8 Family Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in the Summer

Key Takeaways

• Family summer activities are a great way to create memories and spend time outdoors away from screens.
• Go hiking, take nature walks, or go camping in your backyard to keep kids (and adults!) of all ages entertained all summer long.
• Prepare for outdoor activities in the summer weather with layered clothing and lots of water to stay cool.

It’s summertime. School’s out, and the days are free and warm, so why spend all that time indoors? Plenty of fun outdoor activities will beat those lazy days of summer, keep the family active, and create lasting memories. Discover the best outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer with Army Surplus World!

Take a Camping Trip

Camping is the perfect way to not only spend time outdoors but also enjoy some family bonding. Pack your camping equipment – tents, sleeping bags, etc. – and head anywhere from the desert to the mountains with the kids. Just be sure to pick the perfect campgrounds or destination for your kids’ ages and interests. Many sites offer amenities like picnic tables and restrooms for more family-friendly camping. But you could also rough it and go wilderness camping to learn basic outdoor skills like fire building, first aid, and water purification.

As every parent knows, distraction is key. So, organize some fun family summer activities to keep them entertained without the need for modern technology, such as:

• Hiking
• Fishing
• Scavenger hunts
• Stories and games around the campfire
• Swimming 
• Exploring waterfalls and other natural features

Bike Rides

Biking is one of the best outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer because it provides the opportunity to explore new areas, create memories, and make exercise fun. Start with an easy route. This means a flat road or path that’s away from traffic and a few miles long. You can increase the distance and difficulty over time.

Bring plenty of water to keep them hydrated on the trails! It may help to bring a reusable water bottle or military canteen. 

Go on a Hike

What better way to explore the outdoors than with a family hike? Choose a short hike with minimal elevation gain over an extended trek with steep inclines and rocky terrain to keep things family-friendly. You could even let your kids choose which hike to take!

Outdoor activities in the summer require a little preparation to ensure your day is as safe as it is fun. Be prepared with these tips:

• Wear the Right Footwear - Wear Army surplus boots or other supportive footwear to protect your feet and stay comfortable on the trails.
• Wear Proper Attire - Heading on a desert trail? Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton. Exploring shaded areas on a cool day? Layer your military clothing to stay warm without overheating.
• Bring Snacks - Family summer activities like hiking can drain everyone’s energy and make kids restless. Pack snacks and water to keep energy up.
• Turn the Hike into a Scavenger Hunt - Make a list of animals, plants, or sights and see who spots them all first!

Take a Nature Walk

Nature walks are an enriching and engaging experience for all ages. It’s also one of the best outdoor activities in the summer to get everyone to interact with their environment. This could be in a park or another local spot. Activities to do on your nature walk include:

• Identifying and cataloging animals or plants you see
• Pressing flowers or leaves 
• Going on a scavenger hunt for plants, animals, and objects found in nature
• Constructing their own detailed maps that include rivers and landmarks
• Collecting seeds, pine cones, or other natural objects and creating an art project

Have Local Lake Adventures

Live near a lake? You have loads of family summer activities to enjoy! Go fishing, go swimming, or have a nice picnic by the lake.

Create a Backyard Obstacle Course

Get your kids outside and help them flex their creative muscles by having them create an obstacle course! It’s fairly simple to do, and keeps them active for days. 

Don’t know where to start? While the outdoor activities in your summer obstacle course vary depending on your available outdoor space, you’ll want to include obstacles that involve a mixture of climbing, jumping, balancing, or even crawling. Here are a few ideas:

• Lay hula hoops or pool noodles on the ground to hop through
• Use planks or plywood over a kiddie pool for a balance challenge
• Create crawl-through tunnels with blankets or cardboard boxes
• Use a jump rope as the starting line for a broad jump
• Use military rope to create a maze to crawl and duck through 

If you don’t have a backyard, you can set up these summer outdoor activities in a local park or even indoors!

Host Your Own Summer Olympics

Have everyone go for the gold with your own Olympics! Throw a swimming competition at the community pool, compete to see who is the fastest runner, host a gymnastics competition, or host any other summer activities your family enjoys. 

Make & Fly a Kite

Flying kites is one of the most classic outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer! Have the kids use sticks/dowels and lightweight fabric to make their own kites. They can even decorate them themselves! When they’re finished, you can see how they fly in the park or another windy spot.

Family Summer Activities They’ll Love

There are a myriad of outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer, from camping to kite flying. Choose one, or make a checklist of activities to keep them occupied for the whole season. 

Stay safe on the trails – and in the summer heat – with military clothing and camping equipment from Army Surplus World!