Following Boris Johnson’s recent announcement, it feels like the end of lockdown might finally be in sight. However, with still a few months to go before normality is fully restored, it is important for us to continue to do our best to keep ourselves and our young ones mentally and physically healthy.
If you, like many of us, are running out of ideas to keep thing interesting and exciting for your family, here are a few ideas you can try outdoors as the weather is starting to warm up:
A few outdoor family activities
Regatta has recently shared some very interesting ideas that are more unconventional than usual, here are a few of our favourites that we can’t wait to try:
Natural Artwork
You and your kids can do natural artwork in the park or even just in your backyard. This is simple (and free!) activity that encourages creativity and inquisitive thinking.
All you need to do is to go outdoors and find an area where your little explorers can gather a variety of natural materials. These can be leaves, twigs, flowers and pebbles. Once they are ready to create their artwork, use glue to stick the different materials onto a piece of paper or cardboard.
You can try to challenge your child or children to recreate a landscape of the sun or even the sea.
Wild Edible Foraging
Wild edible foraging is fun for both adults and children alike. While we have the luxury of going straight to supermarkets for our favourite food, why not try foraging for wild edibles.
This activity would require a bit more research as you want to be cautious of what you eat and the types of edibles you will find can vary depending on which month you decide to do it in. For example, in March you’ll be able to find wild garlic and nettles; and in April, mallow and hairy bittercress.
For the time being, there are a lot of resources available online, but when it is allowed, you may even check out nearby foraging tours where you would be guided by a professional in identifying a big variety of edibles you can try.
This is a simple yet wholesome activity, allowing us to put a microscopic view on the beauty of nature.
Stargazing
As the weather is getting warmer, we will be able to stay outdoors later in the day. Head to an outdoor space on a clear day where there is less light pollution and lay down a picnic blanket for your family to lie and gaze at the stars.
This is a time to unplug from our screens and just enjoy the mesmerising sky. This is beneficial for both adults and children to relieve any stress felt in the day and feel a recharge in the sense of calmness. You could even try and identify the constellations and share a few facts about space.
Hopefully, these ideas help inspire some fun times for you and your family. While this year has been a trying time for everyone, things are starting to look a bit more positive. For the time being, we hope everyone continues to stay safe and well and harness the power of nature to get us through this final hurdle. If you do try any of these activities, don’t forget to share it on your social media and use the #RegattaExplorers.
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