Nature Activities for Kids to Do at Home

Now that the warmer weather is warmer, the Woodland Trust has put together some activities you can do outside or in the garden to keep the kids entertained whilst at home. 

If you don’t have your own space to enjoy outside then try to make the most of your daily exercise – but please do remember to stay local and follow the important  government guidelines on social distancing.

1.  Build a bird nest

Have you got an architect in your household? Outside birds are busy building nests ready to lay their eggs at this time of year, so why not challenge your young ones to have a go too? Are they able to build a nest strong enough to hold a clutch of eggs and withstand the wind – why not give it a go?

You will just need some basic materials that you should easily be able to find in the garden. First go hunting for plenty of slender twigs. You will need to weave them together to make a nest so the more flexible they are the better! Once you have a basic nest shape you can then start to plug the gaps with tufts of dried grass and fallen leaves.

How does it look? Why not test it out by putting some small stones or tree cones inside and see if your nest can take the weight without falling apart?

2.     Try your hand at flower pressing

One of the most beautiful sights in spring is foamy clouds of blossom that grace the trees. You may be lucky enough to have an apple or cherry tree already in your garden but if not, keep an eye out and see if you can find one on your daily walk.

On a spring day with a gentle breeze it’s great fun to stand under a cherry tree when the wind makes it fall like confetti at a wedding. And once the kids have finished pretending to be a bride, you could gather some of the fallen blossom and give flower pressing a go. 

Once you get home all the need to do is place the petals in between some sheets of kitchen roll and place them carefully put them inside of a book. Then pile some heavier books on top and leave it alone for a week or two until they've dried out. You and then children can then use the pressed petals to make pretty pictures or patterns that will keep.

3. Make a mini bug hotel

Have you got an old plant pot out in the garden, or just an old mug you no longer use? If so, why not make a brilliant bug hotel! All you will need to do is fill your pot or mug with natural materials to transform it into a luxury abode that minibeasts will love.

To do this, hunt around the garden for some crackly dry leaves, twigs, hollow stems, dead grass, pine cones and bits of bark and pop them inside your container. These materials create the perfect warm, dry spaces that will attract different creepy crawlies. Then place the pot or mug on its side (so it doesn’t fill with rain), leave it in a well sheltered corner of the garden and wait for its grateful new residents to move in.

4.     Use your imaginations to write a story inspired by woods and trees

We are currently being spoiled with this beautiful sunny weather, but if the current weather takes a turn for the worse or you don’t have your own outside space then you’re definitely going to need some indoor activities up your sleeve too.

Could your children become story makers? Some of the best books are inspired by trees and nature, so why not use the extra time you have to challenge your children to put pen to paper and write a nature tale with a woodland theme.

You could make things easier for them by thinking up the first sentence then getting them to write the rest of the story. Encourage them to think about the setting and characters and see if they can come up with some exciting plot twists too. When they're done, gather together as a family and share their stories. They'll make great bedtime reading too when you've got bored with all the books you have at home!

We hope these fun ideas help pass the time while your children are at home this Spring and if you're looking for more activities, take a look at this Tree Tools for Schools website. It is home to all our educational materials for schools - from wildlife ID sheets to interactive puzzles and quizzes. So you'll find plenty of ways to keep your children engaged and active over the coming weeks.