‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’
Have fun exploring nature and the great outdoors with our list of ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’.
No. 36 Make a home for wildlife
All sorts of animals, bugs and birds need homes and most build very different ones. If you're going to build a home for wildlife, you'll have to think about what they need and want from it. It’s no. 36 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
Who are you building a house for?
You can build a home for any wildlife you think of, but it's probably best to go with smaller creatures for this challenge.
Hedgehogs, for example, don't need a lot of space. Or you could choose to build somewhere for even smaller things like woodlice, spiders or worms – you'd need fewer materials and less garden space.
How will the animals use the home you've built?
Do you think they will want to live in the home you make? Or maybe just visit it and explore? Could they use it for hibernating? Ladybirds hibernate, so they might make a good guest for your wildlife hotel.
What should the home be like?
- Where are you going to build the home – can it be on the ground, underneath it, or in the trees?
- Does the home need to be dry or wet?
- What sort of home does the animal currently live in?
- Can you learn anything from that about what it likes and dislikes?
- What will you make the home from?
It's probably best to go for something very similar to the animal's current home, so natural materials like moss, sticks and stones will be better than plastic and metal. You could also try cardboard if you wanted to make something really detailed.
Don't give up
Remember, in the wild, animals choose where they live. So even if you go to a lot of trouble creating what you think is a dream home, they might still decide to find a pad of their own design. If you find your wildlife home empty at first, don't despair – take a look back in a week or so and you may find an unexpected guest has moved in.
What will your wildlife home look like?
Bug hotel
You could make a grand hotel for wildlife from stacked wood pallets, bricks, pipes, cardboard and natural materials.
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No. 34 Discover wild animal clues
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.
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’.
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’.
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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Looking for new ways to help your local wildlife? Here are some of our top tips on how to make your garden a haven for animals, birds and insects.
Browse build-your-own kits
Help nature thrive at home with our family-friendly range of build-your-own nest boxes, butterfly houses and bird feeders, created in collaboration with CJ Wildlife. A contribution of all sales will help to fund conservation projects at the places in our care.
