Active people need stimulation and what better way to spend your time than outside appreciating all of the American nature surrounding us? Whether you live in a big city or a small town, you are never too far from nature. If you have a car and are willing to try new things that might be outside of your comfort zone, consider these more eccentric pastimes. They might provide you with just what you need to coax your children away from their screens and out into the fields:
1. Foraging
Ok, it sounds a little kooky, but when you know what you are looking for there really is a wealth of food available for free outdoors. Depending on the time of year and the state you live in, when armed with a few bags and a little know-how, the hedgerows are your supermarket. Not only is this a fun thing to do with the kids, but it is also educational and could save you a little bit of money. Just remember, be careful with mushrooms and berries and anything else that could mae you very sick. Check and check again before consuming anything.
2. Birding
It might seem like an old person’s activity, but birding or bird watching has had somewhat of a resurgence in recent years. With the advances in technology, it is now possible to capture stunning images from miles away. For the avid nature photographer, digiscoping is a modern day essential. Fully compatible with phones and tablets, digiscopes, as found over at Phone Skope, can make birding a thrilling pursuit. If you get really involved, you might even be able to contribute to bird population monitoring in your area.
3. Geochaching
Geocaching is basically like a more adult treasure hunt, suitable for people of all ages. Using provided coordinates and maps, you can go on the hunt for hidden treasure left by whoever set the trail. Be sure to leave something at the site and never remove anything that you are not replacing. Read-up on geocaching and see what awaits you in your area. If there is not anything, why not set up your own trail and leave something for other budding adventurers to discover? If a passion for geocaching is discovered, all kinds of wilderness skills will be learnt too. Orienteering, for example, is much easier to teach children when there is a reward at the end of it.
4. Battle Reenactments
Depending on where you are, you might find that a local history group is putting on battle reenactments and you did not even know. If the idea of a load of men in battle garb standing in a wet field turns you off, consider that it might be an excellent way to teach your children about history. In most cases, battle reenactments are designed to be as accurate as possible. You might even find some jousting displays to watch or a group that specializes in recreating life in America before the settlers came. Whatever you find, seeing history brought to life can be quite inspiring for young minds and adults alike.
