Are you ready to hear a scary statistic? Children spend roughly 6.5 hours per day watching television. It seems that they would rather play video games than ride a bike. Even scarier, this number extends to adults as well. We’re on the computer or watching television and we don’t get outdoors nearly as much as we should.
June is Great Outdoors Month and the plan is to change those statistics. We all need to embrace our parks, forests, refuges, and other public lands and waters. There is so much to do outdoors and it doesn’t cost much if anything at all!
Not only is outdoor recreation enjoyable, but it also provides mental, physical, economic, and social benefits. Recreation outdoors can be anything from watching wildlife to participating in extreme sports. June is an especially active time for outdoor recreation in America, with millions of us starting our usual summertime activities.
Try activities such as camping, swimming, hiking, and barbecuing. These activities are low or no cost. Take these as opportunities to create memories that will last much longer than Monday night’s sitcom or a high score on the latest video game!
Kids should have no problem getting excited about Great Outdoors Month. Make summer more fun for your child by planning activities that you know he or she enjoys as well as some that he or she has never done before.
Recreation can be fun and educational. Try to expose your child to new experiences in an exciting way! Not only will they be having a good time, he or she will also be exercising.
Here are some great outdoor activities you can try!
- • Biking
- • Fishing
- • Walking and playing with pets
- • Playing Sports
- • Tossing the Frisbee
- • Picnics
- • Miniature golf
- • Visit a local zoo
- • Plant and maintain a garden
- • Blueberry picking
Use some of the above ideas to get active and get outside this month! While out and about, stop by or call the agency to make sure all your summer fun is covered and protected.