Hello Nature cards

As you probably know, the BG kids are all about the great outdoors – whether that’s camping, tree climbing, mud pie making or tearing around the countryside. Not all children are so keen though, and if you’re struggling to get little people to engage with nature, perhaps these might help. Similar to the National Trust’s 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 and 3/4, Hello Nature Activity Cards by Nina Chakrabarti (Laurence King, RRP £9.99) offer suggestions of interesting things to do outside. There are 20 sturdy double-sided cards, divided into five categories (Beach, Park & Garden, Water, Forest & Trees and Anywhere). Cards are a mix of factual information (anatomy of a beetle, leaf identification, the difference between frogs and toads) and 30 nature-based activities, ranging from the relatively simple (making a grass whistle, taking bark rubbings, playing Pooh Sticks) to the more involved to do at home with your nature finds (creating rose petal perfume, growing cress heads, painting pebbles). All the cards are beautifully illustrated and the box is handy to pop in a pocket or bag if you’re heading out for the day. Lovely gift idea.