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Children's Activity Ideas for World Wildlife Day

Children's Activity Ideas for World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day arrives in early March each year — just around the corner at the time of writing. The annual event is hugely important and very worthwhile. It is also a great opportunity to inspire children to get more interested in the natural world. By doing so, they will benefit wild animals and plants — as well as themselves through fun, learning and discovery. What’s more, many of the nature-inspired activities that we’ll suggest today are totally free.

Spending time in and around nature is incredibly good for children and World Wildlife Day offers families many opportunities to get much closer to it. As well as being great fun, such activities can open children’s eyes to humanity’s impact on the planet and help them understand the importance of looking after nature’s incredible flora and fauna. Learning about the plight of some of the Earth’s wild animals and plants will also nurture a greater respect for the natural world. It will help to encourage greener values, greater empathy, and a sense of responsibility in even the youngest children. It is also likely to instil in them a love for the great outdoors and encourage outdoor play, which is also hugely beneficial to children. With all that in mind, let’s dive into what World Wildlife Day stands for and then explore some of the children’s activities inspired by the initiative. Families right across the UK can take part, explore and discover. In so doing, they will self-improve, become more responsible citizens, and evolve into more effective stewards of this irreplaceable planet.

About World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day (‘WWD’) always arrives on the 3rd of March. In 2025, that will fall on a Monday, then in 2026 it’s a Tuesday — and so on. WWD is an initiative born in late 2013 at the United Nations General Assembly and is closely related to CITES, which is all about the conservation of endangered species of wild flora and fauna. So — it’s incredibly worthwhile and families can each play their part in raising awareness.

“UN World Wildlife Day has now become the global annual event dedicated to wild animals and plants.”

Activity Ideas for Children & Families

Children and families can get involved in World Wildlife Day in a variety of ways. For example, they can simply get out for walks in local parks and countryside to see some of nature’s flora and fauna, embark on activities to attract wildlife to their own gardens or, if the weather is inclement, get creative at home with some wildlife art. The only limit for possible wildlife-related activities is the imagination! That said, we’ve got some suggestions below to inspire families and children to get started.

Create Some Wildlife Art!

Children love creating wildlife art.Children will love creating wildlife art. Whether it’s drawing animals and plants, making a collage, or constructing an animal out of cardboard or origami, wildlife art is a wonderful way to get children involved. What’s more, they will get a sense of satisfaction from the activity and it can help them appreciate wildlife more.

TIP: Use IFAW’s International Youth Art Contest art competition as possible inspiration. Although it’s now closed in 2025 for judging in readiness for the March event, you can view some previous entries to give your child inspiration (scroll to the bottom of that linked page to see the full gallery of examples).

Another great wildlife-related art activity is to challenge children to combine 2 or more creatures, thereby creating their own, new hybrid animal. Results can be inventive, endearing, or sometimes hilarious! [Examples].

Support a Wildlife-Related Charity

An incredibly worthwhile activity that children can get involved in is fundraising for a wildlife-related charity.Another incredibly worthwhile activity that children can get involved in is fundraising for a wildlife-related charity. This can be done, for example, through a sponsored activity of some kind. That could be a sponsored walk, hop, swim, or whatever children and families choose (under supervision, of course, for the youngest). A sponsored fundraising activity will not only raise funds for a wildlife charity of choice but also spread the word. Furthermore, children will get an enormous sense of achievement at the end when their actions raise vital funds for animals or conservation. Volunteering for local wildlife charities is also hugely worthwhile, of course, but it is more suited to when children are older.

“With over 1 million species estimated to be threatened with extinction, and facing the intensifying triple planetary crisis, innovative finance for wildlife conservation is more urgent than ever.”

Storytelling With a Wildlife Theme

Little girl telling her cuddly toy a story.Challenging children to create stories involving wildlife and nature is both creative and fun! Adults/parents can lead by example, to begin with, so that the youngest children can get the idea. Whether the story involves feeding hungry squirrels in the forest, swimming with dolphins, going on an adventure in the jungle, or something entirely different, it’s sure to pique children’s interest. It will stimulate children’s imaginations and natural spirit of adventure as well as helping to raise awareness of some of the issues facing wildlife.

