Leading by example and living a healthy lifestyle with your family doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym or sticking to a strict workout routine. Instead, it's about combining the things you love with balance—and hopefully creating some memories with your loved ones. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got ideas to enjoy outdoor activities for every season.
Embrace the Spring Weather
When the frost thaws and the flowers start blooming, springtime is the perfect time to get moving and embrace the warmer weather. Get outdoors and enjoy the spring colors with a family hike. Choose trails with scenic views and unique features, including waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and ponds. As always, make sure you pack a fun picnic with snacks, treats, and sandwiches. You can also mix up a smoothie and pack it in a thermos with a boost of WAYT Nutrition’s protein for an energizing pick-me-up.
You can also stick closer to home and start a family garden. It gets everyone outside and teaches your kids the value of fresh, seasonal eating. Choose a mix of herbs, vegetables, or flowers, and set a time each week to tend the garden and weed together. You’ll get in some physical activity while whipping up fresh, nutritious meals that everyone can take pride over growing the ingredients together.
Hit the Sun and Sand in the Summer
Summertime brings endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, including beach days, backyard games, and all-day swimming. Mix in some fun water activities to stay cool, like kayaking, paddleboarding, or fishing. It’s important to stay hydrated with cold water, fresh fruit, or fruit protein smoothies to curb everyone's hunger without weighing them down.
Your own backyard can also turn into a summertime obstacle course. Gather some pool noodles, hula hoops, cones, or items from a discount store to create a course that blends balance, strength, and speed. It will also tap into your family’s competitive spirit and offer some bonding opportunities.
Don’t forget summer adventures in the evening. Try organizing a neighborhood scavenger hunt, or take a sunset bike ride to explore new paths and areas of town. The sense of exploration and adventure will make everyone forget they're actually exercising.
Fall into Autumn with Crisp Air and Colorful Leaves
The crisp, cool temperatures of fall and vibrant leaves create a perfect backdrop for some outdoor fun. Plan a day of apple picking or visit a local pumpkin patch for plenty of walking and carrying your bounty. It’s also a wonderful way to bond as a family.
Bird-watching and leaf walks are also must-do outdoor activities. Choose trails blanketed in trees with changing leaves. Make it a scavenger hunt to find specific colored leaves or shapes. Once the hike is over, kids can use the leaves for crafts like leaf rubbings or wreath-making.
If your family loves to get competitive, organize a backyard flag football game or frisbee golf. Perfect for all ages, they require minimal equipment and are simple to roll out the door and start playing.
Get Outdoors in Winter’s Snowy Wonderland
The cold doesn’t need to keep you indoors. Instead, look at it as an invitation to bundle up and enjoy sledding, snowshoeing, or building snow forts. You’ll end up doing a cardio workout, building some strength, and burning calories.
For something festive, try ice skating at an outdoor rink. Everyone will have fun while working to improve balance and coordination. It’s always fun to warm up afterward with a thermos of hot cocoa or, for a healthy twist, a warm protein-packed drink made with WAYT Nutrition’s protein powder.
If you live in an area that doesn’t get much cold, head to a local trail for a nature walk. Look for wintertime wildlife and see how many creatures you can find.
Choose a Year-Round Adventure
There’s an activity for every season, but there’s also plenty of things to enjoy year-round, like geocaching. Use your GPS to hunt for hidden “treasures” in your community. It’s like a modern-day treasure hunt to get everyone outdoors on trails, in parks, and downtown. You also don't need to plan anything to get active. Committing to an evening walk after dinner and before bedtime can help make the transition easier and enjoy the stars.
Enhance Your Health and Fitness with WAYT Nutrition
There’s always a way to enhance your health and fitness, no matter what’s going on with the weather. Once you pick your activities, remember to add in more protein, flavorful supplement powders, vitamins, and more. They taste great mixed with water, shakes, and more. Start shopping for our supplements and vitamins today!