Reconnect with your Family
Some of the best memories are made in nature. Find a forest or park near you and GET OUTDOORS!
www.DiscovertheForest.org
Superscript
Activities for Families
at Your Local Park
at Your Local Park
We believe that everyone — no matter who they are or where they’re from — deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Whether you live in thecity or the country, here are a few ways you can help your child become a nature adventurer.
Hunt for Habitats
Take some time to discover the animals and insects that share your neighborhood. What critters live near you? What can you figure out about where they live, what they do, and what they eat? Take a walk around the block or through a local park to look for clues. These might include:
Animal tracks: Look for animal tracks in the dirt, mud, sand or snow. Were they made by a big animal or a small animal? A mammal or a bird? If you find an unusual track, snap a picture and identify it at home using online resources such as NatureTracking.
Creature structures: Hunt for bird nests in trees, in shrubs, or nestled against buildings. What size and shape is it? What materials is it made of? What other creature homes can you find: Squirrel or rabbit nests? Ant hills? Deer dens? Wasp nests? Spider webs? Mouse burrows?
Go on a Bug Hunt
How many bugs can you find in an afternoon? Here are a few places to look:
Rocks: Gently pick up a rock and look underneath. Chances are you will find a few little creatures who have made their home in the cool dirt.
Wood: Hollow logs and fallen branches often become home to all kinds of bug life.
Ponds: Ponds are full of activity — and a great place to use a net to catch, observe, and release insects.
Flowers beds: Many insects, including butterflies and bees, use flowers as a food source.
Listen to Bird Songs
We’ve all heard bird calls floating through the air, but how many of us can identify which feathered friend is singing? Listen carefully to a bird song with your child, then try to mimic the sound you hear. Look around and see if you can spot the singer. Want to take your birding to the next level? Use the resources at Cornell University’s bird lab – including their free app Merlin – to identify the birds you see and hear!
Go on a Night Walk
Some creatures remain largely hidden during the day. After the sun goes down, take a walk around your neighborhood and search for signs of nocturnal animals and bugs. Depending on the time of year and your location, you might see or hear the following:
Crickets
Bats
Foxes
Racoons
Owls
Deer
Mice
Rats
Geckos
Salamanders
Fireflies
Skunks
Hedgehogs
Raccoons
Toads
Plan a Trip to a Zoo, Nature Reserve, or Local Farm
To expand your child’s experience with animals beyond the neighborhood, plan an outing to a zoo, aquarium, Audubon center, nature center, or farm near you.
Enjoying Your Local Park
March 2020
With busy schedules and alluring electronics inside the home, it is often difficult to give your children the time outdoors you enjoyed as a child.
Encourage your children to watch for wildlife. There is often wildlife at parks including birds, bugs and sometimes larger friends. Children can log the wildlife they see into a notebook, create drawings or take photos.
Go on a scavenger hunt. Work together to create a list of items you could see in a park like a leaf, a pinecone, sand, a swing, a fence etc.
Draw a nature map of your local park. Walk the park and then have your children draw the map of the park including important features and details from your walk.
Picnic in the park. Your sandwich often tastes better when you are sitting in a beautiful park. Bring a blanket and your favorite foods to enjoy the nice weather. Don’t forget to pick up your trash and to recycle.
Walk. Before or after dinner, take some time to walk together as a family. Discuss what happened during the day while getting a little exercise.
Running games. Teach your children to play “Hide and Seek,” “Red light/Green light” or “Red Rover’” Or with keep it simple by establishing a friendly competition running from one side of the neighborhood park to the other.
Create your own Olympic Games. Who has the fastest time running from one tree to another? How many high jumps can you do in one minute? Use the resources in your neighborhood park to create an Olympic Games for your family.
Make art from nature. Press flowers, glitter pinecones or draw part of your favorite park. Bring a little bit of nature back home with you.
Play with dirt and mud. Bring a shovel or even better, use your hands to dig your way to China. Create mud structures and mud pies. Let your children have the opportunity to get really dirty while learning how to play and be creative by themselves.
Watch the clouds. There is nothing better than to spend some time cloud watching in a park on a sunny day. Lie down on the grass and start to identify shapes.
