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Unplug and Unwind: Family Hobbies to Get You Up and Moving
A family hobby is a great way to spend some quality time with your brood while getting some much needed fresh air and exercise at the same time. Several studies have confirmed that those who spend time each week on their hobby are healthier, happier and less prone to stress. No matter how diverse your family’s interests may be, the following guide contains activities that will inspire even the most discerning teenager.
Astronomy
Astronomy is typically seen as an expensive hobby, but you do not need to purchase a powerful telescope to enjoy gazing at the stars. SkySafari is a clever app that can be downloaded to your smartphone and gives you a map of the sky from any location that includes stars, planets, constellations and meteors. Downloading the app also gives you a free subscription to SkyWeek, a magazine that alerts you to upcoming meteor showers and eclipses.
Gardening
Gardening is an incredibly rewarding hobby that teaches young children valuable skills that they can use throughout their lives. Start by creating a small herb garden either in your back yard or in a planter. Get your children interested by letting them choose what seeds to plant as well as tending to the plants as they grow.
Hiking
If you are lucky enough to live close to a mountain, forest or other rural area, then hiking is a fun and cheap hobby that requires no previous experience. To make the activity more fun for small children, organise a scavenger hunt to look for items such as acorns, twigs and ladybirds along the way.
Mountain Biking
If your family prefer a more adrenaline-fueled pastime, then mountain biking is an ideal option for a fun weekend activity. You can even combine mountain biking with camping if the weather permits it, and take your family on a tour around some of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes. If you will be driving across the country, then a comfortable vehicle such as a Chrysler Town and Country minivan is essential for extra storage space and plenty of legroom.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a global treasure hunt where you can search for hidden treasure boxes located near you. Start by visiting the Geocaching main website and creating a profile. You will then be able to view the coordinates of your nearest geocache and start your treasure hunt. Once you find the geocache, you can choose a small item from the box as a souvenir and replace it with something of your own. Each geocache has a log book for you to sign and date, and players are encouraged to share their experiences online.
A family hobby is a great way to spend quality time altogether and teach your children important skills such as organisation, resourcefulness and working as part of a team. Most of us spend far too much time in front of various electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers and televisions, so a family hobby is a much healthier way to spend your leisure time.
Carroll Garrett is a Mom who actively encourages her boys to get off the games console and get outside at every opportunity. She is always looking for new activities as a family and shares her ideas as a regular writer for parenting blogs.
