I bought this book recently after a friend mentioned it to me, and I have to say it’s amazing!
It now goes everywhere with us including our recent camping trip to a place we know so well.
If you’d like information on how to camp with kids you can check out this post here.
This book really opened our eyes to activities we have never thought of before.
365 outdoor activities you have to try will to get you and your kids outdoors to discover, observe, explore and create using the world around you.
Finding time to get outdoors can be tough not to mention thinking of something to do when you get there.
This book is busting full with simple and quick ideas that cost very little, use natural materials or inspire us to get out and have a ball.
We have already done so many activities from this fantastic book, i’ve listed a few in this post. You can check out the book here….
Painting With Flowers Is A Fun Outdoor Activity To Try
What a great way to start a relationship with your garden: use flowers to paint with.
Simply collect flowers from your garden and use them as paintbrushes.
Grow Beans In A Jar
This experiment was fascinating. To see up close how a seed produces roots was incredible.This project is a great way to see not only the new growth that would be above the soil, but what goes on under the soil.
- Soak your beans overnight
- Fill a jar with wet kitchen paper and when your bean is soaked. Press it down the side of the jar-halfway
- After 2 or 3 days. You will see a root slowly make it’s way down the jar. Keep the paper moist.
Plant A Hanging Basket
This activity was enjoyed by my youngest Aj. We’ve recently redesigned our back garden and intended to hang 4 hanging baskets from the pergola.
I decided it would be fun to let Aj pick the flowers and help plant them so he felt more invested in the garden.
He did a brilliant job!
He picked white purple and pink training petunias, some pink geraniums and a pink and white fushia.
Snail Races
Most kids love beasts and bugs and my son is no exception. He’s fascinated with snails right now so this activity was perfect!
You can use any type of minibeast but snails are perfect.
- Take a large piece of cardboard and draw 3 circles on it. Start with a small one in the middle. Then a larger one and finally a large one enclosing it all.
- Paint the circles to brighten it up. The centre being the start and the outter most circle is the finish line.
- Using tiny dot stickers. Write numbers on them and attach one to each snail shell. These should be removed when you return your snails to their homes.
- Put all your snails in the middle and see whos snail makes it out first.
Build A Bivouac
A bivouac is a type of shelter made from whatever natural materials are around.
My eldest Ed, is a Scout and loves the outdoors. His uncle is a true Ray Mears type of man and they decided to try this one out. I think it turned out well, what do you think?? He was so happy with himself.
- Start by finding a stick thats longer than you are.
- Tie 2 sticks to the front to hold one end up off the ground.
- Now simple lean other sticks against this main framework, alternating sides to make a tent.
- Cover your bivouac with ferns, grass or anything else to have to camouflage your shelter.
DIY Sundial
This simple sundial is a fantastic way to show kids how the sun travels through the sky.
- Draw a sun on a sheet of yellow card.
- Repeat with red card.
- Cut a hole in the middle and push a stick throigh the middle into a pot behind to help it stand.
- Put your sundial in the sun, at 12pm mark one of the rays on the shadow of the stick. Every hour mark where the shadow falls.
Another Fun Outdoor Activity To Try: Grow Sweetcorn
Growing sweetcorn is super simple, but it is a must in out plot. The incredible flavour from a freshly picked cob of sweetcorn is worth waiting the whole year for.
So much juicier and sweeter than shop bought cobs.
We fill loo rolls with potting soil and put 2 kernels in each roll. They should sprout within 7 to 10 days.
Simply plant it in a sunny spot and wait.
They do need warm night temperatures as this is actually when sweetcorn grows.
TIP. Planting them in a block instead of a line helps to ensure your cobs are pollinated by the wind.
Make Flower Perfume
Ah this one reminded me of my childhood. The sweet rose smell is amazing and the kids love making it.
- Remove the petals and buds from a large rose head and 3 lavendar heads if you have them.
- Boil them up with 2 cups of water.
- Leave for 15 minutes then cool. Strain into a jar and voila!!
Stack A Stone Tower
This is one of our favourites. We love to stack stones when we visit the river. It’s a competition to see who can stack the highest.
The winner gets to choose the prize (usually ice cream ha)
Outdoor Activity To Try Now: Draw A Treasure Map
Our kids love a scavenger hunt. Check out this scavenger hunt pack which includes a printable for a woodland walk and a summer challenge.
So a treasure hunt is a great next step, especially if they get to make their own.
We made one for our pirate day at a local park. They have a giant boat shaped play area so it fits our theme.
We spent a rainy afternoon making our map and adding different features to it.
We also made eye patches, pirate hats, swords and telescopes, before jumping ship and heading to the park the very next sunny day we got.
It’s a great way to get them to walk round the large park area without complaining.
I usually have some treasure to hide in the boat at the end they can search for (usually chocolate coins)
We eat our prize and play at the park with our homemade swords and telescopes to search for passing scallywags or scurvy dogs arrrrrr!
It’s a fab day out!
For some other summer ideas. Make sure you check out these summer planning printables
And if your super stuck for ideas you will find 101 activities to try in this super sized list.
More projects from this fantastic book Of 365 Outdoor Activities You Have To Try Right Now!!!
I would have loved this book as a kid and I love it more now im an adult.
There are so many simple, free and easy activities that don’t take a lot of set up, but have a huge impact on the fun scale
- Hang a flower curtain
- Build a butterfly feeder
- Look for space rocks
- Press flowers
- Leaf skeletons
- Make a rain gauge
- Grow mini pizza gardens
- Make your own seed tape
- Grow a butterfly garden
- How to measure a tree’s age
- Glow in the dark skittles
- Keep a nature journal
- Pinecone animals
- Plant a sock
- Make compost
- Make a toad abode and so many more.
There is even a sheet of fun animal stickers to use as well as a sheet of star stickers to mark which ones you’ve tried.
So, don’t miss out any longer. Get this book and start having adventures today! Seriously, from one mum to another, you won’t regret it!
Once you’ve got your copy of 365 Outdoor Activities You Have To Try. I would LOVE to know what your favourite activity is!!!
So email me or hit comment below!!