50 things to do before you're 11¾ at Waddesdon Manor

After normal admission at the Welcome Pavilion pick up your free 50 things to do before you're 11¾ booklet and start your outdoor adventure. Here are some self-led activities you can do in the gardens.

Family discover a den built on the Natural Play trail at Box Hill, Surrey.
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

No.4 build a den

Have a go at building a den in our Woodland playground. Start by leaning sticks against a low tree branch like a wig-wam.

Bug hunting at Waddesdon
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

No.31 hunt for bugs

Turn over stones, check under leaves, look in the grass, you can find bugs everywhere. Remember to be gentle if you pick them up, and put them back where you found them.

50 things girl making daisy chain
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

No.16 make a daisy chain

Tick off No.16 from your list and make a daisy chain. Collect lots of daisies, make a hole in the stem with your thumb nail and then push through the next daisy - keep going until you have a pretty daisy chain.

Visitors with umbrellas in the garden at Bateman's, East Sussex.

No.6 run around in the rain 

Rain can be really fun, so put your wellies on and splash through the puddles. Look at how it falls from the sky in long silver ropes. Can you hear it tapping on the hood of your mac?

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A family enjoying 50 things to do before you're 11 3/4
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

No.12 make a trail with sticks

Make a trail for your family to follow around the gardens. Pick up sticks or fallen leaves and lay your trail on the ground. Make sure you don't pick any living trees or plants.

Children running through woods kicking up leaves
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

No.33 catch a falling leaf

Stand by a tree down in Aviary Glade and try to catch a leaf as it flutters down from the trees. How many can you catch?

Girl and boy gingerly walking across rocks looking at floor
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

No.34 track wild animals

Head to our woodland walk or woodland playground and see if you can a track wild animal. Look our for little paw prints, holes or burrows and other clues on the ground.

Girl in field looking through binoculars
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

No.44 bird watching

Grab your binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for wild birds, from small blue tits to giant red kites. Don't forget you can also watch birds in our Aviary, some of which are quite rare.

Toddler standing in snow
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

No.15 play in the snow

Keep your fingers crossed for snow this year. Come and enjoy it throughout the gardens. Try making a snow sculpture of an animal instead of a snowman.

A family having tea whilst their baby sleeps at one of the National Trust cafés
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

Useful info for grown-ups with children

We have baby changing and feeding facilities at both the Manor and the Stables, and both our restaurants have children's menus.

A group of friends enjoying a picnic
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

Can I bring a picnic?

We have some great areas in the grounds to enjoy a picnic. Head past the Aviary on the way to the Rose garden and lay your blanket under the shade of the trees. Or you can use one of the picnic tables near the bottom of our woodland playground.