1. Make a den

The biggest and best option first! You need lots of sticks, the bigger and longer the better. You’ll often find these helpfully bunched together by wardens or other explorers.

How do you want to make it? Will it be big or small? Are you going to sit inside it when it’s ready? Where will the door be? How will you make the roof?

2. Make things for the fairies

Can you make something out of the fauna and flora for the local fairies? We started with food. We made them a banquet with lots of different fairy food to try. Then we moved on to an open air bed with a flower pillow. We found a stream with a little area in the rocks that could be a fairy jacuzzi and we made it into a spa.

So many options. Lucky fairy folk.

3. Guess the leaf

Pick a leaf. Can you find any more like that growing? How many trees with them on can you find?

Keep a count and see who gets the leaf with the most trees.

4. Wayfinding

Can you find your way when you don’t know where you are? How’s your inner compass doing? If you follow a path, can you find another path to lead you back where you started?

One to do when you don’t have a time limit on how long you’re out for. Get the kids to lead and see where they can get too. Take an actual compass for extra complexity.

5. Make a boat

If you come across a stream or another water source why not see if you can make a boat to float on it?

What will you use? Sticks and leaves both have their strong points. How will you structure it? Will you decorate it?

When it’s done set it free and see how far it goes. You could have a race?

6. Make patterns in moss and lichen

In our damp climate woody trees are often covered in moss and lichen. Can you find something to scratch this with? A stick? B found a long thorn once.

What will you draw? Can you leave a message for those following behind?

7. Be a nature detective: Look for footprints…

Can you find any footprints? What made them? Where are they going?

Can you find the creature or person that matches the print?

8. Be a nature detective: Look for poo…

Can you spot any unusual poo? What do you think made it? Can you find them?

9. Start a collection

What will you collect? Can you find something cool? Pine cones are good, there are lots of different kinds. Maybe you can find some feathers or really pretty leaves? You could pick some flowers and press them when you get home? In summer there may be blackberries. In winter you can find ghost leaves that look like lace. In spring there’s lots of blossom. In autumn; leaves, conkers, acorns and sycamore planes…

10. Find a secret place

Can you find a secret place? Maybe in a tree? Or in a group of trees?

Can you make it into a den? Where will the door be? Where will you sleep? Who will you allow in?