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The Summer Apothecary: 25 Nature-Inspired Activities for Curious Children

Two children walk through a sunlit wildflower field at golden hour, with trees and warm light behind them.

The summer holidays have a way of stretching out before us.


At first they feel full of possibility. Long days, lighter evenings and the promise of adventure. But somewhere between the excitement of breaking up from school and the inevitable chorus of “what are we doing today?”, many parents find themselves searching for simple ways to keep children engaged, curious and connected.


As time goes by, I find myself more gratefully leaning into the work-life disruption and let summer be an invitation to slow down and pay attention. To notice what is flowering, to smell what's warming in the sunshine and watch the bees moving from flower to flower. To collect seeds, press petals and make simple things with little hands. Because goodness knows, they won't be little for all that much longer.


As a doctor, aromatherapist and student of aromatic medicine, I believe some of the most valuable lessons children can learn come not from a screen or a worksheet, but from spending time outdoors, noticing the natural world and developing a sense of wonder about the plants growing around them.


This isn't about becoming expert herbalists. It's about nurturing curiosity, creating memories - and in a time when its more important than ever - helping children develop a lifelong connection with nature.


So I've gathered together 25 of my favourite nature activities for kids to try during the summer holidays. Some involve herbs and flowers, some involve making and creating, and some simply invite children to step outside and pay attention to the world around them.

Choose one, choose ten, or see if you can complete them all before the summer ends.

Download the Summer Apothecary Challenge


If you'd like to take these ideas into the summer holidays with you, I've gathered all 25 activities into a free 40-page activity book for curious children and their grown-ups.


Inside, you'll find simple nature crafts, growing projects, outdoor challenges and imaginative activities, along with step-by-step instructions for some of my favourite projects and a printable Summer Holiday Bingo card. The activities are gathered into four simple sections: Make, Grow, Explore and Imagine - so you can choose whatever suits the weather, your children's interests and the kind of day you're having.


Choose one activity. Complete a row on the bingo card. Or see if you can tick off all 25 before the summer ends.



Make


Child hands shape white playdough with colorful cookie cutters on a white table, creating a playful scene

Summer is the perfect time to create with flowers, herbs and natural materials.


1. Aromatic Play Dough

A simple sensory activity scented with lavender, sweet orange or lemon.


2. Fizzy Bath Bombs

A fun rainy-day project that doubles as a lovely bedtime treat.


3. Lavender Sleep Sachets

Fill small fabric bags with dried lavender for drawers or bedside tables.


4. Pressed Flower Bookmarks

Collect and press summer flowers to create beautiful handmade bookmarks.


5. Herbal Ice Cubes

Freeze mint, lemon balm and edible flowers into ice cubes for summer drinks.


6. Summer Sleep Roller

Create a simple aromatic roller to add to your child's summer bedtime routine.


7. Flower Petal Confetti

Dry petals from roses, calendula and other garden flowers for celebrations and imaginative play.


8. Nature Perfumes

Experiment with fragrant herbs and flowers to create botanical scents.



Grow


Open palm holding a tiny yellow wildflower, with colorful bracelets, against a blurred green outdoor background.

Growing something from seed is one of the most magical experiences for children.


9. Create a Children's Tea Garden

Grow mint, lemon balm, chamomile and calendula for simple herbal teas.


10. Grow a Sunflower

A classic summer challenge and a wonderful lesson in patience.


11. Plant Nasturtiums

Easy to grow, brightly coloured and completely edible.


12. Create a Pollinator Pot

Fill a container with flowers that attract bees and butterflies.


14. Start a Family First-Aid Garden

Plant calendula, lavender, chamomile and mint together.


13. Save Seeds for Next Year

Collect and label seeds ready for next spring's adventures.


14. Start a Family First-Aid Garden

Plant calendula, lavender, chamomile and mint together.

Explore


Adult and child crouch beside a tree in a sunlit forest, pointing at the ground with focused curiosity.

Nature is full of adventures waiting to be noticed.


15. Start a Summer Scent Journal

Record the smells, plants and places you discover.


16. Go on a Herb Garden Treasure Hunt

Can you identify herbs using only your sense of smell?


17. Count Pollinators

Spend ten minutes counting bees, butterflies and hoverflies.


18. Go on a Butterfly Walk

How many different butterflies can you spot?


19. Learn Three Local Trees

Choose three trees and learn how to recognise them.


20. Complete a Nature Colour Hunt

Can you find every colour of the rainbow outdoors?


21. Try a Nature Photography Challenge

Capture flowers, insects, leaves and summer landscapes.

Imagine


Hands arrange fern fronds and yellow flowers on a red board in a nature craft scene.

Some of the best summer memories begin with imagination.


22. Make Nature Potions

Water, petals, leaves and a little creativity.


23. Create a Fairy Apothecary

Fill jars with seeds, petals and botanical treasures.


24. Make Botanical Art

Create pictures, cards or collages using pressed flowers and leaves.


25. Build a Summer Nature Shelf

Display your favourite discoveries from throughout the holidays.

Evening Adventures


Wildflowers in a meadow glowing at sunset, with pink and purple blooms silhouetted against a warm golden sky.

Summer evenings deserve their own category.


• Go on a twilight walk.

• Watch for bats at dusk.

• Listen carefully for evening birdsong.

• Have a sunset picnic.

• Try a little stargazing.

Bonus: Blackberry Picking


Young boy in a black T-shirt reaches toward ripening blackberries on a sunny vine, outdoors with green leaves and red fruit.

Blackberry season often feels like a sign that summer is beginning to wind down, but nature doesn't always follow the calendar. In a warm year, the first ripe berries can appear surprisingly early. So keep an eye on the hedgerows.

When you start spotting deep purple-black berries that come away easily from the plant, grab a container and head out together.


Gather enough for a crumble, make a jar of jam or simply enjoy a few as you walk.


Few activities bring our family more joy or feel more like the end of a British summer.

A Summer Invitation


You don't need to complete every activity.


You don't need a perfect garden, specialist knowledge or hours of free time.


Pick one or two that spark your interest and start there.


The goal isn't to create expert herbalists -it's to create memories. And perhaps help our children fall a little bit in love with the natural world.


Because before they know the names of the plants, they'll remember how it felt to explore them with you.


And if you'd like a little help getting started, don't forget to download your free Summer Apothecary Challenge above.


Happy summer adventures.


Dr Lucy

Subtle Medicine

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