Spend time with family in Hampshire’s countryside this winter

This blog post is brought to you by Fostering Hampshire Children.

There are lots of ways you and your family can enjoy Hampshire’s countryside this winter. From diving into new hobbies to creating precious memories together, there are lots of activities to do together outdoors. Read on and get ready for heaps of outdoor family fun this winter!

See what you can find

Try visiting different country parks to see if you can find different things. You might spot some cool plants at River Hamble Country Park or some beautiful seashells at Lepe Country Park (check out their seashore activity sheet, too). Get competitive by turning your stroll through nature into a scavenger hunt – see who can find the biggest leaf, the silliest stick, or the tiniest pinecone. You could even take all of your interesting finds home and use them for crafts, so don’t forget to bring a bag!

Try a new hobby together

The quiet of winter makes it the perfect time of year to take up a new hobby, which is great for some low-pressure family bonding time. Try your hand at nature photography and let your Instagram-obsessed teen show you how to capture the best snap for the grid, or teach your little one how to ride their first bike without stabilisers. For some added laughs, take up something new to all of you. Whether it’s landscape painting or rollerblading, sharing the learning process is sure to be a memorable experience.

Combine activities for great value day out

For the family with a variety of interests, a day trip to Manor Farm or Staunton Farm is the answer to ticking off a whole bunch of things! Why not kick the day off befriending the farm animals before checking out some of the other attractions each farm has to offer. Visit the historic Farmhouse and Wartime Cottage at Manor Farm or the glasshouse and gardens at Staunton Farm. Each farm has an indoor soft play area and an outdoor play area, and both farms are situated within country parks, meaning there’s heaps more to explore.

Spot some wintry wildlife

Our friends at Bird Aware Solent have put together a Winter Coastal Spotting Challenge designed to test your wildlife spotting savvy. Split into four levels of difficulty, challenge the family to see who can spy the most! And, if you’ve got some young zoologists on your hands, help them learn about these animals and the ecosystems they’re part of.

Whatever you choose to do this winter, there are so many fantastic ways you can spend some time together as a family. Let us know what you try and be sure to tag us in any pictures of your day out on Facebook or Instagram.