Jen - Amazing Family Adventures: Fun days out and action-packed weekends

SECTION 1.
Starting out: Easy adventures for everyone

SECTION 2.
The next step: Bigger challenges for up and coming adventurers

SECTION 3.
A step further: Great adventures in wild places

SECTION 4.
Giant leaps: Extreme challenges for the brave and bold

A woodland walk in the Surrey Hills.

Being outdoors is great for families . Wide open spaces to run around in, gardens and parks to explore, woodland trails to follow with trees to climb and dens to build along the way, rivers to dam, sand to dig and waves to jump. The abundance of play for all ages to be found, effortlessly, in the natural world is something to be wholeheartedly embraced and celebrated.

The National Trusts Natural Childhood report highlights the hugely positive influence that regular contact with nature has on children, alongside the increasing difficulty in providing this. A 2015 survey by the Wildlife Trusts found that over 90% of people agree that our wellbeing and quality of life is based on nature and biodiversity. Yet biodiversity continues to decline and evidence suggests we are becoming increasingly detached from our natural world.

We believe that families parents, grandparents, guardians, siblings, extended families are the key to ensuring every child has the opportunity to develop a personal connection with the natural world, with all the benefits this brings. Family adventures times when fun is had, experiences shared and challenges overcome as a family bring people and nature together, and create memories and bonds that last a lifetime.

Hand-in-hand with the need to connect with nature is the need to protect it. The National Trust takes its conservation duties seriously, looking after over 600,000 acres of land of outstanding natural beauty and over 775 miles (1,200km) of coastline. This work helps to ensure that the natural environment that is so important to us, as human beings, is preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

Family trip along the river.

Mountains and moorland, forests and rivers provide an incredible arena for learning and play, but its not just wild places that are fantastic for family adventures. There are castles to invade, spooky houses to explore and fascinating stories of days gone by to be discovered. This is no ordinary history lesson: its a 3D, interactive, multi-sensory experience that will be talked about for years to come.

Weve often said that stepping into a National Trust place is a form of relaxation in its own right. Perhaps its the gently child-friendly way theyre managed; or the abundance of smiling volunteers who seem to have endless time for our daughters questions; or the legacy of historys greatest architects and landscapers exerting their influence from centuries past. Whatever the reasons, wherever we go it seems to work brilliantly: a warm caf; a cold ice-cream; a perfectly placed bench or a view to admire. These places are timeless and we hope will have something that appeals to every family member, regardless of their age or ability. Its hard to please the whole family the whole of the time, but we love a challenge and our guiding principle is to find and include an adventure for everyone.

Pond dipping at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire.

This book is organised by adventure and divided into sections that ascend in their level of challenge. As a rough guide, the adventures included are suitable for:

We recognise, however, that abilities vary greatly and even those who are capable of some of the extreme activities such as gorge scrambling or rock climbing might equally enjoy a stroll around the woods or a paddle in the sea. The divisions are therefore mainly based on their level of challenge, so you can pick and choose depending on what you fancy doing, how much time and effort you want to expend doing it and what you feel you are capable of undertaking safely.

Caf

Buggy/baby-friendly

Play area

Dog-friendly

Toilets

Hazards take care

Learning

Wildlife

Beach

Campsite

Restaurant

Pub

Shop

Cycling

50 Things to do before youre 11 (see )

When it comes to planning adventures, kids love to be involved. Get the map out and all have a look at an area and its potential for exploration. Younger children love identifying key features such as forests, rivers and roads, while older children may be able to start relating the contours to the landscape its a great way to start becoming familiar with the art of navigation. Ask the children for their suggestions and make sure your day out includes something for everyone. Fill everyone in on the basics, including what time you need to leave the house and what everyone needs to bring with them. Organise your kit, food and water and have it all ready to go the night before, especially if youre starting out early. The better your planning, the smoother the day will run.

There are many sources of inspiration when it comes to family adventuring. Think about places near home to start with: is there a hill youve always wanted to climb or a bridge that would be perfect for pooh-sticks? Find out where other families enjoy exploring local internet forums are great for this but dont be afraid to make up your own adventures either. Use the seasons to guide you too: forage blackberries in autumn, look for snowdrops at the beginning of the year or bluebells later in spring. The National Trust Handbook and website are great sources of information or kids can join the 50 things website (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do) for fun ideas and activity tick lists.