The Outdoor Activities for Families That Have Made a Comeback

With more time being spent at home than anywhere else at the moment, the outdoor family lifestyle has gained more traction than ever. Fortunately, outdoor activities are also the best way to provide some of the best health benefits for the family and in general, will cost you very little.

We thought it might be a good idea to revisit some of the physical activities we’ve usually taken for granted and yet may not have appreciated fully as the best exercise and options for our family.

And FYI, adults are expected to do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on a weekly basis - surprisingly easy to do in regards to the below:

Walking

It may seem like the simplest of activities, but walking has proven to be one of the best health-promoting and simplest things to do. It requires no additional accessories, and as long as you have the right shoes, then it’s a cinch. The idea is to walk everywhere; if it’s within walking distance, then there is no need to drive or use any other form of transport. Walking will get the heart pumping just as a good run will, and yet there is less strain and no jolts to weaken the joints. Strolling or walking is thus one of the top outdoor activities and has made a major comeback across the country. Plus, it’s something you can generally encourage the entire family to do - although the pace might slow down a bit…

Running

Step it up a notch and increase the pace. Running is noted as one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular health as well as maintaining weight and overall fitness. This will create more strain on your muscles and joints than walking and will require a good stretching and warm-up session before and after, but running is the best way to increase your heart rate and improve cardiovascular flows. Take a break from the kiddos for a quick run around the block, or set up a game of tag or relay races to get them involved.

Riding

Whether riding on the road or indoors on a stationary exercise bike, this form of exercise has increased exponentially. It is somewhat more expensive, and the bike is key, and as you start to increase the pace, you need to think about the safety aspect as well. A great starting place to investigate and learn more about cycle safety with Triple 8, which provides a wealth of information as well as various options for safety. Riding is a great family activity, but keeping your budget in mind is beneficial as bikes can be costly.

Rolling

No matter what (non-motorized) kind you go for, adding some wheels to your activity repertoire is a great way to put the fun back in exercise. It’s a great way to increase the heart rate, and once you have your balance, it's probably the activity with the most street cred of the lot mentioned here (ie might be more enticing for the kiddos). Many think that blades, board, or skates aren’t too fast or dangerous and only those doing tricks need to have protection. But they’re all way faster than walking - and they all need a helmet.

While we are all hoping for less lockdown days in the future, outdoor solo exercise and activity options that are currently trending are not expected to be a flash in the pan, but a sustained drive towards healthier, happier lifestyles. Be sure that if you join the bandwagon, you don’t do anything to adversely affect your health, and it is suggested that you have a medical check-up and discuss any new form of exertion/exercise with your general practitioner before you start running or racing downhill.