Eco Kids: Backyard Safari & Wild Adventures

This summer, swap screens for safari mode – and let nature lead the adventure with these ideas for entertaining the kids over the school holidays

Who says you need a plane ticket or safari jeep to experience nature and wildlife? This summer, children can discover an entire new world much closer to home. Here are some 'wild adventure' ideas for the whole family to enjoy.

Build a Bug Hotel

One of the easiest ways to attract wildlife is to create welcoming spaces for it. A bug hotel is a fun and easy recycled craft project that also supports insects and pollinators.

Using old wooden boxes, bricks, sticks, pinecones, bamboo canes or dried leaves, children can design their own insect hideaway. Place it in a quiet corner of the garden and wait to see who moves in. Solitary bees, ladybirds and beetles all benefit from safe shelter spaces, especially during warmer months. It’s also a brilliant opportunity to teach children how important insects are for pollination and healthy ecosystems.

No garden? No problem. Even a few pots of lavender or wildflowers on a windowsill can help attract bees and butterflies.

Go on a Butterfly Hunt

Summer is peak butterfly season, making it the perfect time for a colourful safari challenge. Head out on sunny afternoons and see how many species children can identify. The flutter of a small tortoiseshell or the bright wings of a peacock butterfly can quickly transform an ordinary walk into an exciting expedition.

Children can also learn which plants butterflies love most. Buddleia, lavender and marigolds are all excellent pollinator-friendly additions to gardens and patios. For extra fun, create a simple butterfly count chart and compare sightings week by week. It’s a gentle introduction to citizen science and helps children understand how wildlife changes throughout the season.

Discover the World After Dark

Nature doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Some of the most magical safari moments happen in the evening.

Try moth spotting with a torch, listen for owls at dusk or simply lie on a blanket and watch bats dart across the sky. Night-time adventures feel thrilling for children and will encourage them to experience the outdoors differently.

Stargazing can also become part of the safari. Spotting constellations or watching for shooting stars reminds children just how connected nature really is.

Create a Wildlife-Friendly Space

A backyard safari isn’t only about discovering wildlife – it’s about helping it thrive too. Encourage children to make some of these simple changes in the garden which can help support wildlife:

• Leave a shallow bowl of water out for birds and insects

• Allow a small patch of grass to grow wild

• Plant bee-friendly flowers

• Create shady hiding spots for hedgehogs and insects

Children love feeling responsible for nature, and small eco habits learned early often stay with them for life.

The Joy of Slowing Down

Perhaps the best thing about a backyard safari is its simplicity. In a season often filled with packed schedules and expensive days out, these small moments of connection offer something quieter and more meaningful.

Watching ants carry crumbs, listening to birdsong or spotting a butterfly landing nearby teaches children patience, focus and wonder. It reminds families that adventure doesn’t always have to happen somewhere far away.

Sometimes, the wildest discoveries are waiting just outside the back door.

Backyard Safari Checklist

• Spot five different insects

• Build a bug hotel

• Start a nature journal

• Count butterflies

• Go on an evening bat walk

• Plant pollinator-friendly flowers

• Create a bird water station

• Try cloud watching in the garden