50 Things To Do at Emmetts Garden this Summer

Emmetts Garden is a great place to complete plenty of the 50 things to do before you're 11¾ challenges. From den building to kite flying, there's so much to see and do. If you haven't got your leaflet yet, you can pick one up in our visitor welcome centre.

Catch a falling leaf at Emmetts Garden, a National Trust property in Kent

No. 1 Get To Know A Tree

There's no better time of year than autumn to try out this challenge; leaves are falling off trees here, there and everywhere. How many leaves can you catch? Do you know what type they are? Why don't you create some wild art with your leaves? Then you can tick No.18: Create Some Wild Art off your list as well.

A child enjoys building a den at a National Trust property

No. 4 Build A Den

Grab logs, sticks and leaves to build a den to rival all others in our wild play area and woodland. Can you make your den waterproof? Piling leaves on top of the den will help.

Flying a kite and other 50 things at Emmetts

No. 7 Fly A Kite

Windy days make the best fun as it means you can go kite flying, No. 7 on your challenge list. The meadow makes the best spot to complete this task. Whose kite can go the highest? Here's a tip: start with your back to the wind, it'll help your kite to soar.

50 things girl making daisy chain

No. 16 Wear A Wild Crown

Make yourself a flower or leaf crown on a walk around Emmetts Garden. Remember, plants are living things too, so try to use what you can find fallen on the ground rather than plucking petals - the flowers need those for pollination!

Man and two children playing a grass trumpet

No. 25 Join Nature's Band

Get musical at Emmetts Garden by joining in with Nature's Band! If you're quiet on a walk, you may hear the songs already playing - can you copy any of the birds? See if you can make a grass trumpet out of the long grass in our meadow.

Girl rolling down a grassy hill

No. 28 Climb A Huge Hill

...Well, it's a big hill for Kent anyway! Head down to the woods and wheeze your way back up. You can also try out No. 2 Roll Down A Really Big Hill in our meadow on your visit. Tuck your arms in and off you go - don't forget to mind the bumps on the way.

Bug hunting, one of the 50 things to do before you're 11 3/4

No. 31 Make Friends With A Bug

Our gardens and woodlands are perfect for ticking off No. 31 Make Friends With A Bug. These little creatures love dark, damp spaces so have a look under big rocks and logs. Have you got the courage to hold one in your hand? Don't forget to put the bugs back where you found them after!

Bird watching

No. 44 Watch A Bird

Binoculars will help with this task, so don't forget to bring some with you. Woodpeckers can be found in the woods but don't worry if you can't spot one, they're very shy. Give yourself points if you hear the sound of the woodpecker pecking at the tree bark. Birds can frighten easily, so it's best to keep a distance from them and keep very quiet.

A family plays giant dominoes at Emmetts Garden, a National Trust property in Kent
Emmetts Garden   Kent

Family facilities at Emmetts Garden

Baby changing facilities can be found at the entrance to the site, next to the visitor welcome centre as well as at the old stables café. Bottle warming facilities can also be found at the café. The meadow makes the perfect spot for a picnic; grab a table or bring a blanket. Please note that scooters are not suitable for the pathways at Emmetts Garden.