Getting the children outside during the summer can be pretty tricky especially when if comes to social media and using gadgets such as smart phones and Ipads.
However it is so important for children to get outside first of all it's the best way of getting vitamin D which is provided by the sun which helps promote better moods, energy levels, memory and overall health. Some other great benefits include building up their immune system and it provides children exercise.
The Camping and Caravanning Club are campaigning to get children out and about this summer instead of cooped up indoors. They have conducted some research and here are some of their findings:
- 44% of adults worry their children aren't as happy as they were as a child
- 96% of adults believe that they were happier as a child because they spent more time outdoors
- 72% think social media is affecting children's ability to interact and engage with others
- 86% think encouraging kids to spend more times outdoors would help the obesity 'epidemic'
With these findings I have decided to compile a list of some fun activities that you can do with your children outside this summer:
- Camping
- Go to some local parks
- Go to the beach
- Visit the Farm/Zoo
- Play the in garden
- Get the paddling pool out
- Do a Nature trail
- Go for a walk in the woods
- Have a BBQ/Picnic
- Feed the ducks
- Go for a bike ride
- Visit a water park
- Go to an outdoors natural trust site
- Enjoy messy play (its easy to clean up outdoors)
- Hold a scavenger hunt
- Make Nature rubbings
- Go on a bear hunt
- Paint with water
- Play games such as tag
- Construct a water wall
- Go crabbing
- Use chalk outside on the pavements
- Water fights
- Look for bugs
- Set out camp in your garden
- Play ball games
- Mud Pies
- Star/cloud gazing
- Visit a lavender field
-Go strawberry picking
- Go foraging
- Get out and find new places to visit.
I hope you have found this list useful. Do you have any more fun ideas of what you can do outdoors this summer?
I loved being outside when I was younger and still do. Camping is a great idea to get kids outdoors.
ReplyDeleteI love things like this, I'd like to go to an outside cinema, wonder if there is any about!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas that I need to make a note of. I love getting outdoors with my son, but sometimes feel like I'm stuck with what to do. x
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do lots outside with my two this summer - fingers crossed for good weather! x
ReplyDeleteI need to get outside more and make use of the good weather. It can be easier for me sometimes to sit indoors with a book x
ReplyDeleteYes it's always good to encourage outdoor activities with the kiddies.
ReplyDeleteFab list, I think we cover most of these, the paddling pool has definitely been a firm favourite with this lovely warm weather we've been having! :)
The weather has been so gorgeous lately, I've been finding every excuse to get outside. We're going camping next week which should be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteMost of our outdoor plans involve our garden. We've managed to finally put the trampoline up. We still have loads of other things to do like gardening, which T also loves :) x
ReplyDeleteMy little ones are 4 and almost 2 and both love being outside, we do alot of these activities but its a fantastic list and has given us some more great ideas i would love to find a lavender field that would be heaven! Marie x
ReplyDeleteThe summer is great because there are loads of fab things to do outside x
ReplyDeleteSummer is awesome and there are so many great things to do - I love the camping and bbq thing as it can really bring a lot of fun to families and everyone can join in.
ReplyDeleteWe love getting out and about in the summer too, a brilliant list, you can't be out enough in my opinion, especially when the weather is good!
ReplyDeleteMy eldest daughter has come down with chicken pox and we have been making the most of the garden. Once she is better will be of doing lots of fun outdoor activities x
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! We're going to be camping out one day in the summer! H x
ReplyDeleteWe went fruit picking loads last year, and I want to do it some more this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky that my kids absolutely love being in the garden and water painting is one of their favourite activities. I love them being out & about x
ReplyDeleteI try to get my little ones outdoors as much as possible although have to juggle work to do so.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. I think camping is a great idea, as children will get a chance to play around in the nature and in the evening, they can learn about the stars.
ReplyDeleteIts true its unhealthy how much time we are spending on social media. Having fresh air is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a great summer list, I really hope we get some great weather so you can achieve all your goals x
ReplyDeleteReally good list, it can be hard to persuade kids to put the ipad down and get outside!
ReplyDeleteSummer time is all about outdoor games. Thanks for these ideas.
ReplyDeleteOoh, these are some really fun ideas. Our park has some boats people can rent. I'd love to do that.
ReplyDeleteFab ideas, I love spending time outdoors x
ReplyDelete'- 96% of adults believe that they were happier as a child because they spent more time outdoors' I honestly believe this!
ReplyDeleteGoing to the beach is our favourite thing to do, but especially in the summer. A visit to the lavender fields is definitely a must for us too :)
ReplyDeleteI loved playing out with my friends when I was younger, they were happy days :)
ReplyDeleteWe love getting outside as much as possible and I WISH we lived somewhere with the fields and forests literally on our doorstep but for now, Nottingham is pretty awesome and I love your lists of things to do. Can't wait to spend the summer working through them.
ReplyDeleteWe love exploring the great outdoors, especially bike rides and visiting our local park! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://lilinhaangel.com/
I can tick a couple of those off but what I really want to do is go camping and foraging as well :) great list
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list of activities! The summer can seem to drag on for so long, but having a plan of how to spend each day would really help x
ReplyDeleteI love this list - We spend a lot of time caravanning so spend a lot of time outdoors. We still have our iPad battles though. Our pavements are currently covered in chalk drawings!
ReplyDeleteI love this list!! I hope you are all having fun getting out and about :)
ReplyDeleteI am really lucky that mine prefer to be outdoors rather than in
ReplyDeleteI love being outside - I prefer it to sitting in doors so I am always hoping it doesn't rain x
ReplyDeleteThese are some really good ideas! we love getting outside ts fun
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list of ideas. I'll be referring to it when I get home from holiday. We love going for picnics x
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