Are you ready to create memories with your family this summer?
Don’t let summer pass by without experiencing these 10 outdoor adventures.
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1. Go Camping
Connect with the great outdoors on a family camping trip. Sleep under the stars in a tent, bring your own camper, rent an RV, or go glamping in a treehouse.
You can stay close to home by camping in your own backyard, finding a local campground, or traveling to a National park.
If you prefer “glamping,” try sleeping in a treehouse with EarthJoy Tree Adventures or Mohican Treehouse Resort.
2. Watch a Movie at the Drive-In
No summer is complete without a visit to the drive-in movie theater. Be prepared to stay up late, especially if you plan on watching a double feature.
Find a local drive-in near you and fill your vehicle with family and friends.
Check out these hacks and drive-in theater tips before you go.
3. Play Backyard Games
One of our favorite outdoor games is Crossnet ( a fusion of volleyball and four square). We’ve played Crossnet at family gatherings with family members as young as 3 and as old as 70+ and had a blast!
A few more outdoor games that we love to play are cornhole or bean bag toss depending on where you’re from, giant Jenga, and Foxtail Splash so you can also toss it in the water.
If you are feeling extra spontaneous, you could scratch off an adventure from the family edition of The Adventure Challenge Book.
Want a create a GIANT slip n slide?
All you need for a DIY Backyard Slip n Slide is a giant tarp, a garden hose, ideally with a sprinkler, and dish soap for hours of fun.
4. Spend the day at the Beach
A day at the beach could be a day at the ocean or a day at a beach by a lake. Either way, you are going to have a great time swimming and enjoying the day in the sun.
Make the day even better by renting a boat or watercraft, or bringing your own inflatable kayak or inflatable SUP.
Here are a few beach suggestions.
Lakes Around 3 Hours or Less from Cincinnati
Top Things to Do in West Michigan Beach Towns
Fun Things to Do in Clearwater, Florida
Kayak to a waterfall at Cumberland Falls
5. Go Biking
Take your bikes on a local bike trail or bring your own bikes on vacation and explore the area. Biking is a great activity that the whole family can enjoy.
Find out why I love my electric bike from Buzz Bicycles.
6. Take a Hike
Hiking is such a great way to connect with nature. You can go on a “new to you” local hike or find a scenic hike during a vacation.
Do some research ahead of time and find a hike that works with your age and abilities. If you want an incentive for your kids, hikes with waterfalls that you can play in definitely make the hike more exciting.
One of our favorite hiking destinations with waterfalls was in Asheville, NC. For more hiking tips, check out my interview with Tammy York.
7. Go Fishing
Fishing is an activity that we talk about doing, but we have to be very intentional to actually experience it. The conversations and the act of slowing down are almost as important as the “big catch.”
If you need supplies for your next fishing trip, check out the fishing starter kit for adults.
8. Explore A Creek
The best part about exploring a creek is allowing the adventure to unfold as you go. Be curious and look for insects near the creek, or discover your favorite wildflower or wildlife nearby.
Skip stones and blaze a trail across stones in the creekbed, and don’t forget your water shoes!
Locally, I like Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Northern Kentucky. Hike the Narrows in Zion National Park for an epic creek adventure.
9. Stargaze
For the best stargazing, visit an International Dark Sky Park.
The SkyView Lite app is helpful if you don’t know a lot about astronomy.
The app allows users to point their device to the sky and it instantly identifies stars, constellations, and satellites. You can even get notifications for upcoming stargazing events on the app.
One of my favorite nights of stargazing was during a visit to New Mexico.
10. Make S’mores on a Campfire at Home
Experience a summer tradition in the comfort of your backyard with a bonfire. No campfire is complete without roasting a S’more.
Want to mix things up?
Try one of these creative S’more recipes.
Which adventure are you ready to cross off your Summer Bucket List next?
