D.I.Y Family Outdoor Education
These resources are for families to use their time together to explore and immerse themselves in nature and learn about the wonders of wildlife, be it in the garden or a local green space.
Covid 19: Please follow government guidelines and adhere to social distancing.
When you are out exploring nature, please avoid private land unless you have the landowner’s permission and follow the countryside code. Be careful not to disturb wildlife or destroy habitats. Please wear suitable clothing (we recommend long trousers, for example) and….remember to have fun.
Read on for more information on H&S and guidance and then download these free activities and enjoy your outdoors
Countryside Code and Safety
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The Countryside Code
PLease follow the Countryside Code when out and about and take care of yourself, each other, our countryside, green spaces and wildlife
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Info and Safety Outdoors
We've written a generic health and safety and guidance document to cover the general information you need. Please take a look at your own surroundings though and assess the site against the activity and ability of those involved. Have fun and let your children lead the way!
COVID 19 - Please adhere to the current social distancing requirements and restrictions.
Activities
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Activity 1 - Take Only Photos
A fun take on a scavenger hunt. Find the natural items your family members have found before you, using only their photo to guide you.
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Activity 2 - Woodland Treasures Memory Game
An active, outdoor memory game with a difference.
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Activity 3-Bark Rubbing
Find a tree and use crayons and paper to rub the bark to make some amazing creations and explore the wonderful textures of nature
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Activity 4- Scavenger Hunts
With your family explore a wild place and see what treasures you can scavenge
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Activity 5- Animal Homes
Use natural materials from your garden or local green space to make homes for animals and learn about native species and their habitats
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Activity 6-Muddy Faces
Use your hands and imagination to create muddy faces in your garden, local green spaces or favourite wild place
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Activity 7- Garden Hoop Surveys
As a family discover what is living in your garden or local green space and improve your survey skills
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Activity 8- Environmental Art
Inspired by the works of Andy Goldsworthy make amazing creations out of natural materials and learn about leaving no trace
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Local Butterfly Species
Take a look at our guide to local butterfly species, designed by our countryside apprentice Ross
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Activity 9- Stickman
Explore nature and use your imagination to create your very own stickman
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Activity 10- Finding Calm in Nature
With your family and comfy blanket go and find your calm in nature by immersing yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the wild around you
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Activity 11- Bird Food Hoops
Try your hand at making bird food hoops using ingredients found in your home. You can hang them up in your garden to attract birds and watch them from a distance enjoying your tasty creation
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Activity 12- Slugs, Snails and Worms Quiz
Challenge your family to this 12 question true or false quiz on slugs, snails and worms and learn about these fascinating creatures
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Activity 13- Stick Games
Some of the most engaging and entertaining activities are the simplest. Children love to play with a stick and will use their imaginations to make up games. Let them use their creativity or set them a challenge
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Activity 14 - British Wildlife Quiz
Test your family with this true or false 15 question quiz on British Wildlife
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Activity 15- Matching Materials Game
Test the whole family's memory and observation skills with this fun finding game
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Activity 16- Crawly not Creepy Bug Hunt
Minibeasts may be crawly but that doesn't mean they're creepy! Explore the hidden places in you garden or green space and find out what little creatures may be hiding there
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Activity 17- The Tallest Tower
Using natural materials and drawing inspiration from famous landmarks see how tall you can build a tower
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Activity 18- Woodland Crowns
Make your own woodland crown and become a ruler of the woodland realm for the day
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Activity 19 - Insect Facts 2
Fun facts about insects!
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Activity 20 - Nature Poetry
Get your kids inspired to put pen to paper following a short family walk. What words about sounds, sights, smells and textures in nature can they weave into a fun poem?
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Activity 21 - Natural and Not
Is it made by nature or made by man? Check out the factsheet to find out more and identify the materials around you.
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Our Riverbank Book
Our river habitats were safe and diverse but the introduction of non-native invasive species has had a devastating impact. Invasive non-native species are thought to be one of the biggest threats to global biodiversity, second only to habitat loss. Along our rivers these plants can take over, reducing biodiversity, eroding riverbanks and increasing flood risk. Some plants
are also dangerous to touch .Via Heritage Lottery Fund and Environment Agency funding, this educational book has been produced by Medway Valley Countryside Partnership as part of their Past Plants, Future Flora project. The book is intended to be inspiring and promote a general appreciation for nature whilst also telling the tale of how invasive plant life has spread. Raising awareness of this issue reduces the risk of injury with regards to some plants and helps Medway Valley Countryside Partnership
decrease the spread of invasive species.Hard copies are also available at a cost of £3, please contact Andrea.Griffiths@kent.gov.uk .
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Activity 22- Goblin Soup
Have those pesky goblins been in your garden or park again eating all the flowers and leaving none for the bees? We have the perfect solution, make them a bowl of soup so they will be too full up to eat anything else
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Activity 23- Colour Matching
This is another fun finding game where you need to explore nature and collect items which match the colour matching sheets (or make your own)
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Activity 24- Be Nice to Nettles
Many people dislike nettles because of their painful sting, but did you know that in Britain nettles are one of the most important native plants for wildlife.
See more interesting facts and word search , then go out and see how many nettles you can find -
Activity 25- How to make a Bumblebee home
You may be unaware, but Kent is one of the most important areas for our remaining bumblebee species, with 22 of the 24 found here. Here's an activity showing you how to make a home for them in your garden
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Activity 26- Insect Charades
An insect themed game of charades best played outside in teams of 2 or more