How children can stay in touch with nature during lockdown

A new range of free online activities has been set up by the Scottish Wildlife Trust to keep children in touch with nature during the coronavirus lockdown.

The expanding collection of activities includes mini-beast hunts youngsters can do in a garden or nearby green space and tutorials on how to draw wildlife.

The new Learning Zone presents a range of suggestions suitable for geared for children of all ages, with more being added as time goes on.

There are both indoor and outdoor options, from arts and crafts to bird-watching.

Outdoor activities that can be done in even the smallest garden during lockdown include a hunt for insects and other mini-beasts

Many of the resources link up with Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence and can be used for teachers planning online lessons for pupils while schools are closed.

Some of the ideas have a springtime theme, such as painting an egg to look like your favourite bird or making a giant daffodil to display in a window and cheer up the neighbours.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is inviting youngsters to share their experiences during lockdown and get in touch with ideas they would like to see added to the collection.

Studies have shown that contact with nature and access to green space has benefits for both physical and mental health and well-being.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust's new Learning Zone offers activities for all ages, including instructions how to turn an egg into your favourite wild creature

“Nature is vital for our everyday lives, but at the same time the current restrictions on being outside are making it really challenging to get out and enjoy a daily dose of wildlife,” said Catherine Leatherland, people and wildlife officer for the Scottish Wildlife Trust:

“The ideas and resources in our new Learning Zone are designed to help everyone from parents to teachers come up with ideas to keep children entertained and occupied, but also engaged with Scotland’s amazing wildlife.”

She encouraged people to share their experiences on social media through the hashtag #DiscoverLearnPlay.

The activities can be found on the charity’s website at www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust also offers nature-lovers the opportunity to get a birds-eye view of the resident ospreys in action at its Loch of the Lowes reserve near Dunkeld, in Perthshire, via footage from a live nest cam.

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