We’re always on the lookout for new activities for parents and children that get us outside and moving, especially during summer break! Recently, we the article “National Trust releases 50 outdoor activities every child must experience,” which discusses the UK National Trust list of 50 outdoor activities that every child should do before they they’re 11 and 3/4 years old, with some of the ideas inspired by kids. The list serves as an initiative to get kids outside, following “a study that found if children do not form a connection with the great outdoors before they are 12, they are far less likely to later in life.”
We’re sharing some of our favorites from the list in the hopes they’ll inspire your family to get outside and enjoy quality time sans screen-based technology.
- Camp out: Your backyard can serve as “The Wild” if road tripping isn’t an option. Lay under the stars and try to spot a constellation or two.
- Fly a kite: There’s something exhilarating about sending a piece of paper up in the air with nothing but a piece of string anchoring it to earth.
- Take a long bike ride: Pack a backpack and a picnic and throw your schedule out the window to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.
- Set up a snail race: Kids can do the snail fetching, you can watch the results.
- Visit a farm: This is especially beneficial for families who don’t have space for a garden. Show your kids where their food comes from, and if you can, purchase some fresh veggies and take them home to make a meal together.
- Grass trumpeting: Start picking grass blades and puckering up just right to create a grass trumpet.
- Nighttime nature walk: We do most of our walking during daylight hours, but the world around us can be just an adventure after the sun sets. Grab some flashlights and see how things change in the dark.
- Hunt for bugs: A net, a jar, and a kid’s bug book will entertain you all for hours.
- Find your way with a map and compass: While it may seem archaic in the day of GPSs, it will be a fun challenge to work together to reach your destination using the same tools people relied on a hundred years ago.
- Geocaching: Start geocaching and/or making your own caches to learn about geography and history.
Which of these “Must-do” activities for has your family already checked off your list?
And don’t forget to make sure everyone is wearing sunscreen and sunglasses for adequate sun protection whenever you’re outside playing outdoors this summer. Visit our website to check out Real Kids Shades’ selection of sunglasses designed just for kids! We’re currently offering FREE shipping on order of $25 or more