What better time than summer to spend more time outdoors with the whole family, making the most of the endless afternoons and a few extra hours of free time? Here are some ideas for having fun (and resting) with your children in contact with nature.

Summer activities for children: the garden pond

In English it's called a "mini pond", literally a "small pond". It's simply a small water garden to create in the garden or on the terrace, to the delight of little ones and grown-ups alike. To set one up you'll need a large waterproof container (such as a pot or an old aquarium), some gravel and the right plants, available from aquarium shops or a well-stocked garden centre. Once the mini aquatic ecosystem is up and running, you can also populate it with small fish, and by choosing the right species it will be possible to keep mosquitoes at bay in a completely eco-friendly way. Here you'll find a short tutorial on how to create a water garden on a balcony or in the garden.

DIY sandpit

All it takes is a few planks of wood, recycled ones if possible, and a few kilos of sand to kick off the perfect summer activity with children: transforming a garden (though a small courtyard or even a simple balcony will do just as well) into an urban outpost of the beach. How? By building, perhaps with the help of the children themselves, a simple DIY sandpit, capable of guaranteeing, with little expense and minimal effort, long hours of fun with a spade and bucket. The process is fairly straightforward: simply screw four wooden planks together — in dimensions that vary according to the available space — and fix them to a base. Before filling the sandpit, it may be useful to place a waterproof sheet on the bottom. Covering it after each use will prevent any intrusions by animals or damage from summer storms.

Yoga for parents and children

On the beach or on a verdant mountain pasture, in a city park or on the deck of a cruise ship. Perhaps early in the morning or at sunset, when temperatures are mild and there aren't too many people around. A yoga mat and comfortable, light clothing are all you need to enjoy a healthy family yoga session, one that can deliver wellbeing, muscle tone and balance for both parents and children. The internet is a treasure trove of tutorials and images, such as the beautiful ones on the Instagram account Yoga moms.

Private water slide

With a large sheet of plastic — recycled if possible — a few sandbags to act as ballast and a garden hose, you can enjoy the most refreshing of summer activities for children: making a water slide in the garden. Always remember to fold up the sheet when you're not using it (to prevent bad weather from damaging it) and to turn off the water hose after each slide. Here is the detailed tutorial for making your very own water slide.

Relaxation area with recycled materials

On long summer afternoons, you rest better outdoors! Why not use reclaimed materials to set up a small relaxation area in the garden? All it takes is an old sheet and some rope to make a very comfortable DIY hammock, while a used tyre can easily be turned into a timeless classic: a fantastic recycled swing that is fun for young and old alike.