Resources for Families
Are you interested in spending more time outdoors with your children, but feel unsure how to facilitate a positive experience? At Prescribe Outside, our events offer family-friendly activities focused on creating safe and enjoyable connections with the outdoors. With a wide range of offerings, such as nature walks, fishing, and archery, you’re sure to find an activity to meet your family’s interest and comfort level. Additionally, event times and locations vary. So whether you are availabile during the week or on the weekend, chances are there is an upcoming event to fit in your busy schedule. To learn more about our events, visit our Event Calendar.
Click the map below to find green spaces near you
Through this interactive map, find parks with eateries nearby, the best parks for a picnic, or parks that are hosts to historic sites. This interactive map can help pinpoint the right outdoor space for you.
Map Credit: Fairmount Park Conservancy
Additional Resources
Explore additional resources to promote health and wellness in your home and community:
Camp Mariposa Philadelphia
This a free, year-round addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth ages 9-12 affected by the substance use in their families. Youth participate in fun,traditional camp activities combined with education and supportsessionsled by professionals and trained adult mentors. Additional social activities are held between camp weekends. Camp Mariposa gives children a chance to laugh, play, explore, learn, and share. Click here to view the 24-25 flyer.
Nature Explore Families’ Club
Request to download the free Nature Explore Families’ Club Kit for more information on how to start your own Nature Explore Families’ Club. Each kit comes with materials to help you engage families in your area in a club to explore nature together. There are activities and facilitation guides, as well as promotional materials.
Child Mind Institute
To support children’s mental health, the Child Mind Institute published an article giving parents ideas on how to get their children into nature.
Natural Learning Initiative
Natural Learning Initiative is a research and professional development branch at NC State University. They aim to help communities create stimulating places for play, outdoor learning, and environmental education – places that recognize human dependence on the natural world. Check out NLI’s safety tips for healthy outdoor summer play!
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
From babies to teens, the AAP offers tips for keeping kids active and healthy through outdoor play. To learn more, click here.
Discover the Forest
The Discover the Forest campaign, a public service campaign created by the Ad Council in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, encourages parents of tweens to experience the outdoors with their families to strengthen their connection with nature and each other. Find a forest or park near you to get started. To learn more, click here.
American Public Gardens Association (APGA)
The APGA champions the role of public horticulture in improving the quality of life for all. There are hundreds of family-friendly gardens and arboreta across the country, many of which are located in urban areas. To find a public garden near you, click here.