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‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’
Fancy building a den, identifying pond creatures, watching a butterfly grow or stargazing? With our activity guide you can plan an adventure, discover facts about nature and learn new skills.
About '50 things'
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Top activities for summer
Plan an adventure this summer with our activity guides for children. Try everything from floating in a boat, to rock-pooling, identifying animal poo and fossil hunting.
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Top activities for spring
Spring is the perfect time to get started on our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. Here are some of the best activities to try, from stargazing to snail racing.
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What’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ all about?
Discover how and why we created the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list to help children connect with nature and the natural world.
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How to keep safe while doing our 50 things activities
To ensure you can complete your ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities safely, here are some top tips to help you complete your challenges with safety in mind.
'50 things' activities list
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No. 1 Get to know a tree
Try and get to know a tree - the first of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. Search for clues in its roots, bark and branches to uncover its story.
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No. 2 Roll down a really big hill
Rolling down a really big hill is perhaps the best way ever invented to get to the bottom. Enjoy no. 2 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities.
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No. 3 Camp outdoors
Grab your torch and head for the wilderness. Wherever you choose to go camping, we have tips on what to pack and do. Camping outdoors is no. 3 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 4 Build a den
Building a den is no. 4 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. Read our top tips on building the best den ever.
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No. 5 Skim a stone
No. 5 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ is skim a stone. It’s a tricky skill to master, but with a steady arm and a keen eye, you’ll soon learn how to skim a stone.
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No. 6 Splash about in puddles
When it's pouring with rain, what could be better than chucking on your wellies and waterproofs and zooming around in the puddles, soaking up all the watery fun?
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No. 7 Fly a kite
When there's a bit of wind in the air it's the perfect time to enjoy no. 7 on our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities.
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No. 8 Spot a fish
Spotting fish is a great way to spend time on the beach, or when exploring water inland. Here are some ideas to help you with no. 8 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 9 Eat a picnic outdoors
Try our family-friendly recipes, pick the best picnic spot and enjoy tucking into your food surrounded by nature. It’s no. 9 on the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 10 Play conkers
Conkers may well be one of the oldest games around. In some parts of the world it’s called ‘Kingers’. Get top tips for how to make sure yours is the champion.
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No. 11 Explore on wheels
Discover tips for a bike or scooter ride and learn about the first bicycles ever invented. Find out why cycling is a planet-friendly way of exploring. Need a bike? Some of the places in our care have bikes for hire.
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No. 12 Have fun with sticks
Den building, wand making, Pooh sticks and even nature trail making – who knew sticks could be so much fun? Discover no. 12 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 13 Make a mud creation
What will you make with mud? You can do no. 13 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ almost anywhere, as long as you have a few essential ingredients.
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No. 14 Dam a stream
Adventure no. 14 on the list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ is to dam a stream. Just collect twigs, branches, stones and rocks to stop the flow of water.
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No. 15 Go on a wintry adventure
When it's cold or snowing, there's still plenty to discover outdoors as lots of outside activities are just as fun in the winter. Wrap up in your warmest clothes, and maybe take a hot drink with you, before setting off.
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No. 16 Make a wild crown
It takes imagination and patience to create your own wild crown. Discover what it takes to do no. 16 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 17 Set up a snail race
Find out how to race snails and learn slimy snail facts. It’s no. 17 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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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? Create some wild art is no. 18 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 19 Play Pooh sticks
Pooh sticks is a simple but thrilling game, first invented by the bear from the stories by A. A. Milne. It is no. 19 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities.
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No. 20 Go paddling
Whether you're by the sea or at a stream, lake or river, there are a number of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities you can enjoy, but paddling is one of the most fun.
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No. 21 Forage for wild food
Foraging involves searching for and eating plants, herbs and fruit. Find out what to look for and when to pick it with our guide.
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No. 22 Hunt for mushrooms
What weird and wonderful mushrooms will you find on your funky fungi adventures? It's one of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 23 Get up for the sunrise
Get up early with the birds to see the sun peek above the horizon and the skies fill with rich colours. It's one of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 24 Go barefoot
Going barefoot is one of our top ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. It's the perfect activity to explore the outdoors and make a lasting connection with nature.
