Top 60 Outdoor Activities for Healthy Living

Outdoor Activities for couples and Families

Sunshine and exercise—there’s no arguing that both are beneficial for our physical and mental health. Sunshine improves your sleep, reduces stress, and boosts your immune system. While exercise has many of the same benefits, it can also help you manage your weight and reduce your risk of disease.

With these benefits in mind, we’ve rounded up 60 of the best outdoor activities for couples and families. So what are you waiting for? Time to get scrolling!

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Outdoor Activities for Couples

While we love snuggling on the couch and watching movies with our sweeties, we also love activities that get us out of the house and making memories! You could totally search for “outdoor activities near me,” but we think you should really take a look at our awesome list of things to do outside.

1. Hiking: Did you know that hiking can strengthen your relationship? It totally can! Make sure to pick the right trails, clothing, gear, food, and water to make your hike a successful one. Oh, and check out our hiking date for two! It would be perfect for this outdoor activity!

2. Walking: Not only does your health benefit from walking with your sweetie, but did you know that holding hands while walking with your spouse can help relieve stress and increase feelings of love between the two of you? So, go ahead and try taking a walk together!

3. Trail Running: Do you and your sweetie feel the need for speed? Try running together. Instead of running in your neighborhood, check out some new trails near you!

4. Tennis: Doesn’t tennis seem like the perfect couple’s sport? Couples can challenge one another as well as cheer each other on. Go on and get competitive with your sweetie!

5. Cycling: We’re not talking about a bicycle built for two, though we do think that would be fun! Cycling is a great way to get outside and create goals together. Try signing up for a race and then training together. Remember to choose a race or a goal that is achievable for both of you.

6. Swimming: Swimming is so good for you and is perfect if you are looking for “outdoor activities near me.” Not only does swimming benefit your joints, improve your heart health, and control your blood sugar, but it can also help you manage your weight. Oh, and have you seen our steamy hot springs date? You need to check it out!

7. Skating: Skating not only burns calories but improves your balance as well as tones and defines your muscles. Looks like it’s time to go rollin’ with your favorite homie!

8. Basketball: It’s time to play one-on-one with your honey! Play a full game with other couples, or just play HORSE by yourselves. To end your day of shooting hoops, why not try our Strip Basketball game in the privacy of your own bedroom?

9. Soccer: If you and your spouse are looking for outdoor activities to help you become more physically active, try kicking a ball around together. Soccer will help you reach your goals on and off the field.

10. Kayaking: Kayaking is a great way to get out on the water and break a sweat, too! If you’re angling for some more fun, try out a fishing kayak. If tubing is more your style, then take a look at our fun summer tubing date!

11. Mountain Climbing: Get ready to ascend the highest peaks with your sweetie by your side. Mountain climbing is not only great for your body but benefits your relationship as well. Couples who climb mountains together (literally and figuratively) rely heavily on trust, communication, and patience to see them through to the top.

12. Stair Climbing: Not only is it totally free, but climbing stairs are a total fat burner! Find a set of long stairs near you and start stepping!

13. Jumping: We’re not talking about jumping jacks or jumping for joy but jumping—with a rope! You might not ever be as good as this athletic couple, but you never know unless you try!

14. Dancing: From casual dance parties in your backyard to actual dance classes, you and your sweetie will totally break a sweat and have fun while doing it! Take a look at some of our best dancing tips!

15. Volleyball: With so many different varieties of volleyball, you and your spouse are sure to find one to spike your fancy! Try playing volleyball on a co-ed team, on the beach, or even in a pool!

16. HIIT Training: HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval Training, and it’s a great way to get moving with your partner. Make up your own workout, or follow along with a YouTube video like this 20-minute full-body partner workout! Take it outdoors to get more sunshine in your life!

17. Paddleboarding: It seems like everyone is getting into paddleboarding these days! If you haven’t tried it yet, here’s your invitation to give it a go! Paddleboarding strengthens your core muscles and improves your balance. Here’s a great article on the basics of how to stand up on a paddleboard.

18. Skiing: It’s the first one on our list of bucket-list winter activities for a reason! If weather permits, hit the slopes with your sweetie!