Challenge the Family to Live More Sustainably

Children and families can challenge themselves to live more sustainably.World Wildlife Day brings into focus the enormous challenges that affect nature’s flora and fauna. Sadly, many of those challenges are caused by humans, whether it’s due to habitat loss, global warming, or something else. By raising awareness through World Wildlife Day activities, children and families can also challenge themselves to live more sustainably. This is a whole topic in itself! However, some easy measures can be things like:

  • cutting out food containing palm oil, which is responsible for the clearance of huge swathes of forests and jungles;
  • stopping the use of harmful chemicals in the home and garden (slug killers, pesticides and weedkillers, for example);
  • eating more vegetarian and vegan food options, which is better for the environment and, of course, animals;
  • recycling more waste;
  • using more sustainable, wildlife-friendly products in the home;
  • and reducing the use of plastics.

It’s a huge topic, so some research will be needed although our examples are a great starting point and are good things to bring to children’s attention.

Visit a Local Zoo or Wildlife Sanctuary

Children can get closer to wild flora and fauna if they live near a wildlife sanctuary, zoo, or National Park.Children can also get closer to wild flora and fauna if they live near a wildlife sanctuary (or zoo) or somewhere like a national park. Nothing can really replace seeing animals and plants in real life and so it’s worth researching to find somewhere to visit close by. In Lancashire, just five miles from Little Acorns Nursery, for example, is Turbary Woods Owl & Bird of Prey Sanctuary, which is well worth a visit. There, kids can see owls, falcons, hawks and more. Visiting will support this non-profit enterprise, educate little ones and give them a wonderful day out.

Plant & Food Growing

Children can learn how to grow their own food.Teaching children how to grow their own plants and, better still, food is a wonderfully educational and fulfilling activity. As well as learning to appreciate wild plants growing in parks and the countryside, learning how to grow their own, at home, is also great fun. Luckily, we have a whole blog post dedicated to Food Growing for Kids, so do take a look.

Take Children on a Nature Scavenger Hunt!

Nature scavenger hunts are fun and educational.A nature scavenger hunt is also great fun and is sure to get children interested in nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. The activity involves looking out for specific natural things, for example, a pine cone, a robin, a squirrel’s drey (i.e. nest), a winged seed, or animal tracks. It will also give children exercise and get them closer to nature in a fun, engaging activity. To make it easier, check out our free Nature Hunt activity reference sheets; our Winter Nature Hunt activity is here and, for later in the year, our Autumn Nature Hunt can be found here. We’ll be adding more to that series in due course.

Animal & Bird Spotting

Encouraging children to look for different types of animals, birds, and insects is a wonderful way to get them interested in nature.Encouraging (and supervising, where appropriate) an activity where children try to see different types of animals, birds, and insects is also a wonderful way to get them interested in nature. To make it easier, we have published some free, downloadable reference sheets, which also double as posters, for families to use during this activity. These include one for British birds, another for British land mammals, one for British butterflies, and one for minibeasts that children are likely to find in gardens and compost heaps.

Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden

Making simple bird feeders is one of several ways children can encourage wildlife to gardens.If children like the idea of attracting birds and other wildlife to their own garden, there are many easy ways to make this possible. As well as putting out suitable food to attract birds, children can help make a quiet, wild area with a compost heap to attract minibeasts. There are so many ways to attract wildlife so, to get you started, check out our wildlife-friendly flower-growing activity here, our make-your-own bird feeders activity and then be sure to read our guide to bird feeding for under-fives. And don’t forget — ditch the harmful chemicals like weedkillers, pesticides, slug and snail killers. After all, if a bird or animal eats something affected, it will also then be in danger from such poisons — and beautiful pollinators like bees and butterflies are being decimated by pesticides. Our children are tomorrow’s stewards of the planet, so it’s important to educate them to form good habits and show empathy towards wildlife.

