Get inspired with easy and fun ways to spend more time outdoors with your family, from nature walks and backyard camping to easy activities that help kids connect with the natural world.

Spending more time outside is always a good idea, especially when you are with loved ones. Best of all, it doesn’t have to mean planning a big weekend getaway or buying a bunch of expensive gear. In many cases, you can simply open the door and enjoy some time in the open air with a walk around the neighbourhood or a little time in the backyard.

Taking more walks is the easiest way to get outside because it’s free and great for almost any age. Even the littlest family members can join in a stroller or carrier. Plus, a stroll around the neighbourhood can become much more fun for kids with just a little imagination. For example, you can turn any outing into a scavenger hunt by challenging kids to spot birds, flowers, or bugs. Visiting a playground along the way is also a great way to let kids burn off some energy.

When the weather is nice, why not take more of your meals outdoors as well? A picnic does not need to be fancy to feel special. Bring your meal or even just snacks to a park, find a picnic table or spread out a blanket, and enjoy eating together in the fresh air. You can add simple activities like playing catch to round out the outing.

Gardening is another simple way to bring the family outside more often. You can go all out with an entire vegetable patch or keep it more manageable by just growing a few flowers or herbs. Kids often enjoy digging in the dirt, watering plants, and tracking their growth. A gardening project will give your family a reason to spend some time outdoors every single day.

For families who want a little more adventure, backyard camping is a fun and easy option. Pitching a tent right outside the back door gives kids the excitement of sleeping outside without the pressure of a full camping trip. If you have a fire pit, you can even roast marshmallows and tell stories around the fire for a more realistic experience.

Finally, one of the best ways to spend more family time outdoors is to build it into existing routines. Time for lunch? Bring a blanket into the yard for an impromptu picnic. Have a book to read? Enjoy it out on the porch! These small shifts can make outdoor time feel like a natural part of daily life.

And remember that you don’t always have to wait for the weather to be perfect. If it’s a little breezy or cloudy, just throw on a few extra layers. Rain gear is also always a worthwhile investment: There’s no better way to bring joy to a dreary day than by splashing in some puddles.

Family time outside doesn’t have to be geared to a big adventure. Just start small, stay flexible, and focus on enjoying the accessible outdoors. The memories you make on simple outings are probably going to be those that last the longest.