Displaying items by tag: knoxville outdoor activities for kid

This seemingly primeval scene is actually within the city limits of Knoxville at Ijams Nature Center. The popular park is part of the Urban Wilderness and will be home to the Outlandish Adventure Festival set for May 2-3.  Thomas Fraser/Hellbender Press

Outlandish Adventure Festival’s celebrations of the outdoors include climbing competitions, SUP races, guided hikes and yoga

KNOXVILLE — The city’s great outdoors is calling — and the Outlandish Adventure Festival is answering with two days packed full of adrenaline-pumping fun, scenic exploration and unforgettable experiences. Set for May 2-3 at Ijams Nature Center, this action-packed celebration of the region’s rivers, rocks, and trails invites adventurers of all levels to get outside and play.

The Outlandish Adventure Festival is a collaborative effort by the area’s rich collection of outdoor enthusiasts and organizations, including Visit Knoxville, Ijams, Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, AMBC, Knoxville Adventure Collective, River Sports Outfitters, The Maker City, Legacy Parks and The City of Knoxville. They’ve created a weekend to inspire exploration, connection, adventure and celebration of Knoxville’s natural beauty.

A child defends an elaborate stick fort at Ijams Natural Playscape, which opened this week at the South Knoxville nature center.  Ijams Nature Center

New Ijams playground reconnects kids with neighborhood woods, forts and creeks of yore

KNOXVILLE — Ijams Nature Center officially opened a portal into pure childhood beast mode this week.

The Ijams Nature Playscape at Grayson Subaru Preserve is specifically designed for young children to play in a creek, climb hills, dig, build, crawl and engage with nature in an organic, unstructured way. The new space features a large nest, tunnels, log steps and different rooms to play in.

“For generations, many of us had the opportunity to roam and play in the woods, empty lots and fields that surrounded our homes and neighborhoods,” Ijams Executive Director Amber Parker said. “We remember the freedom we had to use our imagination, test ourselves and become a part of the natural landscape, at least until we were called home for dinner.”