10 Fun Outdoor Activities To Try Out As A College Student

Discover 20 exciting outdoor activities perfect for college students. Read on to explore new adventures!

1. Hiking

What do you imagine when you hear ‘fun things to do outdoors’? If you only imagine adventure sports and risky things to do, here’s our first suggestion to try out! Hiking is a fun way to get the mental and physical exercise you need as a college student. The hours of walking can prove to be an excellent cardiovascular workout and can strengthen your heart. 

However, start with shorter trails and paths if you’re just starting your hiking journey. This can help your body adapt to this brand-new physical activity, and then you can slowly push yourself towards longer hike trails. Hiking can also help you be in close proximity to nature and, thus, work wonders for your mental health. So, put on your hiking shoes, call your new college friends, and get set to go.

2. Outdoor painting

If you enjoy that artsy vibe and creating art, this suggestion will resonate most with you. Painting inside your student accommodation is fun and stress-relieving, for sure. But painting outside can boost the experience of creation and help you truly feel the joy of painting a landscape live! 

Pack up your canvas, easel, and brushes and find a good outdoor spot for these fun outdoor activities. You can also gather some friends and make it one of the most fun things to do outdoors for the group. If you are not into painting, you can try other crafty, artistic activities like visual journaling, knitting, scrapbooking, etc, while sitting in the embrace of nature.  

3. Adventure sports 

Got that knack for adventure? Love getting hit by the surging rush of adrenaline? Adventure sports can be a fun outdoor activity for you! Being a college student means being young and free. Thus, it is the best time to try out all the hot air ballooning, rock climbing, kayaking, bungee jumping and many more outdoor activities for adults! 

A word of caution… To fully enjoy these fun things to do outdoors, it is important to find reliable adventure sports services and outdoor activity companies that can help you carry out these activities under expert supervision. With your newfound freedom and new college friends, adventure sports can feel like a life-changing experience.  

4. Outdoor yoga classes 

Yoga is one of the oldest practices in the world that has been helping people achieve a more relaxed state of mind. Yoga also helps increase flexibility and thus keeps the body healthy and mental well-being intact. Combining these benefits of yoga with the outdoors, you can create one of the most fun things to do outdoors. 

Doing yoga in close proximity to nature can help you connect with your surroundings better and enjoy the relaxing nature of the greenery around you. Many outdoor yoga classes exclusively provide yoga lessons in natural outdoor settings, getting it into the list of fun outdoor activities! 

5. Swimming 

Like walking and running, swimming is a great physical activity that can help you keep in shape as a college student. But have you ever thought of swimming in the embrace of nature? Swimming in natural water bodies can help you explore this unique experience as one of the most fun things to do outdoors. 

You can combine this fun outdoor activity with hiking easily. For example, you can hike to a lake or stream to swim with your friends. The proximity to greenery, natural flora, and fauna can make it even better and help you relax from your regular university schedule.

6. Mushroom and fruit picking 

If you are keen on botany, mushroom, and seasonal fruit picking are some out-of-the-box fun things to do outdoors you can try your hands at. While fruit picking can be easily done on your own at the nearby apple orchard or strawberry fields, for mushroom picking, it is advisable to join a picking group so you don’t accidentally pick up something poisonous. 

These picking trips are usually paired with hikes, pushing it to the list of fun outdoor activities, and can be a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests. Mushroom and fruit picking can also help you expand your knowledge and give you a new hobby to pursue while learning to appreciate the small things in life. 

7. Crystal collecting

Geology nerds, assemble! What’s not to like about shiny, colourful crystals? If you, too, are obsessed with beautiful crystals and like knowing more about them, going for a crystal collection hike at the nearby quarry can be a fun outdoor activity to indulge in on a Sunday afternoon. 

Pack your gear and tools to collect shiny, magical rocks with your friends! As a niche interest, crystal collecting is one of the most off-beat fun things to do outdoors. 

8. Run a marathon

Never really run a marathon in your life? Well, this is your sign to do it the next time you come across one! Marathons are another one of the most fun things to do outdoors that college students can and should try at least once during their academic years. Running for long distances is an excellent physical activity that can keep your heart healthy and your mind clear. You will also meet many interesting people during the marathon and thus have good networking opportunities. Plus, you can contribute to a cause by running in a marathon if you find yourself a fundraiser marathon; win-win! 

