{"id":21412,"date":"2024-05-29T10:22:08","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T10:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newlifecharity.co.uk\/?p=21412"},"modified":"2024-05-29T10:27:30","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T10:27:30","slug":"make-the-most-of-any-sunny-summer-days-with-activities-for-all-the-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newlifecharity.co.uk\/make-the-most-of-any-sunny-summer-days-with-activities-for-all-the-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Make the most of any sunny summer days with activities for all the family"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the start of summer comes the hope of sunny days and time spent outdoors, which means lots of new ways to keep children occupied – so long as the rain stays away!<\/p>\n

Just getting out of the house to enjoy some fresh air can make everyone feel better, even if you can only manage ten minutes. If that\u2019s all the time you have, switch off from your to-do list and go for a walk, or take out a drink and a snack with you into your garden and try doing some activities together outside – which could be anything from playing their favourite game or reading a book to them, to colouring in or blowing bubbles together.<\/p>\n

Other things to try include letting them loose with pavement chalk so they can create their own masterpieces, or let them use safe, washable paints to decorate cardboard shapes, pebbles, even pasta shapes that can be turned into jewellery for them to proudly wear.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a little bit longer try some gardening together, which can be fun whether you have a garden of any size or just some planters. Let them help while you plant some seeds or bulbs or even make an herb garden with them. Not only are they fun to create, but you can watch everything you lovingly planted grow over time.<\/p>\n

If you feel like getting out and about, then a trip to your local park, nature reserve, playground, beach or even an inclusive playground if you have one nearby \u2013 whatever you have access to – is always a good plan, especially if you can meet up with some friends. But you can make more of an event out of it by taking a picnic which is a nice break away from normal routines which can be as simple or grand as you like. While you are there, why not fly a kite, take skittles and a ball, or simply explore your surroundings to see what treasures nature has to offer. You can take pictures of interesting bugs or collect any interesting pebbles, shells, sticks, leaves, or flowers you find along the way.<\/p>\n

If you are happy to go further afield there are lots of places to take a day trip. If you need them to be wheelchair accessible then visit the Motability<\/a> site t0 discover what\u2019s available. For children who have autism check out some autism friendly activity days here.<\/a><\/p>\n

If you want fun that\u2019s closer to home but a bit more interactive, especially if you have a few children to entertain, try a treasure hunt. This can be pre-planned with simple clues and a cache of gold (chocolate coins) for them to find \u2013 dressing as pirates optional! Or, you could hold a scavenger hunt with a list (or pictures for those who can\u2019t read) that they have to find and bring back to a central place.<\/p>\n

You can also turn a walk an ordinary walk into a sensory tour. Along your journey, look for things with different textures to feel, such as the roughness of bricks or sticks, the shape and texture of different stones and leaves, look for different colours. You can also concentrate on different scents on your route such as different flowers, freshly cut grass, cooking smells from restaurants, or bread from bakeries.<\/p>\n

Nice weather is also a great chance to do some exercise in the fresh air \u2013 so long as it\u2019s not too hot. Try doing some yoga, which can help balance and concentration \u2013 if you\u2019re not sure how there are lots of free options you can stream. Alternatively try using a hula hoop or put on your favourite music and have a dance party.<\/p>\n

Other outdoor activities include:<\/p>\n