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Outdoor Fun

Outdoor Adrenaline Activities To Do With Your Children

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Finding common interests for you and the whole family may be challenging, especially for your children. Kids’ attention spans don’t last very long, so you need to use some fun ideas to get and keep their excitement levels high. These are some outdoor adrenaline activities to do with your children that will keep them wanting more.

Go on a Fun Hike

When you explain hiking to your children, you may get some glary-eyed look questioning your reasoning. Otherwise, you might be on a long, winding walk with a giant whiner. Therefore, having a prize at the end of the rainbow is a fantastic way to get your kids interested. Pick a trail where you may see wildlife, a majestic waterfall, or an impressive cliff along the way. Knowing they will get to see something unique really helps get their adrenaline going while keeping them interested.

Ride Bikes Together

Teaching your child to ride a bike is one of the proudest moments a father can have. Thus, you can take their newfound skill and passion and show them the world. Well, if not the world, at least a pleasant and easy path or trail to ride on. Biking together gets the blood pumping a bit more than hiking does, so the odds are your children will respond positively to this adventure.

Kayaking

Kids love playing in the water—that’s a fact. Taking your kid to the pool will entertain them for hours, and it’s a lot cheaper than going to an amusement park. Ergo, combining the idea that children will do anything in the water with something exhilarating like kayaking is a guaranteed success.

You’ll want to follow some tips and tricks to keep your children safe and keep them engaged throughout your voyage down the river. But exploring new areas and seeing new things together will make for a memorable experience for everyone.

Scavenger Hunt

A simple yet effective activity that brings excitement to your child’s life is arranging a scavenger hunt. Once again, giving them an objective is something that helps invigorate them with a problem-solving goal. Geocaching is a more in-depth version of a scavenger hunt that gets your children excited to head outside, making those hikes and walks much more enjoyable.

These outdoor adrenaline activities to do with your children let you connect with your kids and do something you both enjoy. Even if these activities may not spike your adrenaline, seeing the excitement on their faces when they find an item on their hunt or see a magnificent waterfall is well worth it.

The Top Pros and Cons of All-Wheel-Drive

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The drivetrain of your vehicle can impact a wide variety of different factors, from your car’s fuel efficiency to your safety. One of the most popular drivetrains currently on the market is all-wheel-drive. But is this option the best choice for your unique needs and preferences? To find out, consult this guide on the top pros and cons of all-wheel-drive.

Benefits of All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles

  • Increased Traction: One of the main benefits of all-wheel-drive vehicles is the increased traction they provide. By sending torque to all four wheels of the vehicle, the tires will have more grip on a surface than a vehicle with just front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. 
  • Enhanced Safety: Due to the increased traction that vehicles with AWD have, this drivetrain can increase your safety. When driving on slick surfaces such as snow, ice, or wet pavement, an all-wheel-drive vehicle will offer you more control and reduce your potential for sliding and getting into an accident.
  • Improved Cornering: All-wheel-drive vehicles also have better cornering than their two-wheel-drive counterparts. Even on dry surfaces, driving around a sharp corner can cause a vehicle to lose control if the wheels slip. By delivering torque to all four wheels, however, the potential for an individual tire to spin while turning is greatly reduced.

Drawbacks of All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles

  • A Higher Price Tag: In order to enjoy the benefits listed above, you will need to pay a little extra. In comparison to two-wheel drive options, all-wheel-drive vehicles almost always have a higher price tag due to their increased complexity.
  • More Expensive Service and Repair Costs: In addition to having a higher purchase price, the complexity of all-wheel-drive vehicles will often cause them to incur higher maintenance and repair costs.
  • Less Optimal for the Off-Road: While AWD vehicles can provide increased traction, they aren’t as ideal as four-wheel drive vehicles when it comes to off-roading. Because 4WD vehicles can direct power between the left and right wheels as well as the front and back, they are better able to take on challenging obstacles out on the trails.

Healthy, Fun, Cheap Activities for You and Your Kids This Summer

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Now that summer is here, you’ll need to think of activities to keep the kids busy. They’ll probably want to go outside and enjoy the weather—and they should! After all, it’s important for kids to stay active and to get their fair share of vitamin D from the sun.

But, like most people, you’re not looking forward to spending a ton of money on activities and excursions this summer. We completely understand. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of healthy, fun and cheap activities that you and your kids will enjoy this summer.

