Find a wood to explore
We care for 1,000 woods across the UK. They're free to visit and open all year round - ideal for a family adventure this summer.
Find a wood near youContent manager
Discover fun things to do at home and on days out with our outdoor activity guide for the summer holidays. It's bursting with ideas to get kids active in the fresh air. From woodland walks to scavenger hunts and yoga to arts and crafts - there are plenty of activities for all ages. And the best thing? They're completely free.
These screen-free activities will help you beat boredom, while firing up your kids' imaginations and encouraging them to be curious about the natural world.
Even tiny gardens can be home to thousands of creepy crawlies! So encourage your kids to go on a bug hunt to see what they can track down. Peer into plant pots, turn over tree leaves and gaze at the grass to find ladybirds, ants, caterpillars and butterflies. Use a magnifying glass or bug pot to get a closer look, and identify them with our minibeast swatch book - a pocket-sized guide to 30 invertebrates.
You can help little ones make a simple chart to count how many they found. Older children could start a nature diary, adding detailed drawings and descriptions to record their discoveries.
Many children love art activities, so take your paints and crayons outdoors and get inspired by nature's colours, textures, sights and sounds. Your kids can even collect natural items to use in their artwork:
Yoga is a brilliant way for kids to exercise their body and mind. It can be calming and relaxing, or help them feel full of energy. And it's even more fun outside!
Lots of poses are inspired by nature, have a go at these:
Challenge your family to make up their own animal poses. You can also find lots of kids' yoga videos online.
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most memorable. This activity is a lovely way to enjoy quality time with your children, while bringing books to life.
Grab a blanket and some pillows, then set up a comfy reading corner in the shade of a tree or hedge. Choose a book set in a forest or garden and imagine you’re part of the action - you can even use toys and props to help tell the story. The gentle breeze and rustling leaves provide a soothing backdrop that's great for calming excited youngsters before bed too.
Have the ultimate summer adventure without leaving home - just pitch a tent in your garden, or sleep out under the stars! It's a fantastic way to discover nocturnal wildlife - you might encounter moths, bats, or even a snuffly hedgehog.
For more ideas, check out our camping activities for kids.
Day trips don't need to involve costly admission fees and long queues. Instead, pack a picnic and head for one of the UK's fabulous forests. They're thrilling natural playgrounds for kids who love to explore, and you can plan your own activities to suit your family.
Summer is a wonderful time to explore a woodland. Whether you prefer a peaceful stroll and a picnic in the sunshine, or an energetic hike with exciting wildlife encounters, our woods provide the ideal setting for a family day out.
We care for more than 1,000 woods across the UK. They're free to visit and open all year round. Find a wood near you and get inspired with our ideas for things to do.
Scavenger hunts are fun for all ages and they're a great way for children to develop their observation skills. Before you head out on your adventure, write a short list of items to look for. Think about the area you'll be visiting and what might be there - like trees, plants, textures and colours.
If you're a bit stuck, you can find plenty of ideas in our scavenger hunt blog. And for a real challenge, try to find something beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Good luck with x and z!
Woods hum with life in the summer months – trees and plants flourish while animals make the most of the warm weather and abundant food. It’s a fantastic time to take children out for a bit of wildlife spotting. Look out for:
Blackberries grow on bramble bushes which are often found in woods. They ripen from late July onwards, so they're a yummy summer treat. Keep your eyes peeled while you're exploring to spot the glossy black fruits. You can use them to make pies, jams and smoothies - delicious!
Remember, only pick them if you're sure you've identified them correctly - you can check with our bramble guide. And please leave plenty for wildlife - blackberries are an important food source for birds and mammals.
Challenge your family to take part in your own Woodland Games. It's a great way to get your blood pumping! Try these events, or make up your own:
Celebrate your overall champion with a glorious crown of leaves, presented to them on a grand tree stump podium.
We care for 1,000 woods across the UK. They're free to visit and open all year round - ideal for a family adventure this summer.
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