What to Do on a Family Holiday? 10 Nature Activities to Share with Your Children
1. Make, Imagine and Create Together at Home
When the weather turns or tiredness sets in, indoor activities are a real help for parents. We lay out a big tablecloth and bring out scissors, glue, salt dough, natural paint or garden finds; children love making things. A piece of cardboard becomes a castle, a boat or a den. Creativity has no limits.
Younger children explore textures like flour, water, seeds or coloured ice cubes. Older ones try cooking with us, from yoghurt cake to homemade pizza or biscuits to decorate. A craft activity then becomes a full sensory experience.
In the evening, we extend the day with a home cinema night. Children make the tickets and we serve the popcorn. A simple ritual, yet truly unforgettable.
Tip: create a "holiday idea box" where every family member adds activity notes. When boredom appears, we pick one at random.
These simple and free activities boost imagination and strengthen family bonds.
2. Explore Your Local Area
Some educational farms, tourist offices, or children’s museums also offer free or low-cost activities. A wonderful way to rediscover your area as a family without travelling far or spending much.
No need to travel across France for real adventures: sometimes excitement is just around the corner. Put on your trainers and explore your surroundings like true explorers.
In the forest, look for animal tracks, build a branch tipi, or play “nature seek and find”: a hollow log, a round stone, a red insect. In the city, try an impromptu treasure hunt or a themed photo rally.
These outings need little more than a water bottle, a notebook, and plenty of curiosity. For families looking for ideas, tourist offices and local websites often offer free, playful trails available year-round.
3. Watch Nature Wake Up in Spring
Spring is perfect for sparking curiosity and getting outdoors. Take advantage of the holidays to go on a long bike ride, plant seeds in the garden or pots, or simply watch insects in the grass.
Try a “spring treasure hunt”: find a yellow flower, a feather, a smooth stone, a bird, or the sound of water. Children love ticking off their list along the way.
For hands-on fun, create a mini sensory garden or an insect hotel. Younger children learn patience, older ones understand the importance of protecting nature.
To extend the day, have a picnic with bread, fruit, cheese, a blanket, and fresh air. Family holidays are often about these simple, nature-filled moments.
4. Summer, the Season of Freedom
In summer, life feels simpler: we eat outside, play outside, laugh outside. No perfect plan or busy schedule needed : let the children improvise their days. A tent in the garden, a picnic in a meadow, a ball game in the park… and magic happens.
Make a kite together, organise a mini family olympics, or a treasure hunt at sunset. In the evening, lie on a blanket and watch the stars : children will remember the first constellation they spotted on their own.
Tip: for teenagers, try sports challenges like tree climbing, frisbee golf, photo hikes, or gentle survival workshops. These experiences build confidence and strengthen family bonds.
5. Rediscover the Forest in Autumn
When leaves turn gold and red, the forest becomes a magical playground. Collect leaves to make collages, craft acorn crowns, or hang chestnut decorations.
Autumn is also perfect for listening: the crunch of leaves underfoot, the wind in the trees, the snap of branches. Back home, create nature boards or cook seasonal treats together: apple crumble, pumpkin soup, or roasted chestnuts.
And if it rains, put on boots and splash in puddles : this is also the freedom of family holidays.
6. In Winter, Warm the Heart
Winter holidays invite cosy moments and simple pleasures. Gather the family with hot chocolate, bring out board games, or organise a “memory workshop”: print photos from the year and create an album.
If there’s snow, head outside! Snowball fights, sledging, igloos, snowmen, and guaranteed laughter. For those near the mountains, try skiing or snowshoe walks. These physical activities, suitable for all ages, build coordination and confidence.
No need to travel far: even a snowy park can feel magical. Evenings by the fire, rosy cheeks, and children’s laughter are the best gifts of winter.
7. Experience the Countryside at Your Own Pace
The countryside promises a gentler pace, where we finally take time to observe. Children discover where their food comes from, follow animal tracks, and pick sun-warmed fruit.
Each day brings small adventures: feeding goats on a farm, cycling between hazel hedges, smelling fresh hay, or listening to crickets at dusk.
In the evening, we lie in the grass, away from city lights, to count the stars. These simple moments teach curiosity, patience… and the joy of being outdoors together.
8. Play with Water: Sea, Lake or River
When it’s warm, water becomes the best playground. At the sea, build a sand fort, search for shells, or let the waves tickle your feet.
At the lake, take a canoe trip, race small wooden boats, or skip stones until sunset.
Rivers also offer real adventures: building dams, watching fish, or introducing older children to fishing. These moments of splashes and shared laughter are worth any long-distance trip.
9. Reach New Heights in the Mountains
The mountains are a magical place for families. In summer, hikes turn into adventures: spotting marmots, picking blueberries, or enjoying a picnic by a stream. In autumn, forests glow with colour and trails are peaceful.
In winter, it’s all about snow: skiing, sledging, snowshoe walks, or a simple stroll. Children love learning to slide, build an igloo, or sip hot chocolate in a chalet. Even in spring, the mountains remain enchanting: waterfalls, flowers, streams, fresh air… perfect for recharging before returning home.
For families seeking nature with comfort, resorts in the Alps or Pyrenees offer cozy accommodations and activities for all ages.
10. Let Go and Do Nothing
The best moments can’t be planned. Lying in the grass watching clouds, reading a story under a tree, or taking a nap together in a hammock… this is also the magic of holidays.
These paused moments teach children to dream, get a little bored, and imagine freely. And for us parents, to slow down and simply be present, together.
How to Plan a Day of Family Activities?
Start by balancing your day: a dynamic activity in the morning (walk, bike ride, nature outing) and a calm moment in the afternoon (reading, crafts, visit).
Remember to adapt activities to children’s ages:
2–6 years: sensory games, nature, hands-on activities.
7–10 years: observation, walks, nature crafts.
11 years and up: sports activities, challenges, involvement in planning.
Budget tip: tourist offices, nature parks, and local websites often list free activity ideas (guided walks, workshops, farm visits).
For more inspiration, explore family blogs, Instagram accounts about nature travel, or local apps like “Family Outings” that list activities near you.
Nature Holidays That Reflect Your Family
All these ideas make even more sense when experienced outdoors.
Our nature campsites are made for this: places to breathe, where children can run safely, and each day ends with a sunset and shared laughter.
Sites et Paysages campsites have always embraced this spirit: small-scale establishments located in the most beautiful regions of France, close to nature and local communities. Here, every stay is lived at your own pace, blending authenticity, comfort, and friendliness.
You can:
pitch your tent or van on a shaded campsite pitch
settle into a spacious, fully equipped mobile home
or simply enjoy the surrounding landscapes
These campsites don’t promise perfect holidays, but they do offer real shared memories. Holidays that reflect you: simple, personal, and deeply connected to nature.
Conclusion
Travelling far isn’t always necessary to have a great holiday. What matters is sharing, experimenting, and marveling together. Whether you stay at home, head to the countryside, the sea, or the mountains, every moment with family can become a precious memory. What if, this year, your family holidays meant nature, authenticity, and freedom?
