WITH the school holidays underway, Somerset Wildlife Trust is giving families easy ways to make the most of the summer by discovering nature on their doorstep.

Whether it’s a local park, garden or nature reserve, there are plenty of free ways to help children connect with wildlife.

The first of five free nature activities to try this summer include going on a pattern hunt.

Nature is full of amazing patterns. See how many you can spot on leaves, tree bark, wildflowers, shells or spider webs. Take a notebook and sketch your favourites, or use modelling clay to make prints of different textures to take home.

Use your creative writing skills to capture the beauty of Somerset in the summer and write a summer poem.

Somerset Wildlife Trust has a host of ideas to keep families busy exploring nature during the holidays.
Somerset Wildlife Trust has a host of ideas to keep families busy exploring nature during the holidays. (PHOTO: Somerset Wildlife Trust)

Head outdoors and use the sights and sounds around you as inspiration for your short poem. What do you see, what can you hear, what do you find beautiful, interesting, hopeful, weird or wild? A simple haiku (5-7-5 syllable structure) is a great place to start. For example: A tree with one eye (5) Wide open, bark line wrinkles (7) or Watching dancing clouds (5)

How about visiting a Somerset nature reserve; many of Somerset Wildlife Trust's nature reserves are free to visit and are ideal for family walks and wildlife spotting.

If you are able to travel, visit Westhay Moor, where a table of free children’s activities will be available every Sunday during the summer holidays. Private guided walks are also available to book.

Become a wildlife champion! Simple actions can make a big difference.

Organise a litter pick, make a bug hotel, create a small wildlife-friendly corner in your garden or encourage children to write or draw about the nature they'd like to see protected.

Take time this summer to find out about all the wildlife you can spot while out on a walk.
Take time this summer to find out about all the wildlife you can spot while out on a walk. (PHOTO: Somerset Wildlife Trust)

Local naturalist, environmentalist and race activist Mya-Rose Craig’s book ‘We Have a Dream’ shares inspiring stories of young people around the world taking action for nature in ways that matter to them.

How many species do you think you can spot?

Turn a walk into a wildlife challenge by counting butterflies, birds, bees or wildflowers. You don’t need to know every species - simply taking time to notice nature is a great way to build curiosity and enjoy the outdoors.

Wilder lives manager at Somerset Wildlife Trust, Kristen Lambert, said: “While the summer holidays can be a juggling act, they can also be an opportunity for families to do things differently in the pockets of time we may have together.

“With nature offering so much colour, joy and wildlife, it could provide some gorgeous moments to make space for connection, curiosity and even environmental action.”

With Somerset feeling the heat this summer, families are encouraged to enjoy nature safely by choosing cooler times of day, taking plenty of water and making the most of shady spots when exploring outdoors.

For more free ideas to help children discover wildlife, visit Somerset Wildlife Trust's family activities page at https://www.somersetwildlife.org/family-activities, with inspiration for crafts, games, wildlife spotting and outdoor adventures.