These are Learning Opportunities

As a parent, you’ll notice that these activities are learning opportunities for children and also include many teachable moments. Through such activities, children will begin to understand the impact that they have on other living things around them and the environment as a whole. They can then adopt greener values, improve feelings of empathy, and understand how to be more responsible citizens. In short, they can self-improve while making the world a better place. Such is the power of the opportunity that World Wildlife Day offers to families who celebrate it. Enjoy!

A Childcare Place at Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods

Weekday Childcare for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers Near Chorley

Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

Little Acorns Nursery is rated as a 'Good Provider' by Ofsted.The staff at Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods hope that families enjoy today’s post and the activities suggested therein. We know how important nature is to children and, indeed, have our own gardens where children can connect with nature and enjoy the freedom of outdoor activities.

If you’d like to consider a possible nursery place for your baby or child at Little Acorns, please get in touch using one of the options below. We support many of the government’s childcare funding schemes including free childcare for eligible babies from 9 months of age. As well as being a nursery and preschool for families in Clayton-le-Woods and Chorley, we may also suit those nearby in Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland and Penwortham.

Get in touch today:

Winter Nature Hunt — a Fun Activity for Children (with Free Reference Sheet)

Winter Nature Hunt — a Fun, Educational Activity for Children (with Free Reference Sheet!)

With the season of winter arriving in December, new opportunities for outdoor activities arise for children of all ages. And, as nature and outdoor play are so beneficial for children, we thought a winter nature hunt would be a great idea (cool even!). With that in mind, we’ve put together a free, downloadable, reference sheet of 20 things for children to look out for during this season. Despite the colder temperatures at this stage of the year, if children are wrapped up in warm clothes and suitably supervised by an adult, there is still lots for them to enjoy, discover, and learn from. That’s even more true for children still in their early years. Nature is a huge educator and is often stunningly beautiful too. A winter nature hunt is therefore a great excuse to get them outdoors, exploring, discovering, learning and simply having fun!

There’s So Much for Children to Discover in Winter

A winter nature hunt will open children’s eyes to some of the many fascinating things that the season brings. Through this activity, their attention will be drawn to magical things like leaf skeletons of different shapes and sizes, or beautifully organic lichen growing on twigs and branches. It will help educate them about the difference between evergreen firs, with pine needles that stay all year round, and deciduous trees that shed every leaf over winter. Adults can show children that every snowflake is unique — it will fascinate every child who manages to catch one and take a close look. Children can learn about wildlife too. For example, robins and blackbirds tend to stay resident over winter while other species migrate to warmer climes. Then, when a frosty morning arrives, parents or supervising adults can draw children’s attention to the astonishing beauty of frost covering a spider’s web. With some encouragement to get outdoors, children will be able to witness frost encrusting plants, trees and grass, or making organic patterns on windows or frozen puddles. Then, of course, when snow falls and settles, the fun will really begin!

Winter Nature Hunt — a Fun Activity for Children (with Free Reference Sheet)

Download our Free Winter Nature Hunt Reference Sheet

The preview image above shows what the free Winter Nature Hunt reference sheet looks like and the 20 suggested things for children to look out for. Click to download or view in high-resolution Acrobat Reader () format. Print out at A4 or even A3 and children will be able to take the reference sheets out with them and tick off each item discovered. Not only will it be a fun adventure, but outdoor play is good for children and being close to nature benefits little ones in a huge variety of ways. Follow the bold links to learn more.

More Free Nature Activity Posters for Kids:

Our Winter Nature Hunt poster is just one of several nature-themed activity sheets that are free for families and children to download. Also available is a reference sheet for an autumn nature hunt and stunning posters that introduce children to butterflies, birds, mammals, and minibeasts. Children will love to display these in bedrooms or print them out and take them with them when on outdoor excursions. They’re all fun, attractive, adventurous, and educational!

Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

High-quality Weekday Childcare for Under-5s in Central Lancashire

Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

Little Acorns Nursery is rated as a 'Good Provider' by Ofsted.Today’s post and the free poster were brought to you by Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley. We’re a wonderful setting for babies and children under five, offering a first-class early years education and professional weekday childcare. We have incredible indoor facilities, a self-contained preschool block, and two gardens where children can explore, play, discover and learn. The gardens allow children to connect with nature which, as we’ve said before, is incredibly good for them. We also support various free childcare funding schemes, including free childcare hours for eligible babies as young as just 9 months, making childcare more affordable for Lancashire families.

