Vegan Friendly Summer Fun For The Family
Summer is here! It is time for fun in the sun and family outings. It is the perfect time of year to connect with the animals that inspire our compassionate lifestyle. Explore one or more of these ideas for creating enriching experiences this summer that connect us with animals and veganism.
12 Vegan-Approved Summer Fun Family Activities
Visit an animal sanctuary
There are animal sanctuaries all over the country where families can visit, including Farm Sanctuary and Woodstock Sanctuary. While you are there, pet the rescues and hear their stories of salvation.
Volunteer
Animal shelters are full of animals in need of love and attention. Visit your local animal shelter and walk a dog or pet a cat. If you are into crafts, make no-sew blankets for rescued kittens and pups.
Plant a garden
Whether you have a vast field or a couple of pots, plant some herbs or your favorite veggies. When it’s time to harvest, delight in preparing a home cooked meal with your bounty.
Make a feeder
Create a butterfly or bird feeder and rejoice in visits from animal friends all year long.
Visit a farm
Take a trip to a nearby veg or fruit farm. Call ahead and find about events and opportunities to help out while you are there.
Take a hike
Visit a wildlife preserve and observe the nature and animals around you. Be sure to observe Leave No Trace when visiting.
Shop at a farmer’s market
Check your local area for the schedule of your farmer’s market. Take a trip and pick up fresh produce. Then, take it home and plan a meal from what you buy.
Bird watching
With the thousands of species among the various regions of the world, this activity offers unlimited opportunities for creating an enriching animal experience.
Camp at a national park
Plan a day trip or overnight outing at one of the thousands of national parks in the U.S. and observe animals in their natural habitat.
Visit a fruit or vegetable festival
Check online for a list of festivals in your area. These events typically offer food, activities, and entertainment for the whole family.
Take a vegan cooking class
This fun activity gets the whole family in the kitchen, improves everyone’s skills and introduces the family to new recipes.
Whale Watching
If you are close to the ocean, whale watching is great fun and one of the best ways to see sea animals up close. The best times to spot whales vary depending on the location, but summer in San Diego and the Central Coast in California offer great opportunities for seeing whales. Check local schedules and companies like dana point whale watching for fantastic tours.
Stephanie Dreyer, is the founder of VeegMama, a lifestyle brand sharing new approaches to healthy living, and the host of YouTube’s “The Good Life With VeegMama” She is also a children’s book writer and mom of three. Her eBook, VeegMama’s Guide To Going Vegan, is an Amazon Bestseller. She is a proud partner of Raddish Kids, providing vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free recipe substitutions for their monthly subscription boxes.