The ultimate summer adventure pack for parents. Sponsored by outdoor adventure provider PGL
Adventure helps children grow in ways that everyday routines sometimes can’t. It could be climbing higher than they thought they could, trying something new or exploring somewhere unfamiliar. Whatever you choose, adventure encourages children to build confidence, resilience and independence.
Adventure also supports mental wellbeing. Active play, time outdoors, creativity and shared experiences can help children feel calmer, happier and more connected — plus it gives parents a chance to switch off from daily pressures too.
Creating a summer filled with adventures doesn’t have to mean expensive trips, purchasing specialist equipment or perfect weather. For some families, it might look like a woodland walk, building a den in the living room, exploring somewhere new on a weekend break or trying a new recipe together. Small adventures can make a big impact. As children grow in confidence, those small adventures can often lead to bigger experiences that help them build independence, resilience and self-belief in new environments.
Adventure helps children learn how to take healthy, age-appropriate risks. From balancing on a log to speaking up with a new idea, these moments help children discover what they’re capable of.
Dr John Allan, Head of Impact & Breakthrough Learning at PGL Beyond“When young people step into new environments – whether it’s the outdoors or a moment of challenge – they begin to see themselves differently. These experiences spark growth in ways that traditional settings often can’t. They build confidence, resilience, and a deeper sense of self.”
Adventure creates connection. Shared laughter, teamwork, problem-solving and trying new things together can strengthen family relationships and create memories children carry with them for years. Every family’s version of adventure will look different, and that’s exactly how it should be. The important things are curiosity, challenge, exploration and spending time together.
Summer adventure ideas for everyone
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Explore tailored ideas for children of all ages and interests!
Let’s go on an adventure!
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Free downloads, exciting resources and support for all of your summer adventures
Why adventure matters
Image: Two teenage girls climbing trees in harnesses Credit: PGL
Adventure gives children the chance to discover what they’re capable of. When trying a new activity, solving a problem independently or stepping outside their comfort zone, adventurous experiences can help children build confidence and resilience in lasting ways. These moments also encourage independence, helping children learn new skills, and how to make decisions on their own, away from familiar routines.
From small everyday challenges to bigger experiences like outdoor activity camps and residential adventures with PGL, adventure can help children develop the confidence to try new things and believe in themselves. For many children, adventure experiences away from home can be a powerful step to growing independence in supportive new environments.
How to build everyday adventure into family life
Remember! Adventure doesn’t need to be saved for holidays or special occasions. Small moments of curiosity and exploration can become part of everyday family life, and often they’re the moments children remember most.
One of the easiest ways to encourage adventure is by following your child’s curiosity. Whether they suddenly become fascinated by insects, baking, maps or space, those interests can become the starting point for mini adventures and discoveries together. Sometimes adventure is simply saying yes to the small things — taking the longer route home, visiting a different park, eating a picnic in the garden or turning bedtime stories into dramatic performances.
Adventure also helps children practise independence. Giving children opportunities to try things for themselves — climbing, balancing, exploring, solving problems or making decisions — helps them discover what they’re capable of. It’s important to allow age-appropriate risks where possible, while offering support and encouragement along the way. For children who feel less confident, starting small can make all the difference. A tiny challenge today can become a much bigger adventure tomorrow. Over time, these experiences can help children feel more empowered to try new activities, meet new people and step outside familiar routines or settings.
Not every adventure will go to plan, and that’s okay. Some of the best family memories come from muddy shoes, wrong turns and unexpected discoveries. Children are often more willing to embrace adventure when adults join in too, and you don’t need special skills or perfect plans to make it meaningful. Simply being present, curious and willing to have fun together is enough.
Adventure doesn’t always have to happen outdoors either. Living rooms can become jungles, kitchens can become science labs and hallways can become obstacle courses. Building adventure into routines, from after-school exploring to weekend challenge nights, can help make curiosity and connection part of everyday family life.
Most importantly, focus on effort over outcome. Trying something new can feel scary for children and adults alike, but a love for adventure grows through encouragement, patience and taking that first brave step.
Stories, imagination and adventure
Books can take children on adventures without ever leaving home. Stories encourage imagination and curiosity, while helping children build empathy and creativity.
Stories can inspire adventures far beyond the page. A favourite book might lead to a story walk around the park, acting out scenes together or imagining what happens next. Children can create their own quests too – inventing magical objects or building entirely new fantasy worlds complete with maps, creatures and hidden lands.
