Social distancing can be a real drag, but it’s necessary for health and safety. If your family is feeling a little too distanced from each other and the world around you, there are things you can do to have a good time while still being responsible. From whale watching San Diego to visiting ghost towns, here are a few fun ideas for family-friendly activities that are so enjoyable you’ll forget you’re social distancing.

Whale Watching

Whale watching is not only a safe social distancing activity, but it’s an incredible opportunity for families to experience together. Whales are such powerful, beautiful creatures, and seeing them up close is breathtaking. Families of all age levels will enjoy this memory-building activity. Keep in mind that you may not see a lot of whale activity every time you go. That’s why it’s important to schedule your outing during a strategic time. Whale watching Carlsbad is best between mid-December and mid-February. But you can see them at other times of the year, too. The best time of day for whale watching is generally between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., when lighting is at its best.

Hiking

Exercising outdoors is not only a great way to spend time with the people you love while social distancing, but it’s also important for your health. Hiking is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities you can do because it is challenging and often ends with rewarding views. Just make sure you pack plenty of snacks and water to take with you so you don’t end up in a dangerous situation out on the trail.

Exploring Ghost Towns

Depending on where you live, you may have one or more ghost towns near you that you can explore. A quick online search will quickly show you what ghost towns are nearby. Usually, ghost towns are not very busy, which makes them great areas to explore without getting too close to others. Do your research to make sure the ghost towns near you are open to the public before you go. When you find one that is, go show yourself around and imagine what life must have been like for the people who lived there.

Host a Backyard Movie Night

Do you miss going to the movies as a family? Why not create your own movie night right in your backyard? You can bring out beanbags, hammocks, and other types of social-distancing seating and arrange them around a large screen. Choose a family-friendly movie and hand out individual servings of popcorn in Ziploc baggies. It may not be as glamorous as sitting in an air-conditioned movie theater, but it will probably be a lot more fun!

Spend a Day on the Water|

Water sports are the perfect way to cool down and have fun on hot weekends while maintaining a safe distance from others. To make your day trip more enjoyable, bring along water toys such as paddle boats, canoes, water tubes and more.

Though social distancing makes it hard to engage in spots and other close-contact activities, there are still plenty of things you can do to have fun while keeping your distance from others. Give these activities a try the next time your family gets bored.