Spending time in the great outdoors can be an amazing experience for children, full of fresh air, space to run around, and opportunities to engage with nature. However, it can also pose some challenges when it comes to keeping the kids entertained, especially if they are used to having constant stimulation and activities available in the city. With a bit of planning and creativity though, you can make sure your kids have a brilliant time next time you take them out to the countryside. In this post, we’ll share some top tips for keeping children of all ages entertained when visiting rural areas of the UK.
Get Outdoors and Explore
One of the biggest advantages of being in the countryside is having plenty of outdoor space to use. Let the kids run free, climb trees, splash in streams, and look for bugs under rocks and logs – fresh air and exercise will keep them happy. Pack a ball or frisbee so they can play games together. Go on nature walks and scavenger hunts for pinecones, flowers, feathers etc. The great outdoors provides endless opportunities for burning off energy and keeping curious minds occupied.
Bring Along Some Crafty Activities
Crafts are a great way to unleash creativity and keep hands busy. Pack supplies like crayons, paper, scissors, glue, modelling clay – anything that will inspire making. Sit outside and make nature crowns with leaves and flowers, or collect sticks and stones to build mini rock people. Make leaf or bark rubbings by placing paper on the item and rubbing with a crayon.
Have Some Indoor Fun
Be prepared for rainy days or downtime in the evenings with some classic indoor activities. Bring your favourite books, card and board games, and small toys like building blocks or figurines. Download films or shows onto a tablet or laptop in advance. Make some DIY musical shakers by adding rice, pasta or beads to empty plastic bottles. The possibilities are endless – just use your imagination!
Cook or Build Together
Involving kids in creating something can keep them engaged for hours. Cook or bake something together using local produce – let them get messy making pizza from scratch or decorating baked goods. Get creative with natural materials like sticks, leaves and stones to build miniature shelters and towns. These hands-on, collaborative activities encourage teamwork and provide a great sense of satisfaction upon completion.
Affording Entertainment
You certainly don’t need to spend a lot to have fun in the countryside. However, for those on a tight budget, including foster carers, the cost of trips and activities can add up. It’s important to remember that in the UK, foster carers receive a weekly fostering allowance for each child they care for, which is intended to cover the reasonable costs of entertaining and caring for the children. Speak to your fostering service, such as www.thefca.co.uk for guidance, but typical allowances should stretch to cover activity day trips, craft supplies, treats and more. Don’t be afraid to make full use of the allowance available to provide enjoyable new experiences.
Keeping kids entertained away from the stimulation of the city may seem daunting at first. However, with a mix of outdoor adventures, creative pursuits, indoor fun and hands-on building and cooking, you can easily fill their time with new experiences. With an open mind and a spirit of fun and discovery, parents and carers can inspire children to fall in love with the great outdoors.