Let’s Go Outdoors: Summer Activities 2025

Written by Ela Vaida and Sarah Jaques

As the summer days are here and sunnier weather is on the horizon, there is no better time to head outdoors and explore nature.  Being out in the sunshine supports the body to create much needed vitamin D, for healthy bones and muscles.   

Here are a few ideas to keep your little ones entertained and active this summer. 

Butterfly Counting

Walking together with your little one is an easy way for the whole family to stay active over the holidays – add some adventure to your walk by trying our butterfly counting activity. How about visiting a nearby meadow or country park and discovering what insects you can find this summer! 

These are Nancy’s favourite facts about butterflies you might like to share on your walk. These can be a great opportunity to keep children engaged when outdoors.

• Butterflies have 4 wings – can you count them?
• Butterflies can taste food with their feet – how do you taste your food?

Bring the Outside Indoors…

In Wales, we are more than likely to face some rainy summers days – if you struggle to get outdoors on these days, we’ve found a way to bring the outside indoors, with this video that can help you to use screen time in a positive way.  

This short  video from Cardiff and Vale UHB Local Public Health Team’s Quick Change gives idea of movements and stretches for your little one. Why not explore their virtual garden and see what different creatures you might find….  

Quick Change for Pre-Schoolers (2-4 years)

For more information about this Good Food and Movement campaign, visit QuickChange – Keeping Me Well .

Did you know?

Children under 1 year do not need any screen time. Children under 5 should try keep their screen time to under 2 hours a day.

Cooking Activity: Snack Time Bugs

Special thanks to our dietetic students, Cathy Delaney and Oliver Gani, for these delicious snack ideas!

At NYLO we love to introduce new opportunities for food exposure with your little ones.  Engaging with children in the kitchen isn’t just a bonding activity – its backed by evidence.  Research shows that little ones who are more involved in preparing food are more likely to consume more new foods.  Exposing little ones to different foods allows them to explore new smells and textures.  By creating our bug friends Bola and Caris you can support your little one’s imagination, bringing these bugs to life. 

What you will need:

1 x knife

1 x chopping board

Top Tip!

These snacks go great with breadsticks as a starchy energy source.

If your child is not up for trying to eat these today, please don’t be discouraged! This is still a very good opportunity for your little ones to explore new foods and learn new skills.  

We would love to see your bug creations send them to us to be featured in our next NYLO newsletter. 

Let’s Get Growing!

Growing your own food provides an opportunity to use the different senses, including smell and touch as well as taste.  This activity lets little one’s nurture something and think about where food comes from – this can also be a positive way for young children to experience new foods without the pressure to eat them. 

Top tip!

If you don’t have outdoor space at home, herbs are perfect to try and grow in pots on your windowsill.

How to Grow Basil

You will need:

• Plastic Pot (you can often get free ones at the garden centre that they no longer need)
• Soil (we recommend one that’s peat free)
• Water can or jug
• Elastic band/hair band
• Clear sandwich bag or Cling Film
• Basil seeds

Instructions:

1. Fill your pot with compost to the fill line using your hands. Tap the bottom of your pot firmly on a flat surface to allow soil to settle.
2. Sprinkle a palmful of basil seeds into the soil and cover with a thin layer of soil on top and gently press down the soil.
3. Water the seeds using the watering can/jug
4. Add a plastic food bag or cling film over the top of the pot and secure with a plastic band (this will help keep in the moisture the seeds need to start growing).
5. Keep in a warm place for the seeds to germinate (start growing shoots – this will take about 5-14 days)
6. Once your plant starts to pop up through the soil, remove the cover.
7. Keep the plant in a warm place where it will get plenty of light (eg. sunny windowsill)
8. Once the shoots have started to grow, water regularly, especially if it is a hot day. Place your pot on top of a saucer to water- this will protect the surface underneath if growing indoors, but also make it easier to water. Watering from below helps the basil to grow strong roots so put the water into the saucer rather than straight into the plant. If the water is not taken up by the plant and is left standing, it has too much water.

Basil goes really well with our mini pizza recipe, you can find it in our “cooking with children” section here: Parent / Carer – NYLO