Many of us are used to sending our little ones off to school for a large amount of the week, so having our children at home all week can be a little overwhelming! With that said, there are lots of affordable and enjoyable activities under the doorstep. Whether it be going on a nature hunt, making pebble art, or watching a documentary.

We have put together a list of nature-based activities that we know you’ll love. Inspire and entertain the kids with the world around us, while providing a breath of fresh air and keeping negative behaviour at bay. Now, let’s see what you can do this weekend.

Go On A Nature Hunt…

Let’s start with something that costs time but no pennies. A nature hunt is a great exercise for little ones, triggering their imagination and getting them into the fresh air.

Start by grabbing your favourite felt tips and make your own scavenger hunt! There are lots of examples online that you can use for reference, or print out if you would prefer. We love the colour scavenger hunt and the mandala scavenger hunt most, but there are so many to pick from. What can you spot in the garden that is green? Or pink?

Next, head out into the garden or a local woodland area and begin the hunt. For extra fun, you can add prizes for those who finish first or are most creative in their finds.

Garden Camp-out…

It is not common that your trips away have been postponed or cancelled, but that does not stop the fun. Set up a tent in the garden and camp out close to home. The kids can pack their bags for a night away and spend the night camping in the garden. You can even add some nature-inspired music for extra entertainment. Even better, smores by the campfire! For a safer option, follow this microwave s’more recipe. 

A Documentary Day…

When the weather is not looking great, you can enjoy nature-based learning inside too. Take a look at the recommendations and each pick a documentary you would like to watch. David Attenborough has announced a new series which would be perfect.

Don’t forget the food! Cut up some carrots, apples and grab the fruit juice for some healthy and quickly prepared snacks. If your little ones have a kitchen playset, they can get involved too.

Earn A Blue Peter Badge…

I remember when I was little, I always dreamed of getting my hands on one of these. Well, lockdown is the perfect oppurtunity to get applying. Did you know there are eight badges to earn? Beginners can earn their blue badge by sending in letters, stories, poems, and much more.

Pebble Art…

During the lockdown, lots of us have been testing our creative side. If you walk around the block, windows and homes are decorated with beautiful rainbows. In addition, painting pebbles has become a commemorative mark of lockdown. Pebble art can be a great homemade garden decoration, and a way to remember lockdown in years to come. All you will need is some pebbles, paints and a home for them!

Butterfly Magnets…

Another creative idea is to decorate your own butterfly magnets. In these packs, you will get 4 wooden butterfly magnets (all with unique designs), 10 gem stickers, 4 pots of paint, paintbrush and glitter glue. To get educational, take a look at butterfly facts and images that you can paint from.

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Editors note: This post was originally published on 15th May 2020. Updated on 4th April 2024 to improve the information available.