Start a rock collection. Collect all different shapes and sizes, colors and surfaces. Another great way to bring a bit of the outdoors home with you.
Play in your park during the winter. Bundle up and head out to the park with a sled or a trash bag to fly down the hill on snowy days. Make a snowman or snow angels.
Most importantly, keep toys and electronics to a minimum when visiting a park. That goes for parents also; leave the smart phone and paperwork in your purse or car. It is important to teach your children to have down time away from all electronics. It also will decrease your stress to slow down and enjoy nature.
Outdoor Nature Play and Activities
Start here – favorite outdoor family reads
Outdoor Activities for you and your kids
Getting outside in the spring & summer
Getting outside in the fall
Getting outside in the winter
Thoughts & tips about getting kids outside
Keeping busy with nature activities (calendar and bucketlist)
Subscription boxes for active and adventuresome people and families
Teaching children kindness, gratitude, mindfulness in nature
Organizing your outdoor toys and keeping kids entertained with backyard toy rotation
Muddy Smiles and Happy Boots
Finding fun ways to keep kids active sometimes requires thinking outside the backyard. With indoor physical play opportunities limited by COVID-19, why not take advantage of a few hikes on local trails before temperatures turn cooler? A trek through the colorful changing leaves to see some new terrain can be especially beneficial to kids.
If you need a reason to inspire your tribe to take to the trail, try nature treasure hunting and starting a new nature collection. Or how about celebrating National Hiking Day on November 17th? Also called Take a Hike Day, the event is all about helping people of all ages get enthusiastic about hiking and learn more about how to protect and preserve America's beautiful national trail system. It's the perfect prompt to break out your trail guide and backpack, and as it turns out, kids reap more than a great workout from hiking -- there's psychological, cognitive, and social benefits on offer, too.
Four Reasons to Love Hiking
1. Hiking encourages free play
Free play refers to the unstructured, self-led play and exploration kids naturally engage in when left to their own devices. It prompts them to use critical and creative thinking, develop social skills, and refine motor skills, all of which are developmentally beneficial. [Source]
2. Hiking inspires kids to test their limits
Testing boundaries helps children develop both logic and confidence, and it's a normal and important part of growing up When kids hike, they'll have opportunities to test their physical skills and their limits within reasonable boundaries and with adult supervision. [Source]
3. Hiking can boost energy levels
Wondering how to get your sleepy teen's energy levels up a bit? Encourage them to come for a hike, which can boost their levels of alertness, especially if friends are invited along for social time. [Source]
4. Hiking can improve executive function
Executive function describes the skills used to choose priorities, solve problems, make a decision or follow through with a plan. Kids begin to develop these skills in unstructured social situations with others, especially outdoors; hiking can present unique challenges compared to other outdoor play, prompting critical thinking. [Source]
The National Recreation and Park Association’s mission is to advance parks, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.
Nature as a Stress Relief for Kids (PBS)
The good news is that, even in cities and small spaces, we can bring nature into our lives to reap some of the benefits.
PBS for Kids-Parents
Family that plays together,
stays together!!!
Getting ‘into’ Nature
From the Awesome Take them Outside website
Getting ‘into’ nature isn’t just about getting outside… it’s also about incorporating nature appreciation, and nature play into our lives even when we’re stuck indoors.
Here you’ll find all the fun ideas, tips, gear suggestions, and inspiration you need for outdoor family fun. Get both indoor and outdoor nature play suggestions. You’ll read about scavenger hunts, outdoor games, nature appreciation, backyard play, nature crafting, gardening with kids, books, nature study, and more!
KIDS IN NATURE
You’ve probably heard about kids not getting outdoors and in nature enough these days. The good news is you don’t have to be an expert on the outdoors to take kids into nature! Kids are curious beings. Taking the time to look and discover is more important than knowing the names of everything or how things work.
Kids are natural explorers outside, so your biggest challenge will be getting them back indoors. Others may not be used to bugs, dirt and the freedom to look around and discover, so it may take a little encouragement.
Let’s get outside! Whether you are a parent, friend, babysitter, educator here are 7 fun ideas for getting kids outside in nature.
