Wondering what to do with the children at home for long holidays? Aside from the movie theatres, shopping malls, you can engage in outdoor activities. These include; picnics, nature trails, birds watching, fishing, water rafting, nature walks, cycling, hikes, gardening, road drives. If you are in Nairobi and its environs, these are the areas that you can go to at a very minimal cost;

1. Arboretum. Is a public owned reserve located about 3km from Nairobi city Centre in Kilimani Area. Full of trees and nature, it is a soothing environment that is suitable for picnic, walks, jogging, butterfly watching, bird watching.
2. Karura forest trails. Karura Forest Reserve is located in the northern part of Nairobi city. It is managed by Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and is fantastic home for Kenyan birdlife, and other wildlife including antelopes. Ideal for bike rides, jogging and walking. You’ll find some beautiful caves, a river with medium to low waterfalls.
3. Oloolua nature trail. Hidden away in Karen in the tropical dry Oloolua Forest. The National Museums of Kenya, the institution that runs the bio-medical research facility in there, established the 5km long Oloolua nature trail in part of this forest, providing an oasis of tranquility for city residents looking to escape the city hustle and bustle. The most spectacular of the attractions in the forest is a 20-foot waterfall close to the forest entrance. As you pick your way along the trail to the waterfall, you’ll go past a wooden tower that was constructed for viewing a Crowned Eagle’s nest that was situated nearby.
4. Nairobi City Park– Located in Nairobi Parklands, City Park is endowed with a rich diversity of mammals (notably the Sykes monkey), over a hundred different kinds of birds, a rich composition of natural vegetation, an abundant insect life and quite a number of reptiles and amphibians. The Nairobi City Council’s Environment Department is based here, and maintains a large Tree and plant nursery in the Park, with a sale yard where members of the public can buy plants. Ideal for picnics, nature walk, jogging, visit the Boscowen collection, the pollinator garden and the fish ponds
5. Ngong Forest sanctuary – Only 6km from Nairobi’s central business district, the forest is managed by the Kenya Forest Service and the Ngong Road Forest Association. It is home to a community of animals, reptiles and amphibians. Animals found in the forest include; duikers, bush bucks, bush pigs, warthogs, porcupines, bush babies, monkeys, baboons etc. It’s ideal for picnic (there is a section set aside for picnics and children playing area), nature walks, jogging.
6. Ngong hills– the Ngong Hills are peaks in a ridge along the Great Rift Valley, located southwest near Nairobi. Hikers & picnickers regularly ascend these sloping peaks boasting scenic valley & city views. The specialty of these hills is that they have distinct seven hump-like structure which resembles the knuckles of a fist and offer astonishing views of  the Great Rift Valley. Perfect destination for a one-day hike trip.
7. Nairobi National park -Hosting a wide variety of wildlife including the endangered black rhino (one of the park’s success stories), lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes. Most impressively the park has an incredible amount of diverse birdlife. You can enjoy the Nairobi Safari walk while watching your favorite wildlife, animal orphanage with variety of wildlife or game drive through the park.
8. Sagana River Camps –  they are located about 80km from Nairobi. There are several private camps that provides various outdoor fun activities including; water rafting, kayaking, water sliding, riding against the tide, swimming in the river. Being private establishments, the cost might be a bit on the higher side.
9. Gatamaiyu Forest – Gatamaiyu Forest, part of the larger Kereita Forest is situated about 55km from Nairobi. It’s an indigenous forest at the southern-most end of the Aberdares range, covering ridges and valleys. The trees in the forest are quite tall, and most of the birds are high up in the canopy. You’ll be able to see the monkeys and various other wild life. Ideal for hiking led by a local guide. The hiking trail is along Gatamaiyu river. You’ll be graced with 3 waterfalls at a closer distance.
10. Ol Donyo Sabuk National park – Located about 75km from Nairobi, the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park is home to 45 species of bird species including the white-browed sparrow weaver, grey- headed sparrow, African pied wagtail, mourning dove,  African hawk eagle and so on. Buffalo’s also come in numbers here with other awesome wildlife such as bushbucks, leopards, olive baboons,  porcupines, mongoose, monitor lizard. The mountain’s summit also offers spectacular scenic views of Mount Kenya.
11. Tigoni waterfalls Inn – Located 26km from Nairobi. Tigoni is well known for its beautiful rolling landscapes with carpet-like tea plantations. A short stroll down through eucalyptus woodlands takes you to the beautiful 18m Tigoni waterfalls. The waterfall is surrounded by a beautiful dense green vegetation. A few wooden benches and dead stumps have also been set near the waterfall. Ideal for picnics, walking, site seeing.