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No. 25 Join nature's band
Birds singing, woodpeckers tapping, trees rustling, waves crashing and streams bubbling. These are just some of the sounds that nature makes. Join nature’s band as part of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 26 Hunt for fossils and bones
Search for clues to the life of animals and plants from the past. Our guide contains dinosaur facts and reveals the best places to go fossil and bone hunting, one of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 27 Go stargazing
Stargazing is a magical way to bring nature to life. We have tips on the constellations to spot and the stories behind them. Going stargazing is one of our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 28 Climb a huge hill
Climbing a huge hill is no. 28 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. It might seem tiring, but once you've reached the top, think about how much fun you'll have coming down.
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No. 29 Explore a cave
Explore a cave is no. 29 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ and you can enjoy it at any time of the year. Entering a cave is like visiting an entirely different world.
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No. 30 Go on a scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt tests your seeking skills in the wild and is lots of fun too. It’s no. 30 our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 31 Make friends with a bug
Whether you're at one of our places, in your back garden or at your local park, you’ll find all kinds of minibeasts if you look carefully. Make friends with a bug is no. 31 on the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 32 Float in a boat
Floating in a boat – no. 32 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities – can be as slow and dreamy or as fast and exhilarating an experience as you make it.
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No. 33 Go cloud watching
On a warm day, find a patch of grass, lie back and watch the clouds go by. Cloud watching is one of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 34 Track wild animals
Learn some top tips for nature spotting, track animal footprints and identify common types of animal poo in no. 34 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ challenge.
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No. 35 Discover what's in a pond
Discover what’s in a pond by scooping out some water and identifying what's beneath the surface. It's No. 35 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 36 Make a home for wildlife
All sorts of animals, bugs and birds need homes and most have very different ones. Making a home for wildlife is no. 36 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities list.
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No. 37 Go rock pooling
As the tide goes out, the secrets of the sea are revealed in rock pools left behind. Identify the creatures that live in them, no. 37 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 38 Grow a butterfly
Match caterpillar pictures with their butterflies, make a caterpillar a good home and ensure it has everything it needs to turn into a magnificent butterfly – no. 38 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 39 Catch a crab
Learn how to pick up a scuttling crab without being pinched and other crab facts. It's no. 39 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 40 Go on a nature walk at night
Read these tips to make the most out of no. 40 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’, go on a nature walk at night.
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No. 41 Help a plant grow
Gardening is a challenge that will take a bit of time, but it's worth the wait. Follow our tips and find out how to help plants grow, no. 41 of our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 42 Go swimming in the sea
Swimming in the sea, no. 42 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’, is a brilliant experience. Follow our tips to help you have the best time.
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No. 43 Help a wild animal
Lend a helping hand to the animals and birds that live near you by making sure they have food to eat and a place to sleep. It’s no. 43 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 44 Watch a bird
Learn what you’ll need to do to give you the best chance of seeing a feathered friend, whether you’re watching birds on the window sill or walking through a forest. Take part in ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities.
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No. 45 Find your way with a map
Finding your way with a map is no. 45 of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. Use our guide and tips to help you set out.
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No. 46 Climb over rocks
Adventure no. 46 on our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ is to clamber over rocks. Discover all sorts of different terrain to explore and conquer.
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No. 47 Cook on a campfire
From top tips to campfire safety, find out how food cooked over an open fire can give you a tasty outdoor experience, whether you’re having toasted marshmallows or bacon and eggs.
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No. 48 Keep a nature diary
Keep a record of your adventures in nature, capturing memories of the animals and plants you’ve seen. It’s no. 48 on our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
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No. 49 Watch the sunset
Watching the sunset is no. 49 of the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list.
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No. 50 Take a friend on a nature adventure
You can double the fun when you share your wildlife adventures with a friend. Taking a friend on a nature adventure is no. 50 on our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.