Outdoor Activities for Kids during Spring Break

Spring break is in full effect, the kids are home and the sun is shining.  Well, most of the time anyway.  For some, getting  your kids to go outside a play can be a challenge.  We know it’s not easy competing with Facebook,  YouTube Videos or the latest Halo game but here’s a list of local things to do that may help.

The South Fork American with ARR

Junior Whitewater Rafting Enthusiasts enjoying a trip down the South Fork American

Go Whitewater Rafting!

Book a Half or Full day trip on the South Fork American.  Rafting season has begun in Northern California.  We have trips running daily on the South Fork.  Take the kids on a tour of Coloma or visit Historic Downtown Placerville.  Raft on Saturday April 23 and attend the 12th annual Coloma Easter Egg hunt! Perfect trip for families with younger children or teens.  Our full day trips include a great deli-style buffet lunch with homemade cookies!  More at our website.

Mini-Vacation to Yosemite or other National Park.  Now through April 24 there is free entrance to participating national parks to celebrate National Parks Week. Check here for your favorite.

REI Family Adventure ProgramGo for a Hike or a Bike ride.

Did you know REI offers  a free Family Adventure Program? They provide helpful how-to’s for outdoor family activities; camping, fishing as well as maps to local biking and hiking trails.  Links to local REI classes are available as well.

Prepare your kids with an Outdoor Toolkit.  REI helps kids prepare for the outdoors with the PEAK Program.  The PEAK program, which consists of an REI backpack stuffed with essential gear for outdoor adventure, as well as games, activities and lessons, is presented as a convenient and fun way to teach young people environmental ethics.

Visit the Crest Theater in Downtown Sacramento April 28. Join the Save Our Sandhill Cranes for their 2nd hosting of the Wild and Scenic Film Festival on tour.  A benefit for the California Heartland Project: the regional conservation vision of Habitat 2020, the Conservation Committee of the Environmental Council of Sacramento.

Apple Hill GrowersVisit Apple Hill April 30 – May 1 for the 2nd Annual Apple Blossom Festival.  This is a great family event with fun for all ages including Mom & Dad.  Everything from a trail run, to bike rides, to wine tasting.  More at http://www.applehill.com

Kids Inc is sponsoring the bike ride.  They provide you with two challenging routes; a 25 mile and a 50 mile bike ride through the beautiful Apple Hill just in time to see the apple blossoms and spring-time beauty.

Also from Kids Inc – For kids 12 and under,  enjoy a Hobo Lunch ($5 fee), Barsotti Children’s Book Readings, Baby Chick Holding, Mini-Cooking School, and a walk along the Kids Inc famous Nature Walk.

That is just a few of the happenings in the Sacramento Foothills area.  There are many more possibilities for enjoying the outdoors; of course our favorite is whitewater rafting, but we’d love to hear from you about your favorites. Feel free to add to the list!

 

Comments
  • level 5 rapids ohiopyle

    I agree! kids should also enjoy outdoor activities. not only always facing computer and playing games. they should also be involved in outdoor.

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