We are calling on families to get outdoors, get creative, get exploring and get wild this Spring. The Wild Challenge is the RSPB's brand new online awards scheme encouraging children, families and schools to go out and get closer to the natural world.
By completing the 30 fun and engaging activities, families can log their achievements on the website and receive bronze, silver and gold awards! Each activity comes with helpful ideas and resources to help families on their wild adventure.
The Wild Challenge is free and open to all no matter where you live, the weather or the time of year, there will always be something to do. The RSPB aims to show children how fun exploring nature really is, helping to engage them with the natural world through fun, family-friendly activities.
Furthermore, every family who is awarded a bronze, silver or gold award during April will be entered into a prize draw to win the Ultimate Wild Challenge explorer kit worth over £500! With everything from a nest box, a wildlife camera trap, binoculars for adults and children, a hogilo hedgehog house, a bat detector and so much more, it's definitely worth entering!
Some of the fun activities you can try:
1. Build a minibeast hotel
Create your own bug hotel full of different natural materials, to provide hidey-holes for creatures galore! The size and construction of your bug hotel is only limited by the materials you have available and your imagination!
2. Feed the birds!
Giving birds a little extra food is a simple and fun way to help, especially when natural sources are low. The mix of fat, seeds and mealworms is irresistible for many garden birds, so why not try this sticky activity! Hang them from your garden trees, or on your balcony and watch your neighbourhood birds discover them.
3. Record the wild weather
Rain or shine - can you help us measure the weather? Become a meteorologist and learn how to set up your own weather station - will you be able to detect the changes or predict the weather near you?
4. Show us the signs of spring near you
Spring is an exciting time to go out and explore, as you can witness how nature changes in the turnover of seasons. Weather it's daffodils and bluebells making an appearance, a bumblebee looking for a new home or leaves turning the trees green again, take a picture of your local signs of spring! If you're under 19, you can even submit it to this year's WildPix competition.
And if you would like to incorporate the Wild Challenge into a fun day out, why not come to one of our Wild Challenge events being held regularly across RSPB reserves in the Eastern region. Check out the events listings here.