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. 135798642
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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!
15