In these days of computer games and hand held gadgets it may seem alien for some children to think of exploring outdoors as a fun thing to do however, once you get them started you'll often find it difficult to get them to stop.
The good news is that you don't need a large garden or even a balcony as nature is all around us and once you start to pay attention to the rich variety of habitats in our urban areas then you'll soon discover a world of adventure, literally, right on your doorstep.
So, if you're hoping to inspire a mini David Attenborough or Kate Humble then check out the advice guide below and make sure you get them to take off their boots before they come back inside the house.
Park life
All kids love to go to the park and if you can dress your young adventurers so that come rain or shine they're still going to be dry and warm then you should give yourself a fighting chance. A great idea is to steer them away from the swings for a couple of moments to go and search the areas surrounding the park. Hedgerows, bushes and in the grass are all ideal spots for wildlife and if you can create a checklist of common park dwellers, such as birds, worms and squirrels, then you'll give your kids something to work with that comes with the promise of swings once the list is complete.
Allotment adventures
If you know of a granddad, friend or neighbour who has a nearby allotment then asking them if your children can come for and visit for an hour is a great idea for getting them out doors and into nature. All manner of slugs, snails and frogs inhabit plots of land for growing veggies and if you can find out what needs to be collected in a bucket to protect the plants then you'll certainly be welcome back again. Allotments are often sublime pockets of peace and quiet within an urban environment and showing your kids that they exist is a brilliant means of providing an alternative adventure playground.
Woodland walks
If you want to get out of the city and take your kids on the hunt for wood pigeons, squirrels and woodpeckers then the nearest woodland or forest is definitely the best area to do just that. Woodland walks don't have to be all about the animals as from building dens and playing Pooh sticks to collecting leaves and foraging for chestnuts, this is an ideal stomping ground for healthy outdoor activities. Once you've collected a few treasures of the woods i.e. autumnal leaves, acorns and sticks then bring them home to make a picture to go on your wall or try rubbing with bark, paper and crayons.
Camping outdoors
If you're hoping to make the next step up and spend one or two nights outdoors then camping is going to truly make or break your young naturalists. Best advice is to start off close to home and pick a time of year when they're not going to freeze and beg you to go home within the first hour. Make everything fun and involve them in all aspects of preparation and putting up the tent to ensure they feel as much a part of the adventure as you do. When the night falls, get out the torches and go on a nocturnal nature hunt in search of owls, rabbits and mice.
Note: choose a campsite that's all about the natural surroundings rather than a noisy and bustling version that's more akin to Butlins.
Trips away
If you're still planning your next trip away from home then why not consider really taking your kids into nature by embarking on wildlife holidays which are designed to bring you closer to the animals and landscapes that inhabit the area. These sorts of breaks are ideal for getting your kids out of there comfort zone and away from their TVs and Gameboys so if you're looking for marmots on a mountain or rodents along a river bank, then take the kids on a trip away that will truly inspire them to fall head over heels in love with the natural world.
Parks and gardens
If you live close to a stately home or manor house then you'll probably already be well aware of all the fun that can be had on the lawn or hidden amongst the flower beds. These sorts of residences are ideal for kids to get outside and start to interact with nature and nowhere is this sort of activity more encouraged than through becoming a member of the National Trust. With properties all over the country and acres of space for kids to climb trees, search for clues and play hide and seek this is certainly one of the best ways to start your child on their own personal journey into the wonderment of the natural world.
Chris has been a National Trust member for the past 6 months and can safely say that he never knew that so much natural beauty was hidden away within the county of Sussex.
Image source: here
The good news is that you don't need a large garden or even a balcony as nature is all around us and once you start to pay attention to the rich variety of habitats in our urban areas then you'll soon discover a world of adventure, literally, right on your doorstep.
So, if you're hoping to inspire a mini David Attenborough or Kate Humble then check out the advice guide below and make sure you get them to take off their boots before they come back inside the house.
Park life
All kids love to go to the park and if you can dress your young adventurers so that come rain or shine they're still going to be dry and warm then you should give yourself a fighting chance. A great idea is to steer them away from the swings for a couple of moments to go and search the areas surrounding the park. Hedgerows, bushes and in the grass are all ideal spots for wildlife and if you can create a checklist of common park dwellers, such as birds, worms and squirrels, then you'll give your kids something to work with that comes with the promise of swings once the list is complete.
Allotment adventures
If you know of a granddad, friend or neighbour who has a nearby allotment then asking them if your children can come for and visit for an hour is a great idea for getting them out doors and into nature. All manner of slugs, snails and frogs inhabit plots of land for growing veggies and if you can find out what needs to be collected in a bucket to protect the plants then you'll certainly be welcome back again. Allotments are often sublime pockets of peace and quiet within an urban environment and showing your kids that they exist is a brilliant means of providing an alternative adventure playground.
Woodland walks
If you want to get out of the city and take your kids on the hunt for wood pigeons, squirrels and woodpeckers then the nearest woodland or forest is definitely the best area to do just that. Woodland walks don't have to be all about the animals as from building dens and playing Pooh sticks to collecting leaves and foraging for chestnuts, this is an ideal stomping ground for healthy outdoor activities. Once you've collected a few treasures of the woods i.e. autumnal leaves, acorns and sticks then bring them home to make a picture to go on your wall or try rubbing with bark, paper and crayons.
Camping outdoors
If you're hoping to make the next step up and spend one or two nights outdoors then camping is going to truly make or break your young naturalists. Best advice is to start off close to home and pick a time of year when they're not going to freeze and beg you to go home within the first hour. Make everything fun and involve them in all aspects of preparation and putting up the tent to ensure they feel as much a part of the adventure as you do. When the night falls, get out the torches and go on a nocturnal nature hunt in search of owls, rabbits and mice.
Note: choose a campsite that's all about the natural surroundings rather than a noisy and bustling version that's more akin to Butlins.
Trips away
If you're still planning your next trip away from home then why not consider really taking your kids into nature by embarking on wildlife holidays which are designed to bring you closer to the animals and landscapes that inhabit the area. These sorts of breaks are ideal for getting your kids out of there comfort zone and away from their TVs and Gameboys so if you're looking for marmots on a mountain or rodents along a river bank, then take the kids on a trip away that will truly inspire them to fall head over heels in love with the natural world.
Parks and gardens
If you live close to a stately home or manor house then you'll probably already be well aware of all the fun that can be had on the lawn or hidden amongst the flower beds. These sorts of residences are ideal for kids to get outside and start to interact with nature and nowhere is this sort of activity more encouraged than through becoming a member of the National Trust. With properties all over the country and acres of space for kids to climb trees, search for clues and play hide and seek this is certainly one of the best ways to start your child on their own personal journey into the wonderment of the natural world.
Chris has been a National Trust member for the past 6 months and can safely say that he never knew that so much natural beauty was hidden away within the county of Sussex.
Image source: here
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