3 Fun Adventures for Empty Nesters

When kids grow up and leave the nest, parents may find themselves with a lot more free time on their hands. An empty nest presents an opportunity to take up new hobbies, start new adventures, and get back in touch with activities you may not have had time for while you made memories with your children. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Outdoor Adventures

If you love the great outdoors, here are some activities to consider.

• Camping: A short weekend camping trip is enough for you to fall back in love with outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, rafting, and more. When you’re ready, you can consider longer multi-day trips.
• Sports: Many parents can benefit from community sports like pickleball and tennis or small group/solo activities like golf and swimming. Now is the right time to rekindle your love for whatever sport you enjoyed as a child.
• Gardening: You don’t have to stray far from home for sunshine and exercise; just try starting a small garden in your backyard. A vegetable or herb garden is a great way to turn your hard work into tangible (and delicious) results.

Travel Adventures

There’s nothing quite as thrilling as leaving for a long-awaited holiday. These travel ideas are a great place to start.

• Take a road trip: Road trips offer many opportunities to make memories. Discover the stunning colors of autumn with a drive through the Finger Lakes region of New York or explore the magic of summer with an unforgettable drive down the Pacific Coast Highway in California. As you plan, look for unforgettable stops along the way, like funky museums or haunted mansions, that will turn into a great story to share with your adult children.

• Think international: An international holiday helps broaden your horizons and take your mind off your empty nest. Whether you enjoy the yummy food and beaches of Mexico or the rich culture of France and Italy, a memorable trip can give you a new lease on life.
• Be a tourist in your own city: You may be amazed at what your city has to offer when you take the time to see it through fresh eyes. Do some online research on things to do, and you may find a treasure trove of restaurants, museums, boutiques, and more.

Life Adventures

An adventure doesn’t always mean getting away from home. There’s lots to do without leaving the house.

• Try a project or hobby: A new project can be just the thing to put all that free time to use. Many empty nesters take up home improvement projects to feel useful and pass the time. Others may take up hobbies like painting, writing, or woodworking to flex their creative muscles.

• Commit to that business idea: You may have had a business idea for years, and now you finally have the time to make it happen. Turn an attic over the garage into a rental space or start a YouTube channel to share the dishes in your family recipe book. Don’t be afraid to turn to adult children to help with any technology needs.
• Build community: Start a reading group or a walking club for other empty nesters in the area. This is a great way to meet and build relationships with other parents close by who may be experiencing the same emotions related to kids leaving the home.

Keep These Practical To-Dos In Mind

As you prepare to start your next chapter, don’t forget to prioritize all the little tasks that may have fallen through the cracks through the years, like:

• Review your universal life insurance or whole life insurance policy to see if you need to increase or decrease your coverage based on your new family structure and college tuition costs.
• Catch up with friends and relatives, especially those who live far away.
• Get regular health checkups and work on a fitness plan.
• Take time to review your finances, retirement savings plan, and estate plan or will.

Seeing your kids move on to their next chapter means starting an exciting new period of your life. Being open to new adventures can help you create a full and fulfilling life with your partner and loved ones.