My Ightham Mote Winter Adventure

Ightham MoteMote RoadIvy HatchSevenoaksKent TN15 0NTwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote

In this pack, there are some ideas of things to do outside. Some of the ideas are taken from our ‘50 things to do before you are 11 3/4 ’ book.

Note to grown ups: Children matter to the National Trust, so we recommend that all these activities are supervised by an adult. We trust that you will make your own judgement about what is safe and suitable for the ability of your child. Just remember to have fun!

Some of these items are

available in our gift shop.

Where to begin

To find out more about ‘50 things’, collect a free scrapbook from Visitor Reception, or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do

What you might need: • Pencil• Binoculars• Bug Pot

• Magnifying Glass• Camera• 50 things book• Glue

• Scissors

Adventures in the

garden and estate

How many of these textures can you find?

Soggy rotting leaves

Flexible grasses

Furry moss

Smooth buds

Crumbly rotten wood

Lacy skeleton leaves

Tickly lichen

Rough tree roots

Gritty soil

Prickly pine cone

Why not make up your own list for your friends and family to find.

Texture trails

Stick towers• Collect small sticks, about the

same diameter (thickness).• Lay the sticks on top of one an-

other to make a tower.• Who can build the tallest tower?

Pick up sticks• Collect some sticks about the

same length. • Hold them in a bunch, vertically,

about 30cm above the ground and drop them.

• Remove one stick at a time from the pile without disturbing the others.

# 18 Create some wild artGather some pine cones, feathers, nuts and seedsand from home, how about some pipe cleaners, glue and beads...

Look at the shape of each pine cone - is it long and thin, or short and fat? Does it have bits missing? All of these differences can really add to the character of what you make.

We love this scruffy little owl, and the squirrel hanging on tight to his acorn, and what about the miniature triceratops for the dinosaur fans.

Tree faces

Cloud pictures

As you wander around the woods have a closer look - what can you see?.• Can you see a face in a tree?• How about a fallen tree that looks like a

dinosaur?• Or a tree that looks like someone is

doing a handstand? Just see where your imagination takes you.

Now look up...can you make pictures with the clouds in the sky?

Sometimes it can be easy, at other times be hard...just let your eyes and mind wander, and you may be caught off guard.

Winter is mine storyAdd the effects to the story... afterwards, why not create your own story with effects?

Some people don’t like winterSome people think it’s too cold ... (hug yourself warm)I think they just like to complainOr maybe they’re just too old ... (pretend to walk with a stick)

I like bundling upIn coats with boots on my feet ... (stamp your feet)I like to see my breath fog upIn the rain, or snow, or sleet ... (breathe out to try to see your breath)

I like to break off iciclesAnd break them for a drink ... (pretend to have a drink)In the winter the world goes quietI like to listen and think ... (cup your hand against your ear)

Some people don’t like winterI say they just don’t get it ... (move your head from side to side)You might want sunshine all dayBut I say you can forget it ... (run and jump about)

Anon

#6 Run around in the rain

Don’t let the rain stop play...grab your wellies and

go exploring.

Here are a couple of fun challenges for you to try:

• Who can jump in the most puddles?

• Who has the muddiest wellies?

#15 Play in the snow

When the snow is on the ground, it’s great to leave the car

at home and go for a walk.

Who can resist a snowball fight, or the chance to build a

snowman...and for the brave, there’s the snow angel!

But have you tried these?

Building snow animals

Building a snow castleusing your bucket and spade. No bucket and spade? Ask if you can use some old pots / pans / spoons.

Playing snowball toss

• When it’s really cold, why not blow bubbles outside and see if they freeze?

• How about a game of hunt the ice cube?

Seen

Time to reflect...When you get home, think about what you have seen, heard, smelt and touched, as well as what 50 things you have ticked off. Write them in the wellies below.

Look out for our spring activity pack, available from March.

Seen

I have ticked off these 50 things

Smelt Touched

Heard