Big Kids, Bigger Adventures: Outdoor Fun for Tweens and Teens  

I have been going outside regularly with my tween since she was itty-bitty, but I have noticed that outdoor time has diminished as she has gotten older. The reality is that, as kids get older, they develop new interests and have more responsibilities. They also focus on social relationships more than ever. That said, it is still important to help our older kids get outside.

There are many studies that show that getting kids outside improves their mental and physical health, as well as schoolwork and even social skills. There are fewer studies focused specifically on older youths (tweens and teens), but the few that are out there support the study findings of the younger kids. A recent study out of the University of Michigan, focused on youth 14-24 years old, found that “youth in our sample generally report feeling physically and mentally better when spending time in nature and want to spend more time in nature.”  

We know that getting outside helps our kids, regardless of age. Yet, a 2025 survey of 4,000 adults shows that the youngest adults (from Gen Z) spend about 25% less time outside than Gen X adults, despite expressing a desire to step away from screens into the outdoors. This highlights the importance of teaching our older kids good outdoor habits before they leave the nest. 

Getting outside regularly builds the habit and doing it alongside your older kids can allow for some lovely family time. Read on for some strategies on how to get outside with tweens and teens so that you can build those good outdoor habits and enjoy some quality time together.  

Connect Socially Outdoors  – Outdoor Fun for Tweens and Teens

Social connections are important at this age. Have your older kid invite a friend on an outing or look for outdoor group opportunities that cater to teens and tweens.  

In April, we checked out the monthly walk of the Vancouver Audubon Young Birders. The walk was focused on ages 11-18 and co-led by Vancouver Audubon board member Ken Pitts and high school sophomore Isaac Lang. The group included 15 individuals of mixed ages, and together we saw 34 different species of birds. It was so neat for my daughter and the other tweens/teens to learn alongside their peers. We used our phones to identify bird sounds and document the birds we encountered, but otherwise we were strictly in the moment watching and listening. We appreciated that everyone got to borrow high quality binoculars from Vancouver Audubon.  

When asked about why tweens and teens should get out birdwatching, Lang said “birdwatching is a great gateway for youth to appreciate and understand the natural world, fostering care and curiosity for this precious planet. Birdwatching also increases public awareness of the struggles and challenges birds and other animals face in the modern world.”  

I agree wholeheartedly. I’ve taken kids and adults of all ages out birdwatching, and I’m always amazed at how quickly people get into the exciting life of birds. It’s life or death out there every day for birds, and migratory birds face special challenges that are quite unbelievable. Sharing those extraordinary details about birds with your tweens and teens and doing it alongside their peers may just be what it takes to launch a new lifelong outdoor hobby.  

Try Something New or More Challenging   – Outdoor Fun for Tweens and Teens

As kids get older, they may want to try outdoor activities that were harder or prohibitive when they were younger. Use that to your advantage when looking for ways to get your older kids outside! Find something that was harder to do when they were younger and present it as something that might be easier, more fun or offer more independence now that kids are older.  

My daughter recently tried out orienteering with two friends, and they had a lot of fun independently reading the maps and trying to figure out the best ways to reach the next destination. According to Orienteering USA, “orienteering is the sport of navigation, using a highly detailed map.” It can be done competitively or recreationally, and there are many levels of difficulty.

There are many courses around, but one of the easiest to get to is the course at Abrams Park in Ridgefield. On the City of Ridgefield website, there is a map for the course, as well as instructions on how to get started. If your older kids really love this new activity, check out the regular events held by the Columbia River Orienteering Club.  

Some other local activities your older kids might enjoy include: whitewater rafting, longer hikes or backpacking trips, kayaking or paddle boarding (you can rent at Battle Ground Lake, Lacamas Lake in Camas or Lake River in Ridgefield), disc golf, a zipline tour/aerial park, horseback riding or a long bike ride on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.  

Play and Have Fun Outside  – Outdoor Fun for Tweens and Teens

I found a fantastic article on Medium that discusses the science supporting how important it is for older kids to still get to play. The article makes the argument that play “gives them a break from stress, helps regulate emotions and reminds them that not everything in life has to be serious.” After recently watching a pack of tweens run around a playground and noticing how they get totally lost in the fun, I completely agree.

There is so much evidence that having fun as an adult improves well-being and mental health. As parents, we have an opportunity to share this evidence with our older kids before they are adults, as well as show them in real time how we can have fun too.  

