15 outdoor summer activities for kids

Get set to explore summer! Discover fun things to do in the summer holidays with our children's outdoor activity guide, whether you're planning a family day out or spending time at home together.

Our summer activities for kids will help you and your family get active in the fresh air while enjoying nature. From woodland walks to nature scavenger hunts and pond dipping to tree planting, you'll find plenty of ideas for all ages.

Family days out

Summer 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.

1. Go on a woodland walk

Summer is a wonderful time to explore woodlands. With fresh air, dappled shade and lots of space for youngsters to roam, you can enjoy peaceful strolls and picnics in the sunshine or energetic hikes and exciting wildlife encounters.

The Woodland Trust cares for over 1,000 woods across the UK, ranging from enchanting ancient forests to leafy urban oases. Use our wood finder to locate woods near you.

2. Plan a nature scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunts are fun for the whole family and they're a playful 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, shapes, textures and colours.

If you're a bit stuck, you can find plenty of inspiration in our nature scavenger hunt ideas blog. And for a real challenge, try to find something beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Good luck with x and z!

3. Enjoy wildlife spotting

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:

• dragonflies darting above ponds and streams
• busy pollinators bobbing from flower to flower
• a line of speedy ants marching back and forth
• reptiles basking in the sunshine
• swallows soaring high in the sky
• developing tree seeds – autumn still feels a long way off, but look closely and you might spot green acorns, prickly conker cases and bunches of winged seeds growing already.

Identify your nature finds

Found a mysterious minibeast, an unusual leaf or a pongy pile of animal poo? Our pocket-sized ID guides are packed with pictures and facts, so they're a brilliant way to help children investigate their wildlife discoveries.

4. Go foraging – pick your own blackberries

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 crumble and other fruity puds – 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.

5. Try pond dipping

Summer is a brilliant time to try pond dipping as there are lots of fascinating creatures to be found in and around the water. As you explore, look out for water boatmen or pond snails in your net. Around the pond, keep an eye out for dragonflies and damselflies darting through the air, as well as birds visiting the water's edge.

Our pond dipping guide is full of tips to help you and your family get started. Find out what kit you'll need, how to do pond dip safely and what wildlife to look out for.

Stay safe. Always keep a close eye on children and never go into the water – it could be much deeper and colder than it looks.

6. Build a raft

If your kids enjoy building stuff, encourage them to have a go at making their own rafts using natural items.

Collect a bunch twigs, roughly the same length, and fasten them together with string. (Younger children might prefer to hunt for a flat piece of bark instead.) To make a mast, slot an upright stick into the base of your raft. Thread a large leaf onto the stick to create a sail.

Now it’s time for your maiden voyage! Place your raft on a decent-sized puddle and watch it bob about in the breeze. To test if it’s shipshape, try adding some cargo such as small pebbles or berries. Does it stay afloat or does it sink like a stone?

Please remember to take any string and craft materials home with you to protect the natural environment.

7. Play Poohsticks

Winnie the Pooh’s favourite game is irresistible fun for all ages!

Find a bridge over a moving stream and challenge all players to choose a stick. (Look for a twig that’s fallen to the ground. Please don’t break bits off trees.)

When you’re ready, stand on the bridge so the water is flowing towards you and drop your sticks into the stream at the same time. Then, dash to the other side of the other bridge to see whose triumphant twig will appear first.

8. Make a hiking stick

If you and your family love going on adventures, get stuck into this bushcraft activity and make your own hiking sticks.

Hunt for a sturdy stick that comes up to your waist (or higher). Choose one that’s easy to hold and isn’t too heavy. A ‘V’ at the top makes a great notch for resting your thumb.

You can make it nice and smooth by peeling off the bark and rubbing off any rough or sharp bits with sandpaper.

If you're feeling creative, make your hiking stick unique by painting it, wrapping coloured threads around it, or carving patterns into the wood.

