Days out with children

[modernmother]

Really interested in hearing your views regarding the countryside. Do you tend to take your children out there often? if so, what problems do you usually encounter?

Well we live in the countryside so we are out there all the time, but I’m not understanding your question? What do you mean by “problems”?

@Youngandfree really worried that they might get bored easily
any advice on things we can do out there?

We didn;t in the county we used to live in as it was shit and nothing to do much for anyone. In the country we live in now there are National Parks (lots of walks, natural play areas, etc), heathland walks, it;s great, the kids get out, find sticks, build dens. They love it.

That's rather a 'how long is a piece of string' type question!

How old are your DC?
What do you mean by countryside?

Are you looking to move house?? Or just days out? Well we play in the garden, go for walks, we live rurally but also we are coastal so we are 5mins from several beaches. We play in trees, little streams. They build dens and tree houses in our own wooded area. It really depends on what’s around you?!

We do/did (late teens now.)

My DC liked to:
build dens in the woods
make dams across rivers
dig out clay from the river and make pots or little figures with it
Climb hills and mountains
spot funghi (less interested in flowers and leaves)
Collect pine cones and stones
Make track-markers such as cairns and twig arrows for other walkers
pat horses
watch wild rabbits, hares, foxes and deer

HAve a look on some of the wildlife and countryside charities's websites eg National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/50-things-to-do-before-youre-11--activity-list
Woodland Trust
RSPB

Also OP if are you planning on just driving to a random spot like forest/woods/fields you need to make sure it is public, you can’t just rock up and walk into these place without knowing if they are public or private! They are more than likely private land.

We go out to green areas a lot. Not always up the country side but country parks, woods and national trust.
Always take snacks and drinks.
Hot chocolate in a flask is good for when the weather gets colder.

My kids don’t get bored and it’s actually lovely to just chat and point things out. Sometimes I used to give them a task of finding conkers, smooth stones, pretty flower or take magnifying glasses with us and look at insects.
I remember once they built a lovely pretty nest for a bird using all sorts of twigs, leaves and flowers.
Just let them engage with nature.

My eldest is a teen and he happily came out for a walk in the woods last weekend.

Mine like walking or hiring a kayak with a picnic, paddling in streams, building dens, looking for wildlife, scrambling/ climbing up hills, scavenger hunts, exploring forests. Bike rides would be good but I need to buy a bike!

It's the countryside not space. What problems could you possibly encounter

We don't take anything other than a rucksack with water and snacks and a sturdy pair of shoes. We walk, spot bugs and animals, maybe try a nature treasure hunt. build dens etc.

You need to teach your children to build their imagination. There is no such thing as bored.