These days, it’s important for children to develop a healthy relationship with the natural world. Our outdoor camps provide an incredible opportunity for kids to unplug and explore nature, all while making new friends and acquiring valuable life skills.
In this article, we will explore the incredible benefits of spending time outdoors and how to reconnect with nature at adventure camps. Plus, we’ll share a list of seasonal outdoor activities for the entire family to enjoy!
What are the benefits of reconnecting with nature?
Spending time in nature is not just about enjoying the scenery. It offers an array of benefits that contribute to children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.
In fact, research from the Mental Health Foundation shows that people who feel a strong connection with nature are ‘usually happier in life’ and experience lower levels of poor mental health. For instance, walking through green spaces can significantly lower cortisol levels, while the calming sound of flowing water further promotes relaxation and helps ease anxiety.
Beyond mental health, here are more reasons why kids should spend time outdoors, from improving their overall fitness to sparking their creative side!
Gets kids active!
It’s no secret that playing outside gets kids moving! Away from the constant pull of phones and video games, nature’s open spaces inspire active play. Whether running in a race, climbing an indoor wall, or exploring a woodland trail, all help to build strength, coordination, and cardiovascular health.
Boosts cognitive development
Nature offers rich multi-sensory learning experiences, engaging sight, sound, touch, and smell. Kids can feel bark textures, hear birdsong, or observe insects at work, sharpening sensory awareness. As a result, these experiences further enhance cognitive development by encouraging critical thinking and observation skills.
Encourages curiosity
Kids are naturally curious when it comes to nature. From questioning why leaves change colour with the seasons to wondering how ants build intricate tunnels in the ground, it instils a lifelong passion for discovery and an appreciation for nature. Through these experiences, they also learn how to observe, think critically and concentrate which are all vital life skills.
Sparks creativity
Furthermore, this type of unstructured play sparks their imagination. With no predefined rules, children can invent their own games, construct miniature houses from sticks, or craft unique art using leaves and flowers — the opportunities are endless!
5 Ways outdoor camps help kids reconnect with nature
As you can see, there are countless benefits to spending time outdoors. So, let’s take a closer look at how our outdoor camps help your kids reconnect with nature through a variety of adventurous activities.
From hiking through scenic trails to even learning survival skills, each experience is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
1. Hands-on learning
Outdoor camps offer a unique, hands-on approach to learning that is often missing in traditional classroom settings. Kids can identify plants, observe wildlife, and scale trees through our tree climb, survivor, and bushcraft activities. These hands-on experiences engage the senses, deepening a child’s connection to nature through active exploration.
Some children are tactile learners, meaning they absorb information best through touch—feeling the rough bark of a tree, the coolness of a stream, or the texture of leaves. This sensory engagement is crucial for development, as it strengthens cognitive skills, fine motor abilities, and emotional connections to the world around them.
2. Develop outdoor skills
Our adventure camps offer a complete outdoor experience where kids learn essential life skills. For example, they can master the art of fire lighting safely or learn how to build a sturdy shelter using natural resources. These skills are not only practical but also instil a sense of independence and confidence in children.
Furthermore, it teaches them about environmental responsibility, showing kids how to respect and protect nature by conserving resources, minimising waste, and leaving no trace. As such, they learn to take initiative and solve problems on their own with a positive attitude for both outdoor survival and everyday life.
3. Promote physical activity
Outdoor camps are very synonymous with physical activity, offering endless opportunities for kids to stay active. For example, hiking strengthens leg muscles while improving balance on uneven terrain. Swimming provides a full-body workout, enhancing cardiovascular fitness and coordination through synchronised arm and leg movements.
Meanwhile, climbing builds upper body strength, grip, and core stability. Beyond the physical benefits, staying active outdoors helps to stimulate the production of endorphins—the body’s natural mood boosters—reducing feelings of anxiety and depression.
4. Encourages digital detox
Want to limit your kids’ screen time? Outdoor camps are the answer! According to a Digital Wellbeing 2022 report from The Cybersmile Foundation, 52% of young people felt better when they spent less time on social media.
