To Do Outdoors

April 22 is Earth Day! If you’re looking for a meaningful way to celebrate it, here are some ideas you can try:  1. Start a Nature Journal: Sometimes it’s hard to care about something when you don’t know much about it. Creating a nature journal is an easy way to get connected with the outdoors. …

Humans are creatures driven by smells. We become alert when our nose detects that something could indicate danger or provide information. We react to smells such as burning, linger around strangers wearing an attractive perfume, wrinkle our noses when the trash hasn’t been taken out on time, and run to the kitchen when we smell …

The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming and it’s the perfect time to get outside. Looking for new things to do? Try the Rainbow Hunt. Try to find things in nature that make up the colors of the rainbow. Start with red then move on to orange, green, yellow, blue, indigo, and violent. In …

A few weeks ago, looking for something new to do outside, my family and I happened upon a little park—a field really—in the middle of a busy part of town. We had driven past it many times but never stopped to investigate. But this particular Saturday, the rain was coming. We were trying to get …

Looking for a fun, cheap, family-friendly outdoor activity that feels like a treasure hunt? Give magnet fishing a try! When my preteen son came to me and asked about getting a magnet fishing set, I had no idea what he was talking about. After a little research, we ordered one on Amazon (search for Magnet …

Be part of a global event! Join the Great Backyard Bird Count February 18–21, 2022, when the world comes together for the love of birds.  From the Great Backyard Bird Count website:  Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds. Step 1: Decide where you …

Last January found me recovering from COVID, trying to feel at home in our new neighborhood, and needing a way for the kids to run off excess energy in wet winter weather. So on a whim, I made a goal for us: take one hundred walks in 2021. My kids and I dressed warmly, clipped …

Venice Beach, Florida, in Sarasota County is known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” and for good reason. When my family went there in September (and again in November—we really like that beach!), it took only minutes to begin finding shark teeth in the sand. Sarasota sits on a deep fossil layer, and …

The past couple of years have become a more stress-filled year than any of us ever anticipated. But while we can’t always control the stressors in our lives, there are things we can do to find some stress-relief — including heading outside! In her book The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and …

We’ve always known it. Study after study has shown that the wisdom of previous generations was right: getting outdoors — into the sun, breathing fresh air — works wonders in every way. It boosts our immune systems, inspires activity and exercise, brings calm, and lowers stress. But sometimes in the busyness of life, a whole …

The air outside has well and truly become cold, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had outside! Below are 10 ideas to make your winter more fun. Make sure you bundle up warm before you step outside. 1. Go for a hike and look up. With the bare trees, you can see many …

Tucked away in the middle of the Great Salt Lake in Utah is a delightful, unique state park called Antelope Island. A long, narrow island, Antelope Island is easily accessible by car, via a bridge from the mainland. It’s a pretty drive over the lake, and you can often see shore birds and boats. Antelope …

Near the south entrance of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is the lovely Jenny Lake. Though much smaller than Jackson Lake to the north, Jenny Lake is still almost 1200 acres across and is a focal point of the park. Its waters are crystal clear and cold—it is a glacial lake—and its bottom, at …

I jolted awake as the pinging of my morning alarm radiated through the room and snapped me out of my dreams. The clock indicated 5:15 a.m. in florescent blue lights.  This sight doesn’t usually spark within me a rush of excitement, but today was not just any ordinary day— Today was a Sendday Wednesday. It …

Like last year, the start of school this year is anything but routine. But no matter what the school days look like, you can still bring the outdoors into your new school schedule. Here are a few ideas:  1. Choose a place outside to sit, such as under a tree or on a log. Then, …

If you’re anything like me, then summer is a time of the year that draws you outside.  With radiant sunshine, electric blue water, never-ending fields of wildflowers, and longer days, the scenery is practically demanding that we bask it all in.  Even if you live in an apartment, a park is usually close by. Being realistic, …

Summertime is unlike any other.  As the weather heats up and the sun lingers a little longer, I find myself overflowing with excitement and anticipation about all of the outdoor fun that is soon to come.  I have taken on the “dog days” in a lot of different ways and in a lot of different …

It’s the first day of spring! It may not be a typical spring season, it’s still important to get outdoors. During these days that seem uncertain and challenging, spending time in nature not only helps fight anxiety, but it offers many other health benefits as well.  You can find out more here.  Below are some …

Outdoorosity is creating a special (and timely) de-stress kit! As part of the kit, author Jo Watson Hackl presents this video to help you create your own woods time to feel more calm and relaxed. You can download printable instructions HERE.      

Some people experience the “winter blues,”  a feeling of sadness or depression that can come with the shorter, colder days of winter.  If you’re feeling low, here are some seasonal activities to try as you wait for the sunnier months:  Try remixed snow art: Add color to your snowman or snow angel with spray bottles …