel tips to consider.
