Spending time outside isn’t just for fun – it helps kids move their bodies, focus better, and build confidence and creativity. Studies have shown that regular outdoor play supports physical health, social skills, and emotional well-being (Frontiers in Psychology, 2022). But as many parents know, finding fresh ideas and motivation throughout the year can be tricky.
At Wild & Immersive, outdoor programs and activities are our specialty! We love helping families discover new ways to connect with nature in every season. Here are some helpful resources, challenges, and local destinations to make getting outside easier and more enjoyable year-round.
Outside Play Challenges and Initiatives
Outside Play
Created by researchers at UBC and the BC Children’s Hospital, OutsidePlay.org helps parents and educators gain confidence in supporting children’s outdoor play. The interactive online tool walks users through real-world scenarios to reflect on their comfort with risk and unstructured play. It’s a practical resource for families looking to encourage outdoor exploration while keeping safety in balance.
1000 Hours Outside Challenge
This international movement encourages families to spend 1,000 hours outdoors each year – roughly the same amount of time many kids spend on screens. It’s flexible, self-paced, and a great motivator to track outdoor time as a family. You can print progress trackers from their website or use the mobile app to record your hours and celebrate milestones along the way.
David Suzuki’s One Nature Challenge
Run by the David Suzuki Foundation, this 30-day challenge invites participants to spend at least 30 minutes a day outside connecting with nature. It’s simple but powerful – a reminder that small, consistent steps can lead to lasting habits. Their website is a great resource for getting ideas for nature-based activities and ways to bring more outdoor time into daily routines.
ParticipACTION App
ParticipACTION is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization, encouraging people to get healthy by getting active. The app offers free national challenges, local events, and personalized activity goals. It’s a fun way to discover new activities in your area and join community-wide initiatives that promote movement and connection.
Seasonal Outdoor Ideas
Maple Ridge & Lower Mainland
Winter
- Lights at Lafarge: About a 30-minute drive from Maple Ridge, this 1.6 km outdoor winter light walk is produced by the City of Coquitlam and is known as Metro Vancouver’s largest free light display. Runs from late November through mid-February.
- Wild & Immersive’s Jingle Bear Hike: An interactive family-friendly story on the Red Trail at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest during the month of December.
- Snow fun at Mount Seymour Ski Resort: Less than an hour from Maple Ridge, this resort offers beginner slopes, ski and snowboard lessons, snowshoeing, tubing, and more – ideal for families wanting a snow day without a long drive.
- Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: A magical evening outing for families, combining nature with festive lighting and manageable walking paths. This year features Wildlight, a mesmerizing 3D wildlife projection set deep within the forest.
- Festive fun at Christmas in the Park: Decorations, trees, food trucks, a Christmas market, photos with Santa, and light displays make this Maple Ridge tradition a local favourite.
- Explore nature’s quiet side: Look for tracks, frost patterns, or birds at backyard feeders. And speaking of feeders, the Christmas Bird Count for Kids is a fun citizen-science activity to take part in!
- Indoor ice skating at Planet Ice Maple Ridge: Although this is not an outdoor activity, it gets kids and families moving their bodies when it’s too cold for outside play. Parent & tot sessions, daily public skating times and skate rental are available.
Spring
- Make friends at Maple Ridge Park: Bring a picnic and enjoy the newly upgraded playground (completed in Fall 2024). It’s more accessible than ever and offers plenty of adventurous play for kids of all ages.
- Family hike at Mike Lake, Golden Ears Provincial Park: This easy 2 km trail winds through mossy forest and around a calm lake, perfect for spotting ducks, new buds, and frogs on spring days.
- Birdwatching at Kanaka Creek Regional Park: Bring binoculars and look for herons, warblers, and nesting ducks along the Fraser River. The boardwalk trails are stroller-friendly and great for younger kids.
- Celebrate Earth Day: Each April, Memorial Peace Park hosts a free, family-friendly event with live music, green exhibits, kids’ crafts, and hands-on environmental activities.
Summer
- Visit a community garden: Stop by Blaney Hamlet Community Garden or the Intergenerational Garden, where kids and seniors grow vegetables and flowers side by side. It’s a great way to show kids how food and pollinators connect.
