Fun Family Activities to Try This Summer

With the heat and sun of summer comes countless opportunities for family outings. The kids are out of school, the weather is nice, and we’ve all been stuck inside for too long over the winter. From the most traditional summer pastimes to some ideas you might not have ever considered before, we’ve brought you a handful of our favorite ideas for summer fun with the family.

Backcountry Camping

If you are looking for a truly wild experience, then backcountry camping is for you. Go out into the wilderness with just your family, your supplies, and your plan. Out past the light of the city you will find rugged landscapes, beautiful wildlife, and more stars than you can see anywhere else. Backcountry camping isn’t for the faint of heart, so it is a better option for those who have teenagers, as opposed to younger kids. It also requires a whole lot of planning and preparation. There is a wide range of locations you could choose, but no matter which you settle on, it is going to involve a long hike in, so be prepared to do some walking.

Go on a Picnic

There’s no summer activity more classic than a picnic. The idea is simple enough —just an outdoor lunch with family and friends in some scenic location— but the effect is hard to achieve any other way. Sunlight and fresh air always makes the food taste better. That is probably part of the reasons picnics eventually stopped being held inside, as they often were during their early days. It is best to pick a location close to home for a picnic. Or if you are on a vacation away from home already, you can ask the locals to point you toward their favorite spots. A picnic is also one of the least expensive options on this list, or it could be, depending on the kind of food you decide to bring.

Rafting

What’s summer without getting wet? But beaches can be crowded, and you can only have so many water gun fights before it gets boring. Why not try whitewater rafting instead? It is an exhilarating experience, and gives you an opportunity to see incredible geological formations carved out by the river. The most popular locations for whitewater rafting tend to be busy in the summer so make sure to plan ahead and reserve your spots! Some rafting, like the Grand Canyon, can be a week long trip and cost a few thousand so it is best to keep those trips saved for adults only. A Middle Fork American River rafting company states that you “need to think about who would be going, what their needs and expectations are, and their experience level.” There are many rafting adventures available in the United States so you just need to find the right fit for your family. Make sure to research the age, height, and weight requirements before committing to any company! Consider a rafting trip that is easy enough for beginners, and won’t eat up more of your summer than you want it to.

Gardens

No, we don’t just mean you should peek in at your neighbor’s patch of turnips. We’re talking about botanical gardens, parks, and rose gardens. Many cities have some kind of public garden that is open to visitors, and some of them are truly beautiful spots. Portland has the International Test Rose Garden, New York has the Botanical Garden, and your city might have its own garden that you have yet to discover! Do note that most of these will charge an entrance fee, and if they sell food inside it is likely to be more expensive than it ought to. If it is allowed, we recommend bringing in your own lunch. You could even combine this idea with the first, and have a picnic in the rose gardens!

Scuba

If you are fortunate enough to live by the coast, or if you are willing to travel, scuba diving can give you an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. You might associate scuba diving with australia, or the carribean, but there are plenty of beautiful reefs and diving spots in the United States as well, mostly along the south sides of the coasts. You will meet sea creatures in clear blue water, and learn something about the underwater ecosystem. Scuba might be the most expensive option on this list, but it can be well worth it. Just be careful to make sure you get a good instructor if you are a first time diver.

Now Get Out There!

Regardless of whether something on this list strikes your fancy, the most important thing is that you seize the moment! Make a plan, tell your family, and put it on your calendar. You’ll thank yourself later!