Tiny Explorers: All you have to do is make sure they are safe and they will figure out the rest. Walking on spongy grass, dabbling in puddles – who doesn’t love puddles – or feeling the roughness of a big log and learning the words to describe what they are feeling in nature is all part of the experience.
Beaches on Lakes, Rivers or the Ocean: These are great spots for exploring. There are almost always bugs, shells and rocks to find. And of course water and sand make for endless opportunities for building castles and moats. Look for Learn-to-Swim classes, too. Lessons will help kids (and you) feel more at ease on the waterfront.
Stream Watchers: Shallow rocky streams are also intriguing – especially for more active kids that like to climb on rocks or logs, launch sticks and watch them float down stream, and look for fish, frogs, stream insects and snails. Avoid fast moving or deep streams that can be hazardous. Remember to put any animals back where you found them as that is their home.
Young Scientists: If your child has a deep interest in nature, they might like keeping a nature notebook like a real scientist. This boy was learning about logs in a program at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve. How big is the log, were there holes, is there moss ora mushroom on it; did you see any insects or other animals on or inside it? Or collect some leaves – how many kinds can you find? Or draw pictures of the different insects and caterpillars one finds in the garden of meadow.
Bird and butterfly watching: This takes a bit more patience, waiting and watching, to see birds, butterflies or even dragonflies! But it is amazing what you can see when you take the time to watch. This activity is good for older kids as it takes some skill to focus the binoculars. Younger kids can practice using binoculars made from cardboard tubes. If you are new to this, look for guided programs aimed at young people or families.
Youth with binoculars, photo by USDA
Get the Bug: Get a little butterfly net and see what you can find. This can be a good prop for kids who get bored with walks or just looking at stuff. Swinging a net, whether or not it catches anything, can be fun. Best to learn what bees and wasps look like first though, and to aim for the butterflies and moths instead. Look for fun pollinator activities at parks near you- these activities are for kids of all ages.
Bike Riding: Bike riding in parks is great way to see and hear nature. You would be surprised at how much one is learning even when not specifically focused on looking at the trees, the birds or the bugs. Animals will dart across the trail or scurry away as you get closer, birds will be singing, and you will pass by hundreds of different species of plants (trees, wildflowers, ferns), increasing your awareness of the diversity of the natural world. Having a physical activity and a sense of accomplishment from a bike ride or a hike can help sustain interest in getting outdoors. Check out trail maps on parks’ websites and remember your helmets!
Some State Parks trails are great for bicycling, photo by Josh Teeter
What to do when you don’t know the answers?
What is it? Kids will ask but they don’t expect you to always have an answer. Feel free to say you don’t know, but take the time to look a little closer to explore together. “Hmmm, it is some kind of animal – see how it hops. It is very tiny. Can you see its eyes?” or “What a nice flower. Do you think the bees like it? Let’s watch to see if any bees or butterflies or other insects come to the flowers to feed. They like the sweet nectar.” A tip from educators: don’t reply with “it’s just a bug” or “just a flower”because everything is novel and interesting.
What is it doing? See if they can come up with an idea of what the animal is doing. Are they swimming, jumping, sunning, sleeping, searching for food, talking (in animal language), fighting, or running away. Why are they running away? Why do they burrow in the sand? If you don’t know, children often come up with pretty good ideas about what is going on if you encourage them to take the time to watch.
Peterson First Guides: A series of small, inexpensive books on insects, wildflowers, mammals, caterpillars, seashores, birds, and other topics. Highly recommended for young and old as an introduction and guide to more common plants and animals one might encounter.
Backyard Birds (Field Guides for Young Naturalists) by Karen Stray Nolting, Jonathon Latimer and Roger Tory Peterson 1999.
The Secret Lives of Backyard Bugs by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards 2011.
The Bumper Book of Nature: A User’s Guide to the Great Outdoors by Stephen Moss 2010.
The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-ups by Gina Ingolgia 2013. Published by Brooklyn Botanic Garden and full of questions and answers about trees in both city and countryside.
Post by Julie Lundgren, NY Natural Heritage Program. The author grew up exploring the back yard and woods and has spent a lifetime working as an environmental educator and ecologist.
