Let’s be honest, this winter was brutal and chances are you and the kids spent more than enough time feeling restless indoors. The good news is that spring has finally arrived, and with it the opportunity to take your family activities outside! The Pacific Northwest is ripe with options for active, fresh-air fun, and we’ve rounded up 10 spring activities that are sure to keep your crew moving come rain or shine.
It should come as no surprise that we suggest grabbing the kids, a couple of tennis racquets and heading to a nearby park for hours of endless, active fun. Finding a nearby park with a court is easy, simply visit your local Parks & Recreation website. Many like Ashland Parks & Recreation have features that allow you to enter in your location and the type of tennis court you would like to use. Some cities also have public indoor courts for those inevitable rainy days, making tennis an ideal option for some active springtime fun.
Chances are you’ve got a school of little fish that equate sunny days to pool days. If swimming is one of your kids’ favorite family activities, find a park with the best pool for your crew. Cities like Yakima have a multitude of indoor and outdoor swimming pools with water features that you only dreamed about as a kid. Regardless of your age, an hour or two in the water burns tons of calories and is sure to bring the day to a close with everyone feeling happy and worn out.
It’s time to break out the bikes and trikes and hit the local trails, paths, and even the roads. Biking is hands-down one of the best family activities to get involved in in a city that prioritizes environmentally friendly transportation. With plenty of paths and trails throughout the PNW—like the Centennial Trail that runs along the Spokane River—that allow you to avoid motorized traffic completely, you can enjoy a peaceful day exploring out on one two (or even three) wheels. If your kids are fairly experienced bikers, cities like Portland have great bike routes that make navigating traffic easy and safe.
One of the best things about living in the Pacific Northwest is the region’s natural surroundings. Getting the family out for a morning, afternoon, or daylong hike is easy with an abundance of trails within a short drive’s distance. Even if you only have time for a quick jaunt, there are plenty of trails within your city limits, like Kincaid Park and Chester Creek in Anchorage. Up your hiking game and head out of town to trails like Eagle River Nature Center where you will be guided past water features that are guaranteed to be majestic during the spring melt.
Scaling rock walls and giant boulders is a great way for individuals of all ages to burn off energy. Both rock climbing and bouldering make for great spring activities because they can be done inside and out. Indoor rock gyms like Rogue Rock Gym in Medford offer classes and programs for all ages. Some are also surrounded by rock features just waiting to be explored and conquered when the weather cooperates. If you are heading outdoors, consider signing up for a rock climbing tour to get started.
A ball and a court: that’s all you need for an afternoon active family fun playing Horse or 21. Find a court near you—indoor or outdoor—on your local Parks & Rec department’s website and you’ve got a family activity that will keep you moving year-round.
You don’t have to go far or spend much to have fun throwing Frisbee—a back yard will do just fine. Head down to Mineral Springs Park in Seattle, and you’ve got tons of extra space and even a disc golf course that will keep you and your kids running for hours.
With pristine lakes and stunning rivers only a short drive from the city, standup paddling is an ideal spring activity. While paddleboards themselves are spendy, they can be rented for a reasonable price. And SUPPING is an activity that can be done at almost any age. It makes exploring the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful natural features accessible for everyone in your family.
Get outside and start digging in the dirt! You might be surprised at how exhausting and exhilarating tending to a family garden can be for every member of your tribe and now is the time to get started. From seed to plate this is a spring activity that pays off!
You can get started with a video or by taking a class. Then after you and your kids have learned the basics, all you need is a mat. Portland has some of the best yoga teachers and studios in the Pacific Northwest, and several offer classes for kids and adults. Once you’ve become a seasoned yogi, you and your little yoginis can summon better weather with a round after round of sun salutations. Even if it doesn’t work, in the end you’ll be relaxed.
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