CONTENTS
QUALITY TIME
Of all the people in your life, your family are often the ones you live with, see most frequently or talk share the deepest connections with. So why’s it necessary to plan adventurous outings with them? Well, any relationship needs a bit of variety, an injection of excitement and the opportunity to make lasting memories.
We’ve put together this list of activities that are inclusive of every member of the family, from the youngest child to parents and even grandparents. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an adventure to tire the kids out or a bit of peace and quiet, we have something for you.
GO FOR A RIDE
Our first suggestions are going to get you out and moving around in the great outdoors, sharing memorable moments as you discover a new place, and maybe a new sport too.
Horse riding
There’s no need to explain what horse riding entails, but we want to point out the benefits it can have for bringing a family together. The presence of horses has been described by many as therapeutic and - though we’re not suggesting that you need family counselling - this soothing atmosphere can help you relax alongside your loved ones. Why not try trekking through the Welsh countryside en famille?
Quad biking
For petrol-headed families, we recommend riding a quad bike. These vehicles are more suited to raising your heart rate and adrenaline levels than chilling you out, so you can expect a different kind of bonding when you're tackling tough terrain on the back of an ATV with your family members. Get ready for laughter, competition and mud! North Yorkshire has some of the most rugged terrain in England so it’s no surprise that you can find family quad experiences there.
HAVE FUN ON THE WATER
If you’ve got very young children, you might be disappointed with our first two suggestions (although we’d point out that there are riding stables around the country that will take children as young as four on lead rein rides). Now you’re probably wondering how adding water into the equation is going to help! Fear not, we have some winning ideas…
Canoeing
Unlike other paddlesports, canoeing is all about tranquillity - especially when we talk about Canadian canoes. These are large, stable, open-design craft that can carry numerous people and their possessions across the water with room to spare. Parents and older children can take care of the paddling while the little ones kick back and enjoy the ride. How about packing a picnic and giving them a chance to stretch their legs as you enjoy by the side of, say, the Norfolk Broads?
Boat trips
Alternatively, you can relax together, letting someone else transport you across the water on a boat trip. This is a particularly good one for grandparents, babes-in-arms and days when you don’t fancy doing something strenuous! There are so many places you can enjoy a boat trip in the UK, either as passengers on a scheduled tour or on a private basis, that we can’t mention all of them, but there are some excellent options around the Pembrokeshire coast - it’s a national park for a reason!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY EXTREME SPORTS
The phrase “extreme sports” conjures up images of wild adventurers and professional daredevils, but there’s no reason why families shouldn’t consider some of these experiences. After all, as we’ll see, a lot of them give you a chance to explore places that you don’t normally see up close.
Coasteering
This one takes place in the intertidal zone - the place where the land meets the water and rocks, caves and waves dominate. Spending time in this environment can get pretty hairy, but coasteering doesn’t have to be a high-risk pursuit. People of all ages enjoy exploring rock pools full of aquatic animals and plants. And, of the climbing, diving and open water swimming involved, you can pick and choose what you want to get involved with. If you’re worried about the cold being too much for the kids, try this activity in the balmy climate of the Channel Islands.
Gorge Walking
You might not have heard of this one, but you probably have some idea of what canyoning is. Gorge walking is very similar - it involves following the course of mountain streams. The main differences, which we’ve gone into more depth about here, are that gorge walking experiences tend to involve less immersion in the water and be more oriented towards children and families. Perfect!
So there you have it, six ideas to get you thinking about your next family adventure. We're looking forward to hearing all about it, so let us know what you get up to in the comments.
