Nature i-Spy

Nature i-spy is an outdoor spotting game where you explore woods, fields and hedgerows looking for things on a list or challenge sheet. You might hunt for a pine cone, a feather, a bird or a mushroom, and tick each one off as you find it. It's a gentle, curious way for families to explore nature together.

It's based on the classic game of I spy, where one person says "I spy with my little eye something beginning with B" and everyone else guesses. The nature version swaps guessing for finding.

Trees are a great place to start. Look for oak leaves with their wavy edges, spiky holly, pine cones and needles, acorns and bark that feels smooth, rough or cracked.

On the ground you might find moss, fungi, feathers, snail shells and animal tracks in the mud.

Look up for birds such as robins, blackbirds and woodpeckers. Listen out for their songs too.

Down low, keep an eye out for ladybirds, beetles, spiders' webs, butterflies and wildflowers like daisies, clover and buttercups.

Pick up your challenge sheet, set off along the paths and start looking. Take your time. The best spotters stop, look closely and listen. Crouch down to peer under leaves, look up into the branches and check the edges of paths, where lots of plants and bugs like to hide. Tick things off as you find them, or draw a quick sketch of anything you can't name. Try to leave everything where you found it, so the next family can spot it too. Some families make it a race, and others like to wander and chat. Both are perfect.

Absolutely. Toddlers love pointing out anything with wings, while older children can take charge of the list and name what they find. Grown-ups often discover they know more birds and trees than they thought, and learn plenty of new ones along the way. It's a lovely one to do at your own pace, and many families find it a calm, happy break between busier activities.

Wear comfy clothes and sturdy shoes or wellies, as woodland paths can be muddy or uneven. A light layer, a sun hat or a raincoat, depending on the weather, will keep everyone happy. A pencil helps for ticking things off, and a magnifying glass is a brilliant extra for looking at bugs and moss up close.

You might also like Scavenger Hunt, Botanical Story Trail and Bug Hotels.

See all Camp Kindling activities