It’s spring! The sun is shining. The weather is warm. Time to get outside!

Spring is the best time to renew your love for the great outdoors along with your love for your family. Get outside and take your loved ones with you. Here’s some ideas for having fun with your family this springtime.

Family Hike or Nature Walk. It’s always good to get outside, breathe some fresh air and enjoy nature. And it's even better when you are active because your body responds to exercise in a positive way. Hiking and walking are great ways to get in shape, and these are the kinds of memories that kids never forget.

Father and Daughter / Father and Son Fishing. Call your friends who have kids and invite them all to bring the kids and come fishing. You can give mom a break for the day, and spend some real quality time with your children. Your friend will thank you. Your wife might even find a way to thank you too! Don’t forget to pack some snacks or even enough food for a picnic.

Family Bike Ride. Even if you have younger kids, once they're old enough to learn to ride a bike, you can have fun with them bicycling. Take the kids to a bike path and ride, ride, ride! Just find a local park with some riding paths or trails that fit your family’s level of fitness. What a super way to explore the great outdoors.

Picnic. Take the family and go on a picnic. Don’t forget to invite grandma and grandpa. Picnics are fun for the entire family. In fact, you can reserve a pavilion at your nearby city, county or state park and have a really big outing like a family reunion, or BBQ with friends and co-workers. See our suggestions for outdoor games you can play.

Horseback Riding. Spring is the perfect time of year to go horseback riding. Many stables rent horses, offer lessons and instruction, guided trots, and if you are concerned about saftey, they will typically match the horse you get to your skill level. From moseying along the trail, to galloping in an open field, not much can top the excitement of this equestrian experience! Yipeee!

Family Fun-pourri. You pick and choose what activities and games your family will enjoy the most! Many of them you can even do together as a family, right at home, in your comfort zone, out in the back yard. Here are a handful of ideas you can think about that your kids will love:

• Treasure Hunt (sort of a variation of an Easter Egg hunt)
• Clean the Yard together (find a creative, individualized way to keep it fun; award points for each job done well, and on time; and offer rewards for the work; maybe rent them a movie or a video game; or better yet, bring the kids to the batting cages or out on the golf course for a job well done)
• Rock Climbing or Tree Climbing (kids love it, but it's not for everyone; be careful, and always supervise youngsters)
• Picking Wild Flowers (only where permitted, please, LNT)
• Take a Flora and Fauna Class at your local nature center or horticultural club they offer programs for kids of all levels. Some NPS sites even offer Junior Ranger Summer Camps!
• Go Fishing / Boating (the options are so diverse they're nearly unlimited: canoeing, rafting, tubing, sailing, paddle boating, jet-skiing, etc.)
• Play an Outdoor Game - there are many greats; favorites include active games such as "hide and go seek," "kick the can," "jailbreak," or "tag."

We’d love to hear the fun activities you share with your family and friends. Log-in and share them with your friends on GettingOutside.

We hope you've enjoyed our Family Fun Ideas for the Spring

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