Go berry picking

‘Tis the season—berry season, that is! In the summer, there are plenty of opportunities to go berry picking with your kids. You can usually find a local farm that will allow you to pick strawberries and raspberries for a few dollars.  Kids will love picking berries because it makes them feel like they are helping out with something important. You can also use the outing as an opportunity to educate your kids about how certain foods get from the farm to the kitchen table. And when you get home, you can ask them to join you in making a pie, smoothies or fruit salad with the berries!

Berries are delicious and have so many health benefits, so going berry picking is a great choice. They are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants (which help to fight off disease-causing free radicals). They may also help to lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease.

Go swimming

This summer, why not take your kids to the beach or the pool at a community center? It doesn’t cost much and your kids won’t turn it down! Not only will you and your kids be able to cool off and have fun, but you’ll also reap the health benefits of swimming.

What exactly are the health benefits? Well, swimming keeps your heart rate up and it also tones your muscles (since nearly all your muscles are used while swimming). Further, it helps to build endurance and maintain healthy lungs.

Plant a garden

Again, kids love to feel as though they are helping out with something important. So allowing them to plant a garden with you will definitely give them joy. When your kids grow their own beans, carrots and other veggies, they’ll be more compelled to eat them. This makes gardening a great activity for picky eaters, especially. But, the benefits of gardening don’t stop there. Gardening also teaches your children responsibility and patience, in addition to letting them refine their fine motor skills.

Do a penny hike

Walking is such a simple, yet very effective outdoor activity. The benefits of walking include: promoting healthy development of bones and muscles, improving balance and maintaining a healthy weight.

To make a normal walk more fun, turn it into a penny hike. A penny hike involves flipping a coin to determine which direction you will go next. Kids will enjoy flipping the coin and discovering new places.

Have a picnic

Eating at the same table every single day can get boring after a while. Sometimes, kids just need a change. Ever notice how your kids will eat every grain of food at a restaurant or at their friend’s house? A change of environment can encourage them to eat healthier because it makes things special for them.

So, to make your next meal a fun and special one, plan a picnic at the park (or even in your own backyard) with your kids. They can join you in preparing healthy sandwiches (complete with lettuce, cheese, and lean meats), fruit salads (or kebabs) and homemade fruit juice. After the picnic, you can all stay outside, play a game and enjoy the fresh air.

Plan a scavenger hunt

If you have more than one child, a scavenger hunt is a fun activity to try. It involves creating a list of objects for your children to find, providing clues and awarding a prize to the one who finds them all first (or who finds the most after a certain amount of time). You can even turn it into a team activity by eliminating the competition component. Scavenger hunts promote walking, running, teamwork, problem-solving skills and more.

15 Games to Play with Your Kids Outside

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Do you want to keep your kids active while also challenging them mentally? Outside games are a great way to accomplish both. If you are tired of the traditional hopscotch and games of “horse” around the basketball hoop, here are some unique and creative options to try:

1. Traffic Cop

Grab all of the bikes and scooters in your garage and invite some neighbors. Then, practice playing traffic cop, having the children ride as quickly as they can and stop when you blow a whistle or put up a “stop” sign with your hand.

2. Lawn Twister

Do you have an open space that you can use for a game? Spray paint a Twister board onto it, and play the classic game outdoors. You can use this idea in the winter, too — simply spray paint the snow and pile on the warm outdoor clothing.

3. Frozen T-Shirt Race

Is it hot where you live? Soak some old t-shirts and put them in the freezer overnight. Then, have the kids race to see who can un-thaw their shirt and put it on first. They will get cool fast!

4. Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling

Take the kids outside after dark, and place some glow sticks in 10 bottles of water. Line them up like bowling pins, and give the kids a ball to try to knock them down. Simple, but the glow-in-the-dark twist makes it incredibly fun.

5. Spud

If you can get a group of kids together, play spud. This classic childhood game is sure to bring a lot of laughter as kids try to keep from collecting letters or becoming “it.”

6. Watch Your Step

Tie a balloon to your kids’ ankles. Run around the yard, trying to stop on the other players’ balloons. The last one with a balloon intact wins.

7. Four Square

Teach your kids the classic game of four square. You will be able to introduce them to something you likely did during childhood, and they will always have something to do if they are bored.

8. Tag

Don’t underestimate the amount of fun you can have playing tag, particularly if dad participates. Add variations, like freeze tag or TV tag, to engage the mind and body.

9. Monkey in the Middle

Grab a Frisbee or playground ball and place yourself in between two of your kids. Have them try to throw the ball over your head while you try to catch it.

