Photo courtesy of Marco Ceschi via Unsplash
Spring is finally here, after a long cold winter, and it’s time to start dusting off those snowflakes and planning some new spring adventures with the family. It’s also a great time to start getting active again after months of cold weather kept you trapped inside. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few active spring adventures to try out with your kids, now that the weather is nicer.
Head to the Park
Enjoying the local parks can be tough when they’re under a few inches of snow, so now is the perfect time to start exploring them again. Springtime is also ideal for park exploration because of all the new growth and migrating birds and insects that you’ll be able to spot, which you might not be able to see during the other seasons.
Do some research and make a list of birds, bugs, and other things that you’d like to look for at your local park —see how many of them you and your children can find while hiking the trails in a park like Riverwalk in San Antonio, or even just while you’re playing at the local playground.
This is a great time to start absorbing some extra Vitamin D that might have been missing during the winter months when you spent a lot of your time indoors. A study by the University of Sydney found that Vitamin D levels hit their lowest in early spring, so it’s a good idea to get a jump-start on that sunshine vitamin.
Go For A Hike
Taking a walk through the park is a great way to get some exercise and some sunshine, but it’s something that you can do in an afternoon. If you want to explore a little further, why not plan a hike? Find some local trails, or just set off into the woods on your own to get a feel for the area. It’s important to be safe, no matter where you’re hiking, so take some time to prepare before you set out.
Pack a backpack with water, snacks, and first aid equipment — even if you’re only out for a few hours, you will need to hydrate and refuel, and you always want to have a first aid kit on hand in case of minor or major injuries. If you want to make this a weekend trip, you can always find a cabin where you can camp out for the night.
Plan A Scavenger Hunt
For kids, is there anything more fun than a treasure hunt? Now that you can get outside, why not set up a scavenger hunt that sends your kids out into the woods to find specific sticks, leaves, rocks, and other natural items?
Take some time to walk the woods where you’re going to be sending your kids — not only does that give you an idea of the kind of things to add to your scavenger hunt list, but it enables you to spot any potentially dangerous areas that should be avoided.
Make a list and send your kids out into the wilds — you might be amazed at what they find, and it keeps them active at the same time.
Take advantage of the warmer weather now that spring has finally sprung and get out into the world, which is a great place to get exercise. There’s no reason to stay indoors now that the weather is more temperate — and it’s a great time to get rid of those lazy winter blues and start getting active again.