Get Your Kids Outdoors This Summer: UK Nature and Adventure Camps 2026

British children spend an average of just over four hours a day looking at screens, according to Ofcom's latest research. The summer holidays present a golden opportunity to change that pattern — six weeks of long days, warm weather, and endless possibilities for outdoor exploration. Across the UK, outdoor and adventure camps are helping children rediscover the natural world while building resilience, confidence, and practical skills that last a lifetime.

Why Outdoor Time Matters More Than Ever

The benefits of outdoor play and nature connection for children are well documented. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that children who spend regular time in natural settings show improved concentration, lower stress levels, and better emotional regulation compared to peers who spend most of their time indoors.

Beyond mental health, outdoor activities develop physical fitness, spatial awareness, and risk assessment skills. Children learn to navigate uneven terrain, judge distances, manage their own safety, and work as a team — skills that are difficult to develop in a classroom or living room.

The summer holidays offer the longest unbroken stretch of free time in the school year. Using even part of that time for outdoor experiences can establish habits and interests that carry through the rest of the year.

Forest Schools: Learning Through Nature

Forest school is one of the fastest-growing approaches to outdoor education in the UK. Originally developed in Scandinavia, the forest school model uses woodland settings as outdoor classrooms where children learn through hands-on, nature-based activities.

What Happens at Forest School?

A typical forest school session might include:

• Fire craft: Learning to safely build and manage a campfire, then cooking on it
• Shelter building: Using natural materials to construct dens and shelters
• Tool use: Supervised whittling, sawing, and rope work
• Nature identification: Learning to recognise trees, plants, birds, and insects
• Creative play: Using natural materials for art, storytelling, and imaginative games
• Team challenges: Problem-solving activities that require cooperation

Forest school sessions are led by qualified practitioners (Level 3 Forest School Leaders) who understand child development and outdoor risk management. The approach emphasises child-led learning — children choose what interests them, with adults facilitating rather than directing.

Where to Find Forest Schools

Forest school programmes run across the UK during summer holidays. Many are based in established woodland sites, while others use local parks, nature reserves, or school grounds. The Forest School Association maintains a directory of qualified providers at forestschoolassociation.org.

Prices vary by region, but expect to pay between £30 and £50 per day for holiday sessions. Some providers offer weekly rates that work out cheaper per day. Many forest schools accept children from age 3, with separate programmes for different age groups.

Coastal and Water-Based Adventures

The UK's 19,000 miles of coastline provide spectacular settings for summer adventure activities. Coastal camps combine physical challenge with environmental education, teaching children about marine ecosystems while they surf, kayak, and explore rock pools.

Beach and Surf Camps

Cornwall, Devon, Pembrokeshire, and the Scottish Highlands all host excellent surf camps for young people. Most cater to complete beginners, providing all equipment and qualified instruction. A typical surf camp day includes warm-up exercises, technique instruction on the beach, and supervised time in the water.

Beyond surfing, coastal camps often include:

• Coasteering (scrambling, jumping, and swimming along cliff edges)
• Sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
• Rock pooling and marine biology sessions
• Beach art and sand sculpture
• Snorkelling in sheltered bays

River and Lake Activities

Inland water activities are equally rewarding. Canoeing, kayaking, and wild swimming sessions run at lakes and rivers across the UK. The Lake District, Norfolk Broads, and Scottish lochs are particularly popular destinations for water-based adventure camps.

Safety is paramount for water activities. Check that providers hold appropriate qualifications (British Canoeing, RYA, or Swim England accreditation) and maintain proper safety equipment and ratios.

Multi-Day Residential Adventures

For older children (typically 8 and above), residential adventure camps offer an immersive outdoor experience. Spending several days away from home in a natural setting builds independence, self-reliance, and social skills in ways that day camps simply can't replicate.

What to Expect

Residential camps usually run for three to seven days and include a mix of activities such as:

• Hiking and navigation exercises
• Climbing and abseiling
• Camping under canvas (or sometimes under the stars)
• Orienteering and geocaching
• Wildlife tracking and nature surveys
• Evening campfire sessions with stories and songs

Organisations like the Scouts, Guides, Outward Bound Trust, and PGL run established residential programmes with excellent safety records. Many offer bursaries or subsidised places for families who couldn't otherwise afford the experience.

