Fun Outdoor Physical Activities for Kids

If your child loves nature, you will be glad to know you can incorporate some physical activity into their interest as well. Below you will find some fun physical activities for the nature loving child, perfect for helping them explore their interest of nature while getting some exercise at the same time. As you will see these activities are fun and appealing to children of all ages, so they won’t even feel like they are exercising. These activities are perfect for helping children stay active while still allowing them to take in nature and all of the experiences and beauty it provides! Here is breakdown of these activities and the physical benefits of each:

Fun Outdoor Physical Activities for Kids

Geocaching: When geocaching, children will be given coordinates which they must follow in order to find a hidden treasure. There are geocaching groups all over the web that give the locations of hidden “treasures” perfect for your child to find. Not only does geocaching encourage such educational skills such as map reading and comprehension, but it also makes way for physical activity such as walking, climbing, and digging. Geocaching can help children build physical endurance in these areas when practiced over time. Here are tips for geocaching with kids.

Hiking: Hiking is a great way to show children the great outdoors and observe the nature and wildlife in it. Hiking utilizes all of the muscles in the body and can also help build endurance. Beginners may want to start on a simple, flat terrain, while more experienced hikers can try more hilly or mountainous areas that offer more resistance on the body and muscles. Here are Tips for Hiking with Kids.

Rowing: Rowing is a great workout for the upper body, chest, and arms. Rent a row boat from a local park for the afternoon and then take it for a spin on a lake or pond. A good 30-45 minutes on the water is sure to give a great workout while allowing the child to explore the water and wetlands around the area. Water makes for some excellent resistance on the body!

Swimming: Swimming is a wonderful way to get a full body workout and build endurance in the process as well. Head to the local beach or lake where the child can explore nature while getting a great workout in at the same time. Even a mere 30 minutes in the water makes for a great work out for the child, while keeping them cool and feeling like they are having fun at the same time. Swimming is great for kids who don’t do well with a great deal of stress on their muscles, as the water tends to be more soothing and make movements more fluid and comfortable.

Winter activities: Just because the snow is out doesn’t mean the outdoor fun needs to end. Try a variety of winter activities such as skiing, tubing, or ice skating. All are wonderful ways to get out and enjoy the wintry weather while keeping the body active. Here are some fun snow activities for kids.

So where can you find these fun yet physical outdoor activities? Local parks are perfect for enjoying these outdoor activities and more. Most city, county, and state parks will offer boat rentals, swimming areas, hiking trails, and even geocaching clubs and groups. In most instances, you can enjoy these activities just for the cost of gate admission which is a couple of dollars per car.

When you give these fun physical activities for the nature loving child a try, you can see how easy and fun it can be to keep your child active while exploring the great outdoors. These activities are a great way to burn calories, build muscle, and promote endurance while taking in some beautiful sights and scenery. Such activities in a natural environment can help children feel more comfortable, relaxed, and free from stress that they might otherwise feel when exercising.

Give these physical activities for the nature loving child a try and see what results you can achieve!