Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air doesn't have to mean you have to be a vigorous fitness enthusiast, nor does it mean you have to fall into a rut and do the same thing over and over. If you tend to enjoy more laid-back and relaxed activities or you're simply trying to think outside the box in terms of trying something new, start with some of these suggestions. Not only are they a little less common than the typical hiking and camping suggestions, they have a low impact on the earth since none require eco-unfriendly equipment such as boats or the use of air-conditioning.

Outdoor Yoga
What better way to get in tune with nature and yourself than to practice outdoor yoga. In fact, some yoga experts swear by it as a method of re-connecting with yourself.

Says writer Ed Moffett: It’s almost as if there are places in nature set aside for certain types of human alignment. In the natural outdoor world we’re likely to align ourselves with geometries other than the four walls of a yoga studio. The ground is uneven, and the sky is open. There’s wind, sun and shade. And there are all kinds of music- birds, insects, wind, the sound of your movement echoing off trees and rocks, and the soundscapes of space between trees or rocks.

Well when you put it that way, it almost makes the thought of heading inside to do a yoga workout completely unappealing. To enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature without causing her any harm, try the Eco Align Ultra Mat from lululemon, made from Thermal Plastic Elastomer and free from latex, PVC and rubber.

Astronomy
Calling all potential stargazers, it's time to try a low-key activity that you can enjoy once the sun sets. Astronomy is called one of the earth's oldest sciences dating back to when early civilizations observed the night sky, though it wasn't until the invention of the telescope that astronomy could develop into a modern science.

Now amateurs have the option of using an inexpensive telescope or equipment they build themselves to observe such things as the moon, planets and meteor showers. Amateurs have even been able to contribute to historical discoveries such as comets. Just think: your new recreational hobby could lead to your name going down in the history books if a comet you discovered were named after you.  

Astronomy also provides a great educational opportunity for families to learn together. Astronomy.com has activities for kids that teach about the solar system, the changing position of the sun and constellations. Did you know that the moon is a balmy 225 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, but drops to a frigid -243 degrees Fahrenheit at night? Or that rust in Mars' soil gives it it's trademark red hue?

Kids can read up on all sorts topics relating to the solar system and then put their newly acquired knowledge into practice by observing the actual night sky. You might be surprised at how much they can even teach you!                        

Archery
Though archery was once a primary means of hunting and combat it is now most often regarded as a sport in most parts of the world. You can even medal in it at the Olympics!

The earliest use of the bow is believed to have been in Germany somewhere between 9000 BC and 8000 BC, however firearms eventually replaced the traditional bow-and-arrow method. Today some individuals still practice bowhunting to kill game animals, but competitive archery has emerged as the leading activity bows are used for, with target archery being the most common in the world. Field archery is popular in Europe and North America and involves participants shooting at targets various distances away, typically in a wooded setting.

The International Archery Federation outlines all of the types of archery, as well as the rules and guidelines for each. For those that want to take it to the extreme level of competition, information on the world championships and the Olympics is also available.

Some of the basic safety tips of bow shooting include proper aim (never at anything other than the target), inspection of the arrows and safe target placement.

Miniature Golf
Alright, so maybe mini-golf isn't exactly that uncommon, but it's  a great activity to get you outside (that's right, it doesn't count if you go to an indoor course when the sun in shining!). As it turns out, it's also a (for lack of a better word) greener activity that regular golf. A standard golf courses requires obscene amounts of water to maintain lush green grass and ponds, not to mention the trees that are cleared to build it.

At first glance mini-golf may not seem so earth-conscious with it's fake carpet and windmills made from processed wood, and all of the silicone and polypropylene used to create the turf. However, as Travis Brown from The University Daily Kansan points out, most mini-golf facilities are built to last - and last and last. Most don't require much in the way of maintenance or chemicals to survive and according to one course builder, are built to make it for approximately 25 years. Twenty-five years of screaming, tantruming kids and frustrated fathers slamming their putters onto the ground when they miss a three-foot shot - there's an example of sustainability even when using horrifying, toxic materials in the initial construction.

So go ahead, grab the kids or your significant other and hit the local course for 18 holes. Loser has to buy ice cream afterward!

» Find Bliss