9. Park Picnics

If your idea of fun outdoor activity doesn’t include too much physical labour and you would rather sit back and relax, park picnics can be the perfect day-out plan for you and your friends. You can easily pack delicious food, snacks, and drinks in a picnic basket and spend your day at the nearby park on a sunny day. 

To add to the fun, many people organise themed picnics like Victorian royal family-themed picnics and fantasy creature picnics, where you get to dress up according to the theme and enjoy an Instagram-worthy day. 

10. Volunteering Work

Here’s another one of the fun things to do outdoors that can also help you give back to the community; volunteering work! No matter where you are, something is always happening nearby that requires volunteers' help, whether community cleaning drives or feeding homeless people. Plus, the like-minded people who come there can be a great start to making new friends. So, gather all your friends or go alone, enrol your name in the nearby volunteering drive, and experience the satisfaction of giving back! 

11. Birdwatching 

If you are a student in a geographical area inhabited by a rich collection of bird species, birdwatching can be one of the most fun things to do outdoors. You may join a fun outdoor activities group to make it easier. You can also go solo with your own essentials, like a pair of binoculars and a bird encyclopedia, but make sure you do some research beforehand to have a brief idea about the local bird species. 

12. Star Gazing 

For people especially interested in all things related to space or students who are pursuing their studies in a similar astronomy-related field, stargazing can be one of the most fun things to do outdoors. There are many Astro clubs and even services that can help you with a professional stargazing night. However, you can also do it on a student budget; all you need is a clear sky and an astronomy app that helps you point out all the constellations at night! 

13. Rock Climbing 

Looking for a little more adventure? Rock climbing makes our exclusive list of fun things to do outdoors for its challenging yet fun traits. This activity can help you keep your body fit while also challenging you mentally enough to increase your cognitive resonance and problem-solving abilities. So, find a rock climbing gym or professional outdoor rock climbing services to engage in these fun outdoor activities for adults safely! 

14. Bike Tour

Biking is one of the most fun things to do outdoors without contributing much to environmental pollution. So, if you are new to the city and want a touring experience that is as thorough as it can be, a bike tour can be a great option for you. Bike tours around the city not only give you a good enough physical challenge but also provide you the opportunity to experience the city like a local while also being absolutely eco-friendly!

15. Scavenger Hunt

Up for a good on-campus adventure? Putting together a scavenger hunt can be a great way to incorporate some ‘fun things to do outdoors’ into your life without even leaving the campus. You can design the hunt to have special elements like photographing the important landmarks or clues to even arranging a small prize for the winner. This can especially help the fresher students since the hunt will help them get more acquainted with the campus. 

16. Camping Trip

If you are someone with an innate love for all things natural, the thought of an overnight adventure in the forest can make you jump out your bed! So, if you are looking for fun things to do outdoors, make sure you consider camping trips. Pack your tents and sleeping bags, grab your friends, and get ready to roast some marshmallows on the bonfire! 

17. Beach Day 

If you are a student residing and studying in a city with a coastline, nothing beats a good beach day. What makes beach days one of the most fun things to do outdoors for students is that you can have enough fun even on a very limited budget without hurting your student account. Cold soda (or beer, if you are drinking age) paired with the pleasant waves, salty breeze and relaxing warm sand can make amazing outdoor activities for adults. 

18. Sports Day 

For people who are much into sports like football, baseball, or basketball, playing a particular sport pretty much counts as a fun thing. So, if you and your friends are such sports people, you can arrange a sports day as one of the most fun things to do outdoors. Just make sure you have the right equipment and gears on so nobody gets hurt. 

19. Local Market Visit 

Local markets, especially farmer’s markets in your area, can be a great window to the place’s culture and specialities. These markets hold sales for local produce like fruits and vegetables as well as local artisanal items. So, if you are someone who is into learning about new cultures and shopping locally, adding local market visits to your ‘fun things to do outdoors’ list is a must! 

20. Outdoor movie night 

Movie nights are fun as they are, but imagine sitting under the stars with your friends with a bunch of snacks and watching your crowd-favourite movie; even better, right? Choose an open space or park, set up your projector, and you are ready for one of the most fun outdoor activities with your friends! 

Partaking in fun things to do outdoors is important for college students since it exposes them to a world full of possibilities. These activities bring you closer to nature and give you a safe space to network with like-minded people. So, don’t be shy; open up and choose some fun things to do outdoors that interest you to explore the endless possibilities your academic years offer!