Superscript
Hiking Alternatives For When You Need Something New And Exciting
A Hiking alternative are perfect for those days when you are just feeling all hiked out. They are also ideal for those who can’t hike for a myriad of reasons. We hope these hiking alternatives will give you some great ideas for when hiking isn’t an option but you still want to be out in nature and getting that heart pumping!
Mountain Biking
During lockdown I bought a mountain bike for myself. It was going to be the start of a whole new adventure. Unfortunately that adventure ended when I realised by 3 year old was way too heavy to bike with in a toddler seat. I really needed to invest in a trailer attachment. This would have solved a lot of problems but my motivation was gone. Now all the kids are riding bikes and we are able to have adventures together.
We live near some really great mountain biking trails that are super quiet during the week. This is perfect for building confidence and just being able to have a bit of space.
Mountain biking is a great hiking alternative because it can be done in similar surrounds but just adding in that something extra. Now, while you can go mountain biking with young kids, I feel like it is really an awesome activity to do with your kids aged 10+.
If you are just getting started with mountain biking don’t go out and spend a lot of money. Scour the internet for second hand bikes or just purchase a cheap starter bike. Once you know that it is something that you enjoy you can totally go out and upgrade.
Paddle Boarding
Paddle boarding is a beauty of hiking alternative. Just as with hiking this can be an individual pursuit or you can paddle board with a group of friends or family.
If you are paddle boarding with kids you will want to stay in shallower water closer to shore. However if you are with a group of experienced swimmers you should venture further out.
Paddle boarding is a great hiking alternative because it gives you a completely different perspective on nature. When you are hiking you are exploring the land, paddle boarding allows you to experience nature through the water.
You can take kids paddle boarding at almost any age . This post here will guide you through the steps you need to take when paddle boarding with babies and toddlers. They absolutely love being out on the water with you and to be honest it can be a lot easier than carrying them in a hiking carrier.
We recommend this paddle board if you are just starting out. It is brilliant for both individual paddle boarding as well as tandem.
Kayaking
Kayaking is somewhat similar to paddle boarding but with a few twists. People tend to favour one or the other. Personally I find kayaks a little cumbersome but if you are into adrenaline rushes they might be more up your alley.
We are looking at an open ocean kayak tour in a few months. It says it is recommended for ages 7+ but I am still a little uncertain about if our 8 and 10 year olds will be able to do it. Open ocean kayaking can be a lot of fun. A kayak is able to get you into places you would never be able to access otherwise. There are a lot of really interesting animals who very smartly stay out of sight of people. Kayakers can however catch sight of these sneaky animals.
Kayaking is a lot of fun on the river when you throw in rapids! It is one thing to paddle gently down a gorgeous river but once you catch sight of a set of rapids your heart just begins to race. This type of kayaking is adrenaline junky’s dream. We kayaked down the river on a school camp when I was 12 and it is still one of my best childhood memories.
Swimming
How can you go wrong with swimming as a hiking alternative? There is so much variety when it comes to swimming. When it comes to fresh water you can head to the creek, river or lake. The lake is our favourite! Or alternatively you can head to the beach and enjoy the salty fresh air.
I feel like swimming is the ultimate summer activity. You know it’s summer when you are swimming. We live in a tropical climate so it is almost swimming season all year round for us which I love!
If you are a usual beach goer you should try mixing it up a bit and find a water hole near you. Waterfalls are also great places to swim that are a neat alternative to the regular swimming spots.
Horse Riding
My daughter dreams of owning her own horse one day. Unfortunately for her she is just going to have to settle for trail rides on someone else’s horse.
If I was going to pick the perfect hiking alternative that had to do with horses I would opt for a sunrise or sunset ride. Just like with hiking, some of the best views and experiences are at these times.
There are usually horse riding businesses near you that will offer exactly what you are looking for. Trail riding usually starts around $50 for riders 7+. However you will need to check your local horse riding centre for their exact requirements.
Horse riding is a great way to interact with animals and get some great exercise while you are at it. It is kind of secret exercise because you don’t realise how hard your body has worked until you try and get out of bed the next morning.
Rock Climbing
Until a few years ago I didn’t really think of rock climbing as a children’s activity but it totally can be! It is one of those great individual sports that actually has a LOT of pay off for both kids and adults.
