I have been thinking a lot lately about the idea of ‘flow’; that elusive state of mind that it’s possible to get into where time passes without you even noticing it because you are so absorbed in what you are doing.
It doesn’t happen to me a great deal to be honest – I have an amazing ability to guess the time to an astonishing degree of accuracy* – and it’s something I always wish would happen more. I suspect it may be a bit like trying to remember your dreams though, the more you struggle to hang on to them, the harder it is to do
One thing though that can often do it is being outside. I don’t mean just going and standing in the garden for a while instead of sitting watching repeats of Storage Hunters, (although that’s a good start), I mean actually outside, in coats and wellies, getting wet and muddy, breathing in the salty air straight off the sea or collecting bugs from the forest floor.
You know when you’re properly outside as your cheeks start to tingle and you feel warm even though it’s cold. The wind may be blowing your hair into your obligatory Mr Whippy, but you feel alive, like anything is possible. When you finally come back indoors you feel refreshed and tired all at the same time and a cup of tea, feet curled up underneath you on the sofa, muddy wellies left at the door, is suddenly the most wondrous thing in the world.
Today’s competition is all about helping you to achieve that glorious windswept Mr Whippy feeling, by kitting out your kids in jackets and fleeces from Skogstad, ready to explore the beauty of the British countryside, or any sort of countryside you like really.
Skogstad is Norway’s number one outdoor clothing brand for the family. Hitting the UK shores last year they’ve already proved popular with families who like to be out in the fresh air, weekend warriors, walkers and mums on the school run! With over 75 years’ experience in making clothes for all climates and conditions they know a bit about how to keep dry, warm and insulated and at prices that won’t break the bank. Reviewers are loving the quality and durability of Skogstad clothing – ranking them better than most of the other well know outdoor brands.
To be in with a chance to win two kids’ fleeces and two jackets, worth up to £200, simply complete as many of the Rafflecopter actions as you can before June 3rd.
Good luck!
*I’m not just boasting here, it really is an amazing skill. I can normally get to within about five minutes, wherever I am and whatever I am doing, even if I have just woken up. On Sunday we were out shopping, I guessed 1.38pm and it was 1.38pm. It’s a gift.
Disclosure – this is a sponsored post
Definately be useful for my 2 year old when we start all the walks to
Pre school
In the rain
Could really do with winning this as my son starts Forest school next term and needs new waterproofs
N’s favourite activities would just be out on the farm doing jobs with his dad. Mine would be walking along and playing on the beach
We live right beside the beach so we are down on the beach daily walking our little dog. We love having picnics, building sandcastles, collecting shells and pebbles, paddling and exploring the rockpools on the beach! We also enjoy watching the ferry travel to and from Norway and we see lots of boats, yachts, surfers and courageous swimmers! So beach activities are our top outdoor activities!
This would be great especially for the windy weather we get in Scotland.
Oh and forgot to say…I’m a big fan of storage hunters having only just discovered it from my OH flicking channels in the evenings. I have no idea what most of them are going on about, but just makes me laugh – it’s like a car boot sale scrap as the sellers open the boot of the car and the buyer scramble in!
We like going for long country walks
We love nothing more than going for walks in all weathers around our local nature reserve
My favourite outdoor activity is going for a family walk in the countryside. My boys also enjoy this as they turn into explorers jumping into all puddles, finding secret paths, discovering new bugs etc
For us, it’s all about the dog walks. It takes us everywhere and anywhere. The woods are currently a firm favourite.
Having adopted a 5 year old with firm views of her own, we are thankful she has embraced the outdoors like me and OH. We’re going camping for the first time together this summer and knowing the unpredictable nature of our weather, this clothing could come in v useful.
Climbing trees!
We love to go geocaching. The kids totally forget they are “going for a walk” and we get to discover some places we might never normally bother with. Some great discoveries out there!
For the kids its probably rock climbing. For me it’s observing whilst supping something cold an sparkling!
going to the park
We love walking our puppy.
We love going for walks round lakes and forests and seeing what bugs we can spot
Jumping in muddy puddles (thanks peppa pig!)
Roller blading
We like family bike rides at our local park x
It has to be splashing in puddles – great fun and plenty about with all of this rain!
