Even if your budget's tight, you can find ample adventures at a park. Whether your local park is a small neighborhood green space or an expansive national park, take advantage of your nearest recreational area and plan an outing for the whole family, no matter how young or old. If you don't have kids, these activities are still fun if you're a kid at heart! Use these suggestions to get your crew off the couch and out into the sun for some healthy, free (or cheap) warm weather fun. Classic Playground Activities If you're packing little ones, hit your neighborhood or community parks for fun and exercise that goes beyond the swing-set. Your kids will have a blast scrambling up rope nets and navigating obstacles in fortresslike play ports. See-saws, giant slides, monkey bars, pint-sized zip-lines and mini rock-climbing walls are just some of the wonders you'll find at park playgrounds. And, of course, there will be swings! So pack some sunscreen, snacks and juice boxes and head to the park for some full-body fun. Your kids will be building strength, agility and confidence, and laughing all the way. Have a Picnic Can you ever be too young or too old for a picnic? Grab a basket and blanket for a lazy, languid feast on a grassy park lawn. Or load some hearty fare into a backpack and hike to the perfect spot near a waterfall or to a peak with an endless view. If you're heading to a park with a lake or pond, take along some extra bread to feed the ducks Play Ball Many community parks have tennis courts and fields for soccer and baseball. They offer leagues for organized sports, but you don't have to be on a team to enjoy playing around with a ball. An open field is a great place to practice kicking around the soccer ball or have a game of catch. Show up with a ball and you just might find enough willing players for a pick-up game. Learn About Nature Are you interested in some close encounters of the natural kind? State and national parks teem with wildlife, both the stationary and the ambulatory kinds. You can expose your children to the wonder of nature and learn about native plant and animal species that inhabit various environments. Take along your camera to capture the weird and wonderful things you find. Later, you can make a scrapbook detailing your discoveries. Take A Hike Local, state and national parks offer many different opportunities for hiking. Some are short, easy treks to breathtaking scenery; others are major climbs that test your endurance. Preparing for a big hike can be a fun and healthy family activity, too. Some parks even have trails for those with physical limitations or special needs. Check the Web site of the park you have in mind to learn about don't-miss scenery, special features, the length and challenge rating of trails, and whether or not pets are welcome. Special Events Parks cater to families and often host fairs, carnivals and special events to get your attention. The activities depend a lot on the type of park. Look for carnivals with games, races and inflatable play objects at community parks. Turn to state and national parks for events that introduce you and your kids to outdoor and high-adventure sports like orienteering, archery, fishing and canoeing. Holidays are big events for parks, too. They offer activities like Easter egg hunts, winter wonderlands, parades and firework displays. Set up a Challaenge Parks offer big, wide-open spaces perfect for staging a race, obstacle course or other family challenge. Break up into teams for a relay race. Designate age groups for foot or bicycle races. Bring a few simple props and set up your own family field day. Here are some examples:
- Hula-hoops or jump ropes for an endurance challenge
- Eggs and spoons for a balance-testing relay challenge
- Soccer ball for a dribbling challenge
- Plastic cups and water for a balancing-on-the-head race challenge
- Rope for tug-of-war and three-legged race