Let Kids do Something Dangerous

Summer holidays are the time for families to share active passtimes together which build the family stories that children remember forever.

Happy Holiday Memories Are Made of This.

And there's nothing better for building a shared collective family story than letting children experience a little "controlled danger".

It's the midly dangerous activities that help children learn the life skills that set them up for - well - life really.

Without exposure to slightly dangerous situations, children never really get the chance to make the developmental milestones that have served humankind so well for thousands of years.

Listed below are five slightly dangerous activities that any children can enjoy when they're on holiday in Rosedale Abbey in the heart of the North York Moors National Park.

Climb a Tree

Kids just love climbing trees.

It's the primieval ape ancestor in them!

We have loads of woods with a good selection of climbable trees to suite all ages of adventurer.

Kids Instinctively Love Climbing Tress.

Give the Kids a Penknife

Kids learn loads by handling tools.

And there's no tool more exciting to a nine-year old than a pocket pen-knife.

Make a Spear

You can't really make a spear if you don't have a pen-knife - see above!

And bow's and arrows are really good as well.

The sense of accomplishment of making your own "hunting" tool for a ten year old is out of this World.

And being able to make a spear fly where you want it to go is great for hand-eye co-ordination.

Get Close to Animals

Walking across a field that contains horses, cattle, or just our plain old moorland sheep can require quite a brave step forward for children.

But letting children get close (maybe not too close) to large animals teachers all sorts of life skills about danger.

Drive a Car

I'm not talking about the full deal on the M1; in control of the pedals, etc.

That would be too dangerous!

But since the North York Moors are so quiet, it's easy to find a quiet stretch of moorland road and let the kids steer the vehicle while sitting on your lap with you in control of the pedals.

Of course, the cops won't agree, but this activity gives children a real sense of the "danger" involved in operating a huge piece of equipment.

They'll learn heaps about road safety from this practical demonstration of the "power" of a vehicle.