Even if you have limited time, you can always find a playground and run around together (try to go at times of day when the little kids might be napping or eating). The North Bonneville Park is a family favorite due to the old school merry-go-round and multiple Bigfoot statues lurking around. It is located near 81 Cascade Mall Dr. in North Bonneville. For a special treat that is sure to be fun, follow up your playground play with a visit to the East Wind Drive-In (395 Wa Na Pa St., Cascade Locks, OR) for a tall ice cream cone and incredible Gorge views.

You may even be able to convince your tween or teen to go for a hike on one of the many nearby trails.  

Build Workforce Skills Through Volunteering Outside  – Outdoor Fun for Tweens and Teens

Being older means that there are more opportunities to volunteer. Volunteering can be a great way to build self-esteem and improve mental health, build workforce skills and expose older kids to different types of jobs and tasks. As kids get older, many are trying to figure out where their lives are headed. Volunteering may help with that! It also makes people feel good, knowing they are making a difference in their communities. The great news is that not only can older kids participate in volunteer work, they can do it outside!  

Here are a few local outdoor volunteer opportunities for teens and tweens:  

The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership allows youth aged 15 and older to volunteer to plant native trees in local watersheds without a guardian (with a submitted waiver). Youth under the age of 14 can volunteer with a parent or guardian.  

The Clark County Food Bank allows volunteers of all ages to work on Heritage Farm, which provides fresh food for food bank recipients. Youth under 14 need to have an adult present to volunteer.  

Friends of the Columbia Gorge hosts regular stewardship events at which volunteers provide other restoration work to natural areas in the Gorge. Youth of all ages can volunteer with them, but those aged 16 or older can volunteer without an adult (with a waiver). 

There are more opportunities for outdoor volunteering through the City of Vancouver, Clark County, Columbia Springs or other organizations that do tree plantings, beach cleanups, land stewardship and more. Also, keep an eye on the Lower Columbia Nature Network for upcoming opportunities.  

Use Technology to Your Advantage  – Outdoor Fun for Tweens and Teens

Increased technology usage is likely a big contributor to why kids and adults don’t go outside as much as they should. You may have heard the proverb: “if you can’t beat them, join them.” If technology seems to be keeping your tween or teen indoors, consider using the following forms of technology to get them outdoors.  

Social Media: There are many local outdoor influencers on various social media channels. Some people feel more motivated to get outside after following them. It is neat to learn about new places and activities, and then go check them out in real life. The key for us is to look at the social media channels together and then make plans together.  

Apps: There are various phone apps that help get families outside. These include birding, plant identification, hiking, citizen science, geocaching, stargazing and outdoor scavenger hunts.  

Cameras/phone cameras: Older kids may really enjoy playing paparazzi on their outdoor adventures or going on a photo scavenger hunt. A quick online search will get you some great ideas for such a hunt.  

Connect the Outdoors to Interests  – Outdoor Fun for Tweens and Teens

If your older kid is into:  

● Fitness – Go for a run on the Vancouver waterfront or take weights or yoga out to a local park.  

● Photography – Head out to one of the local wildlife refuges, snap some photos and enter the youth photo contest with Vancouver Audubon.  

● History – Visit local outdoor historical spots like Fort Vancouver, Fort Cascades and Bonneville Dam, or try a walking tour through Oregon City.  

● Cooking – Pick out a recipe and cook together on an outdoor grill at Frenchman’s Bar or fire pit at Lewisville Park. Let your older kids do the majority of the work and teach them how to be safe while cooking.  

● Art or Reading – Bring a blanket, books and/or art with you and sit underneath the willow trees at Lewisville Park or on the sand at Vancouver Lake Regional Park.  

● Space – Stay up late to catch a meteor shower or stargaze. The Perseid meteor shower occurs mid-July through mid-August. Check out a light pollution map and find a spot that allows visitors after dark.  

● Science – Join a guided walk at Columbia Springs, check out the interpretive signs along the CASEE trails, visit Mount St. Helens or participate in a citizen science initiative.  

Take Basic Necessities Outside – Outdoor Fun for Tweens and Teens

If all else fails, take your regular day-to-day activities outside. Homework, meals and even board games can all happen in local parks, where there is an abundance of nature. Whatever you do, make it fun and regular to build that healthy outdoor habit!

Read the July 2026 Issue