Nature-based holiday activities for the whole family

Getting kids (and the rest of the family) into nature doesn’t have to mean a big hike or a grand plan, it can be as simple as turning the outdoors into a playground. Caravan parks are perfect for this because nature is right there: birds in the trees, lizards on sunny paths, wildflowers by the cabins, and night skies that actually feel night-sky-ish. A few small, fun activities can flip “let’s go for a walk” into “what are we going to find today?”, helping everyone slow down, look closer, and feel more connected to the place they’re staying.

Here are a few easy, low-pressure ways to spark that nature curiosity:

Native nature scavenger hunts

Make a list of local plants, birds, animal tracks, or natural objects to spot. Add a fun fact to each item so kids learn while they search. Check out the scavenger hunt in the latest Outsider magazine.

Geocaching (or simple GPS treasure hunts)

Use a geocaching app or set your own “hidden treasure” locations around the park. It’s adventure-meets-tech in a good way.

Nature collecting (shells, rocks, feathers, seed pods)

Give everyone a small bucket or pouch and set a “treasure list” — like a spiral shell, a smooth stone, a wattle pod, or a piece of driftwood. You can chat about what each item is and where it came from. (Just stick to collecting loose items, and leave living creatures or plants where they are.)

Beach teepee making

Its all about the gathering sticks, the balanace, angles, teamwork and the tieing skills here. Need a little competition? See who can create the biggest one!

Mini “park ranger” missions

Give kids a simple role: bird-spotter, leaf-collector, cloud-watcher, or track-finder. Swap roles each day.

Sunset or sunrise walks

Short, sweet, and full of wildlife moments. Bring a snack and make it a daily ritual.

Rockpooling or shoreline exploring (if you’re coastal)

Buckets and nets optional. Curiosity required. Talk about what lives where and why.

Night sky spotting

Lay out a blanket and look for constellations, satellites, and shooting stars. Kids love the “how big is everything?!” moment.

Nature crafts with found items

Think leaf rubbings, stick sculptures, seed-pod mobiles, or sand art, using only what’s already on the ground.

Still easy, still holiday-relaxed, just with a few extra reasons for everyone to wander, notice, and get happily sandy.