Whether you're still staying at home, or confidently exploring the outdoors once again, we’ve got you covered. We've recently updated this guide with more fantastic ideas, so check them out and share with your friends.
For at home, read our guide below to discover an amazing collection of printable activities and games for you to keep the family busy whilst staying at home, including printable Julia Donaldson activity sheets and online resources to help keep learning alive.
For outdoor play, discover our collection of enjoyable outdoor family activities for you and the kids.
Outdoor activities to do with the kids
Did you know making time for nature has been proven to benefit your mental and physical health? With plenty of room for social distancing, we’ve got a brilliant collection of safe outdoor activities for you to try with the kids in our forests, the garden or on a walk.
1. Go Gruffalo Spotting in the forest
Follow the Gruffalo Spotters trail and see what creatures you can find!
With the amazing new Gruffalo Spotter 2 app, fun activity pack and trail, you’ll get to interact with all your favourite characters as you go in search of the Gruffalo in the deep dark wood. With trails opening all across England, enjoy the perfect family day out near you.
2. Measure a tree using a stick and simple maths
Ever wondered how tall a tree is?
With just a stick from the ground and some really simple maths, you can amaze your family by estimating the height of a tree.
Don’t believe us? Watch our quick video to find out how.
3. Document wildlife wonders appearing this season
Many of you took part in the Big Forest Find by documenting all the flora and fauna you could find in your local woodland. The results were impressive!
Why not get the kids to observe and record all the birds, bugs and other wildlife they can find in the garden or on a walk? Download the iNaturalist app and start observing.
4. Go for a picnic as a family
Butter the bread and ready the sausage rolls, British summertime is here and we're itching to get out for a picnic.
Find your nearest location with our handy regional picnic spot guide. Plan your visit to enjoy the summer season surrounded by the very best nature has to offer.
Make a day of it with our free Gruffalo Party Pack, including invites, picnic food ideas, party games, bunting, masks and more.
Indoor activities to do with the kids
Looking for indoor entertainment away from the television? No problem! Check out our list of family-friendly indoor activities to keep the family happy.
5. Gruffalo activity sheets
Our long awaited Gruffalo Spotters trails are opening up around the country, but you can also get your hands on these free Gruffalo activity sheets which you can complete from the comfort of your home. What's inside?
- A template to make and decorate your own paper owl
- A template to make and decorate your own spiraling snake
- A spring spotter challenge sheet to complete whilst you wander through the woods!
6. Watch footage of Goshawks in the New Forest
The New Forest is famous for its animals, from the forest ponies and cattle that graze on it to the deer first established here for Royal parties to hunt. But there are many other less well-seen creatures that call the forest home including one of the UK’s most elusive birds of prey – the goshawk or so-called ‘Phantom of the Forest’.
Watch recorded footage from our incredible webcam in their nest last year. If you look closely, you’ll see the parents feeding their chicks!
7. Highway Rat activity sheets
Get your hands on our Highway Rat downloadable activity sheets for children. Filled with exciting activities and craft ideas for the family to enjoy. Inside you'll find the following craft ideas and tips:
- Make a hobby horse and ride through the forest like The Highway Rat
- Make The Highway Rat's hat
- The Highway Rat colouring sheet
8. Learn a thing or two
With all the disruptions this year, it is important that the kids can keep learning, even when they're out of school.
We've created a bank of lesson plans which focus on the activities that your children can enjoy indoors or in the garden.
The lesson plans have been developed by outdoor learning professionals in line with key Ofsted objectives for Early Years, and KS1 to KS5.
9. Get active
Your kids can still get active, even when you're stuck inside!
Change 4 Life have loads of great indoor children's activities and games for them to play so they can still get the activity they need even when they cannot get outside.
10. Try forest yoga for kids
Something you can enjoy at home, as well as in the forest, try a short yoga class for key stage 2 and 3 age groups – set outdoors in the beauty of the forest.
This 12 minute guided session will help the kids feel healthy and connect with their surroundings.
That's not all
We'll keep coming up with new ideas to keep you and the family busy and to help you remain connected to nature.
Make sure to sign up to our family newsletter and follow us on Facebook for inspiration and activities inspired by the forests.
