Generation by generation, Britain’s children are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature with far reaching and serious implications for their health and wellbeing.

Time playing outside during the week has halved in one generation. Roaming distances from home have shrunk by 90% in 30 years. Fewer than 1 in 10 kids regularly play in wild spaces. Most can identify more brand logos than flora or fauna. Conclusion of major 2013 BMJ published study - only half of 7-year-old children in the UK achieve recommended levels of physical activity.

Physical health benefits Mental health benefits Educational benefits Community and environmental benefits

Barrier 1: Unreasonable health and safety culture Barrier 5: access to quality green & natural spaces Barrier 4: Finding time and space for nature in schools and learning Barrier 6: Socioeconomic & cultural factors Barrier 2: Traffic dangers Barrier 3: The rise of indoor entertainment

We are getting children and families outdoors through 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾. This is part of a wider strategy to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to form a connection with nature.

1. Climb a tree 2. Roll down a really big hill 3. Camp out in the wild 4. Build a den 5. Skim a stone 6. Run around in the rain 7. Fly a kite 8. Catch a fish with a net 9. Eat an apple straight from a tree 10. Play conkers 11. Throw some snow 12. Hunt for treasure on the beach 13. Make a mud pie 14. Dam a stream 15. Go sledging 16. Bury someone in the sand 17. Set up a snail race 35. Discover what’s in a pond 36. Call an owl 37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool 38. Bring up a butterfly 39. Catch a crab 40. Go on a nature walk at night 41. Plant it, grow it, eat it 42. Go wild swimming 43. Go rafting 44. Light a fire without matches 45. Find your way with a map and compass 46. Try bouldering 47. Cook on a campfire 48. Try abseiling 49. Find a geocache 50. Canoe down a river 18. Balance on a fallen tree 19. Swing on a rope swing 20. Make a mud slide 21. Eat blackberries growing in the wild 22. Take a look inside a tree 23. Visit an island 24. Feel like you’re flying in the wind 25. Make a grass trumpet 26. Hunt for fossils and bones 27. Watch the sun wake up 28. Climb a huge hill 29. Get behind a waterfall 30. Feed a bird from your hand 31. Hunt for bugs 32. Find some frogspawn 33. Catch a butterfly in a net 34. Track wild animals

…supporting children, parents and guardians of children to roam free, play wild and connect with nature

The Wild Network will work together to fundamentally reshape the range of opportunities for children to connect with nature to get the scale of the problems of children losing touch with nature and outdoor play recognised as a challenge for society and Government; to provide opportunities for children to connect with nature and outdoor play; to bring real and meaningful change so that children have the access and opportunity to enjoy nature and the outdoors that previous generations have enjoyed. The Wild Network is growing rapidly – more than 300 organisations large and small have said they’d like to get involved

Our ‘Minifesto’ The Wild Network believes all children should have the right to access the outdoors for play, learning, expression and development of healthy mind and body. We encourage, provoke, nudge, support, innovate and campaign for children, kids and young people to get up and outside. To wander freely To look up and around To find wonder, awe and empathy in all life To nurture, steward and protect To run, jump, climb, crawl and explore the world on our doorsteps To seek imagination in wildness To find inventiveness in the woods. To grow happy healthy minds and bodies. To find comfort in solitude. To become truly connected. Roam Free. Play Wild.

1. Education and learning: Grow the role of nature as part of the everyday school experience 2. Nature spaces: Grow, promote and better connect the network of accessible child and family friendly nature play spaces in every community 3. Risk and fear: Rapidly adopt a benefit- risk approach across all sectors and support the need for adventure in children’s lives 4. Family life: Promote nature and outdoor play as a fun part of a healthy, happy and enjoyable family life

As part of The Wild Network, we are supporting the production of Project Wild Thing, a witty and touching feature length documentary on children’s increasingly frail connection to nature. The film is being screened at Picturehouse cinemas from 25 October 2013.

Find more information at:

- Watch the trailer - Watch the film at Picturehouse cinemas from 25 October Visit the website Join the conversation #wildtime #projectwildthing -Take the pledge at and swap somescreen time for wild time - Your organisation could become a member of the Wild Network at Roam Free. Play Wild.