- Cool off at the Memorial Peace Park spray pad: Right in downtown Maple Ridge, this accessible splash park is perfect for younger kids on hot days, with shaded seating and nearby cafés for parents.
- Adventure day at WildPlay Maple Ridge: Treetop zip lines, rope courses, and the kid-friendly “Monkey Play” zone make this a great option for adventurous families.
- Berry picking at Formosa Nursery Organic Farm: Take a short drive to local berry farms for u-pick strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. Kids love seeing where their food comes from and sampling along the way.
- Visit Meadows Family Farm: Located in Maple Ridge, this farm offers a petting zoo, tractor-train ride, jumping pillow, zip-line and a “u-pick” flower garden full of zinnias, sunflowers and dahlias. A rich outdoor experience for families.
Autumn
- Rivers Day: Hosted by the Alouette River Management Society, this free community event takes place along the Alouette River in late September each year. It’s a great opportunity for families to explore nature, learn about local waterways, and enjoy a day outdoors.
- Leaf-colour walk at Golden Ears Provincial Park: Choose one of the gentler trails, like the Alouette Lake loop, and let kids collect colourful leaves, do bark rubbings, and explore how the forest changes with the season.
- Visit a local pumpkin patch or corn maze: Spend an afternoon at Laity Pumpkin Patch or Harris Pumpkin Patch, both long-time Maple Ridge favourites. Enjoy wagon rides, petting zoos, corn mazes, and plenty of photo ops among the pumpkins.
laitypumpkinpatch.com | harrispumpkinpatch.ca - Haney Farmers Market: Running through October, this market features fall produce, local crafts, and harvest treats – a perfect outdoor weekend stop for families.
- Salmon spotting at Kanaka Creek Regional Park – Visit in late October or November to see salmon returning to spawn. The Bell-Irving Hatchery has viewing platforms and interpretive programs for kids.
Williams Lake & Cariboo Region
Winter
- Go ice skating at Cariboo Winterland – Head to the Cariboo Memorial Complex, where you can skate under twinkling lights, enjoy festive music, and grab a warm drink at the on-site café.
- Try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing – Make your way to Bull Mountain, about 16 km north of Williams Lake, for groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Keep an eye out for animal tracks in the snow, and pack a thermos of hot chocolate for afterward.
- Take a winter nature walk – Explore the easy boardwalk trails at Scout Island Nature Centre, where kids can spot ducks, chickadees, and even the occasional bald eagle over the frozen marsh.
- Go tobogganing – Bring a sled or crazy carpet to Boitanio Park, a favourite in-town spot for sliding down snowy hills surrounded by tall evergreens.
- Join the Winter Lights Festival – Head to downtown Williams Lake for this annual event featuring a parade, hot-chocolate stops, decorated windows, and family-friendly activities.
Spring
- Join an event with the Williams Lake Field Naturalists: This local group hosts guided outings in and around Williams Lake, often based at Scout Island Nature Centre. It’s a great way for families to learn about local bird species and ecosystems as spring comes alive. For self-guided birding, check out this helpful Cariboo birdwatching guide featuring popular local viewing spots.
- Take a bike ride at Fox Mountain Trail Network: The longest-standing mountain bike trail network in Williams Lake, Fox Mountain offers over 50 km of single-track for all skill levels. For families, try Foxfire, a beginner-friendly trail that winds through pine forest just minutes from town. Spring is the perfect time to ride before the summer dust sets in.
- Hike the River Valley Trail: Follow the Williams Lake River along this gentle, family-friendly path lined with new greenery and spring wildflowers. It’s stroller-friendly and ideal for little explorers.
- Go horseback riding: Plan a family adventure with MeadowView Reins, where you can enjoy scenic trail rides and spend time connecting with horses. They offer flexible half- and full-day experiences that can include horseback riding, paddling on the lake, or relaxing with a private picnic and stargazing views.
- Join a local spring event: Watch for community clean-ups, tree-planting days, or the annual Earth Day celebrations hosted by the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society. The Tourism Williams Lake website has an up-to-date events calendar that’s worth bookmarking for family-friendly activities year-round.
