Winter is drawing to an end and signs of spring have begun to pop up across the region! The birds are beginning their dawn chorus as children get out of their beds for school and snowdrops have bloomed, reminding us of what else is still to come. Throughout these final few weeks of winter, it can be difficult to find the motivation to get outside into nature, but the outdoors might just actually just be the thing you and your kids need to help dust off those frosty cobwebs and restore your wellbeing.

So wrap up warm, dig out your wellies, and check out our top tips for supporting you and your child’s wellbeing in winter!

For the little ones

Signs of spring scavenger hunt: How many different signs of spring you can spot in your local park or walk to school? Despite everything still looking a little bit bare, there is still lots to explore! Are there any daffodils yet? Can you see birds flying with twigs in their beaks, starting to build their nests? Getting outdoors and experiencing natural light throughout winter can help regulate sleep patterns, so if you’re finding the dark nights challenging to get little ones to bed, nature might be the trick!

Animal tracking: Winter is a great time for exploring animal tracks. Frosty paths or squelchy mud is the perfect place to see the pawprints of any foxes or badgers that have been scavenging through the night! When you look closely you can even begin to spot the paths the animals follow each night. Tracking is a great way to encourage children’s curiosity and wonder, as well as giving us a sense of mindfulness as we begin to focus on our natural surroundings.  

My Wild Child: Come along to our My Wild Child sessions, an outdoor playgroup for children aged 2-5 and their parents & carers. It’s a great way to get outside and make new friends in the great outdoors in all weathers! Held on Wednesdays in Knowle for local residents, and Fridays at Grow Wilder.

Find out more about My Wild Child

For the bigger kids, teens and young adults

Connect to your senses: How closely do you pay attention to the sounds of birds? Do you know which species live in your neighbourhood? Or along your walk to school? Could you identify any winter visitor species on their migration? Taking just a couple of minutes to learn the distinct calls of a few bird species can transform your time spent outside, even in built up areas. Try using apps like Bird Call Xeno or Merlin to help you identify different species without even needing to spot them and see how recognising bird calls can help you feel more connected to the natural world.

Recognise beauty: One of the best things about short winter days is sunrises and sets are more easily seen, and often dramatic! Check out the forecast and set an alarm for half an hour before either to catch the best of the fleeting beautiful light and calmness of dusk and dawn.

Take a lesson from nature: It’s helpful to be reminded how the buds and blooms that tell us spring is arriving are only possible because those very same species have taken a much-needed rest over winter. Never ending blossoms, shoots and fruits are unsustainable; we should take a lesson from nature and allow ourselves to pause, whenever we can, to ensure we have the resilience, energy, and purpose to burst back into life when the opportunity arises.

Opportunities for young people to reconnect with nature