25 free nature activities for kids this summer

Summer’s here and it’s time to get out and explore all that nature can offer. Here are our favourite 25 free activities for kids (and adults) to do in the summer months followed by 6 things that cost a bit but we think are worth the expense..

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Ideas on how to keep kids playing and happy during a UK heatwave

It’s heading over 30°C again in the UK this week. I love the natural world but don’t appreciate this bit of it, particularly when there’s kids to manage. Here’s what I’ve learnt over the years. Hope it’s helpful.

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Family games to play in the woods

Here’s our top 10 ways to play when out and about in wooded areas, from making dens to nature detecting.

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How to get kids playing with nature if you don’t have any outside space…

11 ways to get kids playing with nature if you live in an urban environment without any outdoor space of your own…

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The 365 day nature play challenge newsletter goes live….

In January 2026 we’re launching the 365 day nature play challenge newsletter. Every week we’ll send out 7 ideas for playing outside that are seasonally appropriate and, as far as we can predict, fit the weather! Check out the new newsletter page for more information.

More about the newsletter here

The 365 day nature play challenge on ITV Wales news…

On the 30th December L & B were featured on ITV Wales News doing their penultimate challenge…

Watch the clip here

How to get kids interacting with insects

Here’s our favourite bug related activity from the 365 day nature play challenge for anyone else out there looking for some ideas to get you going.

A rock with another colour inside it on the beach

How to go fossil hunting on the beach with kids

How to casually try out fossil hunting with kids without getting stressed about it.

How to get kids finding the way

One of our ‘eureka!’ moments last year was clocking into wayfinding as an activity. We’re so used to google maps these days I sort of forgot the joy of being 10 and finding your own way places. Here are all our wayfinding challenges from the 365 day nature play challenge

A big stick damming a little stream on a beach

10 ways to play on the beach in spring

Spring is a great time to visit a beach. It’s too cold to faff about with swimsuits and towels so you can focus on all the other ways there are to have fun. Wellies are a MUST, as tall as possible. Here are our top 10 activities…

Getting kids interacting with the natural world in London

Here’s some thoughts and our list of favourite places and activities.

10 ways to play outside in the natural world in spring

The days are longer, it’s getting a bit warmer and summer is just round the corner. Here’s 10 things you don’t want to miss with your kids this spring:

Spring planting for the 365 day nature play challenge

Last year we really failed to seize the opportunities of spring planting. Now, though the 365 day nature play challenge is technically over, we’re going to do it properly! Blog starts here and will grow with the plants.

Best ways to get the kids playing outside this Easter

Spring is springing and there’s lots to see and do. Here’s some recommendations for playing outside with the kids this Easter

10 ways to play outside in the natural world in March

10 different ways to play outside in the natural world in March. Most should be do-able anywhere without needing too many resources or too much expertise.

11 different ways to play with trees

Trees are everywhere, wherever you are, and they’re great to play with. That said they’re definitely not all equal in the play stakes. Some are much more fun. The best is probably one you can do all these different things in and with. Can you find one?

The good and bad bits of stargazing with kids

Stargazing is one of those challenges that we still haven’t cracked, despite several high octane attempts. I’m beginning to realise we probably won’t crack it until B is about 25. It’s a lovely idea but there are some serious practical issues involved in negotiating it. Here’s my list of pros and cons of stargazing for other single mums out there thinking of it.

A game to play outside in a new area

A family geography game inspired by the This Way Up book by the Map Men. We wrote down some directions, went to a place we didn’t know well but wanted to know better and played. It turned out to be a fun abstract way to explore a new area. I’m writing it up in case any one else fancies a go.

The best equipment for playing outside with kids in winter

Not an expert’s view this. Just a mum who constantly forgets stuff and gets to a great opportunity to find I left the most important bit of equipment at home. Here’s the 6 key things we try not to be without in the wake of the 365 day nature play challenge!

