The sun is shining (sometimes) and summer has arrived! The days are longer, the flowers are blooming, and it’s the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and make simple, joyful memories with your little ones.
Whether you’re parenting a toddler or, June is full of opportunities for connection, creativity, and fun. And the best part? You don’t need a big budget, a Pinterest-worthy plan, or a suitcase full of supplies. We’ve rounded up four of our favourite low-cost, low-fuss summer activities that are perfect for eco-conscious families. Enjoy!
1. Ice cream making
Summer isn’t summer without ice-cream. And making ice cream at home is easier than you think - no fancy (or pricey) machines required. All you need is some cream, a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and your fruit or flavour of choice (think mashed banana, pureed berries, or even a splash of vanilla).
For a quick method: Fill a large zip-top bag with ice and salt, place a smaller bag inside with your ice cream mixture, and shake, shake, shake for about 5–10 minutes. Your little one will love being part of the process, it’s a mini science experiment with a sweet treat ending.
And by skipping store-bought tubs and serving in your own bowls and spoons, you're also cutting back on single-use plastic. Win-win!
2. Colour scavenger hunt
This one’s a total crowd-pleaser and educational too. All you need is a simple piece of paper with colour swatches drawn on (or print out a rainbow chart) and you're ready to go.
Head outside, perhaps to your garden, the park, or even your street, and encourage your little explorer to match items in nature to each colour. A red flower, a green leaf, a brown stick, a yellow dandelion - each discovery feels like a treasure. You’re sneaking in learning while also helping them notice the beautiful, small details around them.
Eco-tip: Use a clipboard or recycled cardboard as a base for the chart and encourage your child to look but not pick - this teaches gentle respect for nature and its living things.
3. Plastic-free picnic
There’s something so special about packing up lunch and heading outdoors, even if it’s just to your back garden or a shady spot at the local park. Turn it into an even more positive moment by making it a plastic-free picnic. Let your child help prep finger foods and pack everything in reusable containers and beeswax wraps.
Throw in a favourite soft toy, a book, or a few wooden toys to keep them entertained between bites. Bring a waterproof blanket or old sheet, and you’re good to go.
Not only does this promote a zero-waste lifestyle, but it’s also a great way to introduce your little one to simple, conscious habits, without too much effort. And remember, everything tastes better outside (especially sandwiches cut into tiny triangles!).
4. Messy play, the eco way
Let’s face it — little ones love mess. So rather than fighting it, why not embrace it… just a little? With a few eco swaps, messy play becomes fun for them and kind to the planet.
Set up a mud kitchen in the garden using old pots, spoons, and pans. Create homemade play dough with flour, salt, and water (you can add beetroot powder, turmeric, or spinach juice for natural colours). Or fill a shallow tub with dry lentils, oats, or flower petals for sensory exploration.
It’s open-ended, imaginative, and developmentally rich — all while giving your child permission to get a bit grubby (which they were going to do anyway).
Just keep some warm water and a soft towel handy for a gentle clean-up afterwards — maybe using one of our eco baby wipes, of course!
Summer fun, memories begun
At the end of the day, your child won’t remember whether the sun was shining or if your picnic was picture-perfect. They’ll remember how it felt: the joy of running barefoot on grass, the silliness of shaking a bag of ice cream, the laughter during a family dance on the picnic rug.
With a little planning and a lot of love, June can be a month full of meaningful memories, ones that tread gently on the planet and leave only footprints (and maybe a few sticky fingers) behind.
If you try any of these ideas, we’d love to see! Tag us on Instagram with so we can celebrate summer (and sustainability) together.
