Free Things to Do in Dorset with Children This Summer

There's something rather magical about the summer holidays in Dorset. The days seem to stretch a little longer, picnic blankets come out of the cupboard, and suddenly every patch of countryside becomes an adventure waiting to happen.

Of course, keeping children entertained for six weeks can become expensive very quickly. But one of the things I love most about living in Dorset is that some of the very best days out don't cost a penny.

Whether you have energetic little explorers, teenagers who need persuading to leave their screens behind, or grandchildren visiting for the weekend, Dorset is full of wonderful places where memories are made without spending a fortune.

Here are some of my favourite free adventures.

Hunt for Fossils at Charmouth Beach

A visit to Charmouth is always high on our summer list. Part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, it's one of the best places in the country to search for fossils.

Children love the excitement of spotting ancient shells hidden amongst the pebbles, and every little discovery feels like buried treasure.

Remember to check the tide times before you go and stick to the safe areas away from the cliffs.

Even if you don't find a fossil, a day spent paddling, skimming stones and building sandcastles is never wasted.

Explore the Woodland at Moors Valley Country Park

Although some activities at Moors Valley have a charge, exploring the woodland trails is completely free.

Children can spend hours building dens, spotting butterflies, climbing over fallen logs and simply enjoying being outdoors.

Pack a picnic and make a whole day of it.

Sometimes the simplest adventures become the ones children remember most.

Visit Durdle Door

Every child should see Durdle Door at least once.

The walk down may be a little steep, but the reward is one of the most famous views in Britain.

Bring buckets for rock pooling, enjoy a paddle if the weather is warm and don't forget your camera.

Watching children discover tiny crabs hiding beneath the rocks never seems to lose its charm.

Follow a Nature Trail at Upton Country Park

Upton Country Park is one of those places you can return to again and again.

The wide open spaces are perfect for football, frisbee or simply running around.

Children enjoy spotting ducks on the lake, collecting interesting leaves and seeing what wildlife they can find.

There's plenty of shade beneath the trees too, making it ideal on hot summer afternoons.

Enjoy a Walk Around Wareham Forest

If your children enjoy exploring, Wareham Forest is a wonderful place to wander.

There are miles of walking and cycling paths, plenty of wildlife to spot and enough space for children to burn off endless energy.

Why not turn it into a treasure hunt?

Can they find pine cones, feathers, butterflies, birdsong or unusual leaves?

A simple checklist can keep younger children entertained for hours.

Spend the Day at Weymouth Beach

You don't have to spend money to enjoy one of Dorset's beautiful beaches.

Take your own picnic, plenty of water, a football, buckets and spades and enjoy a traditional seaside day.

Build the biggest sandcastle you can, hunt for shells or simply enjoy splashing in the sea.

Sometimes children need very little to create a perfect summer memory.

Visit Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens... from Outside!

While the gardens themselves have an admission fee, the pretty village of Abbotsbury is lovely to explore for free.

Walk through the village, admire the beautiful thatched cottages and stop to watch the ducks along the stream.

It's a peaceful way to spend an afternoon and often far quieter than some of the busier tourist spots.

Explore a Dorset Nature Reserve

Dorset is blessed with beautiful nature reserves where children can discover dragonflies, butterflies, birds and wildflowers.

Bring binoculars if you have them and see how many different birds you can identify together.

Nature has a wonderful way of slowing everyone down.

Have a Picnic in the Countryside

One of our favourite free days out is often the simplest.

A homemade picnic, a blanket, a flask of tea and somewhere beautiful.

Whether it's beside a river, overlooking the coast or in the middle of the countryside, children rarely remember expensive attractions.

They remember eating strawberries on the grass, chasing butterflies and rolling down hills.

Create Your Own Dorset Adventure Challenge

Before you head out, why not make a family challenge?

Can you:

• Spot five butterflies?

• Find a heart-shaped stone?

• Hear a woodpecker?

• Build a tiny fairy house from natural materials?

• Count ten different wildflowers?

• Skip ten stones?

• Find a fossil?

• Watch the sunset over the sea?

It's a lovely way to encourage children to notice the little things around them.

Making Memories Doesn't Have to Cost a Thing

Summer has a habit of making us feel we need to fill every day with expensive attractions, but children often remind us that happiness can be wonderfully simple.

A beach, a woodland walk, a picnic under a shady tree and plenty of time to explore.

That's what Dorset does so well.

So this summer, pack the suncream, fill the water bottles, grab a picnic and head outdoors.

Some of the very best adventures are waiting just beyond the front door—and they won't cost you a penny.