Nature activities for kids to do at home - part three 

It’s Easter! The perfect opportunity to forget about school work for a few days and have some fun. Easter in lockdown might be different to previous years, but we’re sure our activities can keep the whole family entertained and get everyone enjoying nature’s delights during one of the most wonderful seasons.

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden we heartily recommend you spend as much time as you can outdoors this holiday. If you don’t have your own outside space, try to make the most of your daily exercise but remember to stay local and follow government guidelines on social distancing.

1. Go on an Easter egg hunt

This Easter will definitely be one you’ll always remember. But we reckon there’s still plenty of opportunity to make it eggs-citing, with a different twist on the traditional Easter egg hunt in your garden or around your home.

Get crafting and make your own eggs this year. The children can keep busy and have fun decorating their own egg shapes cut from card, or you could even send them outside to find egg-shaped rocks. A quick dip in paint and they’ll look just like mini Easter eggs.

Then it’s time to hide your eggs and let the hunt begin! The best thing about non-chocolate eggs is they can be hidden and found over and over again – so everyone can have a turn to be the hider.

2. Try flower pressing

One of the best sights in spring is foamy clouds of blossom on the trees. You might be lucky enough to have an apple or cherry tree in your garden but if not keep a look-out for one on your daily walk.

On a breezy spring day it’s great fun to stand under a cherry tree when the wind makes it fall like confetti at a wedding. And when everyone‘s finished pretending to be a bride, you can gather some of the fallen blossom and have a go at flower pressing.

When you get home simply place the petals between some sheets of kitchen roll and carefully put them inside a book. Pile some heavy books on top and leave them for a week or two until they've dried out. You and your kids can then use the pressed petals to make pretty pictures or patterns.

3. Build a bird nest

Who’s the best architect in your household? Outside birds are busy building nests ready to lay their eggs so why not challenge your kids to have a go too? Can they build a nest strong enough to hold a clutch of eggs and withstand the wind?

You’ll need some basic materials you should be able to find in the garden. First hunt about for plenty of slender twigs. You’ll need to weave them together to make a nest so the bendier the better! Once you have a basic nest shape you can plug the gaps with tufts of dried grass and fallen leaves.

How does it look? Test it out by putting some small stones or tree cones inside – or if you made Easter eggs for a hunt these would be ideal. Can your nest take the weight without falling apart?

4. Make a mini bug hotel

Can you find an old plant pot out in the garden, or an old mug you no longer use? They make brilliant bug hotels! All you have to do is fill your pot or mug with natural materials to transform it into a luxury abode minibeasts will love.

Hunt around your garden for crackly dry leaves, twigs, hollow stems, dead grass, pine cones and bits of bark and stuff them inside. These are the perfect materials to help create warm, dry spaces that will attract different creepy crawlies. Place pot or mug on its side (so it doesn’t fill with rain), leave it in a sheltered corner of the garden and wait for its grateful new residents to move in.

5. Use your imaginations to write a story inspired by woods and trees

If the current weather takes a turn for the worse or you don’t have your own outside space then you’re definitely going to need some indoor activities up your sleeve too.

Do your children love making up stories? Some of the best books we’ve ever read are inspired by trees and nature. You’ve probably read some of them too. Use the extra time you have now to challenge your children to put pen to paper and write a nature tale with a woodland theme. You could make things easier for them by thinking up the first sentence then getting them to write the rest of the story. Encourage them to think about the setting and characters and see if they can come up with some exciting plot twists too. When they're done, gather together as a family and share their stories. They'll make great bedtime reading too when you've got bored with all the books you have at home!

We hope these fun ideas help pass the time while your children are at home this Easter. Don't forget to check out part one and part two of our nature activities for kids to do at home, in case you missed them.

If you're looking for more activities, take a look at our Tree Tools for Schools website. It's home to all our educational materials for schools - from wildlife ID sheets to interactive puzzles and quizzes. So you'll find plenty of ways to keep your children engaged and active over the coming weeks.