Whether you’re planning your next summer vacation or you’re considering taking a trip with your family soon you’re probably looking for some great ideas on how to keep everyone engaged without breaking the bank. One of the best ways to enjoy a wonderful family vacation while sticking to your budget is to explore the great outdoors. Many outdoor activities are extremely affordable, and some are even free. Following are some wonderful ideas you should consider when planning your next family vacation.
Enjoy a Brisk Morning Hike
Hiking is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. If you’re vacationing with small children, consider an easy, well-traveled path and keep your hike short enough so they don’t get overwhelmed. If your group is a bit older and athletically inclined consider challenging yourself with a more advanced route. Not only is hiking a perfect opportunity for you to take in the natural beauty and splendor of your vacation spot, but it’s also a wonderful way to stick to an exercise routine while traveling.
Spend Your Evening Star Gazing
If your vacation destination is relatively far from major urban areas then you probably have a wonderful opportunity to stargaze. Bring your telescope or a pair of binoculars and set out for a memorable evening of searching the skies for planets, constellations, and the moon. You might even get lucky and spot a shooting star or two. Be sure to bring a beach towel to lie out on and choose a time when the sun has already set over the horizon so twilight doesn’t affect your view.
Get Creative and Make a Sandcastle
Whether you’re traveling with kids or not, it’s hard to resist the nostalgia of creating a sandcastle. Research has also shown that playing with sand can significantly reduce symptoms associated with anxiety. This is particularly helpful if your vacation has been a little more stressful than you’d like. Get your whole group involved and work together to see how tall or how detailed you can make it. Be sure to use plenty of water and pick a day when it’s not too sunny or hot to keep the sand from drying out as you work with it.
Treat Your Family to a Horseback Riding Adventure
If your vacation destination features rugged, natural surroundings you might want to consider horseback riding to help you cover the terrain much faster. Horseback riding is available at vacation destinations throughout the country, especially in some of the more popular areas. For example, horseback riding near Yellowstone is a fantastic opportunity for your family to try something new and have fun while doing it. Most horseback riding activities are open to riders of all levels of ability and can even be enjoyed by those without any previous experience.
Get Back to Basics With Camping
Many people are first intimidated by the thought of going camping, however, it is a wonderful way to get back to basics and enjoy the calm and simplicity that nature brings. Studies have shown that spending time in natural surroundings can actually boost your mental health and improve your cognitive functioning. If you are camping for the first time with your young family be sure to plan ahead, prepare for all kinds of weather, and leave the tablets and devices at home.
Getting outside and connecting with nature is a wonderful way to focus on the present and enjoy quality time with your family. By keeping these fun activities in mind, you’ll be able to plan the perfect outdoor vacation with your family this year.
