Outside Activities
There are plenty of outdoor activities you can do as we approach spring and summer. Some of my favourites growing up and even now are:
Kayaking: You may already have access to a kayak or be able to rent them out from your local watersports and equipment places, so have a look around, because often there are more activities available at low cost without needing to own the equipment for your occasional use. If you are really committed, you can always stretch the budget to purchase something later after you have tested it out.
(photo of me kayaking, photographed by my mother)
Biking: All you need is a bike and helmet. Many communities have bike rentals or lender bikes you can use, or you could use a stationary bike inside your home or at the gym for leg day. I prefer to feel the wind on my face in the fresh outdoors, however, in the winter, I used our stationary bike we had at the time while doing long readings for University courses. It was great to be able to exercise and listen to the read aloud versions of the articles before writing my reflections.
(photo of me biking on a local trail, photographed by my mother)
Frisbee: All you need is a cheap dollar store frisbee to toss around with a partner or group of friends or family. (Safety tip is to keep your eyes peeled and not get distracted, especially if someone has a strong throwing arm). You just curl your arm in towards your body as shown in this photo below of me playing frisbee in the yard with my dad. You want to keep the frisbee level to go straight, and release the frisbee at the direction point of your partner.
(photo of me playing frisbee, photographed by my mother)
Swimming: I have heard that swimming is one of the best exercises for a number of health beneficial reasons, but I just love being one with the water. Feeling myself move with the waves and cooperate with the water and float in the buoyancy of the ocean.
(photo of me swimming in a lake alongside some ducks, photographed by my mother)
Below is another fun photo of myself at Aylesford Lake, where my grandmother had a cottage when I was growing up. I am being thrown into the lake by my father as he was strong enough to do so and this was a very fun thing to do as a kid. I have my nose plugged of course because I am about to plunge back into the water. (Safety tip: make sure the person who is lifting you is strong and good swimmer and it is shallow enough for them to touch and when you are the flier, be careful to curl up and spread out at right time not to hit the bottom. Not recommended for rocky areas).
(photo of me flying in the air above the lake, photographed by my mother)
Tree climbing: This is a pretty typical kid activity. You see a tree, and you want to climb it. (Safety tip: Make sure you can safely get down the same way you got up and try not to fall out from a height. Just be cautious about trusting dead tree limbs to hold you up and it will be more fun if you are safe or supervised by someone you trust).
(photo of me climbing base of the tree, photographed by my mother)
"Rock Climbing": does not have to be literal rock walls at a gym or scaling a cliff. Sometimes they can be perfectly safe locations to climb rock piles with no massive drops involved. You may call this rock exploring or walking as there is not very much climbing involved.
(photo of me on rocks, photographed by my mother)
If you have ever been to Baxter's Harbour where the lumpy volcanic rock sort of creates obstacles that are low to the ground (not the tall masses with trees on them known frequently as flowerpots), I am describing the ground that is slightly raised and walkable, with the occasional algae or tidal pool. These kinds of places can be create for practicing balance. I used to be able to run across these (where they are drier and not slippery with seaweed), the lumpy surface never tripped me up. Now I am older and it is a lot trickier as I have not practiced keeping up this skill. Basically, not walking on a flat surface and having a variety of stepping obstacles provides something interesting and enriching for myself at least.
(photo of me at Baxter's Harbour, photographed by my mother)
Hiking: A great source of exercise and getting to find new locations and explore nature.
(photo of me hiking at Cape Split on a windy outcrop, photographed by my mother)
(photo of me on a trail, photographed by my mother)
Explore nature: Just don't be afraid to explore your local beaches and parks a bit.
(photo of me at a park, popping little seed pods, photographed by my mother)
Check out a tidal pool: All sorts of critters like to live at the ocean's edge. Scout it out.
Find a waterfall: This can be done no matter the season, find an accessible one close to you.
(photo of me at Baxter's Harbour waterfall as a kid, photographed by my mother)
(photo of me as a teenager at Blomidon beach waterfall, photographed by my mother)
Of course, you can exercise year round too. In winter there are many activities such as sledding, skiing or snow boarding, and my favourite if there are kids around:
Snow forts, Snowmen, and Snow Angels: Building a snow fort or snow man takes a lot of energy and skill and is a great way to occupy young and older kids alike. One fun one for a lighter snow fall is snow angels because they do not take a lot of energy, but trying not to stomp on them afterwards takes a lot of practice.
(photo of me making snow angels a few years ago, photographed by my mother)
Exploring the beaches is something we do year round in the Annapolis Valley, and although you certainly cannot swim, it is fun to use the vast stretches of sand for a walk or climb on the various ice formations that have washed ashore. This is a great way to get out for a stroll, stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and not be cramped up in the house. Just don't forget to dress up warm!
(photos of me at some local beaches in winter, photographed by my mother)
I hope you enjoyed this list of some activities I enjoyed growing up or even to this day that perhaps you can enjoy alone or with family and/or friends. I hope it gets you out enjoying nature and fresh air soon.
(disclaimer: I used photos of myself enjoying these hobbies as proof I have done all the things on the list, but I have also reframed from using anyone else in photos to protect their privacy. In case you were wondering why I selected so many solo exploration pictures, it was an intentional choice)
-Julia May
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