This weekend we are challenging families everywhere to head off in search of their own adventure playground. Most Children become excited if you say you will take them to play in an amazing “adventure playground” – but if you say you are going to take them on a walk the response is often quite different!

So this weekend we are challenging families everywhere to head off in search of their own adventure playground.  Not a boring man-made one with a fence all around it, but one with endless possibilities, one far more exciting and ingeniously designed for exhilarating fun by nature; “The wild adventure playground“!

Perhaps the best place to start is in some woodland near where you live. After all the rain and wind a week or so ago, quite a few trees have found it hard to stay upright.  We found this magnificent beach tree which had been weakened by a fungus.  But it’s fate was our gain as it became the best natural climbing frame ever!

See if you can find something similar; post pictures of your adventure playground up on twitter using #screenfree and #goingwildnet for a chance to win a signed copy of one of the Going Wild books.

If you have done the Going Wild “screen free” half term challenge no 1 you will be ready to have a go at No 2!

Remember this isn’t a screen ban, just an exciting outdoor adventure you can do for an hour or so each day, and of course there are loads more ideas in our books if you need any more inspiration.

Challenge 2: Empty the recycling bin and make a boat to float on your enormous puddle.

As always make sure you dress up really warm, and put your waterproofs and wellies (check they have no holes) on.  Find some good “boat” like containers.  Old plastic milk bottles or waxed juice cartons are perfect.  Cut to shape and add little men made from clay or playdough.  Natural materials found in your park or garden help to make your boat spectacular.

Add a bit of string to the bow so you don’t loose it, and launch it on your puddle…

 Where will your boat sail to?  Can you write a story about the adventures your boat and passengers get up to?

Remember to challenge your friends to make other boats and post pictures and stories on facebook and twitter with the hash tags #screenfree and #goingwildnet and #outdoors for a chance to win a signed copy of one of our books!  Have fun

Rain, wind, snow, dark evenings; it’s challenging to entertain the children at February half term.  But don’t worry, Going Wild has fun outdoor adventures for all weathers! Try the Going Wild “screen free” half term challenge; this isn’t a screen ban, just an exciting outdoor adventure for an hour or so each day.

Given freedom to enjoy time outside, children learn new skills, find out about judging risk, and become healthier.  Young people equally at ease with technology and nature will be better equipped for life.

Here is the first half term challenges to start you off, and over the next few days we will be posting more ideas to keep you busy, and of course there are loads more ideas in our books if you need any more inspiration; “The Wild Weather Book” being particularly relevant at the moment!

Challenge 1: Go on a puddle hunt and find the largest puddle or flooded field you can find!  

Make sure you dress up really warm, it is cold out there.  Put your waterproofs on and your wellies (check they have no holes). Why not challenge your friends and see who can find the biggest?

Look at this one I found this morning…..

Wow, now thats what I call a big puddle!

Remember all water can be dangerous, check how deep it is first with a stick before you jump in. If it goes over your wellies and you get wet feed it won’t be much fun. Always have and adult with you and try not to get them too wet!

Look out for the next challenge where we will give you ideas of fun things do you with your enormous puddle when you have found it.  Post some of your adventures on twitter and facebook with #screenfree and #goingwildnet for a chance of winning a signed copy of one of our books.  Don’t forget to challenge some of your friends too!

If it’s a bit cold and wet this weekend (a high chance!) and you don’t fancy spending too long outside, dress up warm and head out to hunt for rocket making materials.  Collect lots of evergreen leaves, pinecones (these make good booster jets) and anything that you could use to make a super green fuelled flying machine or space rocket.  Back at home, empty out the recycling box to find some rocket shaped boxes or bottles.  A little tin foil helps protect it if it has to re-enter the eart’hs atmosphere and of course some sellotape, glue or hot glue will help with the build.

Tommy and Ben made these space cruisers complete with wings, bracken go-faster flames, with red “poison berry” bombs.

Who are your astronauts, what planets or worlds do they travel to? Have a go and tweet pictures of your rockets with #screenfree for a chance to win a signed copy of one of our books!

Just applying the pine cone rocket boosters!