Ten ideas for summer fun with the kids

1. Fun for nature-lovers

The Woodland Trust has a great set of resources for nature-themed activities.

• Ladybird potato prints
• Butterfly symmetry art
• Make a bug hotel or bird feeder
• Flower pressing

Outdoor ideas:

• Butterfly bingo
• Making mud pies
• Make twig wind chimes
• Go on a scavenger hunt

2. Make a den

Give the kids some spare sheets or blankets and let them make a den in the garden. If you don’t have access to outdoor space, you could make a pillow fort and camp out indoors.

3. Searching for treasure

Treasure hunts are not just for Easter. Hide clues around the garden or house leading to little treats for them to find.

4. Make your own water park

One for sunny days - let the kids splash around with the hose or a water sprinkler. If you’re feeling brave, make a stock of water balloons and join in the fun.

5. Try gardening

Kids will enjoy helping out in the garden or planting things of their own. Indoor gardeners can try growing cress on the windowsills or herbs, like basil for example.

6. Creative cooking

Kids love a chance to get creative in the kitchen, so why not bake a batch of biscuits together and decorate with icing? Making your own pizzas and creating silly faces with the toppings is also fun.

7. Get crafty

Channel your inner Blue Peter presenter and get crafty with junk modelling. Challenge your kids to make robots, rocket ships or puppets out of things they find in the recycling box.

8. Outdoor ideas

The National Trust’s list of ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ has lots of great ideas for enjoying the great outdoors. 

Some examples:

• Have a snail race
• Play pooh sticks
• Climb a big hill
• Make a hedgehog house
• Watch the sunrise
• Swim in the sea