Rock climbing can be done both in the gym and out in nature. Get our best advice on how to get started rock climbing with your kids in this post. I think this is the type of activity that would suit those individuals who really love to challenge themselves and not necessarily other people. It is a great way to relax and unwind all while getting those happy hormones pumping.
There are some incredible places to go rock climbing. A lot of the national parks famous for their hiking also have insane rock climbing. Zion National Park is the one that springs to mind immediately. If you don’t have any equipment or experience they have great guided tours for families and groups without kids.
Rock climbing can be a great team building activity. There can be a lot of trust, support and encouragement that often needs to be offered. I can’t think of a better bonding or team building activity than a day rock climbing followed by a great dinner.
Fishing
The ultimate in relaxation. Apparently it doesn’t even matter if you catch a fish! As a hiking alternative I am not sure where I would place this. I am not an avid fisher, probably because I am rarely successful! I guess it matters to me if I catch a fish!
I do however has amazing memories of fishing with my grandpop and catching some delicious fish. We came home so proud and fresh crumbed fish for dinner.
So fishing can make some great memories and like hiking it can give you some headspace to just think. Sometimes all we need is to be out in nature with a bit of fresh air.
Fishing is pretty dynamic also. We went to the outdoor store on the weekend and half the store was dedicated to fishing. There are so many different types of fishing and techniques that you could spend your life learning and still never know all there is to know.
If you are really just wanting to catch a fish, you can do what we have done several times and head to a purpose built fishing facility. They have pond teaming with fish and you are guaranteed a catch. More often then not they will even gut it or cook it for you.
River Tubing
Who loves a lazy river? We love lazy rivers. It is always our first stop when we visit a water theme park. Now, what is better than a lazy river in a theme park? An actually real life lazy river!
If you live near a river chances are that there is some company that offers tubing down the river. If they don’t then locals will surely know where to get tubes and where to take on the river themselves.
When I was a child my mum worked for a tractor company. One year she got 2 inner tubes from massive tractor wheels. We used those tubes to float up and down the river for hours and hours that summer. We called it the “Summer of the River”. The tubes were big enough to fit at least 6 kids on!
River tubing is great for families, teenagers, grandparents and everyone in between.
Boating
Hiring a boat can seem a little extreme. However I want you to hear me out. The cost can be crazy but most boats that you hire can accommodate 13-15 people. What you need to do is get a group of friends or families together and split the cost. You can then bring all your food for the day on board and you are set for a day of epic fun.
Add to the fun by hiring donuts, water skis or wake boards to your package. It can be an impressive day out for quite a small about of money considering the payoff you get.
You can make this day out a great hiking alternative and have the most epic day you can imagine.
Snorkelling
Snorkeling with the manatee and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef are both on our family’s bucket list. If you don’t have a family bucket list then MAKE ONE TODAY!
Snorkeling is actually a really great activity for so many ages. It is something that parents can easily do alongside their kids and get just as much enjoyment from the activity.
It is pretty cheap to get started with snorkeling. First you will need to purchase a mask and snorkel set. It is important to get the correct size. Children need children’s sized ones because their bodies are smaller. If they share an adult sized mask or snorkel they will have a terrible experience. This is because water will flow into their mouths and eyes because it is too big to get an adequate seal.
There are lots of great places to snorkel but sometimes just having a snorkel and mask with you when you head to the river or beach is great. Being able to see clearly underwater is exciting and offers a new level of curiosity!
Scuba Diving
Having the ability to do something that is otherwise impossible it always a worthwhile experience. Flying and breathing underwater top the list.
I learnt to scuba dive when I was 12, in our local aquatic centre. Even then it was one of the most freeing experiences. There wasn’t even a lot to see, namely a few bandaids but that didn’t matter. Just being able to breath underwater for as long as I wanted with perfect vision was worth it over and over again.
I believe most countries have an age requirement of 12+ to scuba dive. If you have kids 12 and over I can highly recommend taking them scuba diving if you ever have the chance. Cruises are often a great way to find opportunities to scuba dive. Every cruise we have been on has offered scuba diving asa shore tour. Cruises usually stop is some pretty incredible places too!
