With 6 kids between us, varying in age from 18 months to 11 years old there isn’t much Caroline or I haven’t tried or been dragged into doing over the Summer Holidays with our families.
There are also some great local bloggers and websites who have compiled brilliant lists of places to visit and things to do this Summer. Our current favourite is Things To Do With Kids who has gathered together info from across a pretty enormous patch of Bucks, Beds and Herts. Do check out her Summer holiday list.
This post is much smaller! Our top 3 things that you can do with your kids this Summer to get them out and into nature, because we think that outside in nature is the very best place for kids to have fun, grow and be healthy.
Nature's Jewels is running two of her brilliant bug hunting sessions this August.
Minibeast Magic on 3rd in Tyler’s Green and Damsels and Dragons in Wycombe on August 15th. Both cost just £5 per child with the accompanying adult going free.
It’s essentially an hour and a half of bug hunting, under the expert tuition and knowledge of Julie with some fun outdoor craft thrown in for good measure. We cannot recommend it enough. Places are limited so do book – click here for more info or look for Nature's Jewels on Facebook.
Another sure-fire winner is The Green Dragon Eco Farm near Aylesbury, which we always say is how Odds Farm used to be before all the big colourful, play bits were added!
It’s a wonderful setting with such a huge array of different animals, bugs and interesting things to keep children of all ages engaged (which is a must when you have such varying ages as we do!)…plus it's sustainably run and has a really great vibe about it.
Adults cost £9 and kids £8 so it’s not cheap cheap but it’s totally worth it and knowing that the admission price goes towards the owners vision for supporting rare breeds and sustainability is really important.
I was particularly fascinated by their walled garden and greenhouse made of old plastic bottles!
College Lake Nature Reserve just outside Tring is an absolute must if your kids love birds and bugs.
Run by Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust it has 11 bird hides, several walks of varying lengths, grasslands, wetlands, a bee centre, café and so much more.
My little son loves it so much that for his birthday we are off there for a picnic tea, taking advantage of their August late night Wednesday opening (until 8pm). It’s a real gem of a place if you want somewhere to explore with your kids and feel like you’re miles from anywhere!
Wherever you end up visiting this Summer, we hope you are able to get outside and enjoy nature... let's face it, we live in such a beautiful area that even our back gardens, fields and parks can be awesome inspiration :) #inspiredbynature