Preparing for a Residential Camp

If your child hasn't been away from home before, a residential camp can feel like a big step. Preparation helps:

• Start with a shorter camp (two or three nights) before committing to a full week
• Let your child help pack their bag so they know where everything is
• Discuss what to expect, including that it's normal to feel homesick
• Agree on communication expectations (many camps limit phone use, which is actually beneficial)
• Focus on the exciting aspects rather than dwelling on separation

Urban Outdoor Adventures

You don't need to live near countryside to give children outdoor experiences. Cities across the UK offer surprising opportunities for nature connection and outdoor activity.

City Farms and Community Gardens

London alone has over 20 city farms, and most UK cities have similar facilities. Summer programmes at city farms teach children about animal care, food growing, and sustainability. Community gardens and allotment projects often welcome young volunteers during the holidays.

Urban Parks and Green Spaces

Many urban parks run summer activity programmes including:

• Outdoor fitness sessions and sports coaching
• Nature walks and wildlife identification
• Gardening and growing projects
• Outdoor art and craft sessions
• Adventure playgrounds with natural play elements

The Royal Parks in London, for example, run extensive summer programmes for children. Similar initiatives exist in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other major cities. Check your local parks trust or council website for details.

Cycling Programmes

Organisations like Bikeability and local cycling charities run summer holiday programmes teaching children to ride confidently and safely. These range from learn-to-ride sessions for beginners to advanced road skills for older children. Many are free or heavily subsidised.

Combining Outdoor Time with Other Interests

Outdoor activities pair naturally with many other pursuits, creating rich, multi-dimensional experiences for children.

Outdoor STEM

Nature provides an endless laboratory for scientific exploration. Summer is perfect for:

• Ecology projects: Surveying local wildlife, measuring biodiversity, tracking seasonal changes
• Weather science: Building weather stations, recording data, understanding climate patterns
• Geology: Fossil hunting, rock identification, understanding landscape formation
• Astronomy: Summer evenings are ideal for stargazing (especially in August during the Perseid meteor shower)

STEM activities conducted outdoors feel less like schoolwork and more like genuine exploration, which can engage children who might resist traditional learning environments.

Outdoor Arts

Plein air painting, nature photography, land art (creating temporary sculptures from natural materials), and outdoor theatre all thrive during summer. These activities combine creative expression with physical activity and nature connection — a powerful combination for children's wellbeing.

Arts and crafts in outdoor settings often produce different results than studio work, as children respond to natural light, textures, and colours.

Outdoor Cooking

Campfire cooking, foraging (with expert guidance), and outdoor baking are increasingly popular summer activities. Cookery programmes that take place outdoors add an extra dimension of adventure and self-sufficiency to culinary skills.

Choosing the Right Outdoor Camp

Age Considerations

• Ages 4-6: Look for nature play sessions, forest school tasters, and gentle outdoor exploration with high adult-to-child ratios
• Ages 7-10: Multi-activity adventure days, forest school programmes, and introductory water sports work well
• Ages 11-14: More challenging activities like climbing, kayaking, and residential camps suit this age group
• Ages 15-17: Leadership programmes, expedition training, and Duke of Edinburgh preparation offer appropriate challenge

Safety Checklist

Before booking any outdoor camp, verify:

• Staff hold relevant qualifications (outdoor first aid, activity-specific certifications)
• The provider has public liability insurance
• Risk assessments are in place for all activities
• Staff-to-child ratios are appropriate (typically 1:6 for higher-risk activities)
• Equipment is well-maintained and regularly inspected
• There's a clear communication plan for emergencies

Weather Preparedness

British summers are unpredictable. Good outdoor camps run in all weather (within safety limits), and children often have the most fun on rainy days. Ensure your child has:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sturdy footwear (wellies or walking boots)
• Layers that can be added or removed
• Sun hat and sun cream for warm days
• A complete change of clothes

The Long-Term Benefits

Children who develop a connection with nature during childhood are more likely to value and protect the natural environment as adults. But the benefits extend far beyond environmental awareness. Outdoor experiences build physical confidence, emotional resilience, problem-solving ability, and social skills that serve children well throughout their lives.

This summer, consider swapping at least some screen time for green time. Whether it's a week-long residential adventure or simply more time playing in the local park, every outdoor experience counts.

Explore outdoor activities near you or browse our guide to outdoor activities for children to find the right adventure for your family.

---

Related Resources:

• Outdoor Activities Guide for Children
• Sports and Fitness Programmes
• Find Outdoor Camps Near You
• STEM Activities for Kids