NATIONAL Trust (NT) venues across Worcestershire have plenty to offer youngsters and families this half-term.
The NT produced its ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ which included a multitude of traditional activities, from building a den, making a daisy chain and climbing a tree to flying a kite, bug-hunting and birdwatching.
And the NT areas across the county are well-equipped to enable children to tick a few off.
Among them are discovering what is in a pond and making a grass trumpet at Hanbury Hall and climbing a huge hill at the Clent Hills.
Harry Bowell, director for the National Trust in the Midlands, said “The ‘50 things’ had been very well-received with thousands of children participating.
“We know that encouraging children to connect with nature benefits both them and the natural environment that the Trust was set up to care for.
“We’re lucky enough to have some incredible outdoor places on our doorstep here in Worcestershire and look forward to welcoming family visitors throughout the half-term week.”
The full list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ can be downloaded at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/midlands50things, along with a guide to how many of the 50 things can be completed at each of the National Trust places in Worcestershire.
The National Trust is also urging youngsters this half term to pick up their pencils and enter the organisation’s wildlife drawing competition.
The creator of the winning picture, inspired by the wildlife at a National Trust place in the Midlands, will receive a half-day’s drawing lesson from artist Shelly Perkins and have their picture printed onto canvas for them to hang in their home.
It is open to those 12 and under.
Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newadventures for all the competition details, as well as handy downloadable wildlife spotters’ sheets to help identify the birds, beasts and blooms that can be found at NT venues in Worcestershire.
Go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newbeginnings to see what wildlife has already been sighted at the sites. The National Trust has been building an online map of Midlands’ wildlife spotted this spring, asking visitors, volunteers and staff to share photographs of what they’ve seen.
