101 Things to do Outside
Getting from the Couch to Open-Air
Let’s face it. In our modern age we spend a lot of time indoors. Looking at OLED screens as we mindlessly swipe from one TikTok dance to the next. Reading this post on Medium. Swiping to someone else’s post.
Studies have shown that increasing sunlight exposure has significant effects on cognitive impairment and mental illness. Just a few more minutes in the sun each day can mean the difference between feeling good, or finding a lack of motivation.
Especially when we get busy, it can be hard to do things outside. Maybe there’s homework from the day job, dishes to do, laundry to fold, or 100 other things that are occupying your time.
Well, to tip the scales in favor of the outdoors, here are 101 things that you could do outside, right now.
Number 81 was my brothers and I’s go to.
Part One— Just Go
- Go for a walk.
2. Go for a jog.
3. Go for a run.
4. Heck, you can go for a bike ride. Twice the distance, half the pain.
5. Go for an adventure.
6. Go explore a new area in town.
7. Go get ice cream (If it’s summer, or if it’s winter and you want a little extra crazy).
8. Go get hot chocolate (If it’s winter, or if it’s summer and you are just a little extra crazy).
9. Go hang out with a friend.
10. Just lace up your shoes, or slide on those sandals, and go.
Part Two — Sports Ball Games
11. Play soccer in the lawn.
12. Play two hand touch football. 1v1s get exciting.
13. Play a game of Horse, or Pig if you can’t shoot like me.
14. Play tennis.
15. Or pickleball. I heard they just opened a court near you, why don’t you check?
16. Practice your mad badminton skills.
17. Learn Croquet.
18. Play home-run derby in the street. Maybe not with a baseball though. Wiffle balls work great.
19. Practice your putting. Driving is sexy, but putting is where the money is.
20. Play frisbee. Not technically a ball, but still round.
Part Three — Date Night
21. Dance in the park.
22. Get ice cream.
23. Go thrifting for some cheap outfits, then get dinner.
24. Go bowling.
25. Have a picnic.
26. Go try that new restaurant that you always wanted to try with the cute outdoor seating.
27. See if there’s an ice rink nearby.
28.Drive in movie theater. Those still exist.
29. Backyard candlelit dinner.
30. Put on your boots and go stomp through puddles.
Part Four — Late Nights, Early Mornings
31. Watch the sunset.
32. Watch the sunrise.
33. Go on a hike to watch the sunset or sunrise.
34. Stargaze.
35. Go fishing — EARLY
36. Mow your lawn at 6am on Sunday morning. How does it feel now, Jim?
37. Campfire with your friends.
38. Gotta have s’mores if you do a campfire.
39. Hang some lights and host a backyard party.
40. Go on an evening walk with a friend.
Part Five — The Mountains
41. Go hiking.
42. Go biking.
43. Go skiing.
44. Go snowboarding, if that’s what you’re into.
45. Go camping. My friends and I used to leave after school and get back before school the next day. Easy trip.
46. Discover something cool. Maybe a unique rock, or a cool fallen tree.
47. Find a river to swim in. Or wade in.
48. Go bird spotting.
49. Learn, and test, some survival skills.
50. Walk your dog. Or your neighbors dog. Or the stray cat.
Part Six — The Beach
51. Swim.
52. Learn to surf.
53. Body board if that’s more your speed.
54. Lay on a beach towel and collect heat.
55. Play some volleyball.
56. Dig a hole.
57. Look for shells.
58. Go crab hunting.
59. Check out the tide pools.
60. Walk in the warm sand.
Part Seven — Join the “Hip” Kids
61. Play some spikeball.
62. Slackline.
63. Go hammocking.
64. Dutch run.
65. Photo shoot in the flowers.
66. Or a photo shoot with the trees.
67. Have a pool party.
68. Play ultimate frisbee.
69. Study in the grass.
70. Tan.
Part Eight — That Dang Yard Work
71. There’s always weeding to do.
72. You could mow the lawn.
73. Water the grass.
74. Plant a garden.
75. Clean up the trash that gathers under the pine tree.
76. Pick up the goat heads.
77. Clean up after your neighbor’s dog.
78. Trim the shrubbery.
79. Rake some leaves.
80. Check on your garden.
Part Nine — Help I’m Running Out of Things to Do
81. Buy pool noodles from the dollar store, fit them around wooden dowels, and beat each other.
82. Watch the ants. They are neat.
83. Catch the ants and then watch them. Also neat.
84. Climb a tree.
85. Play the sun-stare game. Rumor is the record is six.
86. Learn how to pogo stick.
87. Jumprope. Props to those who can do double dutch.
88. Play hopscotch. Just draw it out on the sidewalk.
89. While you have that chalk out, do some art.
90. Wash the cars. But actually just spray everyone with the hose.
Part Ten — Help My Parents Made Me Go Outside
91. Touch grass.
92. Hiss at the sun.
93. Stand in the shade of the overhang by the garage and look “cool”.
94. Turn around and go back in. At least you tried.
95. Say no. I can’t recommend this one for liability reasons.
96. Sit at the bottom of a playground slide until your family leaves the park.
97. Pull your hood down over your eyes and shuffle.
98. Put your earbuds in for the family walk.
99. Say that you are hungry to procrastinate the inevitable.
100. Walk around to the side door and sneak back to your cave.
Finally, Number 101
101. Sleep. Literally the most relaxing thing. A nice sunny nap. Don’t forget sunscreen though.
Have fun with those adventures,
Ben
