Green spaces, like local parks or woods, are just waiting to be explored. A little inspiration can turn any outing into a real adventure for youngsters, with so many games to play and things to discover.

Here are two fun woodland activities to get your kids playing outside, not to mention picking up plenty of skills along the way.

Minibeast safari

 The savannah isn’t the only place where you can go on safari. The world is full of creepy-crawlies, bugs, plants and other creatures, so head outdoors on your own minibeast safari. It’s time to go exploring…

• Take a magnifying glass on your next trip to the park, woods or even just your back garden
• When you spot a minibeast, have a closer look at it using your magnifying glass
• Don’t miss all the amazing details. How many legs does your creature have? What about wings or antennae?
• Write down the name or even draw a picture of everything you see, from the wriggly worms to the beautiful butterflies
• Keep a tally of how many different minibeasts you find and compare with your friends

Build a den

This needs a little more planning, but that won’t put you off if you’re a true adventurer. It’ll work really well in your local park, woods or even garden (if you’re lucky enough to have one with a nice, strong tree growing there).

• First find a really sturdy tree growing on flat land with plenty of space around it. The tree’s trunk will be the main thing that keeps your den upright
• Next find a big branch and wedge this against the tree trunk sideways, tying it on with rope to keep it secure (ask for help here)
• Then support it at the other end with another large branch – tie these together too
• Build up the walls on either side of the central spine with lots of smaller branches
• To give your den shelter fill these out with any leaves and twigs you can find around you
• Any wise adventurer out in the elements wants their shelter to feel cosy, so fill the den with blankets, cushions and a few snacks. And don’t forget a torch – explorers can get scared of the dark too you know…

All that’s left now is to get outside and enjoy the wonders of playing. Ready to go?