Consider a nursery place for your child at Little Acorns Nursery today. Choose a button to start your application, arrange a tour, or ask a question:

As a nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, we may also suit families in nearby locations including:
Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland and Penwortham.

Safety Notice

Young children should be supervised by a responsible parent or adult, especially during outdoor activities. Risks will need to be assessed and mitigated in each situation. For example, care should be taken to educate little ones about the dangers of potentially poisonous berries, plants and fungi, as well as being mindful of hazards like slipping on ice, stranger danger, wandering off and getting lost, traffic, and dangers associated with frozen ponds, lakes and even puddles. Children should also be dressed appropriately and be protected from the cold, wet, and any adverse weather conditions.

 

Autumn Nature Hunt — a Fun Activity for Children (with Free Reference Sheet)

The autumn season brings with it a treasure trove of fascinating natural things for children to discover.By mid-November, autumn is in full swing and leaves are turning a myriad of different colours. Scenes of green, yellow, red and golden trees can be breathtakingly beautiful and the air is often crystal clear at this time of year — that’s great for photos! The autumn season also brings with it a treasure trove of fascinating natural things that children can discover if they take the time to look. Indeed, an autumn nature hunt is the perfect excuse for little ones to spend some time outdoors, where they will also benefit from outdoor play and everything that nature has to offer children. Whether finding gorgeous sweet chestnuts, cute acorns, dangly catkins, fascinating fir cones or highly coloured leaves, children will love an autumn treasure hunt and are sure to be enthralled by what they find. It’s a magical time of year! With all that in mind, we have prepared a free activity sheet that children and families can download, print out, and take with them as a visual reference when they next venture outdoors. We suggest children make a start soon, while all the natural wonders are abundant. Download your free Autumn Nature Hunt Reference Sheet (preview below) and get started today!

Free autumn nature hunt reference sheet (preview - click to download in Acrobat PDF format).

Checklist

  • Children must be supervised and educated about potential dangers and hazards.Ensure children, particularly the very young, receive appropriate adult supervision at all times. Although fascinating and fun, the outdoors holds many hazards for the unwary. Therefore, children will need to be closely monitored by a responsible adult in order to safeguard their well-being.
  • Children should also be educated about all outdoor health and safety matters. For example, they’ll need to know they mustn’t stray far, speak with strangers, or go too close to hazards like fires, ponds, lakes, steep slopes or trip hazards. They will also need to learn not to touch berries, fungi and other potentially poisonous or dangerous flora and fauna. They must be careful not to hurt themselves on the sharp points of things like chestnut cases and even things like acorns are potential choking hazards (so keep away from mouths). And so on (the above are just a few examples).
  • Supervising adults will need to do their own risk assessments, as well as helping children learn to do so.
  • Last but not least, ensure your child takes the Autumn Nature Hunt reference sheet with them, along with something safe and suitable to put their nature treasures in (for example, a jute bag or backpack).

Nature & Forest School at Little Acorns Nursery

Forest School sessions in and around Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, in Central Lancashire

An outstanding childcare provider

Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

At Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, we understand the importance of nature in children’s early years. That’s why we post nature-based activity ideas like this one today. It’s also why we are a Forest School setting. Through Forest School sessions children, including our under fives, get to enjoy, experience, and learn from everything that nature has to offer — and that’s a lot! Follow the bold links for more information or learn more about Forest School and what it’s about here.

If you would like your baby, toddler or preschooler to attend a truly outstanding nursery or preschool in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, then look no further than Little Acorns Nursery. We’re rated as outstanding by Ofsted, won an incredibly prestigious National Nursery Award and, as we mentioned before, also run Forest School sessions for our children.

Get in touch using an option below and we’ll be delighted to welcome you and your little one, answer any questions, and take the first steps in regard to your childcare application:

Little Acorns Nursery & Preschool is located in Clayton-le-Woods, so may also suit families living or working nearby in Chorley, Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland and Penwortham.