24 things to do outside in 2024

Looking forward to 2024, we're hoping to get young people trying something new in the great outdoors throughout the year. There's even an extra 24 hours for us all to get outside.

So, to encourage everyone to spend time outside, we’ve created our Outdoor in 24 challenge. It’s a bucket list that can be completed throughout the year, with the activities being able to be adapted for different ages, abilities and locations.  How many can you tick off to earn the blanket badge?

You can even use our blank bucket list to come up with your own challenge. Try completing 24 new outdoor activities, have a sleepover for 24 hours, or learn 24 new skills - it's up to you! 

For volunteers, we’re encouraging you to look into getting your Nights Away Permit and Adventurous Activities Permit if you want to help support even more fun in the outdoors.

Here are 24 things you can do to get outside in 2024:

Build a den: Work with your friends to make a strong and interesting den from natural materials. What will you create?

Sit round a campfire: Learn how to build and light a campfire, then sing campfire songs or tell stories around it. 

Sleep in a tent: Remember, you can sleep in a tent in a back garden or indoors too!

Cook something outdoors: Try cooking something tasty outside. Make sure to keep the area well-ventilated, follow good food hygiene practices and extinguish the fire after use. Take a look at our carbon monoxide guidance.

Go fruit picking: Forage for some brilliant fruits, such as blackberries or strawberries.

Make some wild art: You could create natural paintbrushes from leaves, create a collage or sculpture, try flower pressing, or give Hapa art a go.

Go forest bathing: Forest bathing is becoming popular across the world. It’s about experiencing the trees around you with all your senses. You can walk slowly between the trees, or sit quietly and calmly with them.

Watch the clouds: Go cloud spotting. The clouds in the sky are way up high. One, two, three – how many can you see?

Go stargazing: Wrap up warm, then head outside to explore the night sky. What can you spot high above you?

Get as muddy as possible: Connect with the earth and get stuck into the mud. You go on a muddy adventure walk, a mud kitchen, an obstacle course, or make some muddy art.

Take part in a wide game: From Capture the Flag to Escape the Jail, wide games are lots of fun! Why not pick a few favourites and try playing them?

Try an activity with snow or sand: You could wait for winter and build something out of snow - or find a beach or sandpit and have a sandcastle building competition to make the perfect one!

Have a picnic: Make some tasty snacks, find a lovely location, then spend some chill time with friends. Tell some stories, listen to music, play card games or even host a Teddy Bear’s picnic.

Plant something: Whether it’s a pack of seeds, a tree or even a vegetable garden, get digging and plant something that you can watch grow.

Fly a kite: Let your kite soar into the air and try to fly it as good as you can! Why not try making your own kite too?

Go for a walk in the rain: Pop on wellies and have a puddle jumping competition to make a splash.

See a waterfall: Head out to watch a waterfall. If you’re feeling extra brave, why not try an adventurous activity, such as Gorge Walking?

Have an adventure on wheels: Whether it’s on a bike or a scooter, why not get outdoors and try one of our wheel-y good activities?

Go paddling in a safe river, lake or sea: Be careful and dip your toes in to go paddling in the sea or safe water source, such as a river. Why not go one step further and paddle a canoe, kayak, raft or paddle board?

Hike or walk with a journey stick: Create your own journey stick to hold your memories and to share your adventures with family and friends.

Watch the sunrise or sunset: Wake up early, or stay up late, to watch the sunrise or sunset. Can you see both in one day? 

Learn to tell recognise 10 leaves: Explore a wood like a detective and see if you can recognise trees by their leaves. Can you tell 10 different leaves apart?

Do something good for wildlife: From crafting butterfly feeders or building a bat house, to creating a bug house or making seed balls, how will you help local wildlife?

Spot 10 different birds: See if you can spot 10 birds, either from the window or out on a walk. You could make a bird feeder, packed with delicious treats for our feathered friends.