Summer
- Swim and picnic at Chimney Lake: About a 30-40 minute drive southwest of Williams Lake, Chimney Lake is a favourite local spot for family swimming. The clear, shallow water and small beach area make it perfect for kids. Pack a picnic and spend the day relaxing by the lake or paddling near shore. This area is also known as one of the best birdwatching destinations!
- Visit the Williams Lake Community Garden: Located on Carson Drive, this volunteer-run garden supports local food security and pollinator habitat. Kids can see vegetables and flowers in full bloom, learn about growing food, and watch bees and butterflies at work.
- Take in the Williams Lake Stampede: One of the province’s biggest summer events, the Stampede blends rodeo action, a parade, rides, and family entertainment. The long weekend in late June is the perfect time to experience this local tradition.
- Explore the Williams Lake Farmers Market: Held every Friday from May to October at Kiwanis Park, this lively market features fresh local produce, baked goods, crafts, and live music – a relaxed outing for all ages.
Fall
- Visit the WLFN Pumpkin Patch: Every October, the Williams Lake First Nation hosts its annual Pumpkin Patch event at the TRU campus, with hundreds of pumpkins, games, and plenty of family-friendly outdoor fun.
- Celebrate the season at the Williams Lake Harvest Fair: Held in early September at Stampede Park, this country-style fair features 4-H exhibits, baking and produce competitions, family activities, and local vendors.
- Take a leaf-colour walk on the River Valley Trail: Head to the Williams Lake River Valley Trail for a gentle autumn hike or stroll. The trail follows the river through Douglas-fir forest and open grasslands, offering great views of changing leaves and birdlife.
- Learn to fish at Chimney Lake or nearby lakes: Chimney Lake (about 30–40 minutes from Williams Lake) is a popular spot for catching rainbow trout and kokanee, and its calm shoreline makes it easy for kids to try casting. For something closer to town, several smaller lakes around Williams Lake offer beginner-friendly fishing and beautiful fall colours. Remember: anyone over 16 will need a valid freshwater fishing licence.
Handy Apps and Maps
Technology can pull kids indoors, but it can also be a bridge to deeper outdoor exploration. Whether you’re planning your next family adventure or helping kids stay curious outside, here are some helpful tools:
- AllTrails – browse nearby hikes with difficulty ratings, reviews, and photos to help you pick the perfect family trail.
- City of Maple Ridge Parks & Trails / City of Williams Lake Trails – Download maps of local parks, family-friendly trails, and picnic areas.
- BC Parks – Explore provincial parks, find trail updates, camping info, and details on nature programs across BC.
- Parks Canada – A great resource for family-friendly national parks, heritage sites, and seasonal activities from coast to coast.
- iNaturalist – A citizen-science app that helps kids identify and record plants, insects, and animals they spot outdoors.
- Merlin Bird ID – Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this free app identifies birds by photo or sound — perfect for curious young birders.
- Pokémon Go –Turn outdoor time into a playful adventure by exploring neighbourhoods, parks, and landmarks while catching virtual Pokémon together.
- SkyView – Point your phone at the night sky to identify constellations, planets, and satellites – a fun way to explore astronomy with kids!
- AdventureSmart Trip Plan – A free tool and app from a Canadian non-profit that helps families plan safe outdoor adventures with checklists, trip forms, and weather info.
Tips to Make Outside Time Easier
- Keep a small “go bag” with snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and extra layers.
- Let kids help plan outings, ownership builds excitement.
- Bring pets when possible to encourage more movement.
- Start small; even 20 minutes outside can make a difference and it all adds up!
- Meet up with another family, kids play longer when they have friends to explore with.
How Wild & Immersive Can Help
With programs in Maple Ridge and Williams Lake, Wild & Immersive offers year-round opportunities for outdoor learning – from forest-school sessions to seasonal family events. Our programs help children connect with nature, build curiosity, and explore safely in all kinds of weather.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of outdoor learning, check out our earlier post: Why Kids Need Outdoor Programs.
