Four ideas to get your kids outdoors to learn about nature this summer

THE SUMMER holidays are a great time to get kids to notice nature and have fun without racking up costs. Instead of rushing to school, they can slow down and take time to look around. Get them to be nosey about nature with these outdoor ideas. How you can get your kids to be nosey about nature with these outdoor ideas Credit: Getty ENJOY A FLUTTER: No one can ignore a bright and beautiful butterfly. Take kids’ interest to the next level by getting them involved in the Big Butterfly Count. Download details of how to identify different species on the Big Butterfly Count website (or use the free app), then spend 15 minutes spotting butterflies and moths. Record the ones you see on the website or the app to play your part in butterfly conservation. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! WING IT: While you have got all eyes on the outdoors, take part in the National Garden Scheme’s Big British Garden Survey, helping to spot wildlife in outdoor spaces across Britain. The whole family can record visitors to your garden or balcony, but an adult needs to fill in the survey form. READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS Find out more at ngs.org.uk. HOST A HEDGEHOG: The prickly mammals are busy at this time of year and there are easy ways to make your garden hedgehog friendly. In this hot weather, they will appreciate an evening bowl of water. Add some chunky stones, to help visiting insects have somewhere to rest. Create hedgehog highways by cutting 13cm square holes in fences, or dig gaps underneath where the animals can crawl through. Leave parts of your garden to grow wild, leaving log or leaf piles for animal explorers. Most read in Money It is not only hedgehogs who will appreciate it. Birds, frogs and other wildlife will thank you by visiting. OUTDOOR EXPERIMENTS: There are lots of ways to get kids exploring. Search “25 nature ideas for summer” at the Natural History Museum site, nhm.ac.uk. For more activities, find out what is happening at your local Wildlife Trust or RSPB reserve. Both run free activities during the holidays, like pond dipping at Askham nature reserve near York. Deal of the day Save £31.90 on this denim minidress from La Redoute, down to £26.09 Credit: supplied BE ready for work or play with this denim minidress from La Redoute, down from £57.99 to £26.09. SAVE: £31.90 Cheap treat Grab a cool discount on these popular ice cream bars at Asda Credit: supplied COOL off with a pack of four Nobbly Bobbly strawberry and chocolate lollies – £1 at Asda, down from £2.38. SAVE: £1.38 What’s new? New customers who sign up for Itsu rewards on its app will receive a voucher for free gyoza or selected bao buns Credit: supplied USE your noodle! New customers who sign up for Itsu rewards on its app today or tomorrow will receive a voucher for free gyoza or selected bao buns. You have 90 days to redeem the reward. Top swap The bear laundry basket for your kid’s room s £58 from Jojo Maman Bébé Credit: supplied But you could save £28 by opting for Dunelm’s bear storage basket instead Credit: supplied WHETHER packed with clothes or toys, the bear laundry basket, £58 from Jojo Maman Bébé, is cute in a kid’s room. Or try the bear storage basket, £30 from Dunelm. SAVE: £28 Little helper There’s a three for £5 offer on fruits at Morrisons, including 350g punnets of British strawberries Credit: supplied SAVE up to £2.50 on fruit at Morrisons with a three for £5 offer on some juicy items, including 350g punnets of British strawberries. Shop & save This water-resistant Sherpa drying robe is down to £18 at onlinehomeshop.com Credit: supplied STAY cosy on cooler days in the water-resistant Sherpa drying robe from onlinehomeshop.com – it’s down from £35 to £18. SAVE: £17 Hot right now UNTIL tomorrow, it’s £3 for Peroni and Aperol Spritz at Greene King pubs, including Hungry Horse, when you buy via the Greene King app. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning! Test Test Test Click on this link Comment now