Easy Lughnasadh Activities for Kids

If your kids are anything like mine, they love the idea of a seasonal activity… right up until it turns into a long craft with 47 steps, a glue stick that’s mysteriously vanished, and someone asking for a snack halfway through.

So this post is very much real-life friendly.

Lughnasadh (the first harvest) is a lovely late-summer moment to slow down and notice what’s around us, but you don’t need a full-day plan or a Pinterest-perfect set-up. A couple of small things can make the day feel a bit more special, without it becoming another job.

Think: fresh air, something tasty, and a tiny bit of “let’s notice the season” energy.

Before you start: a simple way to choose

If you only take one thing from this post, let it be this: pick one activity from each category and you’ve got a gorgeous little Lughnasadh-inspired afternoon.

• Outdoors (10–30 mins)

• Something to make/eat (10–45 mins)

• A calm moment (2–5 mins)

That’s it. That’s the plan.

What you’ll need (keep it simple)

You can do all of these with bits you probably already have:

• Paper + pens/colours

• A bowl or basket

• Something seasonal to eat (berries, bread, corn, apples — whatever you’ve got)

Optional extras (only if you have them): chalk, a jar, string, a picnic blanket.

8 easy, late-summer activities (pick 1–2)

1) Blackberry walk + “harvest bowl”

This one is such an easy win because it’s basically just a walk — but with a little purpose.

Take a bowl or basket and collect nature treasures as you go: interesting leaves, fallen petals, conkers, seed heads, feathers… anything that feels “late summer”.

If you do pick blackberries, just do a quick check for safe spots and give them a good wash at home (and accept that the kids will eat half of them before you get there).

2) Make a mini fruit crumble (or cheat version)

If you’ve got the energy, a crumble is the ultimate “first harvest” comfort food.

But if it’s one of those days, here’s the cheat version that still feels seasonal:

• Berries + yoghurt + a handful of granola

• Or warmed fruit with a biscuit crumbled over the top

Same vibe. Less washing up.

3) Gratitude “harvest jar”

Grab a jar (or a mug, honestly) and get everyone to add one thing they’ve loved about summer so far.

Little ones can draw it. Bigger ones can write it. You can keep it simple with prompts like:

• “My best day was…”

• “I’m grateful for…”

• “Something I want to remember is…”

4) Nature printing (rubbings)

Pop a piece of paper over a leaf or textured bit of nature (seed heads work beautifully) and rub over it with a crayon.

It’s one of those activities that feels magical but takes about two minutes to set up.

5) A “what we’ve grown” height chart moment

This is such a lovely way to mark the season — and kids genuinely love it.

Stand them against a wall, mark their height, and chat about how much they’ve changed since spring. It’s a sweet little reminder that growth isn’t always obvious day-to-day.

6) Late-summer picnic (indoors counts)

A picnic is an instant mood-shifter.

If the weather’s lovely, take it outside. If it’s raining (because… UK), do it on the living room floor. Add berries, bread, cheese, whatever you’ve got — it’s the change of scene that makes it feel special.

7) Sunset walk: notice the changing light

Late summer sunsets are beautiful — and there’s something about that golden light that naturally slows everyone down.

Make it a “noticing” walk: look for seed heads, spider webs, warm colours, and that slightly cooler evening air.

8) Family “savour list”

This is one of my favourites because it’s quick and it gives you a little August direction.

Write down 5 things you want to do before autumn arrives. Keep them small:

• “Eat ice cream at the park”

• “Go blackberry picking”

• “Have a movie night with snacks”

• “Visit the beach once more”

• “Do a late-summer picnic tea”

Stick it on the fridge and actually tick a couple off.

Make it mindful (without calling it mindfulness)

If you want to weave in a calmer moment (without anyone rolling their eyes), try a couple of gentle questions while you’re walking or eating:

• “What’s your favourite part of summer so far?”

• “What do you want to do again before school starts?”

You’ll be surprised what comes out when you ask in a low-pressure way.

If you try one of these, I’d love to know what you chose — and if you’re a crumble family or a ‘berries straight from the punnet’ family.

And if you’re following along with my Lughnasadh mini-series, the next post is a late-summer reset for busy mums (because this in-between season can feel like a lot).

K Elizabeth xoxox