1. Learn to make a film Attenborough style
Help your young nature enthusiast follow in Sir David Attenborough’s footsteps by signing them up to make their own ‘Planet Earth’. Led by our Royal Parks learning team, children will make their own mini wildlife documentary by exploring the hidden wildlife that inhabit London’s Hyde Park. Suitable for children aged 8-11 years
When: Tuesday 23 October, 10am-3pm.
Where: The Lookout Discovery Centre, Hyde Park.
Cost: £20 (Booking required).
2. Come out of your shell to discover creepy crawly Cemetery critters
From eerie earthworms and scary snails to monstrous millipedes and weird woodlice, did you know that over 95% of all known animals are invertebrates? This half-term, Mission: Invertebrate is inviting families to get up close to learn more about these marvellous minibeasts. Hosted in the iconic Brompton Cemetery, join us for an abundance of activities throughout the day, including spine-tingling storytelling, bug hunts, frightening feely boxes, Halloween themed crafts and much more.
Mission: Invertebrate, a project run by The Royal Parks charity and funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, aims to raise awareness of the importance of invertebrates and how we can all do our bit to stop their decline.
When: 23 and 25 October, 11am-3pm (Drop-in, No booking required).
Where: Brompton Cemetery, Great Circle.
Cost: Free
3. Prepare to be scared in Hyde Park
Enter if you dare. In the run-up to Halloween, dress up in your favourite costume and prepare to be spooked at The LookOut Discovery Centre in Hyde Park. Explore the hair-raising nature trail, make a potion from the undergrowth, listen to ghost stories and make your own bat mask.
When: 24 and 25 October. 10am-3pm. Drop-in. No booking required.
Where: The LookOut Discovery Centre, Hyde Park
Cost: Free
4. Give Peter Pan a call
The classics are always the best, and even a hundred years on, children and adults alike are captivated by the boy who never grew up. J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan was set in Kensington Gardens, and in 1912 he commissioned a bronze statue surrounded by fairies, squirrels, rabbits and mice. Today, the statue still takes pride of place by the Long Water and, as if by magic, it now speaks thanks to the Talking Statues project. Swipe your smartphone on the nearby plaque and get a personal call-back from Neverland.
5. Become a nature detective
Join the FSC (Field Studies Council) this half term to discover the ancient artform of animal tracking. You’ll learn how to identify mammals such as deer and hedgehogs from their footprints, scat (animal droppings) and any hair or fur left behind on their travels. Discover where they may live, what they eat and other fascinating facts.
Tuesday 23 October – Bushy Park
Morning Session: 10am -11.30am. Aimed at 18 months- 4years
Cost: Child £5, Adult Free.
Afternoon session: 1-3pm. Aimed at children five years plus
Cost: Child: £5, Adults £2.
Wednesday 24 October – Greenwich Park
Time: 10am-Noon. All ages welcome
Cost: Child £5, Adult £2.