Playing in sandpit & going for walks in local country park
Going on a nature hunt for us
CAMPING we do this at least 3 times a year x
It’s a tie for me between exploring castle ruins or exploring the beach
We love a good long walk in one of the many beautiful places we have at our disposal. Our new fun thing to do is build dens in the wood using fallen branches. The children think this is great fun. On a usual day after school if it’s raining we like to pop on our wellies and waterproofs and go out puddle jumping – great fun! We just love being outdoors really :)
we are big rugby fans follow our team home and away
I love walking in all weathers except rain!
Camping and lots of walks
We live in a rural area so walks along the local lanes are a favourite with us.
Walking and fishing
just walking…plain and simple! of for a walk around town, to the beach, to the playing fields, just walking and enjoying each others company
walking, in the fresh air, seaside, country, hills, canals, just introducing short hill walks to our 3 n 5 yo
We love going for long walks in the park and exploring the surroundings
A walk by the Loch, cycling, picnics x
Going for walks along the beach and sea front are something we really love to do, exploring the rock pools and paddling in the sea in summer.
bike riding x
Walking,riding bikes and gardening.
juts moved close to the beach and I love walking and running
What is kinda fun is being chased by irate farm owners when you accidently venture onto their land whilst out for an ‘explorer’ day with the children.
We all love walking in the woods with our 2 puppies. The children are also partial to a bit of tree climbing.
My favourite outdoor activity is fell-running, especially in the big hills of the Lake District. It’s great to feel like a big kid playing out in the mud and running as fast as your legs will take you downhill :-)
walking in the mountains, feeding the ducks, bike riding
Our favourite outdoor activity is playing in the park.
We love going on stomping walks through the woods or to castles and gardens
BNM
riding the bike and fishing :)
Am currently about to brave the school run in no less than a full on thunder storm with gigantic hail stones and rain…. so yep, I think my elder two boys could do with this (the little one, enjoys the comfort of a pram with rain cover for now!) x
Kicking leaves on crisp autumn mornings, lots of giggles!
Going for a walk with the children. We have stables near where we live, so it’s nice to finish the walk booing to feed the horses
going for a walk with the kids and going to the park and for picnics or having bbqs
Walks, long scenic, watery ones!
Going for long walks together, will a stop off at the park. We do this on a regular basis :)
My little one just loves getting outdoors – at the minute her favourite activity is dogspotting! ;)
kicking a ball about with my sons
I wouldn’t panic everytime the weather changed; we’d be prepared for anything!
a brisk cold stroll around a smelly farm. Wonderful!
To be able being outside regardless rain
A great prize .Anywhere outside in the rain ,sunshine ,(both at once ,this week !) and on a visit to the local farm, or on the beach !
i love walking and walking by rivers or the sea would be a favourite choice x
walks in the woods
We like going to feed the ducks at our local country park, and visiting city farms.x
Love walking in the woods!
We love our walks through the countryside
skimming stones at the beach!
cycle rides, either through the forest, or down the country lanes
bike rides
splashing in muddy puddles
Woodland walks, rockpooling and a day out at the wildlife park.
Walking along the ridge of the mountain with views in the distance out to sea.
Walking in the lakes
Walking with my grandchildren.
Sailing with my grandchildren
My goodness, we love allsorts of outdoor activities. Love dog walking, nature hunting, playing in the park!
going for walks and the park
walking in the country
Puddle hunting and nature hunts :-)
We love a simple walk in the park, looking for creatures, collecting things and playing.
We love to get out in the garden get our hands dirty.
We like going cycling and for walks!
we go carp fishing
We like geocaching as a family as my son loves hunting for treasure and it gets us all out enjoying new places!
we love taking nature walks my daughter loves flowers, insects and nature and there is always lots to see
We love the outdoors and have a family membership to the National Trust, lots to do, building dens,adventure playgrounds, outdoor games and always activities throughout the year. Never stuck for things to do or places to visit, we love it! :-)
we absolutely love Geocaching :)
Being out and about enjoying the fresh air with our toddler. Beaches, forests, parks, enjoying the countryside.
I like walking for miles in beautiful places. Worth looking up walks and special places of interest in books to really find out the places worth seeing. When my son was young walks were renamed ‘adventures’! I also love going camping!
