Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
woman in field full of lavender
woman in field full of lavender
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
WVU | Life

OUTDOOR HOBBIES TO TRY THIS SPRING

Moriah McBride Student Contributor, West Virginia University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Spring is basically the easiest time to get outside without it feeling like a whole production. It’s not freezing, not unbearably hot, and you don’t need a full plan to justify leaving your house. If you want to switch things up a little, here are some outdoor hobbies that are actually low effort and worth trying: 

Walking…but with a purpose
Not in a dramatic chore kind of way. Just pick a place and go. It could be grabbing a drink, clearing your head after class or just getting out for 20 minutes. It’s simple, but it works.

Casual biking
You don’t have to be intense about it. Just ride around your neighborhood or campus. It’s faster than walking, still chill, and a good way to get out without thinking too much about it.

Sitting outside with something to do
Homework, reading, scrolling, whatever. Doing it outside automatically makes it feel a little less repetitive than being in your room all day.

Trying out an easy trail
You don’t need to be “a hiking person.” Find a short, beginner trail and see if you like it. If you don’t, you can leave. No commitment.

Easy physical activity
Frisbee, football, volleyball and even just messing around with friends. It doesn’t have to be organized or competitive to be fun.

Taking photos of random things
Not in a serious photography way. Just start noticing things that look interesting, like lighting, buildings and trees, and take pictures on your phone. It gives you something to do while you’re outside.

Sitting somewhere new
Instead of defaulting to the same spots, go find a different place to hang out for a bit. A random bench, a quiet area, somewhere you wouldn’t normally go. It’s a small change but breaks the routine.

Outdoor workouts
If you already work out, try doing something outside. If you don’t, even just stretching or going on a short jog counts. Make it as easy or challenging as you want; it doesn’t have to be a whole thing.

Planting something low-maintenance
You don’t need to suddenly care about gardening. Even just planting a couple of flowers or herbs and keeping them alive is a good enough start.

Actually watching the sunset once in a while
Not every day, not as a personality trait, just occasionally. You don’t need to post about it every time you do it, either. But it’s one of the few things that’s consistently worth it.

Moriah McBride

WVU '27

Moriah McBride is an undergraduate student double majoring in criminology and psychology, with minors in forensics and addiction studies. Her academic work focuses on understanding human behavior within legal, clinical, and social contexts, with particular attention to crime, substance use, and mental health. Through her coursework, Moriah has developed strong skills in research analysis, critical thinking, and APA-style academic writing. Her studies integrate psychological theory with criminological perspectives, allowing her to examine how individual behavior, social structures, and systemic factors intersect within the criminal justice and mental health systems.

In addition to her academic background, Moriah has completed applied and experiential learning projects related to forensic investigation, addiction prevention, and recovery models. She has engaged in coursework examining forensic science, investigative processes, ethics, bias, and professional roles within the legal system. Her work in addiction studies has included critical reflections on substance use, abstinence-based projects, and prevention strategies, which have strengthened her understanding of evidence-based approaches to treatment and harm reduction. These experiences have reinforced her interest in prevention-focused and ethically informed practices when working with justice-involved or at-risk populations.

Outside of academics, Moriah is interested in learning more about human behavior, personal growth, and building meaningful connections with others. She values empathy, honesty, and resilience, and strives to apply these qualities in both her academic and personal life. As she continues her education, Moriah aims to pursue work that bridges criminology, psychology, forensics, and addiction studies to support individuals and communities through informed, compassionate, and research-driven approaches.