If you gave your child the choice of an hour of video games or an hour playing games outside, what would they choose? On most days my boys, ages 7 and 9, would choose the screen time, which of course is a disappointment to me and my husband. We'd prefer they wake each morning eager to run outside for a day of playing, exploration, fresh air, and sunshine.
Our solution? A weekend focused solely on outdoor adventures at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch, a rustic, family-friendly ranch located in New York's Catskills region.
We spent about 48 hours at the ranch, exploring every activity they had to offer and discovering countless ways to have outdoor fun as a family. As we drove home, exhausted from two days of non-stop activities, I asked each of my boys to tell me their favorite part of the ranch -- and they couldn't choose just one! Instead, they chose these six:
1. Bouncing on the inflatable air pillow
2. Learning archery
3. Racing down the water slides at the outdoor pool
4. Making new animal friends
5. Skipping stones at the lake
6. Riding the horses!
Do you know what these things have in common? Not one requires a screen or electricity. Mission accomplished!
The author and her family received a complimentary stay Pine Ridge Dude Ranch. However, all opinions are their own.
