"The fire glowed red as the marshmallows danced over the hot coals - the children stood transfixed with eyes glued to the melting treats... "
Childhood is one long bucket list of firsts. First steps, first camping trip, first movie, first bike ride, first snow...
Sometimes these firsts are easy, sometimes they're a little bit scary, and sometimes they're just pure magic.
Here are 27 one-of-a kind experiences that will help create a childhood filled with wonder, curiosity and love of the outdoors.
Use this blog with our Free Family Adventure Planner and make it a year to remember!
Five Minute Read
Important: Many experiences require adult supervision. Always check conditions before you go into natural areas.
___________
27 one-of-a-kind experiences to do before you're 12.
Camping Adventures
1: Camp in a tent and wake up in nature
Camping in a tent is a kaleidoscope of intense magical experiences - staying up late, making new friends, seeing stars, campfires, strange night sounds, waking up with the birds, sleeping all together.
Trust me, they will remember these days FOREVER!
It can be daunting for first timers though - so here's a great blog full of camping with kids' tips.
2: Toast marshmallows over a campfire
Standing around a campfire sharing stories and toasting marshmallows, is one of the sweetest ends to a night.
AFTER all the marshmallows have been eaten - throw in some rainbow fire - and watch the flames turn blue, purple, orange, red, and green!
3. Learn to build a fire (with supervision)
From gathering and chopping wood to lighting the fire, learning to start a fire is a survival skill that’s worth teaching. Younger children can be taught how to gather sticks and place kindling in the right shape to start the fire.
Adventures after dark
4: Go spotlighting at night in the local bush
Looking for animals at night can be a little bit scary and intensely memorable - you may see owls, possums, bats and more.
Local Friends Groups often run free twilight or spotlighting walks you can join.
Tips: Always go in groups, wear closed shoes and stick to the path. Stay quiet and use the flashlights to see eyeshine.
5: See glow worms and fireflies after dark
Imagine walking into a dark rainforest or cave without a light... until you see tiny glowing 'blue fairy lights' all around you. It's a strangely eerie and magical experience.
Glow worms are found in dark, moist places like rainforests or caves in warmer months.
6: Crystal Cave walking and Fossil Hunting
Crystal Caves: Stepping deep into the earth to gaze at sparkling crystals is like entering Aladdin's Cave - your hands itch to touch the ancient stalagmites and stalactites formed over hundreds of thousands of years - but you can only touch with your eyes.
Fossil hunting? In South Australia - Naracoorte National Park, is one of the world's best fossil sites with extinct megafauna such as marsupial lions, enormous kangaroos and giant lizards, on display.
7: Stargazing or Aurora chasing
Join a night tour at an Observatory and use high power telescopes to see stars, distant nebulae, and even planets. It's a view into another cosmos.
Or spend a night camping under the stars - and if you're lucky, you may witness a milky way spread out in the nights sky.
In the Winter months in our southern states - you can see the Aurora Australis light up the sky in purple, green, pinks and reds - they are the Southern Lights.
Water Adventures
8: Play in the snow!
We don't take snow for granted in Australia - in fact we will drive or fly a long way to visit the snow fields.
Snow angels, building snowmen, snow fights, sledding, learning to ski or snow board... you will always remember your first trip to the snow.
9: Swim in a creek or natural swimming hole
Scrambling over rocks and stepping into crystal clear water that is icy cold on a warm day, is pure magic! If you live in the city - paddling in a creek or maybe even tubing down the creek - is not your normal day out.
Tips: Wear water shoes in case of sharp rocks. Always check conditions such as water quality and safety warnings before you visit.
10. Explore a rockpool and discover sea life
Have you been rock pooling before? When the tide goes out, tiny worlds of trapped sea life suddenly appear before you. Peer into tiny pools and stand quietly to see who comes out to say hello.
Tips: Find a beach with rockpools at low tide and low swell, don't put your hands in rockpools as sea life can be fragile or dangerous.
Here's a rockpool blog (for Victoria) of places to visit and tips.
11. Go snorkeling in the ocean
Master snorkeling, master breathing under water! Imagine seeing colourful fish, shore crabs, waving coral and even sea turtles or sea horses up close underwater!
Tips: Start in a safe shallow area and make sure the mask and snorkel work properly before heading out - a flotation vest can help inexperienced swimmers. Always snorkel with a buddy and wait for a calm day.
Garden and Farm Adventures
12. Go foraging for fruit
There's nothing more fun than picking your own fruit from a farm - if you can grow them yourself, even better! Blueberries, strawberries, cherries, berries, peaches, apples, nectarines, apricots, oranges - yum!
It's an activity you can enjoy all year round, and it's important for kids to understand that fruit (and veggies) don't just miraculously appear on the table.
13. Help out at a working farm
Farmhands: Don't just visit an animal farm to pet the guinea pigs and ride the ponies - see if you can visit a proper working farm and get involved in actual farm life.
Maybe you can feed the ducks, milk a cow or help with seeding veggies or join them at harvest season. Some farms have 'you be the farmer experiences,' you can purchase.
