Discover wildlife with your family
We are passionate about inspiring the next generation to love and care for wildlife and wild places. We want to support you in making your children's lives a little bit more wild, through activities, events and play. We run a range of sessions for all ages across Leicestershire, as well as offering tailored support for home educators. Our Wildlife Watch junior membership is perfect for young nature-lovers who want to be inspired all year round.
Groups and activities
Families can get involved in lots of different ways with Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Our sessions start from nursery age children and go right up to late primary at present. Each activity or group we run has tailored resources, activities and events and we offer these across the counties, in city centre Leicester and a few rural locations. You can find out more below.
Wild Tots – age 2 – 5
Wild Tots is for nature loving 2 – 5 year olds who like to get outside and explore. Wild Tots is a stay-and-play style session for parents/carers and their children to enjoy together. Groups meet outdoors, whatever the weather.
Wild Tots at Lucas Marsh Nature Reserve, Oadby
When: Weekly Mondays – term time
Time: 10 – 11.30am
For Wild Tots Enquiries please email education@lrwt.org.uk
Wildlife Watch Awards - 4-12
BE AN AWARD-WINNER!
Why not earn awards as you complete wildlife activities and challenges? You'll get to learn, create and experience new things! When you complete an award, youʼll receive a certificate!
![Hedgehog Award spotlight](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_default/public/2019-09/HA1.png?itok=kiFeCKPT)
Hedgehog Award
The Wildlife Watch Hedgehog Award is a simple and fun way to earn an award while exploring nature in different ways. All children aged four to eight in Leicestershire and Rutland can take part in the Hedgehog Award Level 1.
To get started click here
* The Hedgehog Level 2 and 3 are only open to Members of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
![Kestrel Award Icon](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_default/public/2019-09/kestrel_award_for_web_thumbnail.jpg?itok=VWGlh7t4)
Kestrel Award
If you are a member of Wildlife Watch and you are over the age of eight, you can take part in the Kestrel Award. The Kestrel Award has four wildlife challenges:
• Create it!
• Do it!
• Record it!
• Shout about it!
Once you have completed the four challenges you will receive a certificate and badge.
Members email ww@lrwt.org.uk with child's name and age to request Kestrel Award pack.
Not a Member yet? Join here
![Nature Ranger Spotlight](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_default/public/2019-09/HA3.png?itok=W7rLkIJp)
The Nature Ranger Award
This is the highest level Wildlife Watch award. You can take part in it once you have completed the Kestrel Award. To complete the Nature Ranger Award you need to study a UK wildlife or conservation topic of your choice and produce a report for your local Wildlife Trust to assess.
Once completed, you will receive a certificate, a badge, a special prize, and maybe even a mention in the Wildlife Watch magazine!
If you are a member of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and you have completed your Kestrel Award, email ww@lrwt.org.uk with child's name and age.
Not a Member yet? Join here
Wild Play – Holiday sessions
Our creative, fun and hands-on sessions, suitable for 2 – 12 year olds, take place during the school holidays.
See below for or our events page for latest Wild Play and other family events.
Book Essential for Wild Play - Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Upcoming Family Events
![family](/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_default/public/third_light/SWTJuly18_0211edit.jpg?h=5f29f7b4&itok=zVfNKHmC)
Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Family Membership
Join Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust as a family. You'll get a starter pack, our 'Ready for Action' booklet packed with activities, information and ideas for things to do, and a membership card.
You'll also receive our membership magazine three times a year and Wildlife Watch kids magazine four times a year, exclusive events and discounts for adults and children alike, and an amazing adventure for the whole family to enjoy.
![Child Muddy Hands](/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_default/public/third_light/Getting_muddy_with_Wildlife_Watch_c_Julie_Norman.jpg?h=5f29f7b4&itok=FRy2SiMH)
Julie's son Rhys attending a den building session by Lancs WT at a BBC Live and Deadly event - Julie Norman
Things to do
Whether you live in the country or city, have a garden or yard, live in a flat or a house; there are lots of fun things the whole family can do to stay connected to nature at home and in your local area. Have a go at some of our wild activities...
![child](/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_default/public/third_light/DSC01977-Edit.jpg?h=5f29f7b4&itok=wWlLTfEi)
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Wildlife Watch website
Go to the Wildlife Watch website to discover amazing facts about wildlife; and get lots of wild ideas for things to do!
Downloadable activity sheets, create your own spotter sheet, wildlife quizzes and blogs from other Wildlife Watchers.