We get out on our bikes and go through the forest
walking
Fabulous. Could really use some if this great gear @afieldsomewhere
we love camping. Getting away from it all with long walks in the country
like going out walking, going to the beach or just in the garden
Country walks with the grandchildren are a delight. I love to teach them about nature and see them getting dirty clambering about.
Our favourite outdoor activity is camping: fresh air all hours of the day and night, whatever the weather. What’s not to love?
We like going for long walks in the park and feeding the ducks
I love the beach, it’s my absolute favourite version of outdoors. Whatever the weather you can’t beat a walk along the beach and a pensive gaze out to sea.
Going for a walk
My two year old seems to think bug hunting is the best thing ever, I much prefer a pub garden and a cold cider!
We love to go geocaching. It’s such good fun with or without the kids :)
we love walking
swimming in the sea
We are lucky enough to live by the sea so we enjoy spending time walking along the seafront, having a picnic on the common facing it or if we are really naughty, some fish and chips!! :-))
Our families favourite outdoor activities are going to our local forest in search of the gruffalo and of course splashing in muddy puddles (thank you peppa pig)
Going for walks and exploring
Country walks and playing pooh sticks
Taking my 8 year old plus 11 others camping as a cub scout volunteer over may half term. The extra clothing will save him returning naked…..slummy mummy alert! !!
Surfing
Bug hunt! :)
I’m lucky enough to live at the seaside so it’s wonderful to take the kids to the beach to let them explore and have fun.
Love going to the local country park, the kids love going here in all seasons. As well as the nature trails, they have deer, lakes and a huge play area suitable for all ages.
Cycling x
Going to western super mare for the day with the kiddies. Xx
I love going for long walks but my daughter prefers going to the playground nowadays
we love walking
Great Competition.
I enjoy a nice walk.
My Favourite outdoor activities include playing soccer, walking and tennis.
hiking is fun x
Long walks in the countryside where we live, and bike riding. In the summer we love going to farms, parks and theme parks with the children :-) also the beach is a must on a warm day x
We love walks in the park, cycling, gardening together and Geocaching :)
Running – I love getting out there and pounding the streets and enjoying the time on my own. It’s a great destresser and really clears the mind :-)
Strawberry picking, although very seasonal, at least it’s productive! xx
We live in an area which is minutes from the beach and lots of country parks/forests so love taking my 2 year old
Forest walk
We love walking, mountains, through the woods everywhere
We like to go to the forest, visit the stream, jump in muddy puddles
love taking the boys on nature trails with their bug packs!
Growing veg and fruits in the garden and building sandcastles on the beach
I love walking and seeing the wildlife
We love going into the woods and building dens :) It’s great fun.
We are outdoors constantly, always walking and finding adventures in the local woods or beach. We have 2 doggies too and they need walking which is fun. :) We love it.
We love hunting through the rock pools for little creatures :)
Nothing like being outside, whatever the weather! We love puddles and the mud! Great Comp – Many thanks
I love taking my wee boy for walks and to the park.
We have a wood nearby and love taking walks with the dog and discovering all sorts.
Cycling and walking.
We love walking, going on long jaunts and also I love surfing
Favourite outdoor activities with my two girls are feeding the chickens, riding our bikes, fossil hunting and picking strawberries.
we love walking especially when on holiday in scotland
Walking near the river Exe and feeding the ducks
i love making dens with the kids, although i get way to carried away and end up doing it after they have lost all interest from me bossing them around haha
I love watching my kids be kids. Running about with sticks and jumping in puddles :)
We love putting put little on in his baby carrier and going for walks on the beach and paddling in the water.
My Son usually plays football at the weekend and my Daughter does gymnastics, if not we like going to the park and having a walk round and my children enjoy their trampoline in the garden.
We love playing on the beach and in the sea : )
running around with my little ones
Walks in the woods
Playing with sand
As a family we love geocaching & build our walks around it – my son loves “treasure hunting”!
Camping and walking the dogs with the family
Swimming in the sea
My daughter and I love going to the park and taking the dogs for a walk together :)
We say there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing! In clothes like these we love the forests and the beach. It’s impossible to get miserable when you’re safe and warm, no matter what the climate!
We love long walks in the local forest!
