Idea for the Weekend

This weekend, call your local nature center or park to find out how you and your family can volunteer. These positions may include jobs such as working at the front desk, helping to prepare meals for the animals, cleaning the habitats, or watching over a petting area.    Photo by cheriedurbin

Fall is in the air! This weekend, head to a local farm and go pumpkin picking! Many farms offer small pumpkins for just a few dollars, making it easy for everyone to choose a favorite to take home.  Want to learn more about how pumpkins grow? Check our this page on the Old Farmer’s Almanac.  …

Fall is the perfect time to start hunting for squirrel nests. They build their nests of leaves and twigs high in the trees, so they are often hidden by summer foliage. As the leaves start to fall, the nests start to appear. This weekend, head outside and see how many you can find. You can …

Make this weekend challenging! Set up an outdoor obstacle course for you kids. Here are a couple of  ideas to get you started:  If the weather is still warm where you are, you can create a water course similar to the one found HERE.  Use items you have around your yard to create an obstacle …

This weekend, make paper boats to float down a stream. You can find directions on how to make a boat HERE.  Have each person make more than one boat, just in case one doesn’t hold up for long. Your family will be excited to test them out. You may even have to hike to get …

This weekend, do everything you’d normally do — but outside! This includes working on homework, crafting, exercising, folding laundry, reading, napping, playing games —  whatever you have planned, take it all outdoors. Don’t forget — you can cook and eat outdoors, too! It’s as easy as grilling out or just making sandwiches and having a …

Hurricane Florence is threatening the Southeast, and residents in the Carolinas and Virginia have been making preparations so they stay safe through the storm. Do you have a storm emergency kit in your home in case of severe weather? If not, put one together this weekend. You can find a printable list of what to …

It’s apple season! Instead of purchasing apples at the grocery store, head outside with family or friends to a you-pick apple orchard. You can find many orchards using the links on OrangePippin.com.  Wondering what else is ready for harvest in your area? Click on the link to your state on PickYourOwn.org.    Image by jeanneg

You’ve probably heard of geocaching — searching for items hidden in a pubic place using your GPS. But have you heard of letterboxing? Letterboxing is an older hide-and-seek scavenger hunt game played by people all over the world.  You don’t need a GPS; instead, you follow a set of clues. The prize: a plastic box with a …

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that just requires muscles, not ropes. The rocks are usually low to the ground, no more than 15 – 20 feet high. This weekend, take your whole family “bouldering”! Go somewhere that has a lot of large rocks for your kids (and pets!) to climb around on. Not sure …

This weekend, instead of heading inside at bedtime, stay outdoors — and sleep under the stars! Find a flat area in your yard to set up your bedding system, which may include an air mattress, camping blanket, and/or sleeping bag.  Don’t forget your pillow!      Photo by seriousfun

This weekend, take a hike somewhere you’ve never been before. Not sure where to go? Look on these sites featuring national parks and state parks to find hiking trails near you.    Photo by davidpwhelan

Although July 4 falls on a Wednesday this year, many cities are celebrating this weekend. Check your local paper or look online for festivities in your area. Join the crowds or celebrate on your own with a trip to the lake, a picnic, or a day at the park.    Photo by Gudina 

Unplug this weekend! Choose one day this weekend to turn off the cell phones, tablets, and computers and head outside. You’ll soon find yourself more refreshed, recharged, and reconnected. Find out more here.    Photo by gracey

This weekend, take time to explore a local state park. To find one in your area, check out this website.    Featured image by taliesin

Depending on where you live, this weekend might be the season for berry picking! Check with your local farms to see what may be ripe and ready. Then head out with friends or family, and enjoy the fruits of your labor (literally)!    Featured image by wunee

It’s spring, and the farmer’s markets are open! Shopping at a farmer’s market is a great way to get quality produce while supporting local growers. If you’ve never been to a farmer’s market before, check out 10 Etiquette & Shopping Tips to Help You Enjoy the Farmers Market.          

This weekend, head out at dawn or dusk to an area without much light pollution and watch the sky. Mostly likely, within 15 minutes you’ll catch sight of one of the more than 35,000 satellites orbiting the earth. Some are active satellites, though many are just space junk. They appear to be stars moving silently …

This weekend, head outside after dark for a game of flashlight tag!  There are many variations of the game. Here’s the easiest way to play:  Designate one person as “it”.  Decide the boundaries for the game.  As “it” counts (to 30 or more), all other players hide somewhere within the boundaries. If it’s dark enough, …

This weekend, head to a favorite park or your backyard for a potluck picnic! Invite family and friends to join you and bring along a dish to share. No time to prepare any food? Ask guests to bring along a couple of sandwich items instead. You could even have a contest to find the most …