By Jennifer McGregor

The Best Ways to Spend Time Outdoors With Family and the Health Benefits It Provides

May 5, 2023 | 10:48 AM

The CDC reports that children aged between 8-18 years spend close to 8 hours a day in front of a screen. In other words, within a year, kids spend 114 days using electronics. An inactive lifestyle has numerous negative effects on a child’s development such as increased weight gain, lower self-regulation, lethargic behavior, irregular sleep cycle, and much more. A similar picture can be painted for adults whose health risks include increased chances of cardiovascular problems, obesity, mental health issues, etc. Integrating regular outdoor-based physical activity into our routine is the need of the hour and in this article from paNOW, we’ll explore the best activities families can enjoy together and the benefits it provides.

Family-Based Outdoor Activities

Here’s a list of the best activities you can try with your loved ones:

● Cycling

Cycling is a low-impact exercise great for building cardiovascular fitness. Whether you live in the city or the suburbs, there’s always a park or trail where you and your kids can safely ride bicycles. In addition to using cycling as an exercise, instill the habit of using it as part of your daily routine for commuting to nearby places or buying groceries.

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

Cybercrime response

Prince Albert Police Service 'limited in scope' to properly investigate fraud crimes

Nov 17, 2025

● Gardening

Gardening is an activity through which you can form strong bonds with your loved ones. Creating and maintaining a garden requires teamwork and coordination from digging the soil, planting saplings, creating a watering schedule, and much more. Additionally, working in the garden exposes you to some much-needed Vitamin D, which helps in the formation of strong bones and boosts immune response.

● Backyard Camping

Backyard camping is a great way to spend time with your family without leaving the comfort of your own home. To get started, choose a flat and level area to set up your tent. Make sure to pack essentials such as sleeping bags, pillows, and a cooler with snacks and drinks. To keep things interesting, plan some fun activities such as stargazing, storytelling, or board games. Make sure to create a safe and secure fire pit by choosing an open spot away from trees or other flammable objects. You can also use a fire pit ring or stones to create a designated fire area. Don’t forget to keep a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of emergencies. With a little preparation, backyard camping can be a fun and memorable experience for the whole family..

● Meditation

In today’s fast-paced world, mindfulness is a skill that can prove to be beneficial for kids. To teach kids mindfulness, you’ll need to do it yourself and the best place to practice it is your backyard. The simplest way to practice mindfulness is to keep your electronics away, sit on the grass, and channel attention toward things around you such as the wind, chirping of birds, etc. Within 10 to 20 minutes you should feel relaxed and overcome stressful thoughts which often remain at the forefront of your mind.

As you motivate kids to spend greater time outdoors, it is important to create an environment where they can be safe even without constant direct supervision. If your backyard lacks a fence, now is the time to install one. Not only will a fence provide privacy but also protect your property from trespassing by individuals or animals. Rather than trying to install a fence yourself, research online for the best contractors in your area and request estimates.

Benefits of Being Outdoors

Spending time outdoors plays a crucial role in a child’s development and provides various health benefits such as:

● Maintaining Healthy Weight

According to research, one in five kids in the US are obese, and being inactive plays a major role in kids gaining weight. Being outdoors, whether that’s at the playground, or sports practice provides kids the perfect environment to burn energy and maintain a healthy body mass index. Additionally, exercise causes kids to feel tired and sleep more. Hence, they spend less time on electronics and more time getting the required rest needed to aid their development.

● Improving Motor Skills

Outdoor play incorporates full-body movements helping kids to develop stronger bones, improve hand-eye coordination, and build better agility. Even playing a simple game of catch teaches children to use their mind and body in synergy, compared to spending time on their phones where they’re simply consuming content through a screen.

● Developing Strong Social Bonds

Unstructured play such as playing with other kids at the playground or at home with siblings helps kids develop their social skills. In the absence of adults, kids learn to manage social interactions independently, which can include introducing themselves to others, asking for permission to join a group, and resolving conflicts. These experiences help them develop a strong understanding of social cues, build self-confidence and make it easier to make friends in the present and the future.

Incorporating regular physical activity into the daily routine provides various benefits to parents as well:

● Breaking Away from a Sedentary Lifestyle

Between work, commute, and leisure, adults spend most of their time being sedentary throughout the day. Along with frequent back, shoulder, and neck pain, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Venturing outdoors helps break the habit of living an inactive lifestyle, reduces stress, and improves cardiovascular health. Additionally, simple ways to increase your daily activity can include walking to work, taking the stairs rather than the elevator, and investing in a standing desk.

● Keeping Stress in Check

As a parent, it is common to feel that the weight of the world is on your shoulders. From managing finances, taking care of kids to handling work-related duties there are various stressors you face each day. Additionally, as reported by Health Day, stress levels in the US are currently higher than before, as 87% of individuals are anxious about the upcoming recession. Prolonged stress can lead to individuals being easily irritable, and damage personal relations. Spending time outdoors can help disassociate from stressors, gain clarity of thought, and approach challenges with a healthy state of mind.

Each hour spent outdoors will have a positive impact on the life of all members of the family. While it might not always be possible to plan a long camping trip, simple excursions such as visiting the local park, spending time in your backyard, and cycling around the neighborhood can easily become a regular part of your family routine.