Some people think that young people are getting so attached to online life that they have completely neglected the real world. While this is an understandable concern, the truth is that the outdoors remains just as popular as ever in many circles, and indeed many companies are combining the best of digital innovations with the ability to get outside and create great things from it.
So whether it be high-tech scavenger hunts, anachronistic nobility games, or other types of nouveau adventurism, both innovators and kids are going wild outdoors these days. So get ready to don your armor and get on outside.
LARP, by the way, is seeing a major Renaissance these days as people are rapidly rediscovering the joy in Medieval recreation. Having the right apparel for this is essential, and although there are a lot of options out there, you need to look carefully to find the best in LARP bracers and other essential components.
Urban games
The world’s population is increasingly concentrated in urban areas. And accordingly, more and more games are being developed around urban spaces. Some can be placed anywhere, and others are specific to particular theme parks or stadiums. Popular choices include:
- GPS scavenger hunts. Young people are learning how to use GPS in fun ways these days with GPS scavenger and QR hunts. With the right app, you can find hidden QR codes or tackle other types of challenges involving complex navigation. There are even apps such as “Loquiz” through which you can create your own customized hunts to give your group a new challenge every time!
- Outdoor escape games. Just as you can play escape games inside, so too are there new escape adventures shaping up in urban areas, which use existing landmarks to help players navigate routes and solve mysteries and puzzles.
- Geocatching. This is another fun activity that takes advantage of the use of GPS. Geogatching involves creating treasure hunts of sorts that use GPS coordinates to find hard-to-reach containers in city streets, parks, and other urban areas.
Nostalgia makes a comeback
Some things in life are timeless, and this is why classic games are coming back. If you miss some of the things you feel have been lost on the current generation, you’re not alone. Just as old-style music comes back as retro fads, so too do games:
- LARP societies. Did you ever have a passive interest in anachronism? Medieval role play societies are coming back big time these days. If you haven’t yet looked into it, get online and see who’s doing what in your area.
- Relays. We all remember relays from camp and gym class. These days, classics like the “egg-in-spoon” race, the three-legged race, and tug-of-war are making a comeback for youth and adults alike.
- “It’s a Knockout.” Remember this one? There are inflatable kits available that feature huge washing machines, foam challenges, and slippery slides to determine who can handle water the best.
- Axe throwing. Axe throwing and traditional archery are coming back. You can easily find portable sets that you can put in the backyard. See how good your aim is with these classic hand-eye sports. They will humble your bartime darts victories.
Whether they be community events, small friend groups, or full-on wellness vacations, outdoor social activities are taking on a whole new appearance. They can take many different forms, depending on people’s priorities and where you live. Examples include:
- Quiet movement sessions. Things like forest bathing are becoming very popular both as a form of digital detox, and as a form of spiritual growth. Related activities such as “silent disco yoga” in open fields similarly work to encourage holistic wellness.
- Eco-friendly activities. There are a lot of outdoor activities organized for the specific purpose of encouraging sustainability. Everything from beach cleanups to tree planting to charity bike builds are helping to promote sustainable living and build ecological awareness.
- Outdoor creative workshops. Just as we made batik shirts in camp back in the day, people are returning to activities such as scarf dyeing, basket weaving, macrame, and other creative activities conducted outside. Creating things in nature encourages artistry and helps people feel part of their surroundings.
- Outdoor movie nights. It might seem inconceivable that people might actually watch movies in large groups these days, but natural settings make the perfect backdrop for giant screens and projectors.
Water activities
If we are talking about the outdoors, we certainly can’t neglect the many types of water activities that are still popular. Among them:
- Kayak or canoe fishing. Who doesn’t love a good kayaking or canoe trip? If you live near water, head out and see what you can catch. And make a day out of it. Camping is certainly not dead, so if you can find a place to cook, make it into a full day event with your catches of the day taking center stage.
- Cardboard boat racing. It’s been a while since many people have done this, but for those who remember, it used to be tons of fun. Before the Internet upstaged a lot of physical creation, people used to make boats out of cardboard and tape and see whose would hold up the best. It is now making a resurgence.
- Underwater hockey and rugby. Otherwise known as octopush, underwater hockey is played at the bottom of a pool. So players need to hold their breath, push a heavy puck around, and try to maneuver the water the best that they can. It is a fair challenge! And a related activity is underwater rugby, which involves trying to get a ball into a basket at the bottom of a pool.
- Underwater scooter. Yes, there are scooters that actually go underwater. These self-propelled electric scooters will take you beneath the surface so that you can explore marine life without going full-scale into scuba.
- Mermaiding classes. Another fun one, groups gather to see who can swim with a mermaid tail. This can be popular for things like bachelorette parties.
See what’s trending
Perhaps one of the activities on this list caught your fancy. Or maybe you’ve got another one in mind. Either way, get online and see what’s happening in your area. People are getting outdoors a lot more than you might realize these days. We should take advantage of it while we can!
