Take your kids ice skating at Cabin John. They have reasonably priced group classes if they don't know how. Getting a skill like this is very satisfying to kids.

I grew up no where near cold weather or skating rinks and am grateful my school had a PE requirement I fulfilled by learning to skate. I skated while my kids had their lessons.

I also took my kids skiing at Whitetail when I was 42 so they could learn while they were young. I learned at the same time. The introductory lesson package there and at Ski Liberty is not so expensive, particularly for kids, but obviously keeping it up can be. Nonetheless, it was a great deal of fun the first time we went and still would have been even if we'd never repeated it.

Also second kayaking, another thing I first did in my forties with my kids. Super easy and nothing like rowing, which can be a lot of hard work.

Orienteering is SUPER family friendly. It is hiking with a purpose.

http://qoc.us.orienteering.org/

Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is very popular now. Learn on the Potomac and you can do it anywhere.

Anonymous wrote:Any outdoorsy things to recommend to a beginner other than hiking? Honestly, that just seems so boring.

It does *sound* boring. But you might be surprised. Once you get a pace and are surrounded by trees and sunshine and get to chit-chatting with your hiking companions, it actually can be a lot of fun.

There's also bike riding. I'm not a huge fan of bike riding, because I just don't like the sitting or standing position you have to be in to ride. I spend a lot of time sitting at work, and I feel like even the "standing" bike riding position contributes to tight hips and hip flexors. That's just me personally. You might enjoy bike riding.

There's also kayaking/canoeing and other water-related activities. If you find a place to rent the equipment, you might like that.

Yoga on a paddleboard is kind of a new thing. If you can find those classes locally, that will get you outside.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hiking boots - and on meetup.com you can join a walking or hiking group.

But break the boots in first or you'll have blisters.

1300 here. If you are going to start out with well-established trails and low-key hikes, you don't really need the hiking boots. Good running/athletic shoes will be fine.

I actually think it's better to start small with hikes. Once you get into it more, then get hiking boots. Hiking boots aren't necessary if you are going to places where you aren't really hiking in the deep woods. And that's the kind of place you should start. Even going to a local park with bike trails to hike on is a good start, and you don't need boots for that. In fact, I find it's better not to wear hiking boots on paved trails.

It's when you are in the deep woods, long hikes, and especially hilly areas where you need hiking boots for (1) to protect your feet from snakes, (2) to keep your feet dry on long hikes, and (3) to protect your ankles on inclines or stepping on uneven ground.

But I don't think you should start with that kind of hike anyhow. Even just some paved trails is a good start.

True. Just this summer I hiked, in sneakers to the top of an inactive volcano at 10,000 feet and then around the rim which was jagged, steep and the sides fell off onto the abyss and full of that dust stiff and volcanic sharp rocks. I will say though, my two big toes turned black and are in the slow process of falling off. I hope they fall off by thanksgiving.

I'm not gonna say the hike was pleasant in my sneakers and at the descent I considered doing it barefoot, but volcanic rock is very sharp, so I simply carried on in painful agony. However I was more focused on my lungs that can't function too well at 10k feet. Talk about being winded!

Really??

I think PP is being sarcastic and trying to point out how gear is necessary.

I'm the PP who said you don't need to be so worried about gear in the beginning. And I stand by that. OP isn't going to start out by hiking up inactive volcanos. She's likely going to take her family to Rock Creek Park to walk around or to some other local area for a little outdoor time.

You don't need expensive hiking boots for that. That was my point. You can start out just going to local parks with paved trails. Then as you feel more comfortable handling longer walks, you invest in better shoes. And I still think that, even then, hiking boots may not be the most appropriate. It depends what you are doing. I actually like trail running shoes better than hiking boots for local, easy-going hikes. They're lighter.

I think a lot of hardcore outdoorsy types end up discouraging people from taking the first steps to becoming outdoorsy because they overwhelm them with all of the gear they need and all of the things they need to worry about. They seem to forget that most people starting out aren't doing the hardcore stuff. If they feel like they have to do a lot of planning just to go take a walk outside, they're not going to do it.

I was trying to encourage OP to get out there and start out with easy things.

PP here.
google REI DC
https://www.rei.com/united-outside

they have lots of classes etc. Store opens in Oct!

Start by going on walks in rock creek park. After that you can branch out to nearby national/state parks. Great falls and harpers ferry are very close and an easy way to start. You can rent kayaks under key bridge and explore the Potomac. You don't need any special direction to do this, they'll give you life jackets and some pointers about maneuvering in the water and you're on your way!

If you're going hiking with young kids, you won't be on any trails that are strenuous enough to warrant hiking boots. I hike all the time and I much prefer regular sneakers to boots.

REI is doing "summer camp" sessions, sign up for something. Once the new store opens in DC they will have tons of classes, excursions etc. the people there are great. Don't spend money on boots now. Maybe just a nice pair of trail running shoes for locall stuff.

Some families do geocaching. Makes hiking more interesting.

In the spring there's a great DC event related to fishing. It's called Family and Youth Casting Call.

Here's last year's event -- hasn't been announced for 2017 yet.

http://doee.dc.gov/event/2016-family-youth-casting-call

They can hook you up with local fishing groups to teach the kids how to fish.

Also you could become a Cub Scout leader or Girl Scout leader and take training with them and take your troop/den out to do stuff!

Anonymous wrote:Any outdoorsy things to recommend to a beginner other than hiking? Honestly, that just seems so boring.

Well, it's just cheap and easy to do so it is good for a beginner.

There's also kayaking, sailing, other boating. You can rent kayaks and canoes at a lot of state parks.

Here's a place I know that will do family oriented guided kayak tours:

http://www.bayrestoration.org/guided-kayak-tours/

Google around for other places nearer to you.

Your local county parks program probably has family oriented events like bird watching, frog watching etc.Here's an example in Montgomery County:

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/calendar/?eID=4618

Walk Beech Drive in Rock Creek Park,or the long trails off the road, or the paved trails to the Mall, or the Capital Crescent trail, C&O Canal, Great Falls,, Mount Vernon Trail, etc.

Montgomery County has a bunch of paved trails in parks. Sugarloaf in Frederick County has some wonderful walks/hikes.

Plenty in the immediate area to get you started.

Any outdoorsy things to recommend to a beginner other than hiking? Honestly, that just seems so boring.

It's so nice to see such a helpful, constructive thread! Sometimes DCUM is alright.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hiking boots - and on meetup.com you can join a walking or hiking group.

But break the boots in first or you'll have blisters.

1300 here. If you are going to start out with well-established trails and low-key hikes, you don't really need the hiking boots. Good running/athletic shoes will be fine.

I actually think it's better to start small with hikes. Once you get into it more, then get hiking boots. Hiking boots aren't necessary if you are going to places where you aren't really hiking in the deep woods. And that's the kind of place you should start. Even going to a local park with bike trails to hike on is a good start, and you don't need boots for that. In fact, I find it's better not to wear hiking boots on paved trails.

It's when you are in the deep woods, long hikes, and especially hilly areas where you need hiking boots for (1) to protect your feet from snakes, (2) to keep your feet dry on long hikes, and (3) to protect your ankles on inclines or stepping on uneven ground.

But I don't think you should start with that kind of hike anyhow. Even just some paved trails is a good start.

You had me until "protect your feet from snakes". Fuck that noise. I'm joining the patio/margarita crowd.