WINTER FUN FOR FAMILES
Eight Great Winter Activities to Try in a National Park
REBECCA WATSON
Denali National Park & Preserve - NPS Photo
Our national parks offer incredible recreational opportunities, no matter the time of the year you decide to visit. But during the winter months, unique activities can connect you to the wilderness, landscapes, and wonder of our national parks. Whether you’re a pro or just looking to try something new, winter is a great time to discover new activities you can enjoy. Explore just a few of the things you can find when you escape to a winter wonderland!CHASE WINTER WATERFALLS
Frozen waterfall at Apostle Islands National LakeshoreNPS PhotoWhile waterfalls are a magnificent sight no matter the season, wintery, frozen waterfalls have a certain splendor of their own. Icy columns of the waterfall create a magical scene that glistens in the sunlight. From the cliffs of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to the iconic falls of Yosemite, colder temperatures have a way of transforming waterfalls into spectacular landscapes. Take a hike to your favorite waterfall in the winter to see it in a new way or discover one of the hundreds of waterfalls in parks across the country and find a new favorite!STRAP ON YOUR SNOWSHOES
Snowshoeing in Gates of the Arctic National Park & PreserveNPS Photo / Laurie SmithWho doesn’t love a new winter accessory? Strap snowshoes onto your favorite pair of hiking boots and get out there! If you’re venturing to remote parks like Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, snowshoeing can be a great way to explore some of the more solitary parts of the park, offering a great opportunity to reflect on the picturesque landscapes around you. If you’re more a pack animal than a lone wolf, try a ranger-led guided snowshoe tour in parks like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or Crater Lake National Park. No matter how you get out there, snowshoeing is a unique way to explore and learn about a park.TRAVERSE A PARK ON SKIS
Cross country skiing at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National ParkNPS Photo / Alex Gary GareisIf you’re ready to take your snowy hikes to the next level, don a pair of skis and gear up to hit the slopes. Keep to a slower pace by replacing your snowshoes with a pair of cross-country skis, perfect for exploring parks with lots of ground to cover like Acadia or Mesa Verde National Parks. But if you have a need for speed, whisk down snow-covered hills in parks like Glacier or Rocky Mountain National Parks. Whether it's downhill or cross-country skiing, this classic winter activity offers unparalleled park views.FIND YOUR SLEDDING PARADISE
Sledding at Lassen Volcanic National ParkNPS PhotoIf you’re looking for a lower-impact way to hit the slopes, channel your inner child and enjoy afternoon of smooth sledding down sloping hills in a park. And the best part? You don’t even have to brave freezing winter temperatures to enjoy this family-friendly activity. With sand-sledding opportunities in parks like Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve or White Sands National Park, you can soak up some sun while you enjoy whooshing down a hill. So pick up a sled and cruise downhill in style in parks all across the country.SPOT SOME WINTER WILDLIFE
Bison in Yellowstone National ParkNPS Photo / Jacob W. FrankIt might be chilly, but that doesn’t stop the wildlife who call our parks home! Some animals are active during the winter months and can be spotted on your visit. In Yellowstone National Park, spot an iconic bison warming up in the park’s hydrothermal areas or roaming packs of wolves, a park species recently reintroduced to the park through the support of NPF. And don’t worry – there are warmer weather options out there too. Check out a colony of elephant seals from Elephant Seal Overlook at Point Reyes National Seashore or go bird watching at Padre Island National Seashore, where you can track birds flying along a major migration route.GO (ICE) FISH!
