WRITTEN BY MUDDY PUDDLES

When the raindrops start to fall, your instinct might be to hide under the duvet, but here at Muddy Puddles we’re all about getting outdoors - whatever the weather. With the right clothing, rain doesn’t need to stop play as it’s possible to stay dry and warm while having fun.

Mother Nature has a funny habit of pouring cold water on the best-laid plans - quite literally - but us Brits are used to unpredictable weather. In fact, we love nothing more than to talk about it. (For example, did you know we’ve got more than 100 words for rain?!)

Muddy Puddles are the rainwear experts for children, and our goal is to encourage families to explore the natural world and spend more time outdoors.

We’re thrilled to have written this blog for Bespoke Family, because we share the same values about children’s health and wellbeing. We hope to provide inspiration for every child to be able to enjoy the outdoors, and to have the opportunity to thrive.

Our blog today is all about having fun and how you can enjoy spending time outside as a family this Spring.

Here are 10 ideas you might want to try!

#1: Go on a scavenger hunt

Children of all ages love to look for things, and a scavenger hunt introduces them to the environment without being too complicated. Google “Spring scavenger hunt” and you’ll find lots of free resources you can download, but you could just make your own cards too. Tailor the hunt to the season and the weather - there’s no limit to what you can include.

#2: Put out a bird feeder

Why not make your own bird feeder for our feathered friends? It could be something as simple as a toilet roll inner tube covered with peanut butter and rolled in seeds. Hang it up and see what birds you can spot.

#3: Gaze at the stars

In the colder weather the night sky is often much clearer and it’s a fabulous way to go stargazing. Make sure you’re all wearing warm clothing, and head out to a spot away from the bright city lights. There are lots of free apps you can download to guide you through the constellations which might help with the inevitable questions!

#4: Go geocaching

If your children enjoyed the scavenger hunt, a real-life treasure hunt might be even better. There are thousands of geocaches hidden around the country; all you need are the co-ordinates to look for them, and the GPS on your smartphone. You’ve probably walked past lots of geocaches without ever knowing they’re hidden there! Sign up to geocaching.com to get started.

#5: Go puddle jumping

With a name like Muddy Puddles, we’re bound to be big fans of puddle jumping - but it really is fun that everyone can enjoy. Pull on some wellies and a waterproof coat and challenge everyone to make the biggest splash possible in whatever puddles they find.

#6: Go on a picnic

We usually associate picnics with warm summer days but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a picnic at any time of the year. On chilly days opt for warming soup, hot chocolate and maybe some freshly cooked sausages wrapped in foil to stay warm. After a run around the woods, fields or playground, a picnic is the perfect way to wrap things up.

#7: Play pooh sticks

Sometimes, there’s nothing to beat the classics - and a game of pooh sticks has an appeal that never gets old.

#8: Become an animal tracker

The UK countryside is filled with beautiful creatures and birds, but lots of them tend to be on the shy side. Go on a walk and look for sights and sounds that wildlife has been near. Feathers on the ground? Tiny footprints? Holes munched in foliage? See what clues you can track down.

#9: Make a maze

Mazes don’t need to be made from 10 feet high hedges; it’s just as fun to build your own maze on the ground with sticks and other items you find while foraging. Find an open space on the floor and create a maze; it can be as simple or complicated as you want. The challenge is to find your way out of it!

#10: Build a forest fort 

Hunt for sticks, branches and other debris on the forest floor. Collect up what you need and create a hideaway - why not double up with the picnic and enjoy your food while you’re sheltering inside?!

Find out more about Muddy Puddles on their website here and follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

While you are here we have lots more blogs on various topics which you can find here, as well as our downloadable webinars on topics such as play, behaviour and emotions, sleep and toilet training.

Don’t forget that we offer parent consultations should you need support with anything from sleep to behaviour and so much more! Details of the packages we offer can be found here.

We also have a Podcast ‘From Newborn to Teen and Everything in Between’, you can listen here.