My son loves playing on the swings
Running, long country walks, picnics
I would love to win this! My two.have sensory processing difficulties and we spend as much time as possible outdoors – come rain or shine!
I love to walk and run outdoors
I love camping and walking in the woods!
we enjoy geocaching
i love going up the mountain for a walk
So many but we love going to the park, hunting for snails, jumping in puddles
Walking in the woods and jumping in puddles if we find any!
Walking around the countryside no matter what the weather brings. Collecting wild flowers , pine cones, holly or anything interesting, depending on the season. Low cost absorbing activity which leaves the little ones rosey checked and healthily tired. Love it, as much as them.
our favourite is a walk along the country lanes on a treasure hunt, we have to find feathers , fir cones conkers etc and the winner gets a prize but usually all the children win and all get a prize lol
Leave a comment on this blog telling me about your favourite outdoor activities.
a walk in the countryside – especially where there are lovely puddles
I love long swims along the coast. Just not in this country. ;)
I love just being outdoors in nature or even just in the city. Walks are probably my favorite. Also looking at natural objects.
it must be walking.. easy and you could do it any time
gardening
We love going for walks and finding things to bring home to craft with
building dens in the woods with the kids and jumping in puddles on the way back!
At the moment we enjoy nature hunts with a fab book we got at DK books. We like to find and identify flowers and fungi.
We’re really lucky in that we live both near the beach and a forest so we often take the girls either to the beach or on scavenger hunts in the forest and to explore the rock pools. But my favourite thing to do with them outside is when we go on nature hunts looking for animals
fabulous
going for woodland walks :)
I love taking the kids on adventure days out :)
We live beside the beach and love walking and playing there whatever the weather.
I love anything where you have to run around, rounders is a great one fun and exercise.
Walking, cycling and camping
geocaching, cycling and treasure hunts!
Our friends own a farm so it would be good for there. Also for when we go on walks and camping
My wee one has just started walking so can’t wait to get outside and splashing about in puddles.
A long walk in the countryside or on the beach with my children, followed by a picnic.
We’re going to be taking Dex on his first ski trip in January :) can’t wait!!
Love walking with family, time to talk and enjoy and countryside, whatever the weather, so a great escape
I like going for a walk, admiring the scenery and stopping for a pub lunch. The boys like rolling in mud and making dens
walking the dogs
We are blessed with an arboretum near to us and it is an absolute joy to walk in this time of year x
going to the park =)
Going for walks, going to the park, going on bug hunts and making collages of things we find outside.
Walking on the beach or up on the Downs, whatever the weather.
i live right near the seafront on the kent coast so walking along the sand, exploring rock pools, building sand castles, paddling in the sea ect is our favourite outdoorsy thing to do
My grandchildren love looking for bugs and insects, going to farms and playing outdoors looking for pine cones etc.
My sons favourite pastime is jumping in puddles, but we love walking
Walks and bike rides with time for climbing trees and flying kites!
Going for bike rides
Favourite outdoor activity – picking blackberries in the autumn
geocaching or walking along the coast
Wow what a great prize. I could really do with these Cumbria isn’t quite as cold as Norway but it’s close, we’d love to do more walking in The Lakes this year.
Love walking and orienteering
Going to the seaside
Wildlife hunting :D Kids love going into the forest and hunting for bugs etc
going to the beach and playing in the sea.
Cycling around the park with my daughter
Having a picnic and playing rounders :)
Taking my grandsons and the dog for a walk, then having a rest whilst the boys play in the park
We love going for walks around our local area
we like to go to the local parks etc for a picnic and good old explore around.
I love getting out and about with my kids especially when the weathers good. Trips to spot wild flowers in the fields and woods is a firm favourite as is rock pooling on days on the beach. Wet weather doesn’t stop us, just add welly boots for fun in the puddles @bobbity666
Walking on the beaches and cliffs.
Climbing tree’s & catching tadpoles :)
We love to go walking on woodland trails or making huts that is fun :D
Going to the park and to the beach to build sandcastles
Running round the woods. x
we love fishing in our house.
Walking the puppy
WALKING THE DOG
Horse riding! Don’t get as much time for it as we’d like though.
We love walking and rock hopping
We love geocaching – Really good fun for the kids
Definitely out on the bikes now the boys are older!
