The Isle of Wight is one big, giant, outdoor playground! So if you’re trying to encourage your little (and big) ones to step away from the screen and discover ways they can play outside in the natural world, you couldn’t be in a better place. So to celebrate National Play Outside Day 2023 we have put together a guide on ways to spend it on the Isle of Wight.
We are lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful, long stretching beaches and if you’re willing to brave the cold and wrap up, they can be just as much fun in the winter as they are in the summer. ‘Dig’ out your bucket and spade (‘sea’ what we did there) take a trip down to the nearest beach and get building some sandcastles. Why not make it interesting and have a little family sandcastle competition and see who can make the most elaborate creation? As it gets darker earlier this time of year, why not make it even more fun and take some fairy lights and torches to make them illuminated?
While you’re on the beach see how many stones with faces you can find, collect rounded pebbles to paint when you get home, search for the pretty coloured sea glass treasure, all the different shapes and types of shells and look in the rock pools to see if you can spot some baby crabs, barnacles & cockles.
If the beach and sand aren’t for you, there’s plenty of stunning countryside and forests to explore and play in! Go mountaineering for the day and see if you can find and tick off the giant Salt & Pepper Pots in St Catharines, The Long Stone in Mottistone, The Tennyson Monument at the top of Tennyson Down in Freshwater! Maybe explore the walking trails in the Island’s largest forest & area of outstanding natural beauty in Brighstone Forest, or the Island’s second largest, Parkhurst Forest in Newport. There’s also the beautiful Firestone Copse as well as plenty of other enchanting woodland areas dotted about the Island. Look out for all the wildlife they inhabit, the various tree breeds that grow within them, and the picnic areas perfect for lunch stops!
There are lots of outdoor playgrounds to visit spread across the Island all perfect for getting out in the fresh air, large and small. All with their own unique style in beautiful surroundings.
Ryde has some wonderful parks dotted along the seafront the first being Ryde Beach sand park, perfect for 2-5 year olds as it’s dainty, enclosed, and situated right next to public conveniences with baby changing facilities. A stroll along the prom will bring you to Puckpool Park just set behind the beach with a lovely amount of greenery to play ball games and run free, old trees to climb, a large play area, mini golf, and a lovely cafe The Old Barracks within the grounds and another very close by The Dell (both licensed & dog friendly).
Over the other side of the Island, you’ll find the Gurnard village green play area with its beautiful, wooden, maritime apparatus also looking out across the sea towards Southampton full of boats and ships passing by, public conveniences, and a picnic area. Then there’s Cowes park with another large play area and a skate park for the slightly bigger kids.
The West side of the Island has a hidden gem with Totland recreation ground with a climbing frame, tunnel and slide built off an interesting little mound, a zip wire, swings, a roundabout, two slides, and apparatus for younger toddlers. It’s also situated well away from the main road in a field, so there’s lots of green space to run around in too.
So if you and your family choose to take part in National Play Outside Day 2023 there’s all this and more just outside your front door!