10. Simon Says

If you need a break from running, take on the role of Simon in this classic game. As an added bonus, your kids will get some practice with paying attention and following directions.

11. Find the Snow Flag

If you have a good covering of snow, tie a white cloth to a stick and hide it in the yard. Have your kids search for it. The one who finds it first gets to hide it next. It’s harder than you might think.

12. Tug of War

This is a great game because you can play it in any weather. Make sure you have an even number of players, including the adults, and get started. In the snow, it becomes even more entertaining as you slip and slide over the ground.

13. Rainbow Tag

Take some Popsicle sticks and coat the ends with face-paint crayons in the colors of the rainbow. Hide them around the yard for the kids to find and paint their faces. The first one with all colors is the winner.

14. Snow Hurdles

Snow along with snow gear make jumping challenging. Make “hurdles” by lining up some snowballs and have the kids jump over them. You will get a good laugh by watching one another fall in the snow.

15. Freeze Dance

Get a little crazy with your kids. Grab your phone and put on some tunes, dancing your heart out in the backyard until the music stops and everyone freezes. Dance resumes when the music does.

Remember, it doesn’t take expensive toys or even a lot of prep work to make memories with your kids. Head outside and spend a little bit of time on some of these games, and start making memories, today.

Fun Tips to Keep Kids Safe Outside

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It’s wonderful to see your kids put down the video game controller, shut off the computer, and get outside for some fresh air, but there are a number of hazards that can pop up in the great outdoors. These tips help you prepare for common outdoor dangers, and to field unexpected challenges, from bugs and burns, to broken swing sets.

Pack a First-Aid Kit

Before you set foot outside, do a quick inventory to make sure you have everything you might need to prevent ­— and treat­ — minor cuts, bites and other injuries. These items don’t take much space, and they can be very helpful in an emergency:

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Band-Aids
  • Peroxide
  • Bug spray
  • Antibiotic lotion
  • Calamine cream
  • Sunscreen
  • Allergy medication

Dress for Success

Try to avoid open-toed shoes and loose-fitting clothing, which may get caught in playground equipment, or cause your child to trip and fall over loose branches. Comfy sneakers can protect tiny toes from bees, burs and blisters. If there’s a chance of rain in the forecast, pack an umbrella or raincoats and galoshes for longer excursions. Sunscreen and bug spray add an extra layer of protection against the elements — especially in warmer months.

Play it Safe

There’s nothing quite like pushing your kid on a swing set, watching him or her soar through the sunlit sky with the wind blowing through his or her hair. Swings and slides are standard fare when it comes to playgrounds. Nevertheless, you’ve probably noticed that play yards have changed a lot since you were young. Nowadays, they include safer, softer ground surfaces, and more durable plastic equipment. It’s still best to err on the side of caution. The majority of playground-related injuries happen at public parks, so it’s best to take some preventative measures before letting your kids run wild. Check all the equipment for the following:

  • Rusty nails and screws
  • Loose bolts
  • Jagged edges
  • Missing or damaged guardrails

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Even if you’re reading a book while the kids are at play, be sure to look up frequently to make sure they’re within your field of vision. Inform your children ahead of time about the risks of talking to strangers.

Excessive heat can also be problematic for kids as they frolic outdoors. Keep snacks and water on hand, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion or discomfort. Remind your tykes to rest for a little while and drink some water if they seem tuckered out.

Clean and Safe Surroundings

Forest preserves and parks are generally clean, but you may run across a play area that’s less than pristine. Try to find fenced-in spots, but be on the lookout for discarded appliances that children might try to explore, or even hide in. Here are a few more things to be mindful of in backyards, neighborhoods and wooded areas:

  • Abandoned refrigerators
  • Open sheds and garages
  • Gas and charcoal grills
  • Trash and animal waste

Leaves of Three, Leave Them Be

If your kids are playing in a wooded area, make sure you check for harmful plants, and show them how to identify poison ivy, oak and sumac. This handy guide offers a few quick tips to spot leaves that could cause a nasty rash if your son or daughter comes into contact with them.

Make an Emergency Phone List

Write your local numbers for these important contacts down, or program them into the phone for easier access:

  • Poison control
  • Local police
  • Names of friends’ parents

Playing outside should be fun for your children, but it shouldn’t cause you additional stress. If you keep these guidelines in mind, you can reduce the risk of injury and keep things enjoyable and worry-free for everyone involved.