How to get your family embracing outside activities this spring

As the weather warms up and the days grow longer, now is the perfect time to shake off the winter blues and embrace a more active lifestyle. However, in today’s digital age, it is not uncommon to find your family members glued to their screens and not exactly enthusiastic about outdoor activities. But don’t worry, the outdoor experts at Millets share their tips to make the most of the spring weather for the whole family.

Prepare in advance and set yourself up for success

One of the best ways to ensure you stick to your plans is to prepare all your family’s outdoor wear the night before. Putting out walking boots, finding those ever-important thermals and packing all non-food items in a rucksack ahead of time will help you stay organised and calm before setting out into the great outdoors with your family. Try it out, and you will be amazed at how much of a difference this simple action makes!

Reserve a specific time for outdoor activity

Routine is essential for children to develop healthy habits, but it is as important for ever-busy adults! Dedicating a specific amount of time to outdoor exploration will ensure that all members of your family are experiencing the richness of nature together.

Make it a game! 

There are many different ways to engage children and make trips out fun, whether that is creating competitions or encouraging unstructured exploration. Pedometer count competitions and scavenger hunts are great examples of this.

Be patient, and get the kids interested in the outdoor activities gradually 

Swapping from the sofa to a steep hike probably won’t be an attainable goal straight away - and if it’s a challenging climb, it might not be much fun either. Embark on smaller challenges to allow your kids to become more familiar with the outdoors. DIY fort-making, climbing sessions and trips out with fishing nets will immerse your children in nature - with each activity preparing them for the next milestone.

Lead by example

Nature reserves, hiking trails and bodies of water all house a range of wildlife and can be a great way to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. They are also a great way to teach your children how to respect nature, for example, making sure you leave everything as you found them and remembering to take your litter home.