My readers already know how much I value spending time outside; my blog features heavily on outdoors and nature. So I was somewhat surprised, and saddened to be honest, to read that new research reveals that 1 in 9 British children have not visited a beach, park or forest in a year, and on average a British child only spends 4 hours a week playing in the great outdoors.
Many kids are so disconnected from nature that over half of those surveyed admitted that they had never climbed a tree, a staggering 89% didn’t know what a buttercup was and 77% couldn’t identify a sunflower. The survey, carried out by Sudocrem, also asked 200 children between the ages of 4 to 8 years old to identify some of the creepy crawlies in Britain. It revealed that 89% of children were unable to recognise a butterfly, 51% didn’t know what a bumblebee looks like and 29% didn’t realise that bees make honey. These results are truly shocking!
There are so many benefits to spending time outdoors in nature; both physical and mental. This is why Sudocrem set up the award-winning Play More campaign, an initiative designed to encourage parents and children to get back in touch with nature.
According to children’s TV presenter and Play More ambassador Chris Packham, parents should be encouraging their children to explore the natural environment around them. “I was very fortunate when I was a child because I was encouraged to interact with the outdoors – looking under rocks and searching under logs and hedges to find creepy crawlies. If you just open your eyes, you’ll see that there is an incredible natural world out there waiting to be discovered.”
Vote For Your Local Nursery
As part of the campaign, Sudocrem are offering nurseries around the UK the chance to win support for playground regeneration or a mural, which will be painted by award-winning artist, Joy Pirkle. They have so far helped hundreds of UK nurseries improve their outdoor area. If you think you know a nursery that deserves to win, you can nominate them on the ‘Play More’ section here.
*All nurseries must be based in the UK and nominations close on 31.08.2018. For full Terms and Conditions, please visit www.sudocrem.co.uk/social-hub
Giveaway!
I’m also working with Sudocrem on their Play More campaign, giving away an adventure kit worth £40, which has been carefully put together to encourage children to play outside. The kit includes:
– Play More t-shirt
– Play More sun hat
– Bug Pot
– Frisbee
– Butterfly Net
– Magnifying glass
– Trowel or fork
To be in with a chance of winning this fab prize, simply enter my rafflecopter giveaway below. Open to UK residents only. Ends 05/08/18. Other T&Cs apply.
*Disclosure: This post is written in collaboration with Sudocrem.
My favourite activity is forrest walks
We enjoy exploring different parks
Like walks and collecting things on the beach
We like going to the park
We have always wanted to go kayaking x
gathering leaves to make pictures at home
I love to sit in the garden with my small granddaughter and spot the insects, name the flowers and just talk about whatever she brings up. I did this with my daughter thirty years ago and she is such a keen gardener now.
I used to like making crayon rubbings of tree bark in the woods 🙂 Thanks for running this comp.
Rambling through woods is a favourite outdoor activity.
Rockpooling and finding crabs and sea creatures underr rocks with my dad and siblings
We love to watch the wild hedgehogs in our garden
I’ve nominated Happy Tykes preschool in Bedworth
our favorite outdoor activity is woodland walks with our daft dog sandy
Our favourite is going to our local beach
We love going for long walks, through the woods, heath or by the canal
My favourite outdoor activity is walking the dog through the woods or down the beach and paddling in the water.
we love going to the park, and play on the swings and slide
Love feeding water birds & others.
I’ve nominated Home from Home.
my favorite childhood memory was going stickleback fishing in the lake district
Our favourite activity is palying with the water and sand in the garden
We used to go up Pendle Hill with our picnics when we were kids
i love taking the kids to the local park and taking a picnic with us!
Our favourite outdoor activity is going to the beach!
Picnics and exploring with the grandchildren in the woods
Our favourite outdoor activity is exploring different walks with the dog.
My favourite outdoor activity is to take my son to the park
We love walking our dog peps ??
I love exploring the woods with my nephews and nieces.
I always remember having picnics down by the riverside.
I used to love going on long walks up The Downs when I was younger, at that age everything seemed to be one big adventure. Thankyou for the competition x
We love going to the beach, my kids like to collect shells
we love outdoor activities, especially making dens
Rock hopping at White Coppice
Our favourite outdoor activity is exploring the woods.
My grandson likes to help in the garden watering and growing things from seed.
I nominated the amazing Cygnet Nursery in Kidlington
Water slides in the garden in summer sunshine!
I don’t have any kids but think this is a great initiative.
We love being in the garden and planting seeds to grow vegetables
What is your favourite outdoor activity?: we love playing football in the large communal garden x
We love going out kayaking.
We love any outdoor activities – canoeing is a favourite at the moment down our local canal
Our favourite outdoor activities is exploring our local park and woods on bikes or scooters.
Puddle hunting in the rain, tree climbing in the sun!
our fav outdoor activity is going on bike rides x
we love rock pooling at the beach- always lots to see
Raised in the Antipodes so remember fondly long, hot summers spent at the beach and in the garden.
we love exploring everywhere possible
My kids love climbing trees and exploring our local area on bikes or scooters. I have nominated my daughter’s nursery.
We love going on nature walks to explore and see what we can find