It’s no secret that the best way to spend the summer holidays is by making memories as a family whilst enjoying the glorious sunshine. While it lasts, anyway!
If you’re interested in discovering new family-friendly activities that’ll keep the kids thoroughly entertained this summer, you’re in the right place. Here at Winfields, we’ve picked out some of our absolute favourite outdoor kids activities to fill their days during the holidays.
This one may seem obvious, but we couldn’t not include a good old-fashioned trip to the seaside as one of the best outdoor summer activities. And who knows – on a super sunny day you might even feel like you’re abroad!
Whilst we’re sure parents would love a relaxing beach trip, with a good book and a quick dip in the ocean, that’s not always how it works out. Especially when there are plenty of things for the kids to do on the shore.Â
From building sandcastles and collecting shells, to bodyboarding, to running through the waves, there is lots of fun to be found on your summer beach trip. You could even look out for beaches that have family-friendly summer holiday activities, such as boat rides, pedalo rentals or children’s play areas for some more variety.
Top tip: we recommend getting to the beach early and making a full day of it. If you do go for a whole day, make sure to fill a Cool Box filled with everyone’s favourites to ensure you’re all fed and hydrated throughout the day.
The National Trust grants outdoor enthusiasts access to some of the best public gardens the UK has to offer, which are a particular delight over the summer months. So, why not head over to your local National Trust property for a fun (and even educational) kids summer holiday activity?
Not sure what to do while you’re there? Never fear. As a way to get kids interacting with the outdoors, the National Trust has put together a master checklist of ‘50 Things to do Before You’re 11¾’. With highlights including skimming stones, playing Pooh sticks, and hunting for fossils, there are loads of summer holiday activities to choose from.
This summer holiday activity is a no-brainer! If you’re planning to stay in the UK this summer, why not plan a family camping adventure?
Luckily for us, the UK has so many natural places to visit, with each location offering its own unique experience. So, whether a coastal camping trip sounds like a dream, or you’re more of a forest camper – there’s no shortage of breathtaking new places to discover in the UK.
Plus, it’s easy to get stocked with Winfields. Explore our range of Family Tents to find the perfect one for your trip – and don’t forget to kit your tent out with plenty of useful camping accessories while you’re at it.
What better way to enjoy a summer’s night with the kids than by cooking up a storm outdoors? After all, it’s no secret that campfire food always seems to taste better!
It doesn’t matter whether you plan on cooking out in the back garden or somewhere new, kids who love being outdoors will likely find the experience of dining alfresco quite exciting – especially if it’s not a regular occurrence.
Even better, you’ll be able to use this outdoor kids activity as a learning opportunity where you can teach your kids about fire and cooking safety.
Top tip: ask your kids what they would like to cook to keep them excited and engaged in the moment. One popular camping favourite that goes down a treat with kids is, or course, s’mores – which are easy to make on a campfire.
Discover the wonders of where technology and nature can meet with the ultimate summer holiday activity of geocaching. Described as the world’s most popular pre-existing treasure hunt, geocaching is a worldwide phenomenon spread across 190 countries.Â
In this game, you use a GPS or the app to find hidden boxes called geocaches. These can be hidden anywhere, turning the whole of the world into a collective treasure hunt. Some geocaches may be misleadingly simple, so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled to make sure you find it.Â
To start geocaching, you’ll need to download the official app before you do anything else. The app will provide fun clues to keep the kids entertained, and there’s also an in-app log book where you can document all of your finds. Plus, you can choose a location that suits you as there are no limits on where you can geocache with the kids.
Top tip: the most important thing about geocaching is to make sure you put the geocache back exactly where you found it for the next person to find. Many geocaches have a little log book, so you can even leave a message for them!
If you’ve ever organised an Easter egg hunt for your children, you’ll probably be well acquainted with how much fun they can have searching for prizes?
But, why limit this fun to just Easter? Setting up a treasure hunt for the family is one of the easiest outdoor kids activities you can do – you don’t even need to leave your home.
There’s a lot of creative freedom with this summer holiday activity; you can hide little prizes around your garden, or set it up as a scavenger hunt where your kids need to find items from nature, like fun shaped rocks, different sized leaves etc. Another selling point is that setting up a treasure hunt is a relatively low-cost outdoor kids activity, and it will give the kids a chance to explore the great outdoors in a location that suits you and your family.
Top tip: chances are the kids are going to be running around in the dirt during your treasure hunt, so make sure they have a comfy pair of Kids’ Walking Shoes to keep up with them.
Venturing out on a day trip to your favourite zoo is a great summer holiday activity that encourages kids to connect with nature and wildlife.
Heading to the zoo gives children the opportunity to learn about dozens of different animal species found in the wild, as well as important conservation efforts to protect wildlife for the future. It’s also a great way of spending quality time with your kids, bonding over a shared experience and learning about nature.Â
You’ll likely be able to spend the whole day at a zoo, simply because there’s plenty to do! We recommend packing a Rucksack with plenty of juice and snacks and taking time to enjoy the experience – as this is one outdoor kids activity that can get pretty busy during the summertime.
Open-air cinemas are super popular over the summer months, so there’s bound to be one either local or nearby. Experiencing an open-air cinema will likely feel like a refreshing change of scenery from your regular cinema visit, and the kids will adore the novelty experience of this outdoor activity.
Take Sundown Cinema as a perfect example. Described as a family day out to remember, their pop-up cinema events take place in spacious outdoor settings, with locations across London, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. All you’ll need to do is take your favourite picnic blanket along with you, grab a great spot and ensure you’ve brought along your favourite sweet treats.
Top tip: not sure you want to sit on the floor for the whole film? Pick up a Camping Chair from Winfields for a more comfortable viewing experience.
We’re incredibly lucky that there’s no shortage of outdoor activity centres to take advantage of in the British summer time! For inspiration, we’ve picked out two of our favourite outdoor kids activity centres with locations across the UK – perfect for keeping the whole family happy this summer.
Since the opening of their first site in 2002, Go Ape adventures have gone on to open a further 36 centres across the whole of the UK – so there are plenty of places for you to explore this summer holiday.Â
Take the Grizedale site for example. Set into the gorgeous backdrop of the Lake District, this is the perfect playground for the whole family with a zip line course, treetop adventures and so much more for everyone to enjoy.
So, if you’re looking for some of the best summer holiday activities to get your kids outdoors and active, Go Ape is definitely one to check out.
If you’re looking for a hub of outdoor kids activities, BeWILDerwood might be just the thing for you. With locations in Cheshire and Norfolk, this is one of the ultimate summer holiday activities for outdoorsy kids.Â
Find a whole host of exciting activities, including slides, treetop trails and climbing, mazes and so much more! And don’t think little ones will be left out. There are plenty of kids summer activities for all ages to get stuck into, from toddlers to tweens.
Top tip: considering it’s a whole day activity, why not pick up the Regatta Stamford 4 Person Picnic & Cool Bag Set to make bringing lunch even easier?
You’ll be able to handle anything a British summer time can throw at you when you explore our range of outdoor supplies at Winfields. Find Footwear (and much more) for the whole family, so no-one gets left behind on your summer holiday activities and adventures.
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