Simple storytelling activities can spark creativity at any age. Try making treasure maps with clues hidden around the house or garden, taking turns to add sentences to a family story, or encouraging children to keep adventure journals filled with drawings, photos and memories from family days out. These activities help children develop confidence in expressing themselves while making everyday moments feel more exciting.
Stories don’t always have to come from physical books either. Audiobooks can turn car journeys, rainy afternoons or quiet time into adventures, while libraries often offer free holiday activities and family events that encourage children to discover new interests.
For reluctant readers, adventure can be a brilliant gateway into storytelling. Graphic novels or audiobooks can help children engage with stories in ways that feel enjoyable and pressure-free. Creating family reading challenges or themed book lists around mystery, travel, survival, nature or exploration can also help spark curiosity and conversation together.
Teenagers may enjoy exploring genres linked to their own interests, from thrillers and fantasy worlds to real-life survival stories and inspiring adventures. Stories connected to wildlife, exploration and the outdoors can also encourage children and young people to become more curious about the world around them, and perhaps inspire adventures of their own.
Special summer offers with PGL
Image: A smiling boy wearing an abseiling harness Credit: PGL
The school holidays are made for adventure — and PGL is helping parents make them unforgettable. From heart-racing activities to confidence-building experiences, Mumsnet rated Multi-Activity Kids’ Camps give children the chance to try something new, make friends and create memories that last long after summer ends.
Why parents and children love PGL:
- 40+ exciting adventure activities
- Skill-based specialist camps like driving, horseriding or cooking
- Eight Ofsted-registered centres across the UK
- Mumsnet rated
- 24/7 care from an expert and trusted team
- Supportive, enthusiastic and expert instructors
- Nutritious, allergen-aware meals
- Access to exclusive savings on outdoor kit with Regatta Great Outdoors
- The option to pay with childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare
- Feel good adventures: We’re part of PGL Beyond, a Certified B CorporationTM
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Looking for an unforgettable adventure this summer? Discover PGL’s last minute availability at a special price and give children the chance to build independence and lifelong memories.
Confidence grows gradually
Confidence rarely appears all at once. For most children, it develops slowly through small moments of bravery, encouragement and trying something new. That might be speaking up in a group, climbing a little higher at the park, joining a new activity or spending time away from familiar routines for the first time.
Adventure gives children opportunities to test themselves in safe and supportive ways. Every challenge they overcome, whether it goes perfectly or not, helps children learn that they are capable of more than they might think. Over time, these experiences can help children become more resilient, independent and willing to step outside their comfort zones.
It’s important to remember that confidence looks different for every child. Some children may jump straight into new experiences, while others need more reassurance and time. Celebrating effort, progress and perseverance can help children feel proud of themselves, regardless of the outcome.
Often, the biggest confidence boosts come from moments children didn’t expect themselves to manage. Working as part of a team, solving problems independently, trying adventurous activities or meeting new people can all help children grow in confidence that carries into school, friendships and everyday life.
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How do children build genuine confidence that lasts? It often starts when they step beyond what feels familiar. In this webinar Dr John Allan, Head of Impact and Breakthrough Learning at PGL Beyond, explores how carefully balanced challenge and support can help young people develop confidence, resilience and self-belief. Discover practical insights you can apply at home and learn how outdoor adventure experiences help young people discover what they’re truly capable of. Reserve your place today — attendees will also receive an exclusive best-in-market discount on their next PGL adventure!
Win with Parentkind and PGL
Image: A boy with a group of people wearing water safety gear Credit: PGL
Your child can win one of two incredible three‑night PGL Multi Activity Kids’ Camps, designed to spark excitement, build resilience and create life-long memories.
Running throughout the school holidays and designed for eight- to 16-year-olds, PGL’s legendary Kids’ Camps offer the ultimate outdoor adventure. There are over 40 thrilling activities available, from canoeing, raft building and abseiling to climbing, fencing, archery and soaring down high-speed zipwires.
Enter by 5th July 2026.
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Win with Parentkind and PGL
What an adventure!
Adventure doesn’t have to be big to matter. The moments children often remember most are the ones filled with connection, laughter and time together. Confidence grows through trying, not through getting everything perfect. Whether it’s climbing a little higher, trying a new activity or exploring somewhere unfamiliar, every small step counts.
Some adventures will be messy, noisy and unpredictable. Others will be quiet, calm and imaginative. Every family’s adventure journey will look different, and that’s something to celebrate. What matters most is spending time together and encouraging curiosity while creating opportunities for children to explore the world around them. Start small, enjoy the process and remember, adventure can happen every single day. And sometimes, the adventures children remember most are the ones that help them discover just how capable they really are.
