National Trust: 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 3/4 - preview

These adventures belong to: ............................................ ............................................ ............................................

First published 2020 by Nosy Crow Ltd The Crow’s Nest, 14 Baden Place Crosby Row, London, SE1 1YW www.nosycrow.com ISBN 978 1 78800 729 0

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‘The National Trust’ and the oak leaf logo and are registered trademarks of The National Trust (Enterprises) Limited (a subsidiary of The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, Registered Charity Number 205846) used under license by Nosy Crow.

Nosy Crow and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trade marks of Nosy Crow Ltd (Registered Company Number 7130282) Text © Nosy Crow Ltd & National Trust Enterprises 2020 Illustrations © Sandra de la Prada 2020 The right of Nosy Crow and National Trust Enterprises to be identified as the author and Sandra de la Prada to be identified as the illustrator of this work has been asserted.

The 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ campaign was designed for the National Trust by 18 Feet & Rising. Based on original concept and content by Behaviour Change with design work by N. Duncan Mills.

All rights reserved.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Nosy Crow Ltd. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Printed in Italy Papers used by Nosy Crow are made from wood grown in sustainable forests.

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Contents 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾

6

Using this book

8

Get ready

10

Mapping

12

Explorer tips and hints

14

1. Get to know a tree

16

2. Roll down a really big hill

18

3. Camp outdoors

19

4. Build a den

20

5. Skim a stone

22

6. Go welly wandering

23

7. Fly a kite

24

8. Spot a fish

26

9. Eat a picnic in the wild

27

10. Play conkers

28

11. Explore on wheels

29

12. Have fun with sticks

30

13. Make a mud creation

31

14. Dam a stream

32

15. Go on a wintry adventure

33

16. Wear a wild crown

34

17. Set up a snail race

36

18. Create some wild art

37

19. Play Poohsticks

38

43. Help a wild animal

64

20. Go paddling

39

44. Watch a bird

66

21. Forage for wild food

40

45. Find your way with

68

22. Find some funky fungi

41

a map

23. Get up for the sunrise

42

46. Clamber over rocks

69

24. Go barefoot

44

47. Cook on a campfire

70

25. Join nature’s band

45

48. Keep a nature diary

72

26. Hunt for fossils

46

49. Watch the sunset

73

50. Take a friend on a

74

and bones 27. Go stargazing

47

28. Climb a huge hill

48

29. Explore a cave

49

You did it!

75

30. Go on a scavenger hunt

50

Ruler

76

31. Make friends with a bug

50

My favourites

77

32. Float in a boat

51

The winner is . . .

78

33. Go cloud watching

52

Other things to try

79

34. Dicover wild animal clues

54

Doodle time

80

35. Discover what’s in a pond

55

Fill in the gaps

82

36. Make a home for wildlife

56

The News

83

37. Explore the wonders of a

57

Puzzles

84

Quick-fire quiz

86

rock pool

nature adventure

38. Bring up a butterfly

58

Answers

87

39. Catch a crab

59

Picture gallery

88

40. Go on a nature walk

60

Notepaper

90

Index

94

at night 41. Help a plant grow

62

42. Go swimming in the sea

63

50 things to do before you’re 11¾ Are you ready to go on the ultimate adventure? Do you love having fun outdoors and getting a bit muddy? Are you good at noticing the world around you, from the tiniest beetle climbing a blade of grass to the biggest, brightest stars in the night sky? Are you brave enough to camp outside or jump over waves in the sea? Then this is the book for you!

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to try all 50 things in this book. You can do them on your own, with your friends, or with your family, and you don’t just have to do them once – you can go back and do your favourites again and again.

6

You can try these 50 things almost anywhere you want – in your back garden, your local park or at a nearby National Trust place. To find out more about these activities and where you can do them near you, visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/50things.

t hy are So, w

h es e 5 0

things so important?

By trying these challenges and spending time with nature, you’ll get to know the world a whole lot better. And if you show nature how much you care, you can make some important steps towards saving the great outdoors!

Note to grown-ups We recommend that you use your own judgement about wha t is safe and suitable for your childre n and supervise these activities where necessary. If your little exp lorers are handling animals, don’t forg et to put them back where they cam e from.

7

Using this book It’s time to get started on your 50 things.

Easy, right? Just get outside and have fun!

But don’t forget to take this handbook – it’s got all the tips you need for an amazing adventure, plus loads of other stuff to do!

Where to start?

You can start at the beginning, or do the activities in any order you like. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just turn to the index on page 94.

When you’ve completed an activity, sign your name and add the date! ure Signat Date

8

Scrapbook There’s notepaper at the back of this book, along with space to stick in your photos. That means you can use this as a proper explorer’s journal and fill it with notes, drawings, doodles, memories and more!

Fun and games When you’re in the car or train or relaxing at the end of a busy day, why not check out the quiz and puzzles in the activities section, starting on page 77?

9

Get ready This handbook’s all about YOU – it’s your place to write ideas, draw what you see and stick in leaves, tickets, photos or anything else! Now it’s time to start writing in the book . . .

First, fill in this passport with all your explorer details. Find an old photo to stick in or, if you’re feeling creative, you could draw a self-portrait instead!

Explorer’s passport Name Date of birth

Height Eye colour

10

Explorer’s checklist All explorers need a proper kitbag too, so here are a few ideas for when you’re packing. You won’t need all these things at once, but the essentials are handy for whatever adventure you’re having!

The essentials: Walking shoes or trainers Water bottle Warm clothes Waterproof

And the rest: Notebook Pencil Sun cream Map Compass Binoculars Fishing net Bucket String Torch Swimming clothes and towel Camera

Top tip!

Remember to think abo ut the weather, and what act ivity you’re planning. It will be a soggy journey home if you forget to pack a towel for your sea-swimming trip!

11

Mapping Having a map can be useful when you’re an explorer. After all, you always need to find your way around. So here’s a map of your very own!

Draw on it, write on it and use it as a record of all your adventures. Here are a few ideas to get you started . . .

Make your mark!

Draw a home or make a big dot to show where you live.

As you go, mark the places where you’ve done your 50 things.

Add more waves.

Doodle dolphins, whales and boats in the sea.

If you go on a road trip, draw in the route you took.

W 12

o here y w s w ho k no

u might

do your 50

things?

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Wales England

But with this map you can kee

p track

of ever ywhere you’ve been!

13

Explorer tips and hints You’re nearly ready to get started, but before you head out of the door, here are some top explorer tips and hints . . .

Handy hints for watching wildlife If you want to see wild animals, remember to be VERY still and quiet so you don’t scare them away, and don’t wear anything too brightly coloured.

Many animals will never come very close to humans. You’ll have a better chance of seeing them if you use binoculars.

If you have a dog, it might scare wild animals, so make sure you keep it on a lead or leave it at home if you want to get very close.

Never feed wild animals. You might accidentally give them something they shouldn’t eat.

Make sure you stay

safe and look after wildlife.

If in doubt, follow these simple rules . . .

14

The countryside code Stay safe – plan your trip ahead.

Leave gates as you find them and follow local signs.

Always take your litter home or it may harm animals and plants.

Stay on the path – don’t walk through crops.

Don’t go near farm animals or machinery.

Don’t climb over walls or hedges – use a gate or stile.

If your family has a dog, keep it under control.

Don’t disturb other people.

Top tip!

Try sitting in one spot

for 15 minutes (longer if you like!) and writing down all the wildlife you see and hear – you could be sur prised!

Get your friends to join in too! See who can make the biggest mud pie, fly their kite the longest or catch the biggest crab!

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