With the British summer well and truly underway (which, like always, doesn’t always mean that every day will bring the sun), the time has come to start enjoying your outdoor space once more. Summer is a great time to entertain family and friends, as well as enjoy al fresco dining in the back garden. The warmer weather is also an excellent opportunity to escape the house and venture into the big outdoors once more.
To make the most of the longer days and (sometimes) warmer weather, we’ve put together a list of some of the best ways to make the most of the outdoors with kids.
Running
Running is also a fantastic way to make the most of the outdoors. Start by going on smaller runs until your kids get used to the pace. In no time, they’ll be running laps around you! If you have kids that are a lot younger, consider buying a jogging stroller for them to ride in. These strollers are safe for jogging but can also be used for other activities like shopping in cities. Although you shouldn’t start running with your baby until they are at least 6 months old, a jogging stroller makes it even easier to combine childcare and making the most of the great outdoors.
Gardening
You don’t always need to leave the house to grace the great outdoors! Getting the children involved in gardening duties is an easy way to get them outside and off their screens for a little while. Ask them to help you water the plants, or even get them to plant their own fruits and vegetables which they can enjoy later!
If you don’t have enough space in the garden to add new plants, or even if you live in the city and only have a small outdoor space, try window box gardening instead – you can still grow vegetables this way, as long as you make sure they get plenty of sun!
DIY Garden Crafts
As well as sharing gardening duties, all the free time in the summer holidays is an excellent opportunity to get stuck in with some DIY crafts for the garden. Simple creations like sun catchers keep the kids entertained for hours and add a personal touch to your back garden. Before you go to a craft store, make sure to check the house for any materials that you might already have – you would be surprised at what you’ve already got hanging around!
Cycling
If you want to get out of the house and explore your local surroundings, cycling is the best mode of transport for family fun. Not only does it encourage kids to do exercise, but you will discover a whole lot more than if you were just in the car.
Equally, if your child hasn’t learnt to ride a bike yet, summer is an excellent time to get them started. Places like the local park are great spots to get them practicing on their own without stabilisers.
Garden Parties
While you can’t always guarantee the weather, you can ensure that a summer party will always be a hit with family and friends. Throwing a party in your back garden will give you the motivation to finally sort out those weeds in the corner, and kids will jump at the chance to help you organise everything from food and drink to party music playlists.
Nature Treasure Hunt
Have kids experience fun active learning while outdoors by conducting a nature treasure hunt. To begin, let them create their own treasure box using an egg box (or any box they can get at home) and provide a simple list of items they can gather while outside. The list can ask them to collect different kinds of flowers, leaves, rocks, and even small insects. Doing this would encourage kids to explore a garden, a park, or any local surroundings.
Add an exciting twist to the activity by allowing kids to observe what they have collected, letting them check what these are made of using an easy-to-use kids microscope. Not only will this present a 100% wow-factor but will also pique their interest in science and the natural world.