15 free activities to create magic with your little ones this summer
With the sun shining bright and the days stretching out, now is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors and make the most of the warm weather. Christmas busted the budget? Don’t sweat it, some of the best moments are absolutely free! Here are some ideas to get you started…
- Dance Party: Crank up the tunes and have a dance-off on your deck, living room or the backyard. Share your best moves to pass down to the next generation. Take turns at choosing the songs so everybody gets to enjoy their faves.
- Picnic in the park: Pack some yummy goodies and head outdoors! Let your child choose a comfy spot, and enjoy lunch on a soft blanket. It’s amazing what a change of scenery can do to lift everybody’s mood.
- Splish Splash: Set up a paddling pool or head to a nearby pool or beach. A dip in the water is a fantastic way to cool off and have fun.
- Nature scavenger hunt: Embark on a backyard, park or beach adventure, searching for treasures like flowers, shells, leaves, rocks, or bugs. A fantastic opportunity to teach the kids about nature at the same time.
- Chalk art: Grab some chalk and let your child create their own masterpiece on the driveaway or pavement. Leave a message for pedestrians!
- Mini olympics: Organise a day of outdoor games like three-legged race, sack race, egg race, or even a makeshift obstacle course. Don't forget to award DIY crafty medals!
- Storytime: Find a cosy spot under a tree or make a fort and read your little one's favourite storybook. Bonus points if a few teddy bears or dollies are in attendance.
- Fruit picking: Find a local orchard or berry farm where your little one can pick their own fruit, a rite of passage for all Kiwi kids.
- Make ice cream: Use up all that fruit by making homemade fruit ice cream or ice blocks!
- Star gazing: Let them stay up late one night and lay a blanket outside and gaze at the stars.
- Create natural art: Collect sand, shells, flowers, leaves and twigs to create beautiful nature-inspired art.
- Flower picking: Go on a flower-picking adventure around your neighbourhood and teach your child how to arrange their own bouquet to have in their room.
- Outdoor movie: Many communities host free outdoor movie nights during the summer, keep an eye out for them advertised in your area.
- Beach treasure hunt: If you're near the coast, spend a day at the beach and hide "treasures" in the sand for your child to discover.
- Day trips: Explore a nearby town or attraction you've never visited before. You'll be surprised by the hidden gems you discover not so far from home.
