Worried your children are spending too much time on cell phones, iPads, the TV, video games, and electronics? You’re not alone! As our society becomes increasingly tech-oriented, some parents lament the lack of outdoor play and reminisce about “the good ol’ days” when kids spent more time playing outside in their backyards and local parks. National outdoors and nature festivals are great times to go exploring!
Luckily for us, Fairfax County and Northern Virginia have an outstanding number of beautiful, well-maintained parks with great amenities to enjoy every day. In addition to these everyday resources and special events there, our area also celebrates annual events focused on parks, the great outdoors, and getting kids outside to play.
Below are the big national festivals (plus a state event) that are all about getting families outside and enjoying the great outdoors! These FREE events include camping, fishing, hiking, conservation and environmental stewardship, and learning about earth science. Get out there and enjoy nature! (also see our outdoor fun Pinterest page for neat ideas!).
2017 NATURE AND OUTDOOR FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
January 16: MLK Day (National Park Service)
Free admission at all U.S. Parks
Weekends of April 15-16 and 22-23: National Park Week (National Park Service)
Free admission at all U.S. Parks
April 22: Earth Day (US Environmental Protection Agency and others)
Find an Earth Day event near you, courtesy of this EPA interactive map
May 20: National Kids to Parks Day (National Park Trust)
Pledge to take your kids to a local park today
June 2-4: Virginia Free Fishing Days (Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries)
Free fishing today, no permit needed
June 3: National Trails Day (American Hiking Society)
The country’s largest celebration of trails
June TBA: National Get Outdoors Day (Get Outdoors USA)
Annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun
June TBA: Great American Backyard Campout (National Wildlife Federation)
Event encouraging communities to camp in backyards and parks to connect with nature
August 25: National Park Service Birthday (National Park Service)
Free admission at all U.S. Parks
September TBA: Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play (Nickeloedeon)
Effort to celebrate kids’ outside play
September TBA: National Public Lands Day (National Environmental Education Foundation)
The nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands
October 8-14: National Earth Science Week (American Geosciences Institute)
Event to promote earth sciences and stewardship of the Earth
October 12: National Fossil Day (National Park Service)
Event promoting public awareness and stewardship of fossils; part of Earth Science Week
November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend (National Park Service)
Free admission at all U.S. Parks
Photo: MS royalty-free images
