Sun-Safe Adventures in the Great Outdoors
Since the pandemic, getting outside and enjoying nature is more important than ever before, according to exclusive research released by Soltan, the UK’s leading sun cream brand. The survey of 1,000 parents has found that families are excited to get back to activities in the great outdoors this summer, with picnics, bike rides and swimming in the sea topping the list – all whilst safely protected from the sun with Soltan.
With benefits including fresh air, beautiful scenery and a sense of freedom, it’s no wonder six in 10 families intend to spend more quality time together outdoors this summer. In preparation for sun-safe adventures, searches for sun cream on boots.com have increased by over 7,120% year on year* with NEW innovative SPF 5 Star UVA and UVB sun care products such as the Soltan Kids Roll On (£3.50) and the Soltan Clear & Cool Suncare Mist (£7) flying off the shelves.
The research also found that families are looking for fun and engaging activities to keep their children entertained and that is why Soltan has partnered with TV presenter and nature enthusiast, Helen Skelton, to inspire families to have amazing adventures.
Helen Skelton says: “Getting outside and enjoying nature is great for physical and mental wellbeing, I have always been someone who has made the most of the great outdoors and enjoy an adventure “The research shows that families want to make the most of getting outside but are sometimes lacking some inspiration for how to turn a day out into a really fun adventure. I think over the last 18 months we have exhausted our ideas bank, so I have teamed up with Soltan to come up with some top tips to help parents this summer – from fossil hunting and obstacle courses to cloud spotting and treasure hunts – all whilst safe in the knowledge that Soltan is offering sun protection for the whole family.”
Clare O’ Connor, Boots Soltan Suncare Expert, adds: “It is lovely to see people enjoying being outside and making new memories with their families. Whilst out adventuring, it is important not to forget to keep yourselves and your little ones protected as you are just as vulnerable to burning in the UK a you are abroad. Our message to everyone this summer is to apply a sunscreen with full SPF 5 Star UVA and UVB protection like Soltan, when enjoying everything that the great outdoors has to offer.”
You can see Helen Skelton chat through her top tips here.
Top 50 outdoor family activities to do this summer according to parents
1. Having a picnic
2. Watching the sun rise and set
3. Going to theme parks
4. Bike rides
5. Swimming in the sea
6. Going to nature reserves
7. Sightseeing in a city
8. Jumping in the waves
9. Fruit picking
10. Building sandcastles
11. Star gazing on a clear night
12. Going to adventure playground
13. Fairgrounds
14. Playing in a paddling pool
15. Going searching for creatures in rock pools
16. Digging huge holes on the beach
17. Hiking
18. Camping
19. Burying my legs in the sand
20. Bird watching
21. Playing tennis
22. Water balloon fight
23. Sliding down a water slide
24. Bird spotting/watching
25. Playing swing ball
26. Caravanning
27. Mountain biking
28. UK Safari
29. Playing on a bouncy castle
30. Glamping
31. Building a den
32. Jumping into a river
33. Climbing
34. Fishing
35. Going on a treasure hunt
36. Hunting for bugs
37. Playing on a rope swing
38. Cloud spotting
39. Snorkelling in the sea
40. Fossil hunting
41. Bodyboarding
42. Kayaking
43. Playing a big game of rounders
44. None of the above
45. Trail runs
46. Pedalos
47. Building nests for wildlife
48. Make an obstacle course
49. Riding on electric scooters
50. Roller blading
Helen’s top activities to keep children entertained this summer:
Become a wildlife ranger
When out exploring, take a closer look at the nature around you. Before you head outside, make a list of the creatures you’d like to spot and see if you can find them all during your adventures.
• How many worms can you count in the soil?
• How many different bird calls can you hear on your journey?
• Can you find any bees buzzing by and gathering nectar?
• Are there any fish swimming in nearby water?
• Look out for furry friends – are there any squirrels running up the trees or a rabbit hiding in the
woodland?
Create a nature obstacle course
Use the landscape around you to create the ultimate obstacle course! Hop to the closest tree and back, crawl under the park bench, run up the hill and roll back down again. Once you have planned your course, make it into a game by timing how long it takes you to get round or you could have a race with your friends and family.
Nature bracelets
Before heading off on your adventure, take a piece of masking tape and put it around your wrist, sticky side out. Once you’re out and about, find pieces of nature to stick onto the bracelet: twigs, grass, fallen petals. Remember – don’t pick anything that is still growing!
Go on a rainbow hunt
Go for a walk with your family and find something from every colour of the rainbow to create your very own wildlife museum! It could be a pink petal, some yellow straw or a green leaf. A painted eggbox (makes a great display case or you can simply take photos along the way.
Learn to find your way with a map
Being able to read a map is a great practical skill so take the chance to learn while you’re out exploring somewhere you’ve not visited before. Find a map of the area and start off by working out where you are right now on the map. Choose an end point and plan your route there - remember to have the map facing in the right direction!
Cloud spotting
The aim of the game is to see what unusual or unexpected things you can see in the clouds. Do you see a snake, a star or a face? When you’re out exploring with your family, see who can come up with the funnies and wildest cloud creations.
Make natural art
When out and about, collect fallen leaves, petals and sticks and use them to make a picture when you get home. You could use the objects as paintbrushes - dipping them in colourful paint and then rolling, brushing or stamping them on paper to create interesting patterns and effects.
Build a twig raft
If you come across a source of water like a river or a lake, build a raft using objects you find around you and see how long it floats for. You can use sticks and twigs for the base and long pieces of grass to tie everything together.
Go fossil hunting
Go on a time travelling expedition and uncover clues to the secret life of animals and plants from the past. Fossils can be found anywhere but they’re most easily spotted near the seashore on beaches, under rocks or by rivers. Keep your eyes peeled for wood and shells. You might find sea urchins, mussels, oysterscorals, and more!
Build a wildlife hotel
Collect fallen branches you come across when you’re out exploring to build a wildlife den that small animals can use for protection and shelter. Dry grass and leaves make good nesting materials and having a water source nearby will be great for the furry visitors.
Soltan is available exclusively in Boots stores nationwide and online at boots.com/soltan.
Customers can save 1/3 on Soltan Family Packs throughout the summer. Offer runs from 30th June
– 28th August 2021.
