Some Suggestions for Free and Low Cost Outdoor Family Fun 

Get Moving!

Mental health is correlated with physical health, and the link between mood and regular exercise is well established. We live in a place with wide open spaces that allow for safe hiking, running, walking, scootering, biking, skipping or hopping along our local trails, pathways and open space. Here are some ideas... 

• Download the free Strava ap on your phone, if your kids are motivated by seeing how far and fast they've traveled, and viewing their route on the map. 

• Local kid friendly hikes: Check for trailhead closures. 

• Boulder Creek Trail: It's beautiful and accessible. Dip your feet into the creek, but be careful, water levels vaccilate, and the current can be powerful. 

• Coal Creek Trail: It's right in our backyard if you live in Erie!

• Bobolink Trail: The trail is flat, and easy, and runs alongside North Boulder Creek. Dogs are welcome and there are many spots where you can dip your feet or your whole body in. 

• Rock Creek Trail: It's super close. 

• Erie Singletrack: Enjoy our local natural surface trails. Great for feet, paws and bikes. Check for mud related closures on our Facebook Page. 

• Erie Parks and Recreation: Erie has some top notch outdoor amenities including a skate park, pump track, parks, and a disc golf course. 

• Spice up a neighborhood walk:  Look for interesting things like bird nests, seed pods, new growth on plants, birds, insects, neighbors, cars with out of state license plates, something bigger than you, something smaller than a pea, rocks, litter, (bring a bag to pick it up) clues about who lives in a house (little kids, teens, older folks, boys, girls etc.) You can make family bingo cards with these different items on them. You can play cooperatively (everyone helps each other spot things for their card) or competitively (each person for him/herself!) 

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Toss a ball! 

Get out and throw, kick or whack a ball around. Make up your own rules or go with some classic ball games. 

I like to play "crazy tennis" which involves hitting a tennis ball around between two or more players. The only rule is to try to keep the ball moving- forward, backward, laterally, doesn't matter! Just keep it bouncing. 

Try "Gratitude Ball": Take turns kicking a bouncy ball up in the air and say something you're grateful for before the ball bounces.

Let kids take turns making up their own rules for games.