Take a wild challenge
AFTER lockdown, many of us have run out of ideas of things to do as a family but the RSPB has come to the rescue, with a list of activities to encourage and help children connect and get closer to nature – and make the most of time at home.
The Wild Challenge is the RSPB’S online awards scheme and, by completing fun and fascinating tasks from creating bug hotels and bird boxes to making a compost heap and planting for wildlife, anyone taking part can log their achievements and collect bronze, silver and gold awards.
Martyn Foster, Head of Education, Families and Youth at the RSPB says: “These are unusual and unsettling times for all of us, but nature can be a powerful force for good in difficult circumstances. We want to help children and families connect with nature from home.
“Exploring and discovering nature is really important. Research has shown that developing a deeper connection to nature has a positive impact on a child’s physical health and emotional wellbeing. The RSPB’S Wild Challenge is here to help every family take on their own wild adventure.”
To start your Wild Challenge adventure, the RSPB has suggested six activities that families could complete to earn their bronze award, before working their way towards silver and gold by taking part in a further six activities for each stage.
They include building a bird bath, giving our feathered friends a safe and reliable source of fresh water for drinking and bathing, to making a mini-pond or a hedgehog café.
For more ideas, go to rspb.org.uk/wildchallenge