7 Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities For Spring Break In Virginia

VIRGINIA — With many school districts on spring break this week, parents may be wondering how to keep the kids entertained as COVID-19 precautions continue.

Lucky for Virginians, the state has no shortage of outdoor fun that can be done with social distancing. We've rounded up some family-friendly activities to try during spring break and beyond. Let us know if you have other suggestions in the comments.

1. Get started on the state park challenge.

Virginia has 39 state parks in regions around the state. If you're feeling ambitious, try the Virginia State Parks Trail Quest. Once you sign up and log your visits, you can earn pins after visiting five, 10, 20 and all state parks. The best part is, the whole family can participate and earn pins. For more information, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/trail-quest.

2. Visit Shenandoah National Park or another national park.

Just a few hours from DC, Shenandoah National Park is one of the best destinations for nature lovers. You can explore 200,000 acres of protected lands for hiking, wildlife watching, nighttime stargazing and more. For more information on Shenandoah National Park, visit www.nps.gov/shen or www.nps.gov/findapark for other options.

3. Try an outdoor adventure course.

If your family is the adventurous type, try navigating a rope course along the treetops. Northern Virginia has two adventure parks: Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park in Fairfax County and Empower Adventures Zip Line Adventures in Loudoun County. Both parks have options for younger ages.

4. Play a round (or many) of mini golf.

Visit one of the region's various mini golf courses, such as the Burke Lake Park mini golf (weekends; open weekdays starting April 5), Magic Putting Place in Manassas, or Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park. Those looking for more space to swing can head to the driving range at Topgolf Loudoun.

5. Explore the grounds of a historic site.

As spring blooms pop up, there's no better time to check out a historic site. Walk the grounds of George Washington's estate, greet the farm animals at Frying Pan Farm Park or check out Civil War history at Manassas National Battlefield Park.

6. Relax on a beach before summer crowds arrive.

Before the busy summer season gets underway and people pack the beaches, your family could make a quick trip to the coast. Check out Virginia Beach if you want the boardwalk experience, or Chincoteague Island if you prefer wildlife watching. If you'd prefer a shorter trip, a few options are Westmoreland State Park in the Northern Neck region, Lake Anna State Park in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Colonial Beach in the Northern Neck, or Maryland's Chesapeake Beach and Sandy Point State Park.

7. Visit the animals at a zoo.

DC's National Zoo may be temporarily closed, but there are other options in Northern Virginia. Try the self-drive safari and walking tour at Roer's Zoofari in Vienna or visit the animals at Leesburg Animal Park.