I love being outside and feeling the sun on my face, listening to the birds, walking on the grass, breathing in. And it's a joy to share the outdoors with little one's too.
We had a lovely time following the Malham Safari Trail through this pretty Dales village. For five days at the beginning of the Spring Bank Holiday, Malham was adorned with sculptures, animals and a collection of painted walking boots, which were dotted around the village making up a fun trail for all the family.
I loved seeing the polar bears and penguins.
Afterwards it was fun to enjoy a picnic together in the fresh air, and to watch the little ones playing on the wooden train in the centre of Malham.
There are lots of things to do outside, and it's a joy to slow down a little and discover things on the doorstep or a short drive away.
Nature is a gift and a sense of wonderment. Five things to do to enjoy nature and the outdoors:
1. Sit under a tree and look up at the branches.
2. Collect twigs and make an alphabet with them.
3. Smell flowers to take in their scent.
4. Lift up a rock to see if there are any insects underneath and patterns made in the dirt. Watch out for silvery slug trails and for worm holes!
5. Visit a natural waterfall and see the water cascading over.
Playgrounds are a firm favourite - from the grassy areas and playground in Aireville Park, Skipton, to the indoor and outdoor playgrounds at Billy Bob's Parlour just off the A59 between Embsay and Bolton Abbey.
Farm Parks are another great attraction. Just a few miles up the road from Newton Grange is Thornton Hall Farm Country Park, which is an excellent choice for a day out, as well as Hesketh Farm Park at Bolton Abbey that I wrote about recently - read more here.
A great source of information and ideas of things to do with kids is the Moobaakids website, featuring places in Skipton, the Yorkshire Dales, Lancashire and beyond. I'm hoping to explore the Forbidden Corner at Leyburn one day soon. Highly recommended as a great day out full of surprises, it promises to be a memorable one.