It’s National Play Outside Day!

It’s Fall in Georgia, and in case you need some extra motivation to get outside and enjoy the lower temperatures and crisp air, it’s National Play Outside Day! Designated as the first Saturday of each month, National Play Outside Day is intended to encourage families to have fun, develop a lifetime habit of physical activity and exercise, and create lifelong memories with friends and family.

National Play Outside DayMy two-year-old would always rather be outside than in—whether it’s sunny, rainy, warm, or cold—so this is a monthly celebration that will quickly become a staple for our family. Looking for ideas to make today fun? Here are three ways to get outside and celebrate the day.

Three Ways to Get Outside Today

Visit a local park. If you have young kids and are looking for a way to make the day a little extra fun, you can’t miss with an afternoon park visit. Whether it’s a big open field with lots of room to run or a playground with a twisty slide and swings, an afternoon at the park is never wasted. Invite family friends and make it a social event for you, too!

Looking to visit somewhere new? Check out our local guides to playgrounds in Atlanta and parks in Cherokee and Gwinnett!

Take a hike. My personal favorite way to enjoy some quality outdoor time with my kiddos is to go for a hike. I love the (relative) quiet of being surrounded by nature and my kids love to feel like jungle explorers. It’s a win for all of us!

If you have younger kids and haven’t given hiking a try quite yet, today’s your day! Here are a few tips and trails to get you started.

Plan a picnic. A good option for the slightly less outdoorsy. While National Play Outside Day is all about getting us out of the house and moving, there’s no shame in starting with just the “out of the house” part. If your kids are anything like mine, they live for a good picnic (and their bar for “good” is lower than expected). A picnic doesn’t have to be fancy, and it doesn’t have to be far from home. Grab some paper plates and bring lunch outdoors—whether it’s on a table on the deck or a blanket in the grass is up to you!

How do you plan to play outside today?