Four Thrilling Adventures Inspired by Children’s Books

Release Your Inner Child! Four Thrilling Adventures Inspired by Children’s Books

You’re never too old for an adventure! The consensus seems to be that, once we hit a certain age, exciting adventures become few and far between. An adult in Britain typically works an average of 36.4 hours per week, and with common responsibilities such as mortgages, children, and household chores weighing us down, it doesn’t leave a lot of spare time for exciting activities.

Well, this is your sign to pause your usual day-to-day commitments and go on an adventure! Ask your employer for some time off, forget about that pile of laundry, and find your inner child again. If you’re unsure where to start, stick around. Here are four adventures inspired by children’s stories.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden, written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and published in 1911, is centred on a young girl who’s forced to adjust to a new life on the bleak Yorkshire Moors after leaving luxury behind in British India. While there, she discovers a secret garden and begins spending her free time exploring and tending to it.

Spending time in the great outdoors in a picturesque setting can do wonders for both your mental and physical health, so why not make a visit to a secret garden your first adventure? You could go to Helmsley Walled Garden and Duncombe Park – where many of the scenes from the movie adaptation were filmed – or choose one from a list of the UK’s best secret gardens.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

Let’s go on an adventure in the forest! If you’re familiar with Gruffalo, published in 1999, you’ll remember the very clever mouse who manages to walk through a forest and fool not one, not two, but four predatory animals into not eating him. That’s impressive!

Grab your backpacks and embark on your own adventure through the forest and see what animals you can spot along the way. There are many forests in England where there are sculptures of Gruffalo characters you can search for. Of course, this is a good way to get your steps in, but research also shows that exposure to forests can strengthen our immune system, boost our energy, and reduce our blood pressure. Now that sounds like a fantastic way to spend the day.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

This 1986 survival novel by Gary Paulsen has the right ingredients to inspire your next wild adventure. Brian Robeson, Hatchet’s main character, is a young boy who finds himself stranded alone in the wilderness. Robeson is left with no choice but to learn how to survive on his own using just the hatchet he was left with.

Hear us out... of course, we’re not suggesting you put yourself in danger for your next adventure, but Hatchet does inspire us to go camping! There are some fantastic (and safe!) spots to set up camp across the United Kingdom, and to get started, you only need basic equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, food packets, and warm clothing.

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

A true children’s classic that needs no introduction. Winnie-the-Pooh, published in 1926, follows the adventures of this well-loved teddy bear alongside his friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo. The adventures they embark on vary, but ‘honey’ seems to be a recurring theme across the short stories and, by extension, the television series and films.

Your own adventure could see you explore Ashdown Forest with your own friends, which was the real-life inspiration for Hundred Acre Wood, and maybe have a picnic if the weather is nice. Of course, it goes without saying that you must ensure you have some delicious honey in the picnic basket!

Find your inner child

Inside every adult is a child that’s begging for an adventure. Many adults spend so much time worrying about reality and responsibilities and not enough time rediscovering the beauty of the outdoors and the adventures that can be experienced in that kind of environment.

You’re in charge of your own life, even if it doesn’t feel that way sometimes. Choose an adventure from the list above and don’t think too much about the logistics... just go! At the end of the experience, we’re sure you’ll feel a little lighter, a lot happier, and more motivated to take on those usual day-to-day challenges.