Ice fishing in Mississippi National River and Recreation AreaNPS PhotoRethink what it means to cast a line and try your hand at ice-fishing in a park this winter. In parks like Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area where ice fishing is possible – ice must be very thick to support the weight of those fishing – dedicated anglers brave the winter temperatures to wrangle fish. While fishing on ice might seems daunting to some, park staff are more than ready to help newcomers. Try a public ice fishing event or an ice fishing workshop at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area to help you get started. And if you’re looking to make fishing a family affair, no matter the season, check out the Junior Ranger Angler program in parks across the country. Supported by NPF, this program helps kids get hooked on fishing!REACH NEW HEIGHTS ON THE ICE
Ice climbing at Pictured Rocks National LakeshoreNPS PhotoSwitch up your climbing experience by learning new skills to go ice climbing in park this winter. Parks across the country, including City of Rocks National Reserve, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore allow visitors to (safely!) climb their frozen landscapes in winter months and parks with icy conditions year-round, like Glacier National Park or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, offer ice climbing in the summer months. New to ice climbing? Check out our ice climbers guide for some tips and tricks to get you started, and make sure you’re properly prepped before you start your climb.DISCOVER A PARK BY STARLIGHT
Milky Way galaxy over Joshua Tree National ParkNPS Photo / Lian LawIf you’re looking for a winter park activity that perfectly pairs with a hot cup of cocoa, there’s nothing better than stargazing. With shorter days and longer nights, winter is a great time to wrap up in a blanket and gaze at the stars. Spot winter constellations Orion, Sirius, Gemini, and Taurus while camping out at Joshua Tree National Park, take in the magnificent Milky Way galaxy from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, or watch a meteor shower at Death Valley National Park. And if you want to take a picture to capture your stargazing experience, check out our astrophotography guide. As always, make sure you know before you go by checking weather and park conditions before you head out to ensure you can #RecreateResponsibly! As with any activity, follow safety measures to ensure you and everyone else can enjoy winter activities in parks for years to come. WINTER WONDERLANDS TRAVEL GUIDEImmerse yourself in the beauty found only by experiencing winter in these national park wonderlands! Explore winter activities in 15 national parks, from stargazing to sledding and more!GET YOUR FREE TRAVEL GUIDE
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Genius Winter Alternatives For Adventure You Need To Do Today
Winter is upon you and you are mourning those long nights of summer that you spent frolicking in the warm sun. Never fear winter can but just as much fun. There is always a winter alternative for all your favourite summer time activities will have you back in the adventurous spirit once more.
Firstly a Winter Alternative for Swimming
Swimming is pretty iconic of summer. It is almost what summer is about, living all day in your swimwear and only coming inside to get more food.
You don’t have to stop swimming just because winter is upon you. There are always indoor aquatic centres that are open year round. They can offer some great swimming fun. I feel like places such as Great Wolf Lodge are the ideal places to go in winter. It is always nice and warm inside and you are getting all the summer swimming in despite it snowing out the window!
We really love heading to the thermal pools during winter. For the last 10 years we have almost always had a trip to New Zealand during winter. New Zealand is set on two tectonic plates which make it incredibly thermal. One of our favourite places to stop on our road trips is a place called Kerosene Creek. It is a naturally heated fresh water creek that runs through native bush. It is absolutely stunning and the water is nice and hot like bath water.
Thermal pools seem to be very popular around ski fields so be sure to look into finding one next time you are hitting the slopes.
My husband youngest at Kerosene Creek New Zealand in the Middle of Winter
Hiking
Did you know that hiking in winter is actually a lot of fun too?! We love to take our kids hiking no matter the weather…okay snowstorm might not be the best idea but I am sure you know what I mean. We have always said there is never bad weather just bad clothing. Check out this post with our tips on how to best dress your little ones in winter so they stay toasty and warm.
Winter hiking offers a completely different experience than hiking during the warmer months. The landscape is different, the wildlife changes and it’s usually a lot quieter.
Nevertheless a great winter alternative for hiking is cross country skiing. Now, granted I have never actually tried it but it looks like a lot of fun. It is kind of a mix between traditional skiing and running. Check out the video below to get a real feel for what I am talking about because they can explain it far better than I can. I really think this would be a great winter hiking alternative. The ski fields who offer this type of skiing near us actually using the summer hiking trails as cross country skiing trails in winter. So an obvious alternative.
Surfing
I think this one is going to be fairly obvious but I am go to write about it anyway. The best winter alternative for surfing is without a doubt going to be snow boarding. I am personally a skier but my husband is the snow boarder. It is actually where we had our first official date. We got engaged 6 days later but that’s a story for another day!
We can probably put skiing and snowboarding together for the purposes of this post. Skiing and snowboarding use many of the same skills that you use while surfing. There are so many legendary ski fields that are just adventure central. Whistler is the one that screams bucket list to me.
If you have never been skiing or snowboarding then I would highly recommend you book in a lesson on your first day on the slopes. It will usually take only one lesson to master the basics and from there it is just practice. Your kids will undoubtedly surprise you with how quickly they pick it up. They will likely put you to shame as the start whizzing past you later in the day.
