Monthly Archives: July 2016

Summer Trails For Kids

Want to go for a walk? No! Want to go on a trail? Yes! Here's how to make your trails for kids rock: 1. Have a purpose: a. What we did today: go out and take photos to load up on Facebook later to show Auntie Chris, Mum, Dad Grandma etc. What We Did Today and then everyone gets to say what their favourite thing was b. Plant investigator: find 10 different leaves – try these free Apps to help you identify what’s what: Tree Id and Garden Answers. Woodland Trust Tree Id App c. Go foraging: pick blackberries – from mid-August in some places – then return home to make blackberry and apple crumble. 2. Follow a trail map. Learning how to read a map is a fantastic life skill and you can start with very simple ones. a. Draw your own ‘mud map’ for a place you know well and leave some gaps for the kids to fill in things like, the names of buildings, drawing in a tree, the bridge, the shop etc. Mud Map for Summer Trails b. Complete a trail that links to a book – yes like ours! You can download our free trail maps for London, Winchester and Alresford here. From August 20th you will be able to download our very latest Binky Trail which is set in leafy Surrey, near Compton. 3. Have a few extra activities up your sleeve. a. “I spy” and also “I hear with my little ear…” b. Follow my leader, taking it in turns to lead the pack c. Stop and play hide and seek. Woodland walks are great for this d. Walk and Talk – get kids to take it in turns to talk about what they see and hear as they walk – this is great to get quiet ones chatting. 4. Finally take a picnic, a few trail treats, plenty of water and sunscreen and have a great day out!