branches, leaves and twigs will really give your den an adventurous feel. A good location for your den is essential - consider setting it up next to a hedge or under a tree!
Collage making – this is a picture made from as many natural things as you can find outdoors, no right or wrong way to do it just an opportunity to be creative using leaves, twigs, berries, cones etc. It may be useful to use a sheet of card or the bottom of a cardboard box as your base, lay the bits and pieces that you find onto this or glue them in place.
Mini gardens – using an old shoe box or similar, put a double layer of kitchen paper on the bottom (to hold in any moisture) add a layer of sand (if you have it) followed by some soil, then begin to add in your own things such as shells, pebbles, moss, flowers, fir cones or you could even add a few small ornaments or people to really make your garden come to life.
Scarecrows – all you need is some old clothes, big or small, a couple of garden canes or sticks to support your scarecrow, string, wool or straw for hair, a marker pen to make the face and something to stuff them with – an old quilt or pillow is ideal. Great fun and an additional member to add to your family!
Get outdoors and explore your local
environment There are bound to be a range of natural areas sur- rounding where you live or even a short distance away by walking, bus, bike or car. Research what you have close by to where you live or better still just go off and explore. If you have a bike, consider a family bike ride. Arrange to get together with family and friends. Take a picnic blanket to sit on, football or bat and ball then go off and investigate! Kids love the uncertainty and excitement of a treasure hunt or not knowing exactly what they’re going to do or find.
Some fun things to consider: Leaf collecting – see how many different types of leaf you can find, then make up a game or use them for a picture when you return home
Bug hunting – start looking under rocks, stones, around trees or on walls, you will be amazed at the bugs living all around us.
Bark rubbing – take some paper and crayons out with you and try some bark rubbing on a range of different trees.
Build an obstacle course using everything to do with nature then have a competition to see who can get through it the fastest or without touching certain things!
Interactive play map
Log onto Play England’s interactive play map and find out where your nearest free local play area is located. Use the map to find great places for children to engage with nature, including playgrounds and green spaces across England. This map will encourage families to explore new local territory and play freely outdoors.
As well as finding great places to play outside, families can put their own natural places to play on the map. Once they’ve played there, they can go back and rate the areas, post
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WWW.MUMSSURVIVALGUIDES.CO.UK
comments and upload photos to show why they are good places to play - or why they need improving. So, if you know a great natural space to play, don’t keep it to yourself - put it on the map!
www.playengland.org.uk/nature-play- map.aspx
Check out the new geocache global treasure hunt craze in the area you live or go and bury your own!
www.geocaching.com
www.playengland.org.uk/map
Climb a tree – when did you last attempt to climb a tree? See how many trees you can find in your local park which are suitable for climbing and have a go!
Look for different species of wild flowers, animals, birds or insects. Take a camera with you and make some notes on what you find.
Find a local stream or pond and build a dam, explore in the water – see how many living creatures you can find.
Go on a walk through the trees or park looking for imaginary tigers and lions.
Make fairy houses in the woods or parkland using twigs, leaves, flowers and grass.
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