9 Outdoor Activities for Fantasy & RPG Nerds – These Will Make You Want To Go On An Adventure
Is your body starting to ache from all the sitting? Thinking of going outside but don’t know what to do? Or maybe the Real World is too boring compared to fantasy books and RPG games? Here are 9 outdoor activities for nerds that you might enjoy, whether you’re a mage or a rogue.
PSST! A small but important note for some of these activities: Research local laws for what is allowed in your area when gathering materials outdoors.
1. Geocaching
If trying to find hidden treasure isn’t fun, I don’t know what is. Haven’t heard of geocaching? Here is a VERY simplified summary: people hide caches outdoors for others to find. Inside is a log you write your name in. Then you high-five yourself for finding the thing. Continue roleplaying Indiana Jones or [insert your favorite adventure movie character here] in your head.
Register to geocaching.com or download the app (Android or iOS)
2. Guerrilla gardening
No garden? Shy but want to raise a subtle eco-friendly middle finger to the current state of the world? Illegal flower planting is the answer. Guerrilla gardening is gardening on land you don’t have the legal rights to. A tip: research beforehand the area where you’re going to plant seeds or flowers so you can make the best of it. Use region native plants & seeds. Then, plant your flowers and watch the concrete jungle turn a bit more beautiful. Magic.
3. Hiking
The secret to happiness: Finding a beautiful view and enjoying a sandwich after a nature walk. Technically hiking is just walking in nature. You only need these to start:
1. Nature
2. Shoes to walk comfortably in
3. Weather-appropriate clothing.
The last one is optional, but they make your hike a bit more comfortable.
4. Foraging
Like gardening, but you get twice the adventure, none of the why isn’t this plant growing? Fun, right? Foraging needs some research beforehand; only gather plants you can identify 100%. THIS IS NO PLACE OR TIME FOR SKYRIM ALCHEMY TACTICS!!(you know, randomly eating potion ingredients and hoping for the best). Start with a few easy plants like dandelion and nettle, then branch out. You can often find courses on foraging too.
5. Camping
Get a tent and go sleep outdoors. Camping can be combined with several other activities, like foraging and hiking. Best combined with a small campfire and good food. And an even better book. Also fun with friends or a furry companion (I mean a dog!)
6. Fishing
I have to admit… I don’t know carp about fishing. Except that it looks relaxing in video games. You’ll have to google this yourself.
7. Bushcraft
Bushcraft is the art of surviving in nature, often with minimal equipment. If you want to learn to make some awesome shelters with the materials nature provides, bushcraft is an activity for you. Skills like foraging and firecraft also belong in bushcraft, as do many other skills related to survival.
8. Horseback riding
Horseback riding isn’t just for 12-year-old girls. Look at every fantasy movie ever; chances are, there are horses. Who wants to be Aragorn or part of the Rohirrim? To the stables!
9. Beekeeping
As far as outdoor activities go, beekeeping requires some knowledge, land, and equipment. If you can acquire those and are interested in beekeeping, great! Neil Gaiman does it. If you needed some convincing.
And this concludes the short list of outdoor activities for (fantasy book & RPG) nerds. I hope you found some ideas to try out. Happy adventuring! Let me know if you found a new hobby you like.
