Information for families
Children in nature © Matthew Roberts
Time spent in nature is fun and good for you!
Time spent playing outside has sadly dropped by half in just one generation. A recent survey showed only one in five children aged 8-12 has a connection with nature.
However, study after study shows that time spent amongst nature increases levels of physical activity, alertness, health and wellbeing in kids – and adults too!
Our work gives children and their families a chance to reconnect with the wildlife on their doorstep - why not take a look at what you can join in with?
We are reconnecting kids with nature: swap screen time for wild timeHampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Ways for children to get involved
If you're looking for a great day out to have fun, learn or spend time with your family, why not come along to one of our events?
Events
Regular events and walks include:
- Blashford Lakes Buggy Walk
- Forest School sessions
- Isle of Wight Wildbeach Nature Nippers and Tots sessions
- School holiday events
- Testwood Lakes Natural babies
- Testwood Lakes Dads and Tots
- Wildlife Rangers for 12-18 year olds
- Wildlife Tots events for under 5’s
- Wildlife watch events for 5-15 year olds
- Young Naturalists for 13-17 year olds
Wildlife Watch and Tots local nature clubs
Get your children involved with nature. Bring them along to their local Wildlife Watch or Wildlife Tots group:
Wildlife Watch sessions are suitable for families with children aged 5 – 15. children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Wildlife Tots activities are for under 5’s, children must be accompanied by an adult.
These regular nature based events help young people to learn about wildlife and develop their understanding of environmental issues.
Head to our Events page to find upcoming Wildlife Watch and Wildlife Tots events – you don’t have to be a member to attend an event.
Wildbeach – Isle of Wight
Come and join our regular visits to the beach and have the chance to explore and discover the coastal environment through a range of games and activities. This helps raise children’s awareness of the natural environment as well as developing a range of outdoor skills.
The beach, is a fantastic outdoor learning environment which helps to build confidence, self-esteem, independence and resilience in children.
The Island’s coastal environment provides children with a rich and diverse habitat to explore and connect with their natural environment, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
© Matthew Roberts
What to expect at a Wildbeach Session
Activities include:
- Games and free play - it is through play that children learn and it is very important that they have the chance to pursue their own plans and ideas.
- Shelter building
- Art and craft projects
- Campfire cooking
- Sensory scavenger hunts
- Discovering coastal wildlife and making the most of unexpected discoveries on the beach or in the sea, the weather, the season and the state of the tide.
For more information
Contact on Kelly.wetherwick@hiwwt.org.uk or 07825212473
Bouldnor Forest Centre, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight PO41 0AB
Upcoming events
Blashford Buggy Walk
Fortnightly guided walks for Mums (Dad's or grandma's!) with little ones.
Young Naturalists
A wildlife conservation group for young people aged 13 to 17.
Basingstoke Wildlife Watch
SOS - Signs of Spring
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Testwood Lakes Wildlife Watch
Dawn Chorus
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Southsea Wildlife Watch
Spring into Life
Milton Locks Wildlife Tots
A seaside session of play, stories and exploring for pre-school children and their families.
Support the work we do with families
Nature needs champions now and into the future. Help us create the next generation of wildlife lovers to protect our local flora and fauna for years to come.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
We take child protection and safeguarding very seriously. Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Statement sets out how we implement child protection and safeguarding across the Wildlife Trust and who to contact if you have questions or concerns.