A list of 30 things to do locally has been drawn up, ranging from paddling in the sea at Cardoness Beach, watching bats flying at Threave Castle and going on a bear hunt in Rounall Woods, to ferry spotting at Cairnryan, bookbug session in local libraries and rolling down the hill at Lincluden Collegiate Church.
And parents and carers are being asked to vote for their number one activity.
It could be playing Poohsticks in Scaur Water, jumping in puddles at Popeye’s Park, collecting shells at Kippford, den building at Hoddam Woods, or much more.
The list has been created with the help of mums and dads across Scotland for the Government’s Play Talk Read campaign.
PlayTalkRead encourages parents and carers of young children to incorporate playing, talking and reading more often within their daily routines.
Minister for Children Aileen Campbell said: “You don’t need lots of toys or extra equipment, it’s all about enjoying time together. Playing, talking and reading together more often can give children the best possible start in life and lay firm foundations for their long-term learning, behaviour and life chances.”
There are loads of ideas for fun, simple and free activities to enjoy together online at www. playtalkread.scot, where you can also vote for your favourite regional activity.
All those casting their vote will be entered into a prize draw to win a bumper box of PlayTalkRead prizes.
As well as having your say about the best thing in Dumfries and Galloway, you might also discover some fun new ideas too.
The top 30 list in full:
* Paddling in the sea at Cardoness Beach, Gatehouse of Fleet
* Rolling down the hill at Lincluden Collegiate Church
* Playing Poohsticks in Scaur Water
* Jumping in puddles at Popeye’s Park
* Blowing bubbles at the Dock Park, Dumfries
* Walking in the dark with a torch through Ae Forest
* Dancing together at Kirkcudbright Summer Music Festival
* Playing hide and seek at Castledykes Park
* Making mud pies at Sandyhills Shore
* Collecting shells from Kippford
* Building a den together with blankets and sticks in Hoddam Woods
* Saying ‘hello’ to the deer at the red deer range, Galloway Forest Park
* Watching bats flying at dusk at Threave Castle
* Cloud spotting at the Raider’s Road otter pools
* Building sandcastles at the beach at Powfoot
* Watching red kite birds flying over Loch Ken
* Going on a bear hunt in Rounall Woods
* Collecting pinecones, chestnuts and acorns in Town Wood
* Watching squirrels nibbling nuts at Carlingwark Park
* Ferry spotting at the Cairnryan dock
* Feeding the swans and ducks at Carlingwark Park
* Following the cycle path routes around Dumfries
* Lying down in long grass and reading a story at Orcharton Round House
* Reading the names of the boats in the harbour at Kirkcudbright
* Sitting on a blanket and reading a story outside Morton Castle
* Writing our names in the sand at Mossyard beach
* Drawing dragonflies after watching them over the bog pools at Kirkconnel
* Following the footpath signs through Mabie Forest, Dumfries
* Writing our names in the stars at night at Galloway Forest Dark Skies Park
* Doing the RSPB’s Summer Scavenger Hunt at Mersehead
* Visiting our local library for free stories, songs and rhymes at a Bookbug Session
