Family Activities to Do Outside During the Summer

The Guardian reports that temperatures have hit 40 degrees Celsius in several parts of England last week. In response, public health messages are encouraging everyone to stay cool indoors. But as anyone who has children knows, nurturing your child’s interests is just as crucial as keeping them safe –– and this often means going outside to stimulate their young minds.

Take a dip at the beach

The fastest way to cool down is to get in the water. Fortunately, Plymouth has a selection of gorgeous beaches. If you’re coming from the city centre, Wembury is only a 15- to 20-minute drive away. Although if you have time to spare — and don’t mind getting on a boat — it only takes a half hour to take a leisurely walk along Kingsand’s secluded beaches.

No matter how thrilling, going to the beach has its own precautions. Generally, hydrating regularly and applying sun protection are necessary for avoiding the effects of a heat wave, like dehydration or sunburn. To avoid sunburn, EltaMD’s sunscreen comes highly recommended by dermatologists. It’s an all-natural sunscreen, which means that it’s compatible with most children’s skin types. It also delivers optimal protection against both UVA and UVB rays, crucial details during a heatwave.

Additionally, parents should keep a closer eye on their children to prevent common beach injuries on top of heat-related conditions. Some of the things parents should check for are water temperature, strong currents, and overexposure to extreme heat.

Go for a walk in the woods

Woodland walks increase happiness while also alleviating symptoms of anxiety. If you want to take your family away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Woodland Wood is a spacious nature reserve between Whitleigh and Honicknowle that consists of stunning streams, hedgerows, and grasslands. However, the trail circling the 29 hectares can be steep and take time to trek.

To keep your children safe and comfortable, they should wear close-toed shoes. If you’ve got very young children then make sure you take a pram with you, as they’ll probably tire pretty easily. If you have multiple children, iCandy designs double prams that show just how ideal tandem buggies are for families out and about with younger children. Some of them come with all-terrain rigs which means that your kids can remain comfortable even if you pushing the pram across uneven ground. More importantly, these prams are easy to manoeuvre.

Explore local parks

Afternoons spent in local parks or even rock climbing at the Plymouth Life Centre make for memorable summer days. So, if you feel like taking it slow, you should consider visiting a quiet green space with the whole family. Green spaces make up over a third of Plymouth, so you can take your pick of local parks according to which facilities or activities you and your family want to explore. Thankfully, it’s easier to reach your local park with the various bus routes around the city, as we discussed in our post ‘Summer Days Out’. For example, Freedom Fields Park is accessible via a bus from Seymour Avenue.

Most parks have playgrounds with a sandy area, climbing frames, tyre swings and roundabouts. Although, with a little planning and creativity, parents can also set up a picnic, scavenger hunts, or running games to entertain their children. Just remember to pack a spare change of clothes and bring snacks and refreshments to ensure they’re happy until the end of the day.

Article contributed by Reanne Johns