Outdoor camps offer a much-needed break from the digital world, allowing children to reset their minds and bodies, and most importantly, reconnect with nature. Without the constant distraction of devices, they are more present and mindful, appreciating the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world.
5. Build relationships
Finally, outdoor camps are a fantastic way for kids to build and strengthen relationships. Whether they are working on problem-solving tasks or climbing Jacob’s Ladder, being in a natural setting helps to strip away any social pressures, allowing children to interact more authentically with one another.
This sense of freedom and connection is even more impactful when children have regular access to outdoor spaces. In fact, the Children’s People and Nature Survey for England 2024, revealed that young people living in rural areas were more likely to have visited green spaces (e.g. fields/farmland/countryside – rural 25% vs urban 14%) than those living in urban areas, establishing the importance of accessibility.
Seasonal outdoor experiences for kids
Now that we’ve highlighted how adventure camps help kids reconnect with nature, you might be wondering what outdoor experiences you can enjoy at home all year round.
Look no further—here’s a list of fun, seasonal activities to get your little explorers outside in every kind of weather!
For Spring
- Host a picnic: With sunnier days ahead, Springtime is perfect for family and friends to gather outdoors! Kids can get involved by making their own sandwiches with a variety of fillings like cheese, ham, or jam, and spend time reading or playing board games. It’s a great way to socialise, improve fine motor skills, and simply enjoy the fresh air.
- Go on a bug hunt: Spring is also the best time to explore as plants bloom and insects become more active. Encourage kids to explore the garden, park, or nearby woods, looking for insects like bees, butterflies and ants. By using a magnifying glass and guidebook, they can observe their movements, habitats, and learn about their role in the ecosystem.
For Summer
- Head to the beach: Enjoy the sun, sand and sea at your nearest beach! Whether it’s building sandcastles, collecting shells, playing frisbee, or splashing in the waves, the beach offers endless fun! This is an outdoor activity every kid should experience as it promotes physical activity and teamwork through group games while sparking their curiosity about coastal life.
- Build a DIY obstacle course: A DIY obstacle course is a great way to keep kids active and entertained during summer. Set up challenges using items around the house, like chairs, hula hoops and skipping ropes, and encourage them to use their coordination and problem-solving skills to navigate the course within a set time.
For Autumn
- Pick pumpkins: For a fun-filled outdoor experience, why not visit a local pumpkin patch? Not only do kids get to pick their own pumpkins, but it’s a fantastic way to get active through walking and lifting, breathe in the crisp autumn air, and create lasting memories as Halloween approaches! Be sure to bring a sturdy bag for carrying pumpkins and wear comfy shoes.
- Make a leaf wreath: Gather red, orange and yellow leaves from the ground during your next nature walk and use them to create a beautiful leaf wreath. By tapping into their creative side, kids can carefully arrange the leaves with string, sticks, and glue, learning to be resourceful with natural materials.
For Winter
- Build a snowman: A classic winter outdoor activity, building a snowman requires teamwork and lots of creativity. By rolling snow into large balls and assembling them, kids develop their physical strength, motor skills and coordination. Once finished, it also provides them with a sense of accomplishment as they can admire their creation and the wonders of snow.
- Birdwatching: With fewer leaves on trees, it’s easier to spot different bird species. Help our feathered friends through the colder months by setting up a bird feeder in your garden or balcony. Kids can learn how birds adapt to winter by watching them forage for food and puff up their feathers for insulation, while also enhancing their observation skills.
Reconnect with nature on a PGL adventure camp!
If you’re looking for an unforgettable way for your child to reconnect with nature, consider booking a PGL adventure camp!
We offer the perfect blend of adventure, learning and fun with a vast selection of exciting multi-activities alongside our Specialist Adventures, including Cool Science, Watersports, Bushcraft and much more!
With Kids Camps available at 9 UK centres throughout the school holidays, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help find your kid’s ideal outdoor camp.
