Free or Low-Cost Outdoor Ideas for Children #9: Photography

It’s a new year and you may well be one of those people looking for a new hobby to try. If you’ve also made it a new years resolution to get outdoors more with the family, then I think I may have found the perfect solution…

Click, Snap, Explore! Outdoor Photography Fun for Children (and Parents)

Let me let you in on a little secret, parent-to-parent: you don’t need a fancy camera or loads of cash to create magical memories with your children. All you need is a smartphone (or that old digital camera collecting dust in the drawer), a bit of curiosity, and a good pair of shoes. Outdoor photography is one of the simplest, cheapest, and most creative activities you can do with your children  – and it’s got a bonus perk: getting them outside and actually looking at the world around them!

Why Outdoor Photography?

Ever noticed how children seem to fly through life at 100mph? I’m sure it can’t just be my children! Getting them outside with a camera slows them right down. Suddenly, that old tree is being noticed, and it’s a treasure trove of patterns, textures, and shadows. That beetle scuttling along the path? It’s now a mini celebrity worthy of its own photoshoot. We did a photo a day walking challenge on our daily half term walk in October last year and it was the BEST at getting the boys to start really taking in their surroundings

So, if like most adults out there you have a smartphone you can look forward to another free outdoor activity to do with your children. No subscriptions, no equipment to buy, no entry fees, no travel costs. Just you, your children, and whatever Mother Nature has to offer that day. All straight from your doorstep.

What Makes It So Special?

1. They’ll Notice More
   A budding photographer sees the world differently. They’ll spot the beauty in a dew-soaked spiderweb or the way the light hits a puddle. They’ll learn to notice the small stuff – stuff we adults often forget to stop and appreciate. Two notable moments for me on our half term challenge were when my youngest took the time to compose an interesting puddle photo with his reflection, and when my eldest noticed the way the lines of a freshly ploughed field with emerging crops lead his eyes up the field.
2. Screen Time, But Better
   If you’re like me, you’re probably looking for a million and one alternative ideas to entertain children that don’t resort to screen time. With photography, you’re flipping the script. It’s screen time, yes, but it’s creative, purposeful, and – here’s the best bit – it’s outside!
3. Bonding Time
   Let’s be honest: it’s not just the children who need a break from the four walls of home. Grab your phone and join in. You’ll end up in fits of giggles trying to outdo each other with the “weirdest bug” photo or the “funniest shadow” selfie. These are memories that will stay with them, trust me!

How to Get Started

1. Set a Theme
   Children love a challenge. Try themes like “something tiny,” “all the colours of the rainbow,” or “funny faces in nature” (you’ll be surprised how many trees have ‘faces’ if you look closely).
2. Keep It Simple
   Don’t stress about perfect angles or lighting. It’s about the joy of the hunt, not creating award-winning images. As a keen photographer myself, I struggled (inwardly) watching my youngest see something he wanted to photograph and make no effort to frame the image and then bash the shutter button so indelicately that the photo would often be blurred 😂 But he loved taking them, and that’s what counts the most!
3. Share the Spotlight
   Let them take the lead. Ask questions like, “What do you see that’s interesting?” or “How can we make this picture cooler?”
4. Review Together
   Once you’re back home, grab a snack and scroll through their masterpieces. Praise their creativity and maybe even print a few to stick on the fridge or frame for their room. I’m a huge lover of journals so why not make this a regular activity together and create a photo journal of all your adventures! It’ll be a wonderful item to look back on in years to come, and who knows, it might even spark a career choice!

Top Tip: Add a Scavenger Hunt!

Why not turn it into a photography scavenger hunt? Give them a list:

• A flower that isn’t red
• Something that starts with “B”
• A cloud shaped like an animal
• A close-up of bark

Watch them dash around with their camera, determined to tick everything off. If you’re stuck for scavenger hunt ideas, why not download our free scavenger hunt printable?

Memories That Cost Nothing

The best part of outdoor photography? It’s not just about the pictures; it’s about the moments you share. The laughter when you see that creepy face in the bark. The pride in their eyes when they capture a “perfect” sunset shot.

So, next time you’re wondering how to spend an afternoon, grab your phone, round up the children, and head outside. You might just end up with more than a camera roll full of Memories – you’ll get a day you’ll all remember for years to come.

What are your favourite ideas for getting children outside on a budget?