19. Horseback Riding: Giddy up! Horseback riding has a multitude of physical and mental benefits, making it perfect when looking for things to do outside!

20. Ziplining: Ziplining might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but think of all of the once-in-a-lifetime memories you will make with your spouse! You’ll also be able to see your partner in a capacity that you don’t normally see them in, which is a total relationship builder.

21. Gardening: The couple that gardens together grows more than just plants together. They grow their love! And we have the perfect garden day date for you to try out!

22. Baseball: It’s time for you and your sweetie to knock it outta the park! Head to your local baseball field or just play catch in your backyard. Did we mention that we have a date for this outdoor activity, too? It’s almost as if we specialize in creating dates for married couples, right?! {WINK!}

23. Jet Skiing: Rent a jet ski and hit the lake for the day! You could rent two jet skis or hop on one and take a romantic trip around the lake. Be sure to wear your life jacket while soaking up the sun with your sweetie!

24. Water Aerobics: Let us guess … you’re picturing older women bobbing up and down in the water, right? Well, water aerobics can actually be a really amazing workout! Check out your local pool to see if they offer classes. The best part about water aerobics is that you get out of it as much as you put into it!

25. Rowing: Rowing together on a boat can be so romantic. It totally gives us thoughts of the boat scene in The Notebook (got a date for that, too!). However, when rowing for exercise, it can be a little less romantic and a lot more sweaty! Try searching for rowing classes near you.

26. Batting Cages: This can actually be a really unique and fun date! Try hitting the batting cages. Make it interesting with a friendly wager of who can hit the most balls!

27. Driving Range: Head to the driving range or try out a place like Topgolf. If mini golf is more your style, try out this mini golf date—with a twist!

28. Yoga: Get all tangled up while practicing yoga together! Take your mats outdoors and become one with nature. It will be good for your minds and bodies to do more stretching and less stressing!

29. Slacklining: Hear us out! Slacklining is a unique outdoor activity, but it’s also such a good workout! Get yourselves a slackline kit and check out this article with tips for beginners.

30. Snowshoeing: If it’s winter, why not give snowshoeing a try? The snowshoes available now are more than just tennis rackets strapped to your feet! They are sleek, light, and perfect for working up a sweat in the snow.

31. River Rafting: Are you a super adventurous couple? Then, you better check out these ten places to go whitewater rafting in the United States. Maybe there is a river near you!

32. Paintball: Time to get outdoors and get messy! You can do this with paintball guns or with paintballs that you throw. Of course, we’ve got a date for that, too!

Outdoor Activities for Families

Do you need to get your kids out of the house, but you are sick of going to the playground again?! Here are some outdoor activities for kids that will get their hearts pumping!

33. Geocaching: What is a geocache? It is a hidden “treasure” that you can find using GPS. The standard rule for a cache is: you can take something if you leave something. If you want to learn more about geocaching, take a look at our geocaching date for families. It has all the info you need to get started!

34. Fishing: Fishing is a good way to get some good ol’ sunshine outdoors and make memories with your family! Your kids will always remember the first time they caught a fish!

35. Fitness Scavenger Hunt: Combine physical activities with fun activities for a unique scavenger hunt in your very own backyard! Have different fitness stations, or treat it like an Easter egg hunt!

36. Camping: If you’ve ever been camping before, then you know it’s more than just sitting around the campfire eating good food! Packing, unpacking, setting up the tent, splitting firewood, hiking, and more make camping a total workout.

37. Ice Blocking: Totally thrilling and a little dangerous, ice blocking is such an adventure. Simply grab a towel, buy a block of ice, and find a big grassy hill. Once you climb to the top, sit on the towel-topped ice block and slide down the hill!

38. Trampolining: Jump on the trampoline in your own backyard or head to the nearest trampoline park! Jumping is a great way to get some exercise and show off your skills! Put a sprinkler under your trampoline for extra summer fun!

39. Running Through the Sprinklers: Speaking of sprinklers, when was the last time you ran through them? It’s time to don your bathing suits and run around your yard with your kids. You’ll love it, we promise!

