At LiveWest, we are Creating Greener Futures Together. Every month, we share some of our favourite green advice, to help our customers and colleagues live more sustainably.
With schools out for the summer holidays, we’ve put together a list of our favourite ways to keep the kids entertained, whilst helping the environment and saving money.
Download our summer holiday bucket list now and check off activities as you complete them. Or, keep reading for a few ideas to get started!
1. Build a bug hotel
It is important that we make space for nature in our gardens. This guide from the RSPB will help you get started.
For more ideas on how to help wildlife in your garden, visit our gardening green advice page.
2. Create a mini pond
An old sink, plant pot, or plastic tub filled with water and oxygenating plants can create a perfect home for wildlife, attracting frogs, birds, and insects to your garden. Read this guide from the Wildlife Trusts to get started. You can find more guides like this on our Gardening page.
3. Make a marble run using items from your recycling.
Gather up empty cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, water bottles and other recyclable packaging and give them a new lease of life by creating a marble run. Get creative and see how long a run you can build, then put a marble at the start and watch it roll!
Once you’re done, just put the items into your recycling bin.
Find out more about reusing and recycling on our dedicated green advice page.
4. Cook a meal with seasonal food from your local farmers’ market.
Choosing locally produced, seasonal food will reduce your carbon footprint as the food won’t have travelled a long way. You will also be supporting local businesses and farmers.
For more advice on how to make sustainable food choices, visit our cooking green advice page.
5. Go for a walk or bike ride
Walking and cycling are both great ways to reduce your carbon footprint, get outdoors, and improve your physical and mental health.
Visit our green transport advice page to view cycle maps and walking routes, plus information from your local council about cycling in your area.
6. Buy a boardgame from your local charity shop and have a second-hand games night.
Charity shops are great for the environment. By shopping second-hand you are reducing waste, saving water and carbon. You can buy almost anything from charity shops, from clothes and accessories to furniture and homeware, and even games!
Why not take a look in your local charity shop and buy a boardgame, then enjoy a second-hand games night?
For more sustainable shopping inspiration, visit our shopping green advice page.
7. Do a beach clean
If you live near the coast, you could head to the beach and do a beach clean. Many beaches now provide litter picking tools, but you could also bring your own. The Wildlife Trusts share some great information on how to do a litter pick or beach clean.
8. Grow your own herbs
Whether it’s basil, mint, or rosemary, growing your own herbs is a great way to add more flavour to your food and get closer to nature. The RHS share some advice to help you get started.
9. Go to an event in your local community.
There are lots of free events happening in and around our communities this summer. Join the LiveWest: Connecting Communities Facebook group to see what's on near you.
10. Read our green advice pages to learn more about how to be sustainable at home.
From eco-friendly pet care to DIY cleaning products, our green advice pages are full of tips and tricks that you can follow to be more sustainable at home.
Want more ideas for things to do this summer?
Download our full list of sustainable summer holiday activities. Check off each item when you have completed it and share the list with your friends and family - how many activities can you complete this summer?
Looking for somewhere to eat with your kids?
There are lots of places offering deals for kids to eat for free, or for £1, this summer. This guide from Money Saving Central shares a few of the places with deals on children’s meals.
