Safe ways to keep kids connected with nature
- Learning Resources Posted On Apr 27, 2020 | Learn
The weather is warming up and families are eager to head outdoors and enjoy the sunshine, greenery and bountiful array of British birds, bees, and bugs. But if you’re stuck on what to do while we’re all following guidelines to stay indoors and keep up social distancing in outdoors spaces, here are some easy ideas on safe ways to keep kids connected with nature.
Make a mini nature reserve
The good news is that there are lots of easy ways that families can stay connected with the wildlife on their doorstep, without having to travel. The Wildlife Trusts has many fun ideas to keep everyone feeling connected to nature. “We know that children are happier, healthier and more creative when they’re connected to nature. That's why we want to ensure that children, where able and it's safe to do so, are,” explains Leanne Manchester, a representative from the Wildlife Trusts. “We've created pages of resources to help families navigate the outdoors in a safe way during this time. All of these activities are designed to be tried either indoors, in a garden or close by to a house.”
Visit the Wildlife Trust's website to download this resource and more.
How about this fun way to keep everyone busy – create a mini nature reserve! Head over to the Wildlife Trusts' page and download their guide. Who knows what kinds of bugs it’ll attract? For families with balconies or window boxes, creating a small a herb garden will attract wildlife and grow yummy herbs for cooking.
Or watch their video on how to be a garden scientist and then head out on an exploration adventure and see what you can find.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuDZnDUz6q4
Explore your garden
Turn outdoor exploration into a learning opportunity. First, read our post on exploring your spring garden for ideas on what to see. Then print out our free worksheets and head outside. We’ve created a fun bug hunt worksheet to encourage your little explorer (although they may need some help from you), and an outdoor exploration exercise to encourage your little learner’s maths and observation skills. A blog post from SEN Resources shares insights into why it’s important for children to go bug hunting and you might also want to head over to this post from us for more creative outdoor learning ideas and crafty projects including a nature crown.
The texture and colour of tree bark is something new to discover. Why not use paper and crayons to do rubbings?
(Image: Yuricazac/Getty Images)
Feed the birds
The RSPB’s website is packed with ideas to attract birds to your outdoor space and get to know a lot more about our feathered friends. Food is the easiest way to lure them closer so your young ornithologist can see and hear them. Different birdseeds will attract a variety of birds to your garden or balcony and is a fun experiment. Head over to the RSPB’s page for a their speedy bird cake recipe made using items found around your home (you may need to buy lard and birdseed if you don’t have any). Or if you're looking for something easy to do, tune in to Birdsong Radio, and listen to chirpy birds!
For more ideas on birdwatching, read our blog post about the RSPB’s annual Big Schools Bird Watch. The Bird Watch is an annual event but anytime is a good time to be a citizen scientist. There’s also lots to do using our nature and bird spotting activity sheet.
Activity tip: Attract more birds to your back garden with a homemade birdbath oasis. The birds (and bees) will be grateful for their backyard spa - and it's so easy to make.
Go on a home safari
Meet the meerkats at Knowsley Safari park and get up close with these cute bush critters and more on the park's YouTube channel. These fun educational videos are ideal for kids to learn all about all sorts of interesting animals, from snakes to giraffes.
Do you have other ideas you'd like us know now about? Follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts and tag us in a post with your ideas on safe ways to keep kids connected with nature.
6 Fun Things to do in Autumn
Our friends at Muddy Puddles are children’s outwear experts, so who better to share some top ideas for celebrating Autumn? Grab something warm, pull on your boots and head outdoors.
Autumn is here and days are getting chilly, but this is not a reason to stop having fun outdoors. At Muddy Puddles, we believe that “there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong kit!”
Our mission is to inspire and enable thousands of children and families to enjoy the natural world around them and spend more time outdoors whatever the weather. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 6 fun autumn activities to enjoy with your children.
1. Play conkers
It’s now or never – go for a long walk with your children and collect lots of lovely conkers before they’re gone. Top tip: choose an uncracked one and store it in a cool, dry place before drilling a hole in it to make sure you win! If you don’t feel like playing conkers, turn them into lovely autumn crafts instead.
Learning Resources tip: After drilling a hole in your conkers let little ones have a go at threading them on the string to develop fine motor skills.
2. Go apple picking
Visiting a pick-your-own farm is great family fun! There are lots of places in the UK where you can pick your own apples. You can enjoy them as a healthy snack, but we recommend turning them into delicious homemade juice or yummy crumble.
3. Climb a tree
It’s one of the simple pleasures that we all love. Plus, it has lots of benefits. It improves your children’s problem-solving skills and imagination and is great for their physical development. What are your children’s favourite trees for climbing?
4. Go on a family adventure
Family walks are a great idea as they’re easy to organise and really good for you and your family. Whether you prefer an easy walking route or a more challenging one, you won’t have to look too far. If you don’t feel like going on a hiking adventure, go for a family walk. If you’re not lucky enough to live close to the woods, head to the nearest park or even go for an urban stroll.
Learning Resources tip: Here in Norfolk we love the Routes for Little Boots blog. It’s full of ideas for pulling on your wellies and exploring our local areas
5. Jump in (muddy) puddles
We love puddles (we are Muddy Puddles after all!). The only thing you need to enjoy puddle jumping is a pair of wellies and a waterproof coat for your little adventurers. The winner is the puddlestomper who makes the biggest splash!
6. Go on a scavenger hunt
Organise an exciting scavenger hunt for your little explorers this autumn. You can go scavenging pretty much anywhere you like, in the city or in your back garden. Put together a list of items for the children to find and let the fun begin!
