10 Things To Do In Your Back Garden This Half Term (+BONUS)

Worried about what to do with the kids this half term?

Outdoor activities are a great way to keep kids entertained and active, whilst also nurturing their mental and physical health.

From teaching children about seasons, to providing an essential dose of vitamin D to keep them happy and healthy, the benefits of spending time outdoors are innumerable!

You don’t have to travel far to spend quality time in nature with your family. In fact, there’s plenty of fun, free activities you can do in your own garden or local park. So why not get outside and enjoy some fresh air this half term?

We've cherry picked the 10 most popular and fun things for you to do in your back garden this half term:

Take a look at out 10 top ideas for things to do in your back garden.

1. Go on a bug hunt

First on the list is going on a bug hunt.

Now I know this isn't exactly your dream activity, but trust me, kids love it! There are so many different creepy crawlies to discover, and they're a great way to teach kids about the natural world.

All you need is a magnifying glass and some patience, and you're good to go. You might even find a few new friends of your own ;)

This is a pretty basic exercise, but the learning opportunities are endless. You can talk about the different habitats of different insects, their life cycles, what they eat… The list goes on!

2. Plant some seeds

Now, planting seeds is actually more exciting than it first sounds.

There's something pretty magical about watching a tiny seed turn into a beautiful flower or tasty fruit, and it's a great way to get kids interested in gardening.

Plus, it's a perfect opportunity to teach them about how plants grow and the importance of taking care of the environment.

You can teach them about the best time time to plant seeds, what kind of soil they need, how much water they need… All sorts of things!

3. Make a homemade bird feeder

Granted, you might have to refer to YouTube for this one (unless you're a master craftsman that is) but making a bird feeder is a great activity for kids.

They'll love getting creative, and you'll love seeing the different birds that come to visit your garden. It's a win-win!

There are loads of different designs you can try, so have a look online and see what takes your fancy.

4.Camp Outdoors

This really should have been number one on the list, but, to be honest, it's number one on every other list out there, so we thought we'd mix things up a bit.

Camping is the ultimate outdoor activity, and there's nothing kids love more than sleeping under the stars (or in your case, in the garden).

It's a great opportunity to teach them about wildlife, and you can even tell them ghost stories around the campfire (just don't make them too scared!)

5. Have a picnic

I've got to be honest. This is one of my faves.

There's something about eating outdoors that just makes food taste better. Maybe it's the fresh air, or maybe it's because you don't have to cook... Who knows?

Anyway, picnics are great fun for the whole family. Just make sure you pack plenty of snacks!

I recommend getting the kids involved. Ask them to help you make sandwiches, or let them loose with some finger paints to decorate some paper plates. It'll be a picnic they'll never forget!

6. Go Stargazing

Of course, this is one of those activities that needs to be done at night, but it's definitely worth the wait.

There's something pretty magical about lying on the grass, looking up at the stars, and wondering what's out there.

It's a great opportunity to teach kids about astronomy, and you might even spot a shooting star! Just make sure you have a blanket to lie on, and some hot chocolate to keep you warm.

Related: How to Get Your Child Interested in Astronomy

7. Make a den

Ah, good old fashioned den building. It's a classic for a reason!

There's something so satisfying about creating your own little space in the outdoors, and it's great fun for kids too.

All you need is some blankets, sheets or tarpaulin, and some chairs or poles to tie them to. Then let your kids go wild!

They can make it as big or small as they like, and decorate it however they want. Just make sure you have a camera to hand to capture the memories.

8. Make a compost heap

Yep, not the most interesting activities on this list, but stick with me here.

Making a compost heap is actually a really great way to teach kids about recycling and the importance of taking care of the environment. And, if you do it right, it's not as smelly as you might think!

There are loads of different ways to make a compost heap, so have a little research online and find one that's right for you.

9. Outdoor Cinema

Another one of my faves.

Granted, the logistics can be a bit tricky, but it's the perfect way for the whole family to enjoy a film together.

You could use a projector and screen, or even just set up a laptop in the garden. Then all you need is some snacks and drinks, and you're good to go!

The important thing is having something comfortable to sit on. I recommend blankets or bean bags.

You'll likely watch 2 or 3 films before the kids get bored, but it's a great way to spend an evening together.

10. Create a Treasure hunt

The last activity on the list will be the hardest to do logestically, but will keep your kids occupied for hours!

Creating a treasure hunt is great fun, and it's a great way to encourage kids to explore their surroundings.

You can hide things around the garden, or even get creative and make your own map. Either way, your kids are guaranteed to have a blast!

Step 1 - Plan a route

The first thing you need to do is plan a route for your treasure hunt. This can be as simple or as complicated as you like, depending on how much time you want to spend on it.

Step 2 - Gather your materials

Once you've planned your route, you'll need to gather materials to make your treasure hunt.

Step 3 - Write numbers and clues on the back of each item

Now it's time to write numbers and clues on the back of each item. The number should correspond to the order in which the items should be found, and the clues should help lead the way to the next item.

Step 4 - Hide your treasure

Now it's time to hide your treasure! This is the fun part. Make sure you hide the items in different places so that the hunt is challenging but not too difficult.

Step 5 - Let the treasure hunt begin!

Once everything is hidden, it's time to let the treasure hunt begin! Give your kids the first clue and let them loose. They'll have a blast trying to find all the hidden treasures!

Bonus tip: If you want to make things even more challenging, you can create a scavenger hunt instead of a treasure hunt. Simply write a list of items that your kids have to find, and let them loose!

Have fun!