The summer season presents the opportunity to get outside and get active. However, many people aren’t sure what the best ways to stay healthy while being outdoors are. Thankfully, there is no shortage of great and creative ideas for families.

Here are the top five ways you can help keep your family active and healthy this summer!

1. Enjoy Summer’s Bounty

Summer is a great time to teach your kids about growing a garden. Not only can this enable them to build lasting skills, but it can be both educational and great exercise! This summer, consider planting a garden in your own yard complete with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and pumpkins. Kids will love being able to play around in the dirt, and they can feel proud of growing their own food.

You can also take your family to a local farmer’s market and make a day of teaching your kids about the importance of healthy eating and supporting local farmers. Farming is no easy task, and food crops have to compete with over 30,000 species of weeds, 10,000 species of plant destroying insects, and 3,000 types of nematodes. So show your local farmers some love this summer, because caring for crops takes a lot!

2. Always Wear Sunscreen (and reapply!)

When heading outside for any activities, make sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin and reapply as needed. Sunburn can happen faster than you might think, and unprotected sun exposure can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer. While some people think they don’t need sunscreen if they have dark enough skin, this is untrue. Everyone of every shade needs proper sun protection to prevent skin cancer.

3. Wash Your Hands

On average, Americans suffer from over one billion colds each year collectively, and it doesn’t just strike in colder months. Emphasize the importance of washing your hands before eating and when coming in from the outdoors. This, coupled with gentle antibacterial soap, can prevent the spread of germs and keep your whole family as healthy as possible.

4. Stay Hydrated

This summer is poised to be one of the hottest on record, with record-breaking heatwaves sweeping across the nation. This makes the risk of dehydration higher than usual, and it’s important to stay hydrated while doing activities outside. Always make sure that everyone in your family has enough cold water on hand to drink, and make sure to take ample breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned location. This will help prevent you from becoming dehydrated or from suffering from heatstroke.

If possible, invest in an insulated water bottle that can help keep your water cooler for longer. This will give you easy access to cold water when you need it.

5. Stay Active

While the average home is now almost 2,500 square feet, there’s only so much you can do inside. With lockdowns lifting, it’s time to start taking advantage of the warmer weather. Look for local activities in your area, such as camping, hiking, sports teams, and cycling groups to help you stay active with your family and friends.

Although temperatures are rising, you can still stay active outdoors safely with the right preparations.

Staying Active and Healthy

Staying active is one of the best ways to stay healthy. However, that alone isn’t always enough. It’s important to know how to safely be active this summer both inside and outside your home. Remember to always apply sunscreen, keep your water bottle filled and close by, and wash your hands before eating. You should also take this time to search for some healthy food options at your local farmer’s market or consider growing your own.

All of these steps in tandem can help you and your family stay active and healthy all summer long.