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?
