Top 10 Ways to Spend This March Break Outdoors With Your Kids

It’s that time of year once again, when children celebrate five whole days off of school by … hanging around the house? Wait, what?

As parents we want the best for our kids so it’s about time we take charge and take advantage of their blessed week of freedom. It can be tough to coax them away from the cozy indoors but moms and dads, you have to do what you have to do. Once that seemingly daunting mission’s accomplished, the rest should be a breeze.

Thanks to the ParticipACTION’s 150 Play List, there are plenty of ways to get the kids outside. ParticipACTION put out the challenge, and Canadians everywhere should accept it, and try as many of the activities on the list.

But parents, you need to lead by example. You may want your children to be more active, but so should you. A better, healthier life will do you all good but it’s the impact on our kids that makes it all worthwhile. You ready to get outside and have some fun yet?

Getty Images

1 / 10

Hike

Head to a park or conservation area with exceptional trails (maybe with your free 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass?), and make a day of it. A hike makes for an amazing cardio workout, builds strength and endurance and whenever you need a break, collect pinecones, stop and smell the flowers or feed the birds. Or, if the weather works in your favour, feed yourselves with a packed picnic. Healthy, of course.

Getty Images

2 / 10

Building a Snowman

If it's a wintery wonderland, playing in the snow can be a fun way to blow off some steam and let loose. From building a snowman or a cool fort, having a snowball fight or making snow angels, these are the kinds of days that you and your family will remember forever.

Getty Images

3 / 10

Monkey Bars

Most children can't resist a playground, what with the swings and slides and mini ziplines and climbing walls. But then there are the dreaded monkey bars. Sure, some kids can whip through them like little lemurs but for others, it can be as challenging as climbing the ropes in gym class. If you need to, give your kid a boost and help them get from start to finish. Then once they've mastered them, perhaps it's Mom and Dad's turn to give it a go and see if they've still got it.

Getty Images

4 / 10

Horseback Riding

A group lesson isn't just about the ride; some stables also teach the importance of caring for a horse, and tacking and untacking it. Your kids, maybe the entire family, could come out of the adventure with a newfound love — from being at one with nature to falling for the horse with which they were partnered. Yee-haw!

Getty Images

5 / 10

Hockey

Whether on a frozen pond, outdoor rink or on your street, all you and your kids need are a few more friends (and parents) for an energetic pickup game and in 20 minutes, you'll all have burned loads of calories, all while your muscles burn from the exercise you didn't realize you were getting.

Getty Images

6 / 10

Four-Square and Grounders

Red Rover and British Bulldog may have been big in playgrounds back in the day but nowadays, the kids are all about things like four-square and grounders. If you want to know what your kid's doing at recess, let them show you how it's done. You might be surprised to learn just how cutthroat your children can be as they make it their mission to eliminate you from the game.

Getty Images

7 / 10

Basketball

It's an affordable and fun fitness activity for the whole family. Head to your nearest school for a little two-on-two or a game of H-O-R-S-E.

Getty Images

8 / 10

Washing the Car

Cars need to be cleaned, whatever the season. If the driveway is covered with snow, or your water for outside is still turned off, head to a coin-operated place where you and the kids can make the trusty family vehicle look shiny and new.

Getty Images

9 / 10

Snow Shoveling

Getting the kids outside with you after a snowfall is the stuff memories are made of, plus you don't have to tackle the driveway and path all by yourself so bonus for you. The cardiovascular demand is high, as is using the entire body to lift the weight of the snow, so if it's a family affair, you're making short work of a big job. if you simply make the kids do it while you tend to other things, just reward them with a sweet treat once the job is done. They might actually not hate being out there knowing there's a steaming cup of cocoa awaiting them.

Getty Images

10 / 10

Ice Fishing

Once you trek out to the frozen lake and get past the frigid temps by jumping around to stay toasty, there's something so peaceful about the surroundings, only hearing the wind in the trees or the sounds of the odd bird. Most kids are all about noise, but sometimes you need to show them just how still life can be and that silence isn't such a bad thing. Though just imagine their faces when they catch something. But try not to jump around and squeal too loud with excitement; you don’t want to scare away the other fish.