3 fun activities to get your family up, outdoors and moving!

Getting the family off the sofa, away from their gadgets, and into the fresh air isn't as far fetched as it seems. Here are three fun activities to bring your family together outdoors!

A picnic is a great way to enjoy time with the family before the winter chill sets in. Whether you're making food at home to bring along or picking up a meal out, a sit-down get-together can do wonders when building a bond between members of your family.

• A public park, beach, island or nearby riverside can create more fun than a day at the theatre or the arcade.
• Some families go beyond a simple picnic with a pre-made meal and setting up a campfire for cooking the food on location.
• Camping or spending the night in the outdoors can also work wonders for a family gathering.

As simple as it may sound, taking advantage of the historical landmarks in your community can be a very easy way to entertain, as well as learn about the area you live in.

• Sightseeing in your neighbourhood, visiting a museum or a landmark in the community, can be fairly low priced.
• One great way to locate historical attractions in the area is by contacting your chamber of commerce, pretending you're a tourist looking for things to do or searching for landmarks in the area.
• Whether visiting the oldest tombstones, buildings or landmarks in your area, finding out about the history of where you live can be a fascinating experience.

Silly, probably.  A learning experience, definitely. Whether going to yard sales or holding your own, it teaches your children the value of money.

• If visiting a yard sale, have a set limit of spending for every family member and see how much "treasure" they can purchase within the amount.
• If holding your own yard sale, have the children disperse the change during sales/business transactions (with supervision of course) to help them practice basic math skills.

These are just a few of the many methods that can be taken to get your family working together in the outside world. Feel free to get creative and think of alternative family excursions to strengthen the relationships with each other.