Eco-Friendly School Holiday Activities for Curious Kids

It’s August, so that means school’s out for summer – and many parents will be looking for lots of ideas for keeping the children entertained for the coming weeks! The long summer holidays and the warm, fine weather we’re having make it the perfect time to step outside and reconnect with nature, especially if your children love the environment and outdoors. There are plenty of eco-friendly activities to try, many of them right on your doorstep. Here are some inspiring ideas to make this holiday both fun and planet-friendly – some eco-friendly school hoiday activities for kids!

Build a Bug Hotel

Creating a bug hotel is a brilliant hands-on activity that helps children learn about the tiny creatures that keep our ecosystems thriving. Using natural materials you can find in most  parks or out in the garden, like twigs, bark, pinecones, and hollow stems, you can build a cosy shelter for insects in your very own garden.

Not only is it a creative project, but it also supports biodiversity by providing a safe habitat for beneficial bugs such as ladybirds and solitary bees. Place your bug hotel in a quiet corner and check back regularly to see who’s moved in. This one has been installed just up the road from me in Northamptonshire:

Explore Local Nature Spots

You don’t need to travel far to find beauty in nature. Go on a walk to a nearby park, woodland, or countryside trail and encourage children to observe their surroundings.

Look out for seasonal wildflowers, listen for birdsong (the Merlin app is brilliant for identifying what’s singing nearby), and notice the different textures and colours in the landscape. Turning it into a mini adventure, like a nature scavenger hunt, can make the experience even more engaging. You can find lots of different scavenger hunts online – here’s a great example from the Woodland Trust: Nature Scavenger Hunt for kids

Here’s a beautiful wildflower spot to explore, on the banks of Lodge Lake in Milton Keynes – free parking too!

Take Part in the Big Butterfly Count

The Big Butterfly Count, organised by Butterfly Conservation, is a fantastic way to get involved in real ‘citizen science’. All you have to do is spend 15 minutes in your garden or local green space counting the butterflies you see, then submit your results online. It’s a lovely, simple activity that helps track butterfly populations across the UK, while teaching children the importance of conservation in a hands-on way.

Plant a Wildflower Garden

Wildflowers are beautiful (see the photos above), and they’re essential for pollinators. Planting a small wildflower patch is an easy and rewarding way to support bees and butterflies. Using one of our seed bombs from the online shop makes it even simpler. You can start a seed bomb any time between March and November – just scatter, water, and watch as a colourful mix of flowers begins to grow. It’s a low-effort activity with a big environmental impact, and children will love seeing their garden come to life.

Watch Garden Birds Up Close

Encourage children to slow down and observe wildlife by setting up a bird-watching spot at home. A glass bird feeder from our online shop is perfect for this, allowing you to watch birds feed from your window. Keep a simple log of the different species you spot, or turn it into a daily ritual with a morning or afternoon check-in. It’s such a calming activity that builds patience and curiosity.

Make It a Summer to Remember

Eco-friendly activities don’t have to be over-complicated or expensive. Often, the simplest moments – digging in the soil, spotting a butterfly, or watching birds in the garden – leave the biggest impression, especially if you’re sharing those moments together. When you encourage your curious children to connect with nature, you’re helping to nurture a lifelong appreciation for the world around them – as well as giving them some brilliant holiday activities and memories too.

Save the Date for our September Sunday Sanctuary

Looking forward to next month, we have a date for your diary – a slower, more mindful kind of day out at Sunday Sanctuary at T’s. Join us on Sunday 13th September, 10am-3pm at T’s Coffee, Pitsford, and escape the hustle with a relaxing woodland event celebrating wellbeing, handmade creativity and sustainable living.

With free entry and parking, you can explore over 30 local makers, therapists and eco-conscious businesses, enjoy delicious artisan food and drink, watch live demonstrations, and take part in everything from yoga and sound healing to discovering handmade jewellery, pottery, sustainable floristry and more. Wander the woodland walk, bring the dog and your curious kids, shop local, and soak up a day designed to help you reconnect with nature. We can’t wait to welcome you! All the details on our Facebook Sunday Sanctuary event page