40. Backyard Games: Throw it back with old-school backyard games! Play games like Red Rover, Hopscotch, Red Light, Green Light, and Kick the Can with your kids. We think these games will create lasting memories for your whole family, and they are perfect outdoor activities for kids!

41. Ropes Course: Fly through the air with the greatest of ease at an outdoor ropes course! You and your family will be secured in special harnesses, so you can rest assured you are safe. Simply search for ropes courses near you.

42. Fly a Kite: Buy a more expensive kite, pick some up from the dollar store, or make your own! Whichever way you choose to do it, your family will just love this outdoor activity. Just make sure to go on a windy day, or it could be a total flop!

43. Playground Training: Yes, we know you are tired of the playground, but playground training can be so fun! Try different exercises like tricep dips, incline push-ups, and pull-ups.

44. Yard Work: The family that works in the yard together stays together … isn’t that how the saying goes? Get some sunshine and teach your kids the value of hard work by raking leaves, pulling weeds, and mowing the lawn together.

45. Fun Run: Train for a fun run as a family! This is a great way to get outdoors, spend lots of time together as a family, set goals together, and get some exercise! There are so many different kinds of themed fun runs that your kids will just love, too! Simply search for “fun runs near me.”

46. Timed Scavenger Hunts: Everyone loves a good scavenger hunt, right? Try timing your scavenger hunt for an extra health challenge.

47. Nature Walks: Nature walks are the perfect way to get your family outside! Play “I Spy” as you walk along the trail.

48. Water Games: Backyard water games are the best and a great way to get some exercise and sunshine! Check out our huge list of 75 fun backyard water activities for kids for more ideas!

49. Snowball Fight: Is it winter? Time for a snowball fight! You need to take a look at these tools for making snowballs! They are so cool! (And check out this fun indoor snowball fight date, too!)

50. Build a Tree House or Fort: Building a tree house or a fort is a perfect way to build memories with your family. Find scrap wood or head to your local hardware store to buy new supplies. Make sure to involve your children in the planning, building, and decorating!

51. Build a Backyard Obstacle Course: Use your own backyard playground equipment as well as picnic tables and chairs to build your very own obstacle course. Take turns to see who can complete it in the fastest time!

52. Frisbee Golf: Frisbee golf is played like golf but with a frisbee, and you can find frisbee golf courses at many parks now. For a fun twist, have an activity to do at each hole. For example, the players with the highest score at the end of the first hole can choose to do five push-ups or five jumping jacks.

53. Dodge ball: Dodge ball—you either loved it or hated it when you were in grade school. We think you will love playing it with your family, though! For extra fun, we recommend Throw Throw Burrito: A Dodgeball Card Game. It will have you dodging and laughing!

54. Dance Party: Crank up the Kidz Bop and bust out your best moves! For a twist on the regular dance party, try having a glow-in-the-dark backyard dance party. Pass out glow stick necklaces and bracelets, and dance your heart out!

55. Walk the Dog: Fido needs some exercise, too! Take everyone out on a stroll through the neighborhood or park to give your pup (and your fam) a chance to stretch their legs. Check out our conversation topic cards to get your kids walking and talking.

56. Outdoor Games: You can buy or make your own larger-than-life backyard outdoor games to play with the family. Don’t you think this oversized Jenga game looks like so much fun?

57. City Walk: Why not try exploring your very own city? You could even pretend to be a tourist! We have lists of things to do in lots of major cities in the United States, including Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, Columbus, Orlando, and Salt Lake City. If you live in any of these cities, you should definitely check out our epic lists of things to do!

58. Visit a State Park: State parks usually have lots of options for exercise, such as hiking and biking trails. Your family can get outdoors and maybe even learn a thing or two!

59. Cornhole: The addictive game that everyone loves to play! Get a cornhole set and play with your family or set up a neighborhood tournament.

60. Pickleball: Everyone who’s anyone plays pickleball, right? Pickleball is tennis’s younger, smaller, and cooler cousin! Your family will love a day spent at the pickleball courts!

How’s that for a huge list of outdoor activities? If you’re looking for even more things to do outside, check out our ginormous list of 101 outdoor date ideas! You’ll love them! Now go outside and soak up some sunshine!