How to play with nature on holiday in Tenerife

In February 2026, we went to Tenerife for a week. It was B’s first time she could remember going somewhere with a tropical climate. Here’s some nature play ideas for anyone else heading off on a warm holiday (free ones first, with some specific pay-to-do Tenerife ones later). Also some thoughts on what you need to pre-plan and what sounds great but is practically tricky with kids…

How to make and enjoy fires safely with kids

From being a complete novice a few years ago, we’re now, as a family, getting quite good at making fires. Here’s the instructions I wish I’d had when we started and some ideas of how to play with fire safely.

10 ways to play outside in the natural world in February

10 different things to have a go at playing outside with the kids in February. These are based on our favourites from the 365 day nature play challenge we did last year. Most are do-able anywhere. More tricky ones at the end.

What can kids collect when out and about in winter?

Finding things to collect is a good way to keep kids alert and tuned into the world around them when out and about. Check out our list here.

Nature play ideas for the February half term holiday

February half term is coming up. It looks a bit wet. Here’s some ideas for getting the kids playing outside whatever the weather.

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The 365 day nature play challenge

In 2025, L (age 49) & B (age 10), took on a challenge. Every day they went outside to do something fun in the natural world. They started on January 1^st making a den from sticks lying near a tree on a North London housing estate. Then they discovered beach combing and wayfinding; became Nature Detectives; made fires; raced snails; watched frogspawn grow into tadpoles; climbed lots of trees; searched for wands in the woods and potions ingredients in overgrown backyards; made sundials and worked out how they work; made friends with seagulls; stargazed and watch the full moon rise; flew kites and fished for crabs along with many other things. When autumn came they picked pumpkins, made a witches broomstick and did an awful lot with leaves. They finished the challenge on 31st December by throwing a bottle (glass and corked) with a message in it into the Bristol channel.

They keep a blog and they post daily to Instagram and Facebook. L thought it would be a good idea to start at number 365 on January 1^st and count down. B always found this a bit weird but they’re stuck with it and it certainly made the last few challenges countdown more dramatic.

Now a new year is starting and they’re excited to see what it brings. They’re looking forward to going back and rediscovering what they did last year as the seasons change. They’re also going to keep looking for new things they haven’t done before. L’s going to try to shape all the challenges into something that’s a bit easier to access. She’s also going to start a newsletter with 7 outdoorsy things to enjoy each week. They’re still on the lookout for ideas (they know they missed loads of stuff) and want to keep discovering what other families favourite outdoor activities are. Find them at Trails, Bales and Snails on Instagram & Facebook and check out the blogs here.

Looking up the big trunk of an old tree — Exploring a big old tree

Halloween display — Halloween nature play

Bird made out of pear leaf — Halloween nature play

Paddleboard on the beach — Paddleboards and 10 year olds

Trug with grass and written instructions — Paddleboards and 10 year olds

View from the tent — Camping for mums with 10 year old daughters

Cwm yr Egwlys beach in summer — Camping for mums with 10 year old daughters

A wallaby sniffing the camera — Farms, zoos & wildlife parks

Entrance to a maize maze — Farms, zoos & wildlife parks

Sunflowers and strawberries in the boot of the car — **Travelling Games**

The view from inside a stick den — Porthkerry Country Park

Tadpoles in a pond — Porthkerry Country Park

A broken tree in the woods — **Playing in the woods with kids**

Girl wearing a daisy chain — **Playing in the woods with kids**

Throwing bread to seagulls — **Bird Challenge week**

Foot dangling from a tree — **Bird Challenge week**

Ideas for scavenger hunts

Our favourite scavenger hunts from the 365 day nature play challenge and some thoughts on how to make a good one.

25 free nature activities for kids this summer

May 21, 2026

Summer’s here and it’s time to get out and explore all that nature can offer. Here are our favourite 25 free activities for kids (and adults) to do in the summer months followed by 6 things that cost a bit but we think are worth the expense..

Ideas for how to keep kids playing and happy in a UK heatwave

June 22, 2026

It’s heading over 30°C again in the UK this week. I love the natural world but don’t appreciate this bit of it, particularly when there’s kids to manage. Here’s what I’ve learnt over the years. Hope it’s helpful.