Easter Sunday is set to fall on the 9th of April in 2023, and while the exact dates of UK school holidays vary depending on setting and district, most schools will likely break up for the first two weeks of April. With the weather warming up and the daylight hours becoming longer, the Easter break provides an ideal opportunity for families to get outside and experience the breathtaking wonders of nature together. If you’re keen to experience the great outdoors with your nearest and dearest, consider the following suggestions for excellent family activities.
Adventure Park
Regardless of your home location, you are never far from an exciting adventure park. With over 40 UK theme parks, six Center Parcs locations and countless outdoor activity centres, a day of outdoor exhilaration is a crowd-pleasing option for all the family. Although many outdoor activity centres featuring high ropes, ziplines and playgrounds are better suited for older children, there is often plenty for adults and little ones to do.
Water Sports
Once the frost has thawed, and temperatures become a little more bearable, the prospect of taking to the water seems all the more enticing. Water sports, such as kayaking and paddleboarding, are suitable for ages six and up as long as the correct equipment is provided and safety precautions are respected. You don’t need to purchase expensive equipment, as many lakes and coastal areas feature equipment-hire businesses where you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and wetsuits.
Beach Day
You simply cannot beat a day out at the beach. While the weather may not be yet hot enough for sea swimming and sunbathing, beaches offer plenty of opportunities for fun and educational activities. For example, you don’t need to wait until temperatures reach the high twenties for a day of sandcastle building, kite-flying, shell-hunting and rockpool-discovering. Furthermore, beaches tend to be less crowded on milder days, so pack a picnic lunch and head to your nearest stretch of sandy coastline.
Camping
Camping is a tremendously fun activity regardless of the time of year. Camping is an ideal way to kick back, get some fresh air and appreciate the wonders of nature. Whether you pitch your tent in a commercial campsite or somewhere altogether wilder out in the sticks, make sure you pack well to cover all eventualities - waterproofs, first aid kits, sunscreen and plenty of snacks. You could even opt for glamping accommodation for a slightly more luxurious experience.
Nature Walk
Nature walks are excellent low-effort activities that provide young family members with wonderfully beneficial educational experiences. Consider taking a walk around your local park or nature reserve to spot the various species of birds and trees your local area has to offer. While you’re at it, you could use this opportunity to educate canine family members by bringing along your beloved pup and using dog whistles for recall training.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a fantastic way to enrich a nature walk with a touch of treasure-hunting excitement. First of all, you will need to download the official Geocaching® app to your smartphone. You and your family can then use GPS to locate caches, or hidden stashes of objects, of which there are over 70,000 in the UK alone. You can discover caches in towns, cities, national parks, nature reserves and many other locations.
Foraging
The UK countryside is bursting with edible delights, including fruits, vegetables, herbs and fungus, free to pick and enjoy, provided you know where to look. As fun and rewarding as it can be, it is crucial to forage safely and responsibly. Never pick something unless you are 100% certain of its identity, and never harvest more than you need. Some excellent beginner-foraging options for Springtime are wild garlic, chickweed and cow parsley.
Gardening
If the idea of foraging doesn’t seem appealing, why not have a go at growing your own fruit and veg? Gardening can be a wonderful bonding activity for all the family as you work together to sow, grow and harvest your own produce. Not only is gardening a great form of gentle, low-impact physical activity, but it teaches patience and instils an appreciation of nature in young children. Furthermore, growing crops from seed will encourage your little ones to try a wider variety of fruit and veg.