We hope you’ve enjoyed these ideas for celebrating Autumn. Looking for ideas to turn outdoor exploration into a learning opportunity? Download our free activity sheets and let us know on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter which ones you’re giving a try.
Our friends at Muddy Puddles are children’s outwear experts, so who better to share some fun things to do in Autumn? Grab something warm, pull on your boots and head outdoors.
Autumn is here and days are getting chilly, but this is not a reason to stop having fun outdoors. At Muddy Puddles, we believe that “there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong kit!”
Our mission is to inspire and enable thousands of children and families to enjoy the natural world around them and spend more time outdoors whatever the weather. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 6 fun autumn activities to enjoy with your children.
1. Play conkers
It’s now or never – go for a long walk with your children and collect lots of lovely conkers before they’re gone. Top tip: choose an uncracked one and store it in a cool, dry place before drilling a hole in it to make sure you win! If you don’t feel like playing conkers, turn them into lovely autumn crafts instead.
Learning Resources tip: After drilling a hole in your conkers let little ones have a go at threading them on the string to develop fine motor skills.
2. Go apple picking
Visiting a pick-your-own farm is great family fun! There are lots of places in the UK where you can pick your own apples. You can enjoy them as a healthy snack, but we recommend turning them into delicious homemade juice or yummy crumble.
3. Climb a tree
It’s one of the simple pleasures that we all love. Plus, it has lots of benefits. It improves your children’s problem-solving skills and imagination and is great for their physical development. What are your children’s favourite trees for climbing?
4. Go on a family adventure
Family walks are a great idea as they’re easy to organise and really good for you and your family. Whether you prefer an easy walking route or a more challenging one, you won’t have to look too far. If you don’t feel like going on a hiking adventure, go for a family walk. If you’re not lucky enough to live close to the woods, head to the nearest park or even go for an urban stroll.
Learning Resources tip: Here in Norfolk we love the Routes for Little Boots blog. It’s full of ideas for pulling on your wellies and exploring our local areas
5. Jump in (muddy) puddles
We love puddles (we are Muddy Puddles after all!). The only thing you need to enjoy puddle jumping is a pair of wellies and a waterproof coat for your little adventurers. The winner is the puddlestomper who makes the biggest splash!
6. Go on a scavenger hunt
Organise an exciting scavenger hunt for your little explorers this autumn. You can go scavenging pretty much anywhere you like, in the city or in your back garden. Put together a list of items for the children to find and let the fun begin!
We hope you’ve enjoyed these ideas for celebrating Autumn. Looking for ideas to turn outdoor exploration into a learning opportunity? Download our free activity sheets and let us know on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter which ones you’re giving a try.
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Free scavenger hunt ideas for kids
Scavenger hunts can make an ordinary event such as an afternoon at home, a car trip, or a walk in the park, a fun journey of discovery. They’re ideal to keep curious kids busy and learning and make children more aware of their surroundings. Best of all, they are much easier to set up than a treasure hunt and can be done with things around you. You can tailor them to your child’s age and interests and create scavenger hunts for a single child or the whole family.
Take ‘I Spy’ to the next level with these free scavenger hunt ideas for kids. In this article you’ll find easy suggestions to get your creative juices flowing and free handy checklists to get you started.
Free scavenger hunt ideas for kids
What’s the difference between a treasure hunt and a scavenger hunt?
Both a treasure hunt and scavenger hunt send players on an exciting journey of discovery. In a treasure hunt, you’ll need to create and hide a series of sequential clues players follow to find the treasure. A scavenger hunt is much easier to set up because it starts with a list of things to find – no need to make and hide clues!
Teams vs solo scavenger hunts
You can set up a scavenger hunt to keep a single child busy, or as a competition with family and friends. If it’s a team effort, assign teams as evenly as possible so little ones don’t get left behind. And remember to award a prize – it’ll be a great incentive for everyone to keep their eyes peeled!
What you’ll need for your scavenger hunt for kids
- Scavenger hunt list (download our free printables or make your own)
- Pencil or pens to tick off lists
- Clipboard/s
- Bag or box to collect items
- Prize for the winning team (try these fun party bag fillers)
Try this: 50 things to find on a nature walk
Nature walks are anything but boring because there’s so much to do and see. Whether it’s finding a long piece of grass, an object shaped like a circle, or keeping your eyes peeled for spotting wildlife, this free printable has 50 objects to spot or collect, and tick off your list. Even if your child doesn’t find everything the first time around, keep it for your next nature walk. Download your free printable here and head out to the park, the woods or the beach.
Try this: Slash the rubbish outdoor scavenger hunt
Enjoy a walk through your neighbourhood while searching for rubbish to slash and trash. Participants earn one point for every piece of rubbish they find. Be sure to go prepared with gloves, a rubbish bag, and tweezers. Download your free list and take it along with you.
Try this: Arty outdoor scavenger hunt
Here’s a scavenger hunt with a fun twist that creative kids will love - go on an arty outdoor scavenger hunt. Children can either draw the items they find, collect leaves and flowers to press at home, or take rubbings of natural surfaces such as tree bark. Remember to pack a few sheets of paper and wax crayons if you plan on doing rubbings.
Try these: Home scavenger hunt ideas
Rainy day or stuck inside? No problem. Set up an indoor scavenger hunt. Choose a theme and make a list of interesting items to find. Try a colour theme and send children on an expedition to find items of a specific colour around the home – or try multiple colours. Try a maths hunt, where children need to find examples of maths and measurements such as a number written in words, a unit of measurement, a coin, an object larger than 10cm, and so on.
Happy scavenger hunting and don’t forget to share your finds with us. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.
If you liked our free scavenger hunt ideas for kids, check out our other fun ideas for the best free free ways to entertain kids.
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