8 Ways to “Spring” into Warm Weather!

The weather is warming, the birds are singing, and the sun is shining…well, most of the time. Spring sure has a beautiful way of breathing life into nature. If you’re like us, you’re itching to get outdoors and enjoy the season!

With social distancing the new norm for the timing being, it can seem difficult to enjoy time outside. But, don’t fear – with a little caution and common sense, you can safely spend time outdoors enjoying the long-awaited warmth of a Wisconsin spring!

Here’s a list of activities to help you get outside and melt away your worries…we bet both will be a breath of fresh air! 😉

1. Start Steppin’

Grab your sneakers from the closet and head out for a stroll! Even if your tennis shoes haven’t seen the light of day since last fall, you’ll feel great after taking a walk around the neighborhood. With a little mindfulness, you can practice social distancing on the sidewalk to keep yourself and others safe. Remember to make an effort to move out of the way for others instead of expecting them to do it for you…spread kindness! It’s a good idea to use face masks when you need to be near others, too.

2. Get Your Jog On

Once you find your stride, you might consider upping the ante with a jog or two. Whether you’re a natural athlete or haven’t had a proper workout since you chased your dog around the block in 2003 (a good reason to check with your doctor first), walking and jogging are both great ways to work on your fitness. You could make things interesting by challenging your friends to a virtual step–counting competition. May the best walker win!

3. Bust out the 10-Speed

You know the bike that’s been hanging out in your garage all winter? What better time to take it for a spin! Biking is fun, easy on your joints, and a great form of cardio. Have we mentioned exercise naturally boosts your mood? We could all use a little of that right now...just another great reason to get moving.

4. Play Fetch with Fido

If you have a roomy yard or an open field near your house, bring your furry friend for an afternoon of fetch. It’s sure to make your dog happy. And let’s be honest, when they’re happy, we’re happy!

Bonus: when they’re all tuckered out, your evening will be a lot more peaceful.

5. Give your Sidewalk a Makeover

Spend a sunny afternoon outside with the kids and a bucket of chalk. The possibilities are endless: draw pictures, play tic-tac-toe, hangman, hopscotch, you name it. You can ask your children to create inspirational designs for the neighborhood to see. There’s nothing quite like the artwork of a child to put a smile on the face of passersby!

6. Green Thumbs Up!

With extra time spent at home, you can pay more attention to the flowers or garden at your house! Tend to your landscaping, plant vegetables, or teach younger family members about gardening. You’re sure to get joy (and maybe a few fresh veggies) out of it!

7. Did someone say BBQ?

Next time you’re enjoying a particularly gorgeous evening, have an outdoor BBQ with your family! You can do this right in your own backyard. Plus, everyone knows food just tastes better when it’s cooked outside. Don’t forget the Bluetooth speaker and yard games!

8. S’more Campfires, please!

What’s the perfect ending to a bright Wisconsin day? A good old campfire, of course! While there is a state-wide burning permit ban right now, small recreational fires may still be allowed in your area. Please contact your local fire department or officials for up-to-date information. If you’re able, enjoy a fire with your loved ones. And whatever you do, don’t forget the s’mores! Seriously. The kids will never let you live it down.

There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy time outside. As long as you keep social distancing a priority and are mindful of others, we can all spend time outdoors while we #flattenthecurve. Remember, “quarantine” doesn’t have to mean “BORE-antine”! Sorry, that was cheesy, but we are in Wisconsin…