For families

Delve into our garden shed of fun activities for the kids throughout the seasons. Explore things to do, games to play and recipes to bake. There's lots to do outdoors and indoors, come rain or shine

Child playing with a kite in the garden
Finding leaves at Speke Hall, Liverpool

Summer family activities for every adventurer 

Get set, go! There's lots to do this summer at places near you. We've got nature trails to keep the kids entertained, sporty challenges to get your heart racing, peaceful gardens to discover and arts and crafts activities for messy afternoons. Pick up a ‘Get set, go’ activity card when you visit and see what adventure you'll be having this summer.

Find a place near you
Child riding a balance bike

Activities to do wherever you are 

If you can't visit our places this summer, or if you'd like to continue the fun at home, we've got lots of family-friendly activities for an exciting and playful summer. Use your imagination, put your skills to the test with tips on learning to ride a bike or discover more about the history behind traditional games are just a few ideas you can do.

Explore

Visitors enjoying a picnic at Morden Hall Park, London

Perfect picnic spots 

Bring your lunch to the great outdoors at one of our top places to picnic. Admiring the view at the coast, settling down under the cool shade of a tree or chilling out after a long walk – find a place to picnic with your family and enjoy nature as you tuck in.

A little girl rides on the back of a tandem.

Bike rides for beginners 

Just starting out on your cycling journey? We've got lots of trails near you to improve your skills on a bike. Even though some routes are longer, you can choose how long you stay on them for. Strap on your helmet and head out on a cycle trail suitable for the whole family.

Family exploring the ruins at Corfe Castle, Dorset

Top 10 castles 

Wars, ghosts, royal skullduggery – the castles we look after have seen it all. With their towering turrets and fairy-tale towers, have fun exploring some of the most interesting and enchanting ruins, encountering characters from the past and stepping back in time.

A child holds an ammonite fossil found on the beach

Top '50 things' to do in summer 

Going on a nature scavenger hunt, making friends with a bug and paddling in a stream – discover all these simple summer pleasures and more with ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.

Make it
Greek salad with feta, tomatoes, olives and cucmber

Greek salad 

Need a vibrant and tasty salad that'll get the kids excited this summer? Look no further than our deliciously colourful Greek salad. It's perfect as a stand-alone dish or pair it with other picnic or barbecue recipes for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Try the recipe
Small boy cutting out pastry

More family-friendly recipes 

We love food and we've got some great recipes to prove it. We've got our favourite family bakes if the weather keeps you indoors, or take a look at some of our simple snacks perfect for outdoor adventures if the sun is shining.

Share the joy
Twin girls reading a Beatrix Potter book on a bench at Hill Top

Join in with the Summer Reading Challenge 

Give reading a go this summer with the Summer Reading Challenge. Lots of our second-hand bookshops are open for you to explore, buy some books and reach your reading goal when you take part in the challenge. Not only will you be discovering new worlds hidden inside books, you'll be helping us care for your favourite places.

The Wide, Wide Sea book on a white board surrounded by shells, sand andpebbles

View The Wide, Wide Sea on the online shop 

Explore this poignant and heart-warming tale about the importance of caring for our coast and how we can protect it together. With beautiful illustrations, this inspirational story will have your little ones exploring everything from the beach to the wide, wide sea.

Things to do

Get some inspiration for activities to do on your own or with family. You won't be short of things to do this spring.

Ideas for things to do