Harvest helpers: If you have friends or family who work on a farm or in a primary produce industry - getting involved in harvest season can be a lot of fun!
You may find yourself picking grapes at a winery or stomping on tomatoes at a tomato farm.
14. Grow a garden, eat a garden
Every kid should have a little veggie or garden plot to look after. Whether it's in the ground or on a windowsill, it teaches them patience, care and pride in growing something all on their own!
Herbs, tomatoes and strawberries are usually easy to grow - and marrows like zucchinis are prolific if you have space.
15. Watch outdoor theatre in the Gardens
Become absorbed in the adventures of Mole, Badger, Ratty and Toad in the classic Wind in the Willows or experience the magic of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream in the gardens at dusk. These classics are staples in many Botanic Gardens around Australia.
Outdoor theatre plays are interactive, unique and so well done - it brings a whole new dimension to a day out in the gardens.
Animal encounters
16. See animals in the wild - not the zoo!
Australia's icons: Imagine seeing an emu unexpectedly cross the path right in front of you, a flash of a platypus tail as they dive back into the river, or a koala sleeping in a tree just over your head.
The special events: Then there's the sight of little penguins returning to their burrows, baby turtles hatching under the light of the moon, whales breaching the surface on their long trip from Antarctica, or even dolphins swimming in front of a boat... It's breath-taking to witness these cycles in nature.
There are definitely seasons and hot spots for seeing animals in the wild - but with a little research, anything is possible.
17. Watch baby turtles' hatch
There are seven sea turtles in the world, and six of them lay their eggs on Australian beaches - in Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales.
The hatching season is typically from January to April and is so incredible to watch. Many of the beaches are now protected and you may need tickets to be a part of this special event.
Active adventures
18. Take them hiking!
The research shows that a weekly bush walk (or nature walk) is equally as important as playing sport. It's a healthy habit for life!
Why? Because time in nature is good for us, it reduces stress, makes us happier, and the constant pressure to perform in sport, at school, or work slowly disappears.
Start small: Start with small bushwalks close to home and engage them with nature scavenger hunts.
Challenge them: Give them a flat boring trail and they will complain, make them scramble over logs and rocks and feel challenged, and they will be engaged the whole way! Spend a holiday in a National Park and tackle a big walk with a grand finale at the end.
Overnight hike anyone? Push your comfort zone and combine hiking and camping in one! Choose the right length for your family (maybe 3 - 5kms), get them carrying a bag and involved the whole way.
Here's a blog with lots of tips to make hiking with kids a success.
19. 'Look Mum, no hands.' Bike ride time!
The milestones: Balancing on a bike, falling off a bike, taking off the training wheels, riding on a proper bike track, riding with one hand or even NO HANDS...
The tricks: Riding as slow as you possibly can (without falling off), doing figure eight loops around an obstacle course, riding on a straight line, testing your skills on a pump track or mountain bike track.
The shared fun: Heading out on a family bike ride and seeing how far they can now ride. It's a skill for life.
20. Go horse-riding
I don't think you ever forget the time you sat on the back of a horse for the first time.
When they're little, this might be a gentle pony ride at a show - when they're older this might be an unassisted group horse trek. That feeling of learning a new skill and being in control of a big animal will get the adrenalin pumping.
21. Try out a kayak, canoe or sailing boat!
If you're confident on the water - messing about in boats is FUN! It allows you to explore riverways, paddle in calm ocean waters, catch the wind in a small sailing boat, and even go on a canoe trip!
Try canoe camping! There are riverways in Australia where you can canoe from campsite to campsite with all your gear packed away in your canoe. (eg The Glenelg River in Victoria, Margaret River in WA).
Everything moves slower and you start to really understand what 'river time' is all about.
Tip: Always wear life jackets and be prepared for all weathers.
More adventures
22. Learn to read a map and compass
Hand over the map and let them choose the route.
Following a map, finding landmarks and leading the way builds confidence, independence and problem-solving skills. Even a short walk feels different when they’re in charge.
23. Climb a tall tree
Climbing a tree tests courage, strength and judgement.
Choosing the branches, trusting their body, and sitting quietly above the ground is a moment of independence many kids remember forever.
Always assess the tree and supervise closely.
24. Bury a time capsule
They will have to remember this one! Create a time capsule to bury in the garden when they're 2 or 3, fill it with artwork, special nature finds, a few photos or small mementos, and dig it up when they're 12!
If it's a success, why not create another time capsule to dig up on their 18th or 21st birthday.
25. Race a billy cart down a hill
The perfect family project - design and build a billy cart and then take it for a spin down a hill or quiet road - it's a rite of passage!
26. Go on a nature scavenger hunt
Turning a walk into a mission instantly changes the energy.
Looking closely, searching for clues, and discovering small details helps kids engage deeply with their surroundings - and makes even familiar places feel new.
27. Go on a Gumnut Trails Adventure!
Our Adventure Guides will spark imagination, build new skills and love of being outdoors.
From the beach, bush and backyard - there are 66 instant adventures you can use anytime and anywhere. The adventures are easy for adults and FUN for kids.
