Photo by Michael Morse
As the days get colder and shorter, and much of our British wildlife is in hibernation, it can be harder to keep kids connected to nature and find fun activities to keep them occupied.
Scavenger hunts allow children to take greater notice of their surroundings and become more aware of their environment, whilst entertaining them during family walks.
So, why not try doing this scavenger hunt on your next day out?
The rules are simple – grab your wellies, get outdoors and try to spot all 5 types of British wildlife on our list!
Just don’t forget to abide by The Countryside Code and The Woodland Trust’s responsible foraging guidelines!
A robin
Photo by Bob Robinson
Closely associated with the Christmas season, robins become easier to spot as the months become colder – as they begin to venture out more. Even in freezing temperatures, robins stay warm by fluffing up their feathers and trapping an insulating layer of warm air underneath – so whatever the temperature outside, you’ll be able to see these beautiful red-breasted creatures! Try glimpsing them in parks, gardens, hedgerows, or woodland areas.
A tree that still has its leaves
Most trees lose their leaves in the winter months, but you’ll still find varieties that have most of their leaves – known as evergreen trees. Evergreens are especially abundant in parks, forests, and woodlands – why not try looking in your local park or nature reserve?
Holly
With its spiky, glossy green leaves and bright red berries, holly is hard to miss! Holly is a type of evergreen tree, so if you spot this you’ll get two of the things on this list! You can find it in woodland, shrubs, and hedgerows.
A pinecone
To find pinecones, try looking under conifer trees in your garden, or local parks and woodland areas. Pinecones can also be used for festive decorations or wintery craft activities with your kids!
An owl
While most trees don’t have leaves, owls become a lot easier to spot in the winter months. For a higher chance of seeing them, venture out at dusk or dawn – this is when they’re more active and it will still be light enough to see them.
Try looking in woods and forest areas where they’ll be on the hunt for prey, or have a quick search online for where owls are most commonly sighted in your local area.
Photo by Bob Robinson
We hope you and your family enjoy your adventures! If you’re active on social media, tag us in your scavenger hunt posts – we’d love to see you and your little ones having fun exploring the outdoors!
Stay warm and have a lovely holiday season.
The Buttercup Learning Team
