Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving is the day to head to the store and get those deals you have been waiting for all year. It seems this tradition has been fading because consumers are getting smarter, as the focus on goods shifts to a focus on experiences. We recently connected with Mikaela, the Brand Engagement Coordinator for REI, who knows a thing or two about getting outside and enjoying experiences with your family.
Mikaela shared that since 2015 REI has been closed on Black Friday as a way to let their employees #optoutside and play that day! Here are a few ideas to enjoy the day with your family:
A couple of events that are happening on Friday, November 25th in the Twin Cities:
- #OptOutside Discover Mississippi Gateway Regional Park is hosting an Open House event with games, smores, geocaching, and more. This park is a family favorite!
- More Local #OptOutside Events can be found here including family forest play, self-guided clue walk, and more!
Family-Friendly Places to Explore:
If you are looking for places to explore with your family, Mikaela shared some great spots to check out. The first is Fort Snelling State Park in Bloomington. They have a family-friendly flat hike, called the Pike Island Hike, that the kids will enjoy. This park does have restrooms. Another spot to check out is Lebanon Hills. This spot has great parking and amenities and there is a 3-mile hike called Jensen Lake Loop. They have heated restrooms. A new feature around Minneapolis is bike parks. These are converted tennis courts that have small bike ramps and obstacles added for kids to practice their bike tricks safely! You can find a full list of those at mplsbikeparks.org/bike-parks.
Sometimes the biggest challenge to getting outside is dressing the kids properly and convincing them that it’s not too cold! A little prep can go a long way to staying warm while we #optoutside.
A few more tips shared by Mikaela is to be prepared with games and snacks before heading out. Make sure to plan a game or two while out on your hike. A family favorite is red light, green light and scavenger hunts! Also, a simple snack can go a long way to making sure the kids don’t get hungry while in the middle of the hike!
How do you plan to #optouside this year? Let us know in the comments below.
