8 At-home Activities to Keep the Adventure Spirit Alive

We know what it’s like when you’re yearning to get out and enjoy the great outdoors but circumstances mean you’re stuck at home for now. Whether it’s a global pandemic, lack of funds, or work commitments keeping you from going too far, there are activities you can do which will help satisfy your craving for adventure (for now, anyway).

Here are 9 outdoor and adventure activities you can do at home.

Build a climbing wall

A climbing wall for you or the children can be done outside or even inside if you have enough wall space. While you probably don’t have the space for a full climbing rig, you can set something up for a spot of bouldering.
Take a look at https://thecreatedhome.com/diy-climbing-wall to see how you could set something up indoors.
Outdoors, you will need a solid wall or some sizeable pieces of wood and some climbing studs. You can buy these online, for example at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Climbing-Holds

A climbing wall can be a considerable expense but it also makes a good project which will help you while away a few hours. A well-built climbing wall can last a very long time too, so this is definitely an investment in both time and money.

Do some back garden camping

A firm at-home favourite is back garden camping. There’s nothing like sleeping under canvas and in your garden is still a good way of getting your body clock in sync with nature. The downside is that you don’t really get a change of scenery, but on the upside, you get a toilet nearby and you know who’s used it! You can also get away with not having to take lots of equipment and supplies with you and you will never have the problem of not having taken suitable clothing.

Have a read of our blog post – Camping Equipment List: What camping gear do I need?

Do some back garden cooking

Cooking on an open camp fire or even using your regular gas camping kitchen is a change from your home’s kitchen. Food always tastes different when it’s cooked on a camping stove and it always reminds me of being outdoors and on holiday. Back garden cooking is always good preparation for cooking when camping if you’ve not done it before.

What can you make?

Well how about hot dogs or burgers, and s’mores for dessert? I like making fried chicken wraps and one pot meals like vegetable curry are always a winner.

Check out these camping recipes from Mini Travellers for some more ideas https://minitravellers.co.uk/12-delicious-camping-recipes

Hold a back garden festival

If you really want to get into the festival spirit then why not hold your own backyard festival? As well as the tent you can also put on some music, play your own, and do some crafting too. Face painting and festival hair always make my children ridiculously excited. What would you do at your own personal festival?

Have a look at https://minitravellers.co.uk/10-festival-themed-party-ideas/ for some festival themed party ideas.
Read this https://tinboxtraveller.co.uk/how-to-throw-garden-festival/ for tips on how to throw your own garden festival by Tin Box Traveller.

Hold your own cycling event

Indoor cycling is a great way to exercise when you can’t get out and about but isn’t it boring when they only thing you have to look it is the wall? We can’t all afford a Peloton to take part in classes with others but what about using your own TV and the videos that others have kindly made? Check out this YouTube account for some brilliant cycling videos – can you imagine pedalling along to these? https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVbBtdw-_SCqGDs6-_awaDg

In terms of the equipment you will need – if you don’t have an exercise bike, then you could adapt your own bikes to use indoors. You will need ramps or stands – either bought or make your own. This one looks interesting if you can’t get hold of a ready-made one …… http://tidybrownwren.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-make-your-own-exercise-bike-for.html

For smaller cyclists, I’ve seen a set-up which uses stabilisers placed onto props so the back wheel is lifted off the floor. Genius! https://www.heart.co.uk/lifestyle/parenting/mum-sets-up-genius-indoor-cycle-studio/

Do some orienteering

If you can get out and about into your neighbourhood, then how about creating an orienteering challenge? Get a street map of your local area or make your own using Google Maps.

This is a good way of introducing using a compass too. You can make the map and route as easy or as complicated as you like.

Nature spotting

There might not be anything more exciting than mini beasts in your garden but some back garden wildlife spotting is a good warm up for the real thing. There’s lots to spot in your garden such as earthworms, ladybirds, spiders, and all manner of domestic birds like pigeons, sparrows, and robins.

Download a bug safari sheet from the RSPB at https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-families/family-wild-challenge/activities/go-on-a-bug-safari/ and a bird spotting sheet at https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-families/family-wild-challenge/activities/go-birdwatching/

Build a bivouac

Building a den is a great activity for indoor or out but a proper bivouac is the best! Made from branches, building a bivouac feels like a real survival activity. Have you ever made one?

Here are some tips from Countryfile – https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/outdoor-skills/how-to-make-a-bivouac/

What activities do you do when stuck at home?