3 summer activities to explore with your child

Summer offers the perfect opportunity for families to reconnect, recharge and make meaningful memories together.

With longer days and (hopefully) better weather, there’s plenty of time to enjoy new experiences with your child.

Whether you’re looking to stay local or venture a little further afield, here are three engaging summer activities that will spark curiosity, creativity and connection, inspired by the practices of this boarding school in England.

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1. Go on a nature scavenger hunt

Spending time outdoors is not only great for physical health, but it also encourages children to observe, explore and ask questions about the world around them. A nature scavenger hunt is a brilliant way to turn a simple walk into an adventure.

All you need is a list of things to find – pinecones, feathers, different types of leaves, insects, or even certain bird calls. You can explore your local park, a woodland trail or even your back garden.

For an extra educational twist, take a sketchpad or nature journal along so your child can draw or write about what they find. Apps like Seek by iNaturalist can also help identify plants and animals, adding a digital learning element to your outing.

2. Create a mini garden or allotment

Gardening is a therapeutic and rewarding hobby that also teaches responsibility and patience. Children love getting their hands dirty, so why not create a small garden space or plant pots where they can grow their own vegetables, herbs or flowers?

Let your child take charge by choosing what to plant – sunflowers, strawberries, carrots or mint are good options for beginners. Watching seeds turn into plants is a brilliant way to teach kids about life cycles and sustainability.

Even if you don’t have a garden, you can use window boxes or recycled containers. Involve your child in the watering and weeding, and soon they’ll feel proud of their green-fingered achievements. Bonus: they might even be more willing to eat vegetables they’ve grown themselves!

3. Get creative with outdoor art projects

Summer is a fantastic time to take arts and crafts outside. Not only does it save on mess indoors, but it allows children to use nature as their canvas or inspiration.

Collect natural materials like stones, sticks, flowers and leaves, and let your child use them to create collages, mandalas or painted pebble characters. Sidewalk chalk drawings, water-painting on pavements, and DIY tie-dye shirts are also great fun on sunny days.

Outdoor art encourages creative thinking and gives children freedom to express themselves in new ways. You can even turn it into a mini exhibition by displaying their work along a garden fence or wall for family and friends to admire.

You don’t need to spend a fortune or plan extravagant holidays to enjoy the summer with your child. Simple, hands-on activities like these can help build confidence, foster learning and create lasting memories. Whether you’re growing a tomato plant, identifying butterflies or crafting in the sunshine, the most important part is spending quality time together.

So pack a picnic, put on the sun cream, and embrace all that summer has to offer!

This is a collaborative post.