We love going to our local nature reserve and exploring the area. We go mini beast hunting which my children love. There is a small childrens area where they can build dens out of wood and have a picnic. The British weather doesnt put us off, wellies on and lots of jumping in muddy puddles x
Going to Clumber park or Hartsholme park local to us.
Rockpooling as we live beside the beach :)
We enjoy walking in the countryside :)
Growing vegetables and playing football and cricket
love having a picnic on the beach, eating outside always tastes nicer
We love going for walks with our two dogs and also in the summer we like to go fruit picking.
We love any kind of outdoor exploring. Bird watching, bug hunts, etc!
Simple everyday things like walking the dog, feeding the ducks etc.
Rockpooling and nature walks, brilliant!
collecting sticks on the woods is always fun for us
Camping and walks
We love dog-walking as a family and the children love it too. They feel in charge and love it when the dogs go swimming in the river or chase about in the fields and the woods.
walking on the beach in warm weather
walking to historic sites like castles
Anywhere outdoors feeding ducks, going to zoo, beach, lovely!
We all go fishing! You wouldnt believe the horrible fish in our canals!
We like to go for walks and picnics :)
Going for long walks at the riverside beside where we live.
Bike riding
We love going to the park, riding bikes and flying kites!
Long walks in our local woods with our daughters
Walking on beaches -splashing in puddles
We love a bit of camping on basic sites
birdwatching
Walking the dogs, doing the obligatory muddy puddle jumps on the way
A nice countryside walk! :-)
beach combing,walks in the woods, stomping in muddy puddles, chalks in the garden, paintbrushes and water in the garden. Literally if we can do something outside I choose that over being inside any day
walking in the rain by the beach.
A walk in the woods and collecting all the little woodland gems for a journey stick.
Exploring local woodlands or going to parks :)
love taking a flask of coffee, kids and hubby, finding a stream in the woods then watching the kids and hubby try and damn the stream up, kids absolutely love this!
I LOVE BIKING WITH MY SON – we often go to the river to watch crabs and then we ride along the farms picking blackberries
We are lucky enough to be within walking distance of our local beach and also has a playground – my daugher would stay out all day !
going to the beach.
I love going for walks in the woods with the children.
My favourite is a nice walk in the woods :)
Taking my four into our local woods which are right behind our house, where we have been building a den for about three years now! Its brilliant! We have a part of the woods where barely anyone goes, and we can spend hours collecting fallen branches and leaves for our den. Even my computer mad eldest still joins in, and we definitly all get our ‘Mr Whippy’ feeling from it! ;-) The waterproofs would help us continue even on the soggiest days! Fingers crossed! ;-)
I love hiking in the woods
Walking :)
Hello, this would be great for my little one.
Definitely need his living in Enlgand !
We like walking by the sea, every day it looks different
cycling off road with the family
My boys love bike riding & my little girl is just happy playing in the park
My favourite outdoor activity is walking and my Grandson’s is jumping in muddy puddles.
Our favourite outdoor activity is geocaching, its a great way to get out in the fresh air and the kids love the treasure hunt side of it!
Walking with my kids, my 3 year old loves going in nature trails x
Walking my dog and camping
My kids like damming rivers x
Geocaching, the kids love it, looking for treasure and before you know it you have walked miles :)
Go Ape! :)
we love to go walking and cycling :)
We love cycling and when the weather is good taking out our inflatable kayak:-)
Love walking in the country
Walking the dog in the woods
Walking round the fields in our village.
We love Geo-caching.
Has to be bike riding x
I love walking with the kids on the heath and seeing their faces when they find something on their bug hunt!
We love walking, especially in the Yorkshire Dales :)
We like going for a walk to the near by mountain and seeing the horses there.
We live near the beach so we enjoy beach strolls looking for things that the sea has washed up, driftwood and sea glass
we love spending time at our local beach, collecting shells and crabs and anything else that catches my grandsons eye
Bike ridding and walking x
We love walking in the woods and scrunching through the leaves.
I love taking my dog for long walks
we love a walk in the forest
My kids are always outside – they don’t care about the weather :-) I love gardening with my little girl while my boy plays footie x
Long walks with the dog stopping for a picnic along the way x
playing tennis :)