This article takes us right back to where it all began. When we started alittlemoreoutdoor.com, our mission was simple: help more families spend time outside—whether that’s through a quick garden activity or a big round-the-world outdoor adventure.
At the time, we had two small children and years of experience taking other people’s kids into the great outdoors through our jobs at an activity centre. So, we already knew that our family life would be rooted in nature.
Then COVID hit. Suddenly, we were indoors more than ever before, and honestly, it got us down. That’s when we started to rediscover the magic of the outdoors in small, meaningful ways—right in our garden and neighbourhood.
In more recent years, our focus shifted to world travel and home education, which has been an incredible chapter in our journey (check out our travel blogs here). But now, as we’re home preparing for the arrival of our newest adventurer, we’re back to local adventures and garden fun. And you know what? It reminded us that sometimes, the simple things are the best.
Whether tight on time, budget, or energy, these activities are accessible for families of all ages. And if you’re a home-educating family like us, they also offer fantastic learning opportunities while encouraging connection, creativity, and quality time outdoors.
1. Planting with Purpose
There’s something truly special about growing your own food. Some of the best plants for beginners are broad beans, runner beans, cucumbers, herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, and beetroot. They grow quickly, taste great, and don’t require a huge amount of maintenance.
We’ve got a small greenhouse and a little garden patch. Every spring, we kick off our sunflower-growing competition, which has become a family tradition. And a few years back, we planted apple, pear, peach, and blueberry trees. Now we enjoy picking fresh fruit and baking it into delicious crumbles and pies.
What you’ll need:
- Compost
- Pots
- Seeds
- Gardening gloves
- A trowel
- A small greenhouse (optional, but helpful!)
We’ve had hours of fun, tasty meals, and a few accidental slug buffets along the way!
2. Den Building: Classic Fun for All Ages
Building dens never gets old—it just gets more creative. We’ve built dens with our kids since they were toddlers, and even now at age 8, they’re still all in. We’ve also done this with teenagers at our activity centre, and they absolutely loved it!
To up the excitement, we sometimes add a challenge: complete a set of tasks (like shooting 10 basketball hoops in 5 minutes or tying certain knots) to earn your materials—tarpaulin, rope, etc. Then rate the dens for sturdiness, looks, and even waterproofing (yes, we’ve been known to throw a bucket of water over them!).
Older kids can even turn this into an ongoing carpentry project.
Bonus idea: Use your den for story time, snacks, or a sleepover for unforgettable memories.
Den supplies:
- Tarpaulin
- Rope
- Sticks or poles
- Ferns or leaves
- Trees or sturdy posts
3. Build a Garden Firepit for a Family Cookout
If building your fire pit sounds tricky, no problem—start with a BBQ! Get creative with your menu: Try Caribbean-themed food nights or make your burgers from scratch.
We built our fire pit using bricks and an old grill. It’s time to cook once the flames die down and you’ve got glowing embers.
Our firepit favourites include:
- Jacket potatoes
- Kebabs
- Cinnamon swirls
- Doughnuts
- Corn on the cob
- Hearty stews
- Sausages (of course!)
Cooking and eating around the fire brings everyone together and gives you that camping vibe—even if you’re right at home.
4. Hammock Time: Relax and Recharge
There’s just something about a hammock—it slows down time. We often pack ours on hikes and find a shady spot in the woods to hang it up. It makes the perfect break spot for a snack or hot chocolate.
We started with one big hammock for the whole family, but now the kids have their lightweight versions that they carry in their bags. They love finding the “perfect” trees to set up their base for the day.
Our Favourite hammocks are lightweight, sturdy and easy to pack in the bag:
5. Learn Basic Navigation Skills
Teaching your kids to navigate with a compass and a map makes for a super-engaging day out. Choose a nearby destination and let them lead the way. Leave a small reward at the goal spot to keep things exciting.
You’ll end up chatting about directions, landmarks, magnets, and more, without it feeling like a lesson.
6. Go on a Geocaching Adventure
We love geocaching across Dartmoor, but there are geocaches hidden all over the world!
Here’s how it works:
- Someone hides a container (called a geocache) and logs the coordinates online.
- You use a GPS or smartphone app (like Geocaching.com) to find the cache.
- Once you locate it, sign the logbook and maybe swap a trinket.
- You can even hide your own geocache for others to find!
It’s a global treasure hunt that adds adventure to any walk.
7. Nature Crafts
Inspired by a recent beach trip, we’ve collected driftwood and sea glass to make driftwood photo frames for our travel memories.
As the kids get older, their ideas and skills have taken our nature crafts to the next level. A recent hit? Hand-carved bows and arrows—and yes, they worked! If you want step-by-step instructions for this activity, leave us a comment and I’ll write it up.
Use sticks, stones, leaves, and shells to create art or practical tools. The possibilities are endless.
8. Build a Dam or a Bridge
When the weather’s warm and the rivers are low, head to a shallow stream. Use rocks, sticks, and mud to build dams, stepping stones, or bridges.
Bring spare clothes—trust us, someone will fall in (and that’s half the fun!). Before you leave, make sure to dismantle your creations so the area is left as you found it.
9. Go on a Bear Hunt
Inspired by “Celebrity Bear Hunt,” this is now a family favourite.
You need a large, safe outdoor space with plenty of hiding spots. The aim: reach a safe zone without being caught by the “bear” (aka Mum, Dad, or a willing sibling). Alternatively, you can hide out and try to evade capture until the timer runs out.
Best with four or more players—great for big families or group adventures.
10. Whittling: Create Something from Nature
With the right tools, a bit of safety training, and some creativity, whittling becomes an amazing hands-on craft. We’ve made pencils, wands, and woodland animals like foxes and bears.
A good whittling book, carving knives, and protective gloves can turn a quiet afternoon into a productive and calming outdoor session. We enjoy this just as much as the kids!
We love this whittling set
Make It Count: Outdoor Time as a Family
These activities are all about connection, creativity, and simple joys. The outdoors doesn’t need to be extreme or expensive—it just needs to be shared.
So don’t just watch from the sidelines. Build that den. Roast that marshmallow. Learn something new together.
By doing so, you’ll not only grow stronger as a family, but you’ll also create a treasure trove of outdoor memories that your children will carry with them for life.
