What will kids today remember fondly about growing up? When we look back on our formative years, we agree that our best memories have little to do with gadgets. Instead, we can swap stories for hours about the experiences we had, especially the ones outdoors.

There’s just something about being outside that makes life extra special. Catching sight of deer unexpectedly. Being outdoors during the first light snowfall of the year. Getting caught in a summer downpour with your buddies (and realizing you aren’t sugar and won’t melt!) These are moments you don’t forget.

As parents, we all need to keep in mind how much power the “little things” hold. We also need to be cognizant that we only have a couple of decades with our kids before they fly the coop. That might seem like a lot of time but it goes by quickly. One way to make the most of it is to spend family time outside.

This doesn’t mean just playing hoops or walking the dog at a nearby park, both of which are fun activities. It means baking some nature-inspired adventures into everyday family life. Below are some ways to untether from routine stressors and reconnect as a family in the natural elements.

1. Set up focused weekend camping excursions.

Kids often complain about camping because they’re not sure how to fill in a lot of empty time. Moms and dads don’t have as much of a problem just kicking back, of course! But children often need guided activities to get them into the full swing of being one with the woods or desert.

One way to make this happen is to go away for a camping weekend that’s arranged around a specific experience. For example, you might choose to go white water rafting in Montana. That way, no one has to figure out what to do. The activities are fully embedded, and everyone can just enjoy being outside.

2. Choose to walk or bike to familiar places.

Is it necessary to always take your car everywhere? Maybe not. Depending on where you live, you may be able to ditch your Tesla in favor of walking or cycling to your destination. Many cities have viable greenbelts designed to reduce urban sprawl and make it possible to get from one place to another. Some towns have set up walkways and biking paths, too.

Using more human-powered modes of transportation will take more time but will get you outside. This helps in many ways, including making sure that the kids get enough fresh air and exercise. Additionally, it’s a more eco-friendly alternative that puts less stress on the Earth than jumping in and out of the car does.

3. Expand the household chore list to include outdoor responsibilities.

Most families have some kind of formal or informal chore list. These tasks allow everyone to share duties like cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry, and vacuuming bedrooms. To get everyone outside, yardwork-related chores need to be added to the list.

Even families with small yards or outdoor patios have lots of outdoor needs. Tending a small garden can be one child’s job while another kiddo is tasked with weeding sections of flower beds. For maximum impact, the entire family should do all their yardwork items together on a particular day. This allows for maximum bonding since everyone’s concentrating on outdoor activities. As an added bonus, regularly working on the exterior of any property will add to its innate curb appeal!

4. Explore nearby parks.

Most families get into a rut when it comes to the parks they visit. Typically, they stick to the parks that are closest to their homes. But that can get dull after a while. A way to spice up life and have some outside togetherness is to periodically check out other parks in the region.

Don’t feel limited to community parks, either. Any kind of park that’s open to the public can be great. Exploring an unfamiliar park can be exciting, even if the equipment is relatively the same. Be sure to pack snacks and get a general sense of the park before heading out.

5. Become budding nature photographers.

It’s hardly a secret that kids love to take pictures. However, encourage yours to turn their cameras away from selfie mode and onto the natural world. Even if you just walk around the block every night before or after dinner, keep a camera in tow.

Taking pictures of natural scenery including animals, birds, trees, plants, and flowers can teach young people to appreciate the environment. Simultaneously, they’ll get the opportunity to stimulate their creativity. Who knows? Your next holiday card cover may come from an image that was taken by your youngster on one of your many family jaunts.

Families need each other. They also need to get outside of the same-old four walls once in a while. Nature provides the perfect place to make discoveries and memories.