7 Family Activities To Do in the Canyon this Summer

“This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® and OFF!®. The opinions and texts are all mine.”

Summer is a family favorite season at our house because of all the fun outdoor activities we get to do. One of our most favorite places near our home is the canyon. We live close to a beautiful canyon that provides a whole bunch of fun activities for our family. Today I’m going to share with you some of the fun activities you can do with your family in the canyon.

First though, you need to make sure that you are prepared for a trip up the canyon. Kids require a lot of things to keep them healthy and happy when you are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time. So here is a checklist of things to bring with you to make your trip enjoyable. I always head to Walmart to grab everything I need. I know I’ll find it all at Walmart. It makes my life so much easier.

What to bring:

• Water and Sports Drinks. You’ll need to replace a lot of electrolytes when you are out in the summer heat.
• Food and snacks. Make sure you have healthy snacks and meals stored in a cooler. When kids are hungry they are not fun to be around.
• Dry clothes and socks. It’s inevitable that someone will get wet, or have an accident. Having an extra change of clothes can be a lifesaver. For everyone.
• Sun block. You do not want to get burned and everyone needs to be protected from those harmful UV rays. I love to use Banana Boat® Sun Comfort™ Spray. I love how it feels lightweight and it relieves dryness because it’s moisturizing. Banana Boat® Sun Comfort™ provides safe and effective UVA/UVB protection. Reapply every two hours to help the sunscreen stay on while swimming, playing and sweating. The water resistant formula stays put up to 80 minutes of water play. It also allows sand to easily brush off. It’s available in 30 and 50+.

• Sunburn relief. An aloe lotion or gel is a great thing to bring along just in case any spots got missed with the sunblock. If you are planning on spending the whole day in the canyon, you’ll want this for later on.
• Insect repellent. Insect bites are miserable. And your family will let you know how miserable they are if they get insect bites. Help protect them against those annoying pests by taking along and using OFF! Active® Insect Repellent. I like to use this particular type because it stays put when we sweat on our hikes. When applying bug spray be sure to apply it on your clothing, not on your skin. Be sure to spray your shirts, pants, socks, and hats and around all cuffs. When applying to your face and your kids faces, spray some in your hand and then rub it onto your face.

• First Aid Kit. Kids are not always steady on their feet (neither are a lot of adults for that matter) so a first aid kit is always a must. Make sure you have band-aids, alcohol wipes, butterfly bandages, mole skin (for blisters) and an antibacterial salve. Also make sure you have plastic gloves.
• A compass and a map of the area. I’ll explain this in a minute, but it’s always a good idea to have one of these just in case you get lost and there is no signal for your phone’s GPS.
• Sunglasses, hats, misters, and anything else that will keep you cool.
• Headlamp or flashlight.
• Matches or a fire starter. You’ll definitely want to make S’mores while you’re there!
• Daypacks. Everyone should carry their own snacks and water on their body. You should also include a whistle just in case anyone gets separated from the group.

What to do: Do some online research about the canyon you are planning on visiting. See if there are any caves you can explore. Do they have guided tours by the Park Rangers? Plan out your trip according to what’s available.

• If there is a lake or a river, bring along your fishing poles, rafts or canoes. Don’t forget the life jackets. Spending time near the water can take up most of the day.
• Find a trail that is family friendly and go exploring.
• Teach your kids how to use a compass and a map in the wilderness.
• Go Geocaching.
• Plan a picnic and a campfire for hot dogs and S’mores. Teach the kids how to start a fire with a non-traditional fire starter like flint and steel.
• Try rock climbing. Find an expert that can go with you and try repelling too!
• Teach the kids how to build a shelter with things they can find in nature. Then if you are really brave, sleep in it over-night. Always have a back-up shelter just in case.

There is nothing better than a trip outdoors in the wilderness for creating bonds and deepening friendships in the family. The canyon provides both fun and learning for the whole family.

What are some of your favorite things to do outdoors with your family?