Outdoor Activities
Build cosy winter homes for woodland creatures. Lots of animals and minibeasts search for somewhere snug to sleep when it gets colder. Make them a home! Pile up sticks, fallen leaves and other bits and pieces Remember that different creatures need different sorts of homes Make sure you build the home somewhere out of the wind Pop back to see if any little creatures have moved in!
Head off on a winter scavenger hunt and get collecting! How many of these winter signs can you spot? Be a real Nature Detective and tick them off when you find them! Keep your eyes peeled you may be surprised where winter treasures can hide! Items can be smooth, delicate, rough and prickly. Which is your favourite? Collect as many fallen items as you can and use them to make something amazing Remember to take a basket or bag with you when you set off on your scavenger hunt. That way, you won’t lose any items!
Use this guide to help you ID trees in winter. Trees have lots of clues when it comes to identifying them during the colder months. Find out what to look for. Take a close look at any buds are they pointy, sticky, clustered? Can you see any catkins? Use our twig ID sheet to identify other species
Look out for fresh snow, frost and icicles! Next time you’re in the woods, keep your eyes peeled. Can you find all these wintry treasures? Look for animal footprints in frost or snow who do they belong to? Can you find the biggest icicle or frosted spider web? Look carefully and you might spot glittering snowflakes Which other wintry spots can you find?
Buds. Catkins. Poo! What will you spot this winter? There’s still so much to spot during the coldest months of the year. So what are you waiting for? Get outside! Use your senses what can you see, hear, smell? Remember to look on the ground, on deadwood and in the trees Winter is an exciting time, and the bare trees make spotting animals and birds much easier How many have you managed to tick off? Did you spot any other wonderfully wintry signs?
Why choose wood as a material?
Look out for these woodland birds next time you’re out and about. Lots of wild birds make their homes in the woods. How many can you spot while you’re on your woodland wander? Some birds prefer to eat seeds and insects in the trees, but others search for food in leaf litter. You might hear the birds before you see them, but keep your eyes peeled Sit still and quiet and wait to see if any birds appear Some birds are harder to spot than others, so you’ll have to look carefully. If you identified each bird on this sheet, try finding others. Which are your favourites?
Make up stories about woodland items. Use your imagination to describe things you find in the woods, and challenge your friends to guess what the objects are. Be as imaginative as you like look for fairy houses and dragon claws Try not to give too much away when you’re describing the items Make up a story about what you find and write it down when you get home Did your friends correctly guess what you found?
Go for gold and compete in the woodland Olympics! Will you be crowned champion of the woods? Find an obstacle course through the trees See who can throw cones the furthest in pine cone shot put Race your friends in a twig relay Make your own medals from leaves and award them to the winners.
Cast a spell to create the perfect wood! What are the magic ingredients for an amazing woodland? A dash of dazzling autumn leaves? A handful of giant muddy puddles? A sprinkling of trees to climb? Collect ideas, smells, sounds and textures. Mix them up, cast a spell, then go on a hunt to find your perfect wood.
Make your own Green Man or woodland spirit. The woods are said to be home to nature spirits, elves and fairies. Create your own using leaves, mud and other natural items. Choose a spot for your sculpture a tree trunk, large rock or the forest floor is best Gather fallen ferns, pine cones, twigs and leaves and make a face If there’s a big group of you, try making a life-sized figure Leave your sculpture behind for other people to find. Maybe they’ll be inspired to make their own spirit too!
Learn how to carve a marshmallow stick or a magic wand! Our tips for beginners will help you become a whittling wizard: Find a thick, dry stick – straight ones are ideal Strip away the bark with a vegetable peeler or wood carving knife Smooth your stick with sandpaper When you’ve finished carving, decorate your whittled twig using ribbon, string and paint! Stay safe. Please be careful when you’re whittling. Peelers and knives are very sharp, so do this activity with a grown-up and always carve away from your body. Keep a first aid kit handy in case of any cuts.
Make your own woodland-inspired wind chime. Collect a handful of long, straight sticks, paint them and hang them up ta-da! Your very own woodland wind chime! Try sticks of different shapes and sizes do they sound different? Paint your sticks bright colours, or draw a pattern on them Which other instruments can you make? Set up your own woodland orchestra!
Look for gaps in branches and leaves it’s a summer woodland window! View the woods in a whole new way. What can you see when you peep through the branches? Does the size of the window affect the view? Some windows will be low down, while others will be high up What can you see? Woodland windows can appear in all sorts of places!
Our woods are home to some amazing birds and animals. Download our spotter sheet and see how much wildlife you can find. Keep your eyes peeled when you’re out and about. Spot minibeasts in the air and on the ground Look out for lots of different coloured flowers Watch animals making the most of the sunshine How many did you tick off? Did you spot anything else? Tell us in the comments below!
Colour in this wonderful woodpecker and bring him to life. Great spotted woodpeckers are really glam-looking birds. Use your favourite pens and pencils and colour him in. The great spotted woodpecker’s Latin name is Dendrocopus major Only the male bird has a red patch on the back of his head They like to eat insects, seeds and nuts Get inspired by real woodpeckers, or create your own using your favourite colours. Try adding texture using fabric and feathers.
Transform into a wonderful woodpecker! Do you have a close group of friends, who you like hanging out and joking around with? Are you brave and determined, but sometimes a little scared by small stuff? If so, you’re a woodpecker! Print out and make up this marvellous mask to complete your transformation.
Make colourful autumn decorations using real acorn cups. Have a go at ‘wet felting’ and make woolly acorns with this fun craft. Look for empty acorn cups underneath oak trees. Follow the instructions on the activity sheet to make the woolly acorns. Turn them into autumn garlands, mini Christmas baubles or decorations for a fairy house! This is a great project for autumn, when acorns fall from the trees. It’s also calming and relaxing – so it’s a great way to practice mindfulness!
Magic up some marvellous mud pies! All you need is a patch of mud and your imagination, and you can rustle up these woodland treats. There’s nothing like getting your hands dirty you can always wash them afterwards Which pies will you make? Use natural items to flavour them Try making different muddy treats pizzas and sandwiches are super fun! Remember, these pies are made of mud, so don’t eat them. And don’t forget to wash your hands when you’re finished.
- « Previous
- 1
- …
- 14
- 15
- 16