10 Ways to Celebrate the Great Outdoors
The summer holidays may be over but there's still plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors as a family and connect with nature in the evenings and at weekends. Plus research shows that people with a greater connection to nature are more likely to behave positively towards the environment, wildlife and habitats.
We've put together some ideas to help you celebrate the great outdoors with your family this autumn.
1) Visit a forest or woodland
Wherever you live in the UK, there is sure to be a forest or woodland nearby begging to be explored. Many have cycle tracks and walking routes to enjoy with the family. Make sure to check for pushchair friendly routes if you will be taking one with you to rest little legs.
2) Nature spotting
Why not host your own nature spotting challenge on your next family walk or cycle. See how many different flowers, plants, birds or animals you can spot along the way. There are plenty of handy guides for helping to identify the items you spot like this one which is great for identifying birds. Stop to record what you see along the way and keep a count of how many of each kind you spot.
3) Swing through the trees
Go Ape is a great family day out and there are 35 stunning locations across the country to choose from. Swing through the trees while taking in the views - it's the closest thing to feeling like a bird flying through the sky!
4) Grow something
How about getting green fingered with your little gardeners and planting something with them? This vegetable planner is a great resource to see what is good for growing at different times of the year. There's nothing more tasty than sampling your own freshly grown produce from your back garden or allotment.
5) Build a den
On your next family walk in the woods, why not ask the kids to get creative and build a fortress, a pirate hideout or anything else that takes their fancy. You can get involved too and help look for materials like stick and leaves. Check out our top tips on building the ultimate den here.
6) Pick your own
Picking your own fruit and vegetables is so satisfying and a lovely activity for children to take part in, especially when they get to sample it all afterwards! It's also a great way for your little ones to learn more about where their favourite foods come from. Autumn is a great time for picking apples and blackberries. Check out our top tips on foraging with children here.
7) Hit the river
For older explorers, boating, canoeing or kayaking is a super fun way to enjoy the scenery while learning a new skill. There are plenty of places across the UK where you can hire boats or kayaks and you could even pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it.
8) Play games
Think back to your favourite childhood games and teach your little ones how to play them too. Here's some of our favourites to get you started.
9) Go fishing
Fishing can require lots of patience for both adult and child. Float fishing is a nice way to start as it gives them something to watch while they are waiting for a bite and it's exciting to see it disappear under the water when a fish takes the bait. Make sure you have the correct fishing license and day ticket or permit for fishing before heading out.
