What are your tips for getting your children to enjoy the great outdoors? Share your ideas on this thread to win a £100 North Face giftcard and more

[EmilyMumsnet]

As kids spend more and more time glued to a screen, they’re experiencing less and less of nature and the great outdoors. To help you enjoy the first whiffs of spring, we’re working with publishers Frances Lincoln to give away one £100 North Face e-giftcard, as well as 5 copies of their new book 100 Family Adventures.

100 Family Adventures is a brilliant resource book packed full of fun ideas for outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy. There’s tips and tricks for budding explorers, sailors and mountaineers, as well as games and adventures more suited to your local area.

To enter our competition, post your top tips for getting your kids up and out into the fresh air on the thread below. The more inventive the better! Share your ideas on this thread before 10am on 6th April 2015. 100 Family Adventures is published on 5th March 2015

This competition is now closed

Thanks to everyone for their wonderful tips and suggestions - you know you're in Great British countryside when cagoules, wellies and a thermos are must-haves!

Winner: Valski

Runners up:
Amy106, BLUEBERRYHEART, greenapples, TooManyNames, Nuttynelnew

We'll be in touch soon about sending out your prizes. In the meantime, congratulations to the winners and thanks again to everyone for contributing.

I take a few sweets with us on walks to our local woods, and hide them for a treasure hunt. The children enjoy it so much they usually ask for them to be hidden a few times over before they tuck in (and by then we've got a decent walk out of them).

Make it into an adventure - it could be all about Gruffalo hunting in the woods, or who can find the biggest muddy puddle or the most acorns/ conkers etc. If you're really organised you could make a checklist with different things to spot depending on where you are, eg, an orange leaf, a blackbird, a windmill etc etc. Make it fun :)

Go to the woods & make a camp out of wooden sticks. Put little seats in it from fallen logs. Collect 'treasure' feathers, berries, flowers etc. If you find a stream with a bridge, throw in Pooh sticks & see which one wins. All free & full of fresh air.

A game of rounders, if you start playing with your own children, you will be surprised how many little friends will join in, great fun""

My toddler loves being outside, but most particularly when there are things to investigate. On Sunday we were out and she was fascinated by a running trail race that happened to be going on at the time - lots of pointing and waving at the runners, and lots of dogs to stare at too!

We go "swamp walking" when it's been really rainy, wearing our wellies and mud-proof clothing. The waterlogged, clay fields near us are perfect for getting fresh air, even on soggy days. Tip: check wellies regularly for holes!

Woodcraft Folk - I've just got involved with starting a new group. I've also asked for my birthday present to be ds coming on a birthday walk without moaning. At all.

My kids love the great outdoors. It is just my fear of the washing machine never ending that prevents them getting out more than they do.
All kids really need is wellies waterproofs and imagination.
Even the most boring grey day becomes an adventure when they can build a den in a wood, jump in puddles or slide down a muddy hill!

Geocaching for me too.

Also collecting different shells and pebbles on the beach.

Make it fun
Look at the trees, flowers, cars ............ in other words don't stop talking
We use sounds for 'kicking fallen leaves'', the waves at seaside, birds in parks, splashing in puddles .............
Try not to let them suffer .............should not be too cold / hot / wet, this includes plenty of sun tan lotion, have enough liquid even if water and some food ............. not sweets as this makes them tired quickly
Incorporate 'Stories' craft activities
Remember 20 minutes of enjoyment can be better than 4 hours of a poor experience
Plan and enjoy

Bear and treasure hunts in the woods.... We take buckets and see what we can find ??

We pack our kit:-
A flask of tea/hot choc
A snack
A varied assortment of pretend compass/nature book/notepad/binoculars/whatever else is 'needed'!
We have a little tea break half way round or sometimes back in our car! We've had a few picnics with kids in the boot and us perched on the edge when it's started raining.

Thermals, gloves and hats.

DD (2) copes much better walking longer distances if she's pushing her pram or on her scooter. She loves being outdoors but needs wrapping up well as she gets very grouchy if cold!

Im not aware of doing anything particular, except making sure they have warm waterproof clothing on. They love being outdoors.

My 10 year old likes quizzes and treasure hunts so these are good for getting her out and about. She loves ladybirds so we often go searching for them!

Hi ladies,

First tip is rather tongue in cheek, but bribe them with offer of a McDonalds!! On a more serious note, we did a family camping night. We pitched our tent in the garden and all four of us stayed out for a night. The girls loved it and we have done it a couple more times ahead of our family week long camping holiday.

Next tip is to get growing your own - tomatoes, chillies, etc.. As well as plants, get a couple of grow bags if raised beds too pricey and take kids with you on the journey - planting seeds, watering regularly etc until harvesting!

We always take the grand children to Whipsnade Zoo at every opportunity. We take a picnic and brave the elements and they can let off steam and enjoy the animals!

Geocaching, d-i-y treasure hunts (with maps) and those I Spy /Can you spot? books.

Geo caching, camping adventures, woodland walks, volunteer walker at local dogs home, bike riding, fishing, invite friends for wide games, scavenger hunts, cook outdoor food, Easter egg hunts, egg rolling, bat walks, volunteer to tidy/litter pick local areas.

Hi SachaF
How can I find out about orienteering events locally? Any ideas? Ta L

Not spotted this elsewhere, but arrange to bring some of their friends along - always raises the level of enthusiasm

Agree about encouraging them to join Scouts - Beavers is the first step and the kids are always active and out and about.
My son (9) groans if we say we are going for a family walk...but if he takes his 'whittling knife' along he is in heaven! Opinel Picnic Round Ended Safety £10 from Amazon means he won't stab himself with the end and we supervise the stick whittling.

My son likes to cut the grass....with his scissors. We usually use a ride on lawn mower so with his scissors he spends a lot of time outdoors.

Otherwise, add water for really good fun. He can't resist being outside with a watering can or squirter.

Being allowed to take his toys outside is another method.

Although he lives on a farm, so it's harder to get him inside than out. A ride on a tractor with his dad, or going shepherding on the quad bike is always going to be a win.

We sign up to local organised bike rides, like Skyride. If it's shown as family friendly, then ds (6) usually finds someone to pal up with pretty quickly.

DD (3) loves gardening - even though I can only do things in pots - and will potter around our wee garden for hours. She'll also ride her balance bike for miles. We sometimes go to a local lake and she'll ride while I run. she just wants to join in!