If there’s one thing we know about kids, is that they love adventures, especially in the summertime! With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite nearby destinations for physical activity in the great outdoors, from hikes to kayaking to oyster shucking. So slap on some sunscreen and bug spray and pack some healthful snacks; it’s adventure time!

-The Delaware Water Gap:  Right on the border of  New Jersey and Pennsylvania and only an hour and a half from the city,the Water Gap offers families fishing, swimming, rock climbing, canoeing, hiking and even rafting. The Middle Delaware is one of the cleanest rivers around, so it’s perfect for rafting, canoeing, swimming, tubing, fishing and more. Kids will also love watching the massive watershed at work. Once you get there, check out Adventure Sports, (a staple of the area since 1969, has kayak and boat rentals and organized trips down the river) or Pack Shack (another long established company, Pack Shack is just minutes from the Appalachian Trail, this adventure company and store offers canoeing, rafting, kayaking, and tubing on the river, as well as backpacking, rock climbing and trail treks on land) to get you started.

-Bear Mountain State Park: Located on the Hudson River in Orange and Rockland Counties, the park features a large playing field, a pond, a swimming pool, a zoo and tons of hiking and biking trails. The Perkins Memorial Tower at the top of Bear Mountain affords breathtaking views of the incredible natural surroundings, and kids will love the Merry-Go-Round at the park, which features 42-hand-crafted nature-dwelling creatures, like a black bear, a swan, a fox and even a skunk! The park also boasts playgrounds, gift shops, boat rentals and a museum and visitor’s center. Stony Point, New York,10980, 845-786-2701, nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/13/details.aspx

 -Six Flags Great Adventure: Only an hour outside the city and boasting more action-packed rides and attractions than you could fit in several days, this amusement park is an active oasis for families. If you feel like getting wet, the park has over a dozen family water rides including a lazy river. It even has multiple “thrill” rides for the older kids and adventure seekers of the family. Tickets start at $35 but you can take your munchkins under two for free. 1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527, sixflags.com

-Fire Island:  Accessible by a ferry from Manhattan, Fire Island is the ultimate convenient weekend getaway. Its pristine beaches, gorgeous setting, plentiful water sports and exciting nightlife make it a popular destination for young adults, but it’s also a great place for families who want to immerse themselves in the great outdoors. Families can partake in hiking, biking, beach volleyball, and tennis, and that’s just on land! Hop into the water for surfing, swimming, kayaking, boating, sailing and even clamming! After all that action, end your family’s day on the famous boardwalk at sunset and take in the scenic view. fireisland.com

-Oyster Bay: This town in Long Island boasts plentiful nature preserves, wildlife conservatories, and yes, oysters! In fact, 90 percent of the country's oyster harvest is produced here. So if you decide to take the trip, don’t leave until your kids have tried them! (The annual Oyster Festival is held here each year in October, a great event for fish-loving families.) Other highlights of the town include the Waterfront Center, the Roosevelt Memorial Park (with tennis courts, a beach, playgrounds and more) and several beaches, complete with boardwalks and seaside playgrounds. oysterbaytown.com

-The Catskill Mountains:  Though the mountains are far upstate, they’re worth every minute of the ride. The Catskills offer magnificent views of the landscape, North America’s longest zip line, and plenty of hiking for every skill level. There’s one danger though; once you bring your family, they’ll never want to leave. Decatur, NY 12197 visitthecatskills.com/

-Montauk Point State Park: This park is known for its historical significance; its lighthouse was authorized by the second congress under President Washington and a radar was built at the sight during the Cold War. If you have any little history buffs, this is the perfect place for them. Montauk, New York 11954. 631-852-7878 nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/61/details.aspx

-White Post Farms: White Post Farms, a Long Island institution for four generations, has tons of fun for animal lovers, as it has an indoor and outdoor animal farm, a pony ride and a petting zoo. Your kids will be able to spot an American Buffalo, a Tibetan Yak, a Grevy Zebra and an Oryx Antelope, among many other new and exciting animals. Kids will love the water bouncer and dry bouncer—the water bouncer has wet and wild slides, and the dry bouncer has games, castles and more for exploring—the Animal Band Jamboree show (which happens every 15 minutes), a mud-free playground, a huge beachy sandbox and a Mining Village with hands-on activities. Plus, parents will appreciate White Post’s gourmet flower and farm market and the scenic Pond View Café. 250 Old Country Rd, Melville, NY 11747, whitepostfarms.org

 --Matt Thaler

Take A Hike: The Best Nearby Sites For Family Hiking

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge: The wide, level 1.8-mile loop around scenic West Pond in the rustic Jamaica Bay bird sanctuary is a great introduction to hiking. For more info, 718-318-4340.

Native Forest, New York Botanical Garden: Fifty acres of Yosemite-size timber, the largest tract of virgin forest left in New York City, lies at the heart of this Bronx oasis better known for orchids and roses. Easy trails meander amid centuries-old trees beside the restored Bronx River. For more info: 718-817-8700.

Old Croton Aqueduct Trail: A wide, easy path traces the linear route of New York City’s historic water pipeline. The most interesting 5.5 miles run from Ossining (train-accessible site of historic bridges, weirs and a visitor center) north to Croton Gorge Park (crowned with a 300-foot dam at the Croton Reservoir). For more info, 914-693-5259.

Shore Trail, Palisades Interstate Park: This waterfront path on the Jersey side of the Hudson River sits in the shadow of the sheer Palisades cliffs just north of the George Washington Bridge. For easy access: Park near the Englewood Picnic Area and walk north, following the white trail blazes. For more info, 201-768-1360.

David Weld Sanctuary: Easy trails through The Nature Conservancy’s compact 125-acre preserve near Nissequogue, Long Island (north of Smithtown), run past swamps, fields, shoreline bluffs and examples of the region’s glacier-scarred geologic past. For more info, 631-367-3225.

Staten Island Greenbelt Trails: The Greenbelt is one of the world’s largest all-urban parks. Take a walk on one of its 6 trails ranging from 1 to 12.3 miles long. Open daily, dawn to dusk, 200 Nevada Avenue, Staten Island, 718-667-2165.

John Kieran Trail: Created in 1987 in honor of the famed naturalist and newspaperman, this 1.25 mile trail journey’s through Van Cortlandt Park’s lake area and freshwater wetlands. Van Cortlandt Park, Broadway and West 246th Street, Bronx.

South Preserve Trail: A 3 mile trail among numerous others winding through the native hardwood forest in Cunningham Park. Cunningham Park, Francis Lewis Boulevard and Union Turnpike, Queens.

-- Skip Card and Brittany McNamara