10 Top Tips for Enjoying the Great Outdoors This Summer Holidays

Andrey K, Unsplash.

As the school gates close for the summer and the promise of long, warm days stretches ahead, there’s no better time to reconnect with the great outdoors. Whether you live in a city, by the sea, or near the countryside, nature is never far away. And it doesn’t take an expensive holiday or a packed schedule to enjoy it, just a little intention, curiosity, and creativity.

Here are 10 top tips to help families, educators, and young explorers make the most of nature this summer:

1. Make time outside part of your daily routine

Planning outside time as part of a daily routine with children is essential for their physical, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing. Fresh air and natural light can boost moods, reduce stress, and improve sleep. Plan morning walks, after-dinner park visits, or even reading outdoors to help support creativity and social development through unstructured exploration. In addition, outside time also provides vital opportunities for children to connect with the natural world, which fosters curiosity and environmental awareness. By making outdoor time a consistent part of the day we can signal its value, build healthy habits, and offer children a sense of rhythm and freedom which supports their overall growth and happiness.

2. Explore local treasures

Children can discover wonder in the world around them by exploring local treasures. You don’t need to travel far: nearby woodlands, canal paths, parks, or beaches offer endless opportunities for adventure and learning. Even a new walking route can reveal different plants, animals, or seasonal changes. Community gardens and nature reserves provide rich, hands-on experiences where children can observe, question, and connect with their environment. By slowing down and paying attention, children begin to notice the beauty and life that often goes unseen. These local explorations nurture curiosity, independence, and a lasting appreciation for the natural world right on their doorstep.

3. Start a summer nature journal

Encourage children to keep a nature journal as a fun and creative way to engage with the outdoors. They can draw what they see, write down questions, press flowers, or record changes in the weather. This simple activity builds observation skills, supports literacy and curiosity, and helps children slow down and really notice the world around them. Whether it’s spotting birds, tracking seasonal changes, or documenting a favourite tree, a nature journal becomes a personal record of discovery. Over time, it deepens their connection to the environment and encourages mindfulness, reflection, and a sense of wonder in everyday nature.

4. Go tech-free (at least for a while)

Take regular breaks from screens to help children reconnect with the world around them. Going tech-free, even for a short time, allows their senses to come alive by hearing birdsong, feeling the breeze, and noticing the colours, textures, and rhythms of nature. These quiet moments without digital distractions give children space to think, wonder, and just *be*. A daily ‘digital detox’ in nature can refresh minds, improve focus, and support emotional wellbeing. It’s not about rejecting technology but finding balance and showing children that real magic often happens offline — in the rustling leaves, shifting clouds, and small, everyday wonders of the outdoors.

5. Pack a nature adventure bag

Packing a nature adventure bag makes spontaneous outdoor explorations simple and exciting. Keep a lightweight backpack ready with essentials like water, snacks, a magnifying glass, bug or leaf ID chart, notebook, pencils, and a small blanket. With everything on hand, you’re always ready for a walk in the woods, a trip to the park, or a moment of cloud watching. It encourages curiosity, independence, and hands-on learning wherever you go. Having a go-to nature kit not only saves time but helps children feel prepared and enthusiastic about engaging with the natural world around them by turning everyday outings into real adventures.

6. Get creative with natural materials

Get creative with natural materials to spark imagination and a deeper connection with the outdoors. Encourage children to gather leaves, twigs, stones, feathers, or petals to use in eco-art projects. They can create leaf rubbings, nature collages, story scenes, or mandalas from found objects. These activities not only build fine motor skills and artistic expression, but also help children see the beauty in the simple, everyday objects. Using nature as a creative tool fosters respect and appreciation for the environment while offering a low-cost, screen-free way to engage minds. It’s a playful path to environmental awareness and a deeper sense of belonging.

7. Camp — even if it’s just in the garden

You don’t need to travel far to enjoy the magic of camping! Just head to your garden or even your living room. Pitch a tent, roll out sleeping bags, toast marshmallows over a safe heat source, and tell stories by torchlight. Stargazing, listening to nighttime sounds, or simply sleeping under canvas can create lasting memories and spark a love for the great outdoors. This easy, low-cost adventure encourages imagination, resilience, and a sense of fun. It also helps children feel comfortable outside in a safe, familiar space by building confidence for future outdoor adventures beyond their own garden.

8. Try citizen science projects

Try citizen science projects to turn outdoor time into meaningful learning. Get involved in wildlife surveys, bee counts, or butterfly spotting schemes: many are easy to join and child-friendly. These hands-on activities build environmental awareness, observation skills, and a sense of responsibility. Children feel empowered knowing their findings contribute to real scientific research and conservation efforts. It’s a fun, educational way to explore nature while understanding its importance. Whether watching garden birds or counting pollinators on a walk, these projects connect children to the wider world and show them that even small actions can support big environmental goals.

9. Embrace all weather

Embrace all weather by making outdoor time a year-round adventure. Don’t let grey skies, drizzle, or a bit of mud stop your plans — just dress for the conditions with waterproofs, wellies, and layers. Children often love the thrill of puddle jumping, windblown walks, or spotting rainbows after a shower. Nature looks and feels different in every season and type of weather, offering endless learning opportunities. Exploring in the rain or under a cloudy sky builds resilience and curiosity. It teaches children that joy and discovery aren’t limited to sunny days and that the outdoors is always open, whatever the weather.

10. Slow down and be present

Perhaps the most important tip of all: slow down and be present. Summer holidays offer you a rare chance to step away from the usual rush and truly notice the world around you. Let children explore at their own pace, lie in the grass, watch ants go about their work, make a daisy chain, or follow a butterfly without a goal in mind. These simple, unhurried moments often lead to the deepest connections with nature. Being present allows wonder, curiosity, and calm to take the lead, helping children (and adults) build a lasting, joyful relationship with the natural world.

Final thoughts

The great outdoors is the ultimate open-ended learning space, offering endless opportunities for discovery, creativity, and connection. Summer is the perfect time to embrace it — whether you're building dens in the woods, picnicking in the park, collecting feathers on a walk, or cloud-gazing from your own back garden. These experiences don’t require elaborate plans or costly trips; they just need time, curiosity, and a willingness to slow down. In nature, children build confidence, learn resilience, and grow a sense of wonder that lasts a lifetime. 

So this summer, step outside, look up, listen closely, and explore. There’s a whole world waiting for you, right beyond the doorstep.