Kids love to be active in summer – and so will you!
Here are some simple outdoor activities for families that will get you all running around playing outside.
At a glance
- Lots of county houses have mazes
- Adventure playgrounds come in all shapes and sizes
- Why not look into sailing? Just remember to be safe
Mazes – fun for puzzle lovers
Kids love puzzles, so a real-world labyrinth is a great place to get them running around. You can join in the fun or just set your stopwatch, let them loose, and sit back and relax until they reappear!
Check which type of maze you’re going to. Country house mazes often have a single twisty path along the ground, great for smaller kids who’d rather not get lost, while the biggest hedge mazes will keep older kids guessing for hours.
Adventure playgrounds
Adventure playgrounds come in all sizes, from free playgrounds in parks to treetop adventure trails. At the larger playgrounds you’ll find plenty of chances to have a go yourself – but be prepared for your kids to laugh at you when you’re swinging down a zipline and squealing with fear. Encourage little ones to build on their successes bit by bit, rather than pushing all at once to try something scary. They’ll have all the achievement with none of the tears.
Parks
With a little planning, the park, or even your own back garden, can be a place for a family adventure. For toddlers, just bring along some bubble mixture and have fun chasing bubbles, or practice throwing balls at targets. (A hula-hoop makes a great target, but your jacket will do fine too!)
If your kids are a bit bigger, hide some toys and split into teams for a scavenger hunt or bring some dress-up gear and let your little superheroes save the day, while you break out that evil laugh as the cunning super-villain.
Boats
If you’ve got a day or more to fill and don’t mind spending a little, a family sailing lesson will get you working together to conquer the waves. And there are plenty more water-themed ideas to choose from. How about a day on a canal boat, hiring a launch on your local river, a punting trip in Oxford or Cambridge, or simply a pedalo in the park? Safety first folk: Make sure your kids understand the water safety rules and stick to them.
Cycling
Even little tots can enjoy a cycling activity day, since many biking centres offer tow-along trailers.
If you have a few adrenaline junkies in your brood look out for a mountain biking centre with a range of trails. Do something family friendly all together, before letting the older kids get up to full speed.