Many studies show that children are spending less and less time outside. In this issue we have a few ideas for local trails, challenges and activities to encourage your children to get out and enjoy everything Dartmoor and our locality has to offer.
Our top 3 tips for easy days out:
- Pack the night before - There is nothing worse than trying to ensure that you have everything you need whilst trying to calm children who are over-excited and ready to go. If you pack everything but those last-minute lunch items the night before, you leave the house with a spring in your step and happy, nicely-excited children.
- Pack for all weathers - No matter what the weather man says, always keep a bag with wellies, waterproofs, shorts, jumpers and sun-cream in the boot of the car. This means you can be prepared for all situations in our changeable south west weather! A plastic bag or bin-liner is an essential item too; for some reason, children always seem to find a way of getting wet or muddy no matter where you are.
- Pack snacks and drinks - It is great to eat out but it is always shocking how much children eat and drink in one day. 10 minutes of packing snacks and drinks can save you £20-30 a day on those extra bits of food.
South West Lakes’: 101 things to do this summer
Have a go at completing South West Lakes ‘101 things to do this summer’. Your children will experience a proper outdoors adventure, creating lasting memories as a family - from toasting marshmallows to playing tag on a paddle board!
Explore woodlands, forests, ponds and lakes; discover nature reserves, areas of outstanding natural beauty, monuments and much more. You can also take to the water and enjoy a different type of adventure – race kayaks backwards, strike your best pirate pose or create your own mini-sailing quest with the family. There’s no better way to spend quality time together as a family than getting outdoors and trying something new.
Go to www.southwestlakes.co.uk to download your ‘101 Things’ booklet or pick up a copy from one of the centres and get ticking!
Be a Moor Otter Spotter
You can become an ‘Otter Spotter’ this summer and enter a competition to win lots of family-friendly prizes including, vouchers for The House of Marbles, Family Cream Teas and cinema tickets for the Wharf, Tavistock.
All you need to do is find 20 of the 100 fabulous otters and hand your form into one of the visitor centres at Haytor, Princetown or Postbridge - or you can post your form back to them to be included in the draw to win one of many prizes. Don’t forget to collect your Otter Spotter badge from one of the visitor centres!
Not only will the children love seeing all the amazing artwork, they will learn about some of the wonderful places on Dartmoor that they may not have visited. For an extra challenge, see if you can find the elusive 100th Otter who will be making guest appearances at the following events:
10th August - Okehampton Show12th August - Manaton Show13th August - Henncok Country Fayre15th August - Meldon Wildlife Festival, near Okehampton17th August - Chagford Show19th August - Christow Show27th August - Devonport Park summer fair28th August - Lustleigh Show9th September - South Brent Wood Fair10th September - Family Fun day, Two Bridges Hotel12th September - Widecombe Fair17th September - Lamerton Tractor day & Country Fair
To find out more and download your Otter Spotter Trail Map, go to www.moorotters.co.uk/otter-trail/
Lydford Gorge: 11 things to do this summer
Lydford Gorge has created a timetable of activities for the summer that will encourage your children to get creative with nature and learn the essential skills needed to become the next Bear Grylls.
Children (and adults) can learn how to make wooden mallets and use cordage to create bows, build homes for wildlife and try different lighting techniques to create those perfect fires for toasting marshmallows. Finish off the summer with a dip in the river whilst you do your bit for nature and conservation during their wellies and wetsuits litter pick.
See our What’s On pages or www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge for more information.