One of the hardest things about keeping the kids entertained in the school holidays is the cost. Trying to find things that they will all enjoy doing, and preferably gets us out of the house to minimise clean up, is not an easy task. So I thought I would try and come up with 50 free things to do outside, it seemed like a good round number. It took some thinking but I got there. We have done most of these things with our kids at some point, and some we've yet to tick off.

A rather philosophical conversation with the kids the other day led us to the conclusion that there isn't much that is truly free, going to the beach costs nothing, but at some point we bought the bucket and spade, we used petrol getting there and often you have to pay to park. But technically these things are free, so go enjoy!

*some things are local to Swansea, but there is plenty that isn't location specific. 

1. The park (because what kid doesn't love the park?!)

2. A picnic (you've got to have lunch anyway, why not take it outside)

3. Visit the beach

4. Ride Scooters (if you have them)

5. Ride bikes (again, if you have them)

6. Swimming at Blackpill lido (a free outdoor pool by the seafront, check out Google to see if there is one near you)

7. Go on a scavenger hunt (see previous blog post)

8. Go on a treasure hunt (draw a little map for them to follow and hide a little treat at the X)

9. Go for a walk (It doesn't have to be a big one, there is so much your kids can see and discover just walking around the block)

10. Swim in the sea

11. Play catch

12. Fly kites

13. Make a phone out of plastic cups or tin cans and a piece of string, and get out and test them.

14. Draw outside with pavement chalk

15. Go on a bug hunt

16. Go bird watching

17. Build a den

18. Skim stones

19. Go star gazing

20. Roll down a hill

21. Climb some trees

22. Play pooh sticks

23. Dance in the rain

24. Dance in the sun

25. Head to the sea front and try out the fitness challenge, it's meant for grown ups but my kids love it. (but obviously make sure to keep them safe)

26. Visit Clyne gardens

27. Visit Penllergare woods

28. Walk from Parkmill to Three cliffs

29. Walk from Penmaen to Tor bay

30. Or walk from Penmaen to Nicholaston

31. Go sand sledging (who says sledging is just for snow)

32. Take a woodland walk

33. Hunt in rock pools

34. Visit Swansea community farm (it's free!)

35. Take a walk along Rhossili downs

36. Do some gardening

37. Paint some rocks

38. Make mud pies

39. Jump in muddy puddles (Yes we're big Peppa fans here)

40. Have a bbq on the beach (Or even just in your garden)

41. Make a Campfire

42. Cook s'mores on your campfire

43. Or roast marshmallows

44. Blow bubbles

45. Go wild blackberry picking

46. Watch the sunset

47. Watch the sunrise (if you're an earlybird, or maybe save it for winter!)

48. Go geocaching

49. Make a daisy chain

50. Dress up as superheroes and go for an adventure/walk

And thats 50!

If you have other free things you love to do outdoors please do share them in the comments. And if this post inspires you to try something on the list, or you've already done some of the things, i'd love for you to share your photos. Either here in the comments, on my Facebook page, or if you are on instagram use the hashtag #Rachaels50freethings so i can see what you’ve been doing!