If you’re looking for fun ways to spend time outdoors with the family this weekend on a budget, we have got you covered!
Experiences build our character and shape the people we are. Whether that experience is big or small, what doesn’t matter is the cost. Each of these activities works well for a family with children; however, many work well just for adults, too! They are all either completely free or very low-cost, or they rely on things you probably already have around the house. Here are our favourite ways for families to spend time outdoors on a budget.
Our favourite ways to spend time outdoors on a budget
Climb a hill or a mountain
Hiking is excellent for being present, mindful, and a lovely way to view the world differently. Research a hill, mountain, or high point local to you and get going.
Choose somewhere suitable for your family’s capabilities in terms of length and difficulty. Stop regularly to spot how the landscape changes as you get higher. You could even take a picnic to enjoy whilst taking in the surrounding scenery. Another lovely idea is to take photos for a memory box or scrapbook.
Go for a clean-up walk
Did you know that picking up litter and going for a ‘clean-up’ can make you feel really good? Go for a walk, and take gloves and a bin bag with you.
If you have a litter picker, that’s even better! This may not be a glamorous activity for a weekend adventure; however, knowing you’re doing your bit to help the planet is sure to make you feel good.
What’s not to love about teaching this value to children?
Fly a kite
On a windy day, find a flat open space and get outside to fly a kite. Avoid built-up areas or anywhere near overhead power lines. Beaches, parks, and fields are great choices.
Fly a kite with a friend to help get it into the air and promote teamwork with kids. You’ll be surprised at how freeing and fun this activity is!
Camp out in your garden
You don’t need to travel far to sleep under the stars! If you have a garden, it’s a perfect spot for a night of camping.
A top tip is to choose a very slightly rainy or windy night so you can listen to the relaxing sound of the rain hitting the tent or the whistling wind. Or you could pick a calm night and stargaze.
This is a great way to introduce camping to kids because if they start to feel scared, the house’s safety is only a few steps away.
Watch the clouds
Sometimes, it feels like we’re just rushing around doing job after job. Being still and taking in nature’s movement above us can be really calming.
Go outside when there are blue skies and a fresh breeze, and look up. Take a picnic and make a day of it.
Look at the different shapes the clouds make, or make them into characters and make up stories with kids. Take a moment to be present and enjoy nature; you will feel better for the rest of the day.
Try rock-pooling
If you live inland, you might have to travel for this one. It is worth it, though, as rock-pooling can be a really fun, educational, and exciting experience for children and adults.
Be safe and research the weather conditions and tide times so that you get the most from the activity. Don’t forget wellies!
Turn over rocks, and you might find creatures such as shrimp, starfish, mussels, crabs, or jellyfish. Just be really careful not to touch them; it’s better to admire them instead.
Go foraging
If you want to feel genuinely at home with nature, why not discover foraging? Take advantage of nature’s abundance of offerings and children’s natural instinct to pick up things that interest them.
If you want to use your collections to eat or cook with, we recommend you have an excellent foraging guide to do this safely.
They can enhance your experience. If you have young children or toddlers, try our woodland walk bingo to get you started. This is a great way to teach children to be respectful of forests and woodlands and appreciate what we can collect from them.
Watch the sunrise or set
Start your day with an early rise and take in the sight of the sun climbing over the horizon. You’ll feel so much calmer for the rest of the day. This can be a fascinating adventure for children, too.
This helps us face our small anxieties and problems and makes them feel really small. Are you not an early bird? Then, catch the sun as it sets. Savour the moment.
Make a nature journal
Nature journals are a great way to encourage learning whilst being outdoors and having fun together. This is a great idea to do with all ages.
Make your own from scrap paper, or buy a fancy nature journal and record the treasures you find in nature. You could print in it, sketch things that interest you in nature, record species of wildlife you have spotted, or write creatively; the list is endless.
You’ll have a beautiful record of all your walks and time spent in nature.
Go bird watching
Bird watching is a lovely way to spend some time and forget the busyness of the week; it will bring calm to the weekend.
You can do this anywhere: in your garden, on the coast or in an open field. They all work great, and if you mix it up, you’ll spot various species of birds. All you need is patience, some binoculars and a decent bird-watching guide if you would like one.
Take a notebook to make a note of birds you have seen and a description of ones you would like to research or sketch. Take some time to appreciate the peace and tranquillity of bird watching.
Getting outside in nature is guaranteed to help us grow as individuals and better understand our world.
We love these simple, low-cost activities for enjoying the outdoors. Will you try one this weekend? If you have any more you enjoy doing, let us know in the comments below. We love to hear your ideas!
