30+ Things to do Outside or for the Environment This Summer

Looking for things to do with your family this summer?  Check out this list of over 30 things that you can do for free (or very low cost). It's also shared on our Families page.

At the bottom of this post, you can find a printable copy of this list to keep track of how many you do this summer. Add your own ideas too!

Why not share some of your experiences with the Teston Village PS community by contributing a photo of yourself or your family participating in one of these activities. Share your contributions on this page (note: you'll need to be logged in to a YRDSB GSuite account to share photos)

1. Go for a hike (Use the All Trails app or website to find a trail near you)
2. Take a child, grandparent, etc. outside
3. Pick up garbage in your neighbourhood: (Use the  Litteratti app to contribute to a global litter database)
4. Catch a bug and let it go. (Can you identify it?)
5. Make a list of birds that you see. (Use Merlin, Audubon, or this site to identify the birds)
6. Go geocaching.
7. Play at a park.
8. Visit a provincial park (Free admission on July 20 - learn more here)
9. Grow some food and eat it or give it to someone (Get Growing with Teston Village PS and share a picture of your plants).
10. Take pictures.
11. Visit a farmer's market.
12. Pick your own vegetables and/or berries at a local farm.
13. Find dark sky and watch a meteor shower.
14. Fly a kite.
15. Jump in puddles
16. Play cricket.
17. Talk to your neighbours on the street.
18. Take over the street for a game of road hockey, cricket or soccer.
19. Skip stones.
20. Listen to frogs at a pond or crickets.
21. Be a citizen scientist.
22. Create a habitat or birdhouse.
23. Let dandelions grow/ use them in salad / don't use pesticides
24. Plant flowers that will attract pollinators (i.e. a butterfly garden).
25. Turn off the TV/Game system.
26. Play Tag, Follow the Leader, or Hide-and-Seek with your kids.
27. Stand back and watch your kids play.
28. Let them take age-appropriate risks.
29. Teach them to be safe and let them go to the park with a friend or on their own (depending on their age).
30. Try to use your air conditioning as little as possible.
31. Ride your bike (Wear a helmet - be a role model if you’re an adult, it’s the law if you’re under 18).
32. Have a walking meeting outside.
33. Feed birds (the right way).
34. Go to the beach.
35. Play catch or throw a frisbee. 
36. Have a picnic on your front lawn, backyard or at the neighbourhood park.
37. Walk or bike to do your next errand if possible. 
38. Make a sundial or rain catcher.
39. Find rocks, sticks, pinecones, leaves etc. and make art or crafts with them.