If you are at the snow it is only reasonable to make a few snow men and snow angels. Playing in the snow can be just as much fun as building sand castles on the beach. Younger kids will really enjoy tobogganing which is significantly cheaper that skiing and snow boarding. If you are after a budget day at the snow then that is what you should do. The kids will still have an incredible time and you can save some dollars for other adventures.
Camping
If camping out in the cold is not your idea of fun then you are going to need a good winter alternative. One alternative we have done is set up out tent inside our house. Yes it does seem to negate the point of camping but it totally creates the whole camping atmosphere and the kids loved it. We simply moved all the furniture out of the living room and set the tent up complete with sleeping bags and pads. Now, I might say that the best part of this whole experience was having the tent set up in front of the big screen TV.
You can also create the camping experience at home by setting up an epic s’mores buffet and fire pit. Crack out the guitar and have a good old fashioned sing along and it will be a night to remember.
A good winter alternative to camping if you actually want to leave your house is to head to a cabin. Cabins are usually located in some picturesque areas and are set up for perfect winter memory making. During the night you can sit around a campfire toasting your marshmallows and by day head out to see the sights and be adventurers.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing can be done year round but it is definitely a little more challenging in winter , especially for kids. It is with this is mind that our winter alternative for rock climbing is to simply hit the indoor rock climbing gym.
Rock climbing gyms are a great way to keep your skills sharp and continue to hone in on the finer aspects of rock climbing. If your kids loved rock climbing during the summer then make sure you keep nurturing that passion over the winter. Rock climbing has so many insane benefits for kids it’s mind boggling. You can read about that here.
You can also spend the winter months planning with your kids where you are going to climb once the sun comes out again. Sometimes the planning aspect of seeking adventure is half the fun. Youtube is our go to for finding places to explore and add to our family bucket list.
One video that actually really inspired our kids was Free Solo. It focuses around free climber Alex Honnold who attempts to free climb El Capitan in Yosemite. It is an incredibly inspiring documentary that had even our seven year old hooked until the end. I don’t think we will ever be free climbing El Capitan but we will definitely be visiting and will perhaps one day climb it…harnesses attached!
Skating
Ice skating in Central Park always looks so magical. If you are looking for a winter alternative for skating then you need to go pick up some blades and hit the ice. My experience with ice skating is a bit mixed. As a child I was a lean mean skating machine. However we have taken our children the past few years and they skated rings around me and my balance was completely off. I am not sure if it’s an age thing or if I was just way more cautious these days.
Ice skating at dedicated ice skating centre is a great idea for newbies because they offer skate hire. Along side skate hire you can also hire aids for young children which allows them to become a lot more confident without the fear of falling. We always hire one for our younger two kids. They can either use it to push around as they skate or if they want to be a little lazy, entice one of their older siblings to push them around the ice while they sit on it and ride.
Finally a Winter Alternative to Treehouse Building
Kids love to build and they love to be creative. Our 6 year old has this insane ability to just know how things should be put together. He managed to do a puzzle in 5 mins that 6 adults could not figure out in over an hour. Fort building and hut building is where he excels.
A great winter alternative for building all those play forts outside can be simply moving them inside. I think most people these days have seen the epic fort building couches that are ridiculously popular. These fort building couches really serve so many purposes and kids really love being able to be creative is so many new ways. If you don’t have one of these new couches then you can take it old school and pull all the cushions of the couch and get all the sheets outs of the linen cupboard. We have found that clothes airing racks work great in fort building as do pegs and bull dog clips.
Now if you are super game and your back yard is full of snow then how about you build an igloo? Igloos have always fascinated me as to how they keep you warm and how on earth can you have a fire inside and not melt the ice?
In researching igloos while writing this post I came across this video which explains how an igloo keeps you warm. My kids watch these videos all the time and are always coming out with crazy facts. Maybe you can try it out and see if you can last the night in your igloo!
How to Build an Igloo: Step-by-Step Instructions
Learn how to build an ice-block igloo! We'll even show you how to color it. You can do it in about 30 hours and trust us, it's worth it!
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