How membership can bring out your family’s creative side this spring

Grow a mini meadow

As a member, you can enjoy beautiful wildflower meadows throughout the country. If you feel inspired to make a promise for nature to encourage wildlife into your own garden, then here’s a great idea: homemade flower seed balls are fun to make with little ones and you can grow wildflowers with no planting required. You’ll need two parts soil, five parts clay mix (from an art shop), one-to-two parts water and wildflower seeds. Mix the soil, clay and water then add seeds. Roll into balls, dry for a day or two then scatter in your garden. If you plant these in spring, the flowers should appear over summer.

Start your own storybook                          

Throughout history, many of the places we look after were home to, or inspiration for, famous literary greats such as Beatrix Potter, Agatha Christie and Thomas Hardy. The expansive views at Hindhead Commons, for example, was a place where Arthur Conan Doyle would take in the beauty of nature on long walks to take a break from writing. With so many classics inspired by National Trust places, why not encourage the kids to start their own stories? Treat yourself to an hour with a favourite book at a relaxing spot like Claremont Gardens in Surrey or the landscape garden at Gibside in Northumberland.

Get arty  

We all like to get creative every now and then, and luckily nature provides some of the best crafting materials around. As a member, you'll recieve our e-newsletter packed with ideas for things to do with the whole family. Crafting at home is made extra fun with our downloadable activity packs, and Easter can be the perfect time of year to improve your art skills. Our activities are inspired by nature and designed for you to do wherever you are, so grab your colouring pencils, or even natural materials you found on a walk, and get crafting.

Start baking

There are lots of recipes you can try at home that are inspired by seasonal produce we grow in kitchen gardens at many places we look after. If you want to try our recipes in your own kitchen, you can find lots of delicious springtime ideas on our website. Bake something for a loved one this Mother’s Day, or surprise the family with a special bake on Easter Sunday. Try your hand at classic pork and apple sausage rolls, a zesty lemon drizzle or a hearty roasted beetroot, kale and brie quiche.

Design your own garden

The National Trust Handbook is packed full of places with inspirational gardens – some with a working kitchen garden like Beningbrough Hall in North Yorkshire. You can make the most of the longer, lighter spring days in wide open places and lots of beautiful gardens – and blossom during spring can make for a great creative photo opportunity wherever you are. Whether you have an empty window box or a little wilderness waiting to be rescued, you could be inspired to design your very own green space.

Welcome back wildlife

From gambolling lambs to chirping garden birds, you’ll find wildlife emerging from the winter at places we look after near you. You could follow in the footsteps of our rangers and help create homes and healthy habitats for wildlife where you are for your promise for nature. Why not help the kids get crafty with our guide to making a bird feeder, and then see how many new visitors you get in your garden?

Whether you and your family are inspired to try crafting, making or creating this spring, as a National Trust member you’ll enjoy free access to lots of places brimming with ideas and inspiration.