Nature activities for children
Looking for some activities to keep the kids busy? Browse our guide to nature activities for children for inspiration.
Published:
Need some ideas for kids activities whilst staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic? Here are some great nature-themed projects for them to get stuck into.
Keep this page bookmarked as we’ll keep adding more ideas.
Also check out our guide to enjoying nature and staying positive during the coronavirus pandemic.
We’ve split these ideas into the following categories:
- Activities for the garden
- Get baking!
- Learn how to identify wildlife
- Books about activities for children (including our list of nature books for children and teenagers)
- More ideas for connecting with nature whilst inside (including game reviews, nature documentaries to stream, and wildlife webcams)
Activities for the garden
How to make a small pond for wildlife
Ornithologist, presenter and author Dan Rouse provides a step-by-step guide to creating a small pond by adapting items such as washing-up bowls, large plant pots or old sinks.
How to monitor your garden wildlife
Watching your garden wildlife is not only enjoyable; recording your observations will contribute to important national data.
How to make an orange birdfeeder
Help the birds in your garden stay full with this fruity feeder.
How to make a pine cone birdfeeder
Encourage hungry birds into your garden with this simple feeding station.
How to make a bird splash
A simple project to help your garden birds keep properly watered
How to make a bird bath
Fresh water is essential for birds, and a bird bath is a simple way to provide it.
How to make a pooter
A pooter enables you to observe tiny insects without touching them and is an essential tool for any young wildlife enthusiast.
How to make a pitfall trap
Set up a pitfall trap to carry out a small-scale survey of the insects in your garden.
How to make a reptile rockery
A simple project to provide a hiding place and basking spot for lizards.
How to make a footprint tunnel
Use a footprint trap to find out which mammals visit your garden during the night.
How to make a kite, from BBC Countryfile Magazine
There are few joys as simple and exhilarating as flying a brightly coloured kite in the breeze. For great family fun, build your own kite with this easy step-by-step guide.
How to make leaf-pressed coasters, from BBC Countryfile Magazine
Capture the beauty of leaves in clay and display them in a pretty and practical way around your home, giving your coffee table a natural uplift.
How to draw feathers, from BBC Countryfile Magazine
One of the best ways to appreciate the splendour of a feather is by drawing it – follow these simple steps.
How to make a sea glass and driftwood mobile, from BBC Countryfile Magazine
Look out for driftwood and sea glass on your next beach trip to create this natural hanging decoration.
10 gardening projects for kids, from BBC Gardener’s World Magazine
These simple garden projects are a great way to get the kids outside, entertained and away from the TV or computer screen. Little ones will need a bit of extra help and guidance, while the more grown up can be given planning and decision-making responsibilities, and the use of tools such as hand drills and shears.
Get baking!
Our sister magazine, BBC Good Food, has loads of recipes for delicious food. Here are some inspired by wildlife:
Hedgehog rolls
Perky penguins
Spider biscuits
Spooky spider cakes
Chocolate spider cookies
Bunny cupcakes
White rabbit biscuits
Chocolate bat biscuits
Polar bear peppermint creams
Discover beautiful wildlife-inspired cakes created by BBC Wildlife readers.
Learn how to identify wildlife
Our wildlife ID guides will help you identify a range of wildlife – both in the garden and further afield. Here are some garden species to look out for:
How to identify trees in winter
Use our illustrated expert guide to learn how to identify British tree species in winter. You could also try how to identify a tree by its bark, and have a go at making a bark rubbing.
How to identify wildlife in a winter woodland
Strolling through a woodland in winter can be a revelation – welcome to a world of fungi, ferns and delicate mosses. Use our guide to identify 12 species you might see in a winter woodland.
How to tell the difference between a common frog and a common toad
Have you seen a frog or a toad? Pat Morris explains how you can tell them apart.
How to identify pond wildlife
12 species for you to look for on your next pond-dipping adventure.
Books about activities for children
Read our recent reviews of books for younger readers.
365 Days Wild, by Lucy McRobert
The Bumper Book of Nature, by Stephen Moss
RSPB: Born To Be Wild, by Hattie Garlick
National Trust: Go Wild In The Woods, by
The Stick Book: Loads of things you can make or do with a stick, by
101 Things For Kids To Do Outside, by Dawn Isaac
More ideas for connecting with nature whilst inside
Play some games
Read BBC Wildlife Magazine‘s reviews of wildlife games, including a bird-themed Monopoly, matching butterfly wings cards, and an augmented reality mobile app.
Watch wildlife live around the world
There is a huge variety of animal livestreams available online – pandas, puppies, kittens, donkeys, sheep and more. We have focussed on wild animals (including wildlife rehabilitation) in our comprehensive list of wildlife webcams to livestream around the world.
Watch wildlife documentaries
Find the best nature documentaries of all time to stream from the comfort of home with our ultimate TV guide.
More online resources
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