50 things to do before you're 11¾

Get your kids closer to nature with ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. There’s plenty of outdoor activities to do all year round, from watching the sunset to creating some wild art. Plan your next adventure here.

Den building at Hatfield Forest, Essex
Father and daughter looking from a bridge through binoculars for wildlife

Start your adventures 

From floating in a boat to getting to know a tree, get out in the fresh air and try our 50 awesome adventures.

See the ‘50 things’ activity list

Great outdoor activities for young explorers to try

Two children build a den at Killerton, Devon

No. 4 build a den 

Build a den out of sticks on a flat spot in the woods, cover it with leaves, and you've got a pirate hideout or a meeting place for spies. There are loads of National Trust places with perfect spots for den building.

The sun setting over a lightly foaming sea at Burton Bradstock

No. 49 watch the sunset 

It might be the end of the day but there’s still plenty to see in nature. Before you go to bed, find a comfortable spot to watch the sky turn orange and red as the sun disappears beyond the horizon.

Create some wild art with natural materials in Knole Park, Kent.

No. 18 create some wild art 

When it comes to creating wild art, the only limit is your imagination. What will you use, and how? There's so much to choose from in the natural world, but make sure you're not making your art from another creature's home.

Places to do ‘50 things’ that we'd recommend
A view of the house from a path

Tyntesfield 

Bristol, North Somerset

Spectacular Victorian Gothic Revival house with garden and parkland

Open today
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A view of Lode Mill from the banks of Quy Water

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill 

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Jacobean-style house with gardens and a working watermill

Partially open today
View all opening times 

A duck with her ducklings on the river Skell with Fountains Abbey in the distance

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden 

Ripon, North Yorkshire

Ancient abbey ruins and an awe-inspiring water garden at this World Heritage Site

Open today
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Find more places to do ‘50 things’ near you View map
Boy in safety helmet

Doing the 50 things challenges safely 

Here are some tips for doing all of the '50 things' activities safely with your friends and family.

Hunting for bugs on Wildlife Explorer Day at Ormesby Hall, North Yorkshire

What’s ‘50 things’ about?

When children spend time playing outdoors in nature, it helps increase their wellbeing – and that of their families. It also means they’re more likely to care for our world and the natural environment. So we want everyone to have more fun - and help nature too.

Find a ‘50 things’ event

We've got loads of events to help you try out different ‘50 things’ activities, from den building workshops, to learn how to cook on a camp fire.

Find events near you

Join as a family

Join today and your membership will help us to protect the landscapes you and your family love to explore

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