5 awesome ways to use your hiking stick

1. Trek across uneven ground. Use your stick to keep your balance and footing while exploring rough terrain.
2. Conquer that hill! Lean on your stick for an extra boost while heading uphill.
3. Deal with tricky descents. Use your stick to stay steady as you scramble down slippery slopes.
4. Beat brambles and nettles. Wield your stick to sweep thorny plants and stinging nettles off the path.
5. Test the waters. Use it as a twiggy dipstick to check the depth of puddles and streams.

If your children enjoy bushcraft activities like this, check out our whittling guide for beginners for tips on simple wood-carving projects.

9. Compete in the forest Olympics

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:

• Pine cone shot put – find a woodland clearing away from others, then hurl a pine cone as far as you can and measure the distance in strides.
• Gymnastics – vault over a sturdy stump, twirl atop a log beam, then spring into a handstand against a tree trunk. Rate each competitor’s routine and award bonus points for extra flair.
• Triple jump of joy – this is ideal for athletes with boundless energy. Channel your favourite woodland creatures then hop like a jay, skip like a squirrel and jump like a hare – longest leap gets the gold medal.
• Sylvan slalom – save this for your grand finale. It's a thrilling relay race that’s ideal if you’re meeting up with other families. Nimbly dash in and out of a line of trees before sprinting back to the starting line and handing over the baton (a stick, of course) to the next runner. Victory goes to the fastest team.

Celebrate your overall champion with a glorious crown of leaves, presented to them on a grand tree stump podium.

Summer activities to try at home

Beat boredom with these screen-free outdoor activities. They'll fire up your kids' imaginations and encourage them to be curious about the natural world.

10. Plant a tree with your child

Is there anything more memorable than planting a tree? This hands-on activity will inspire young nature lovers, helping your family share a special moment while supporting wildlife.

Our kids' tree-planting kit has been specially designed for youngsters. It includes a sapling of your choice, a planting guide, fun activities, top tree facts and a certificate, all enclosed in a gorgeous gift box. And once it's in the ground, you can enjoy watching your tree grow up with your child, creating even more memories to cherish.

11. Hunt for minibeasts in your garden

Even tiny gardens can be home to thousands of creepy crawlies, so go on a bug hunt and see what you 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.

12. Get creative with summer crafts

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. But remember, only gather things that have fallen naturally to the ground, please don't break bits off trees and plants.

• Create a tree using sticks.
• Use fallen leaves and petals as 'stampers' – paint them, then press onto card to create a print.
• Make a natural collage or sculpture of an animal that lives in your garden, like a bumblebee or a grasshopper.
• Make a repeating pattern using leaves, petals or pebbles.
• Make mud paint by mixing soil with a little water.
• Try flower pressing and make petal collages, bookmarks or your own herbarium.

13. Try yoga outdoors

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:

• Tree – stand tall and stretch your arms above your head like branches. Pull one foot up and rest it against your other leg, either above or below the knee. Sway gently in the breeze.
• Butterfly – sit on the ground with your feet together. Slowly lift your knees up and down like a butterfly flapping its wings.
• Squirrel – squat down, using your hands to steady yourself. Hold the pose for a few seconds, then leap up and bounce like a scampering squirrel.
• Bird – stand on one leg, then lean forwards and stretch the other leg out behind you. Spread your arms wide like the wings of a bird soaring through the skies.
• Hedgehog – kneel down, with your bottom resting on your heels and your forehead on the ground. Lay your arms down by your sides, and rest like a sleeping hedgehog.

14. Read outside with your children

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 story set in a forest or garden (our online shop stocks some wonderful nature books for children) 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.

15. Camp out in your garden

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.

Year-round outdoor activities for families

Your family can explore nature throughout the seasons with a Woodland Trust family membership.

It's a wonderful way to inspire young wildlife lovers and every membership helps us plant trees and safeguard woods for future generations.

Kids receive activity packs bursting with outdoor ideas, wildlife spotting, crafts, recipes and puzzles. You'll also get a guide to over 1,000 woods to help you plan unforgettable family days out.