Scientists say that there is a link between the time spent in nature and how healthy you are. So if there is a park close by, gather your friends or your family and head out.
Fun things to do at the park
* Go on a wilderness hike through the park.
* Play a game of tag, red rover, or hide-and-seek.
* Use an app or book to identify birds, trees, and insects. There are even apps that identify bird calls around you.
* Take roller skates or inline skates and roll the day away.
* Play catch.
* The most popular choice of all: Have a picnic.
Safety tips
* Always stay in groups of two or more.
* Let a responsible person know where you are going.
* If you are at the park at dusk or at night, be sure there are lights on the paths, courts, or parking lots you are using.
* Carry at least a dollar in change so you can make a phone call if you have to, or carry a cell phone.
* Take plenty of water. It's important to stay hydrated.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
