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 tree2. Roll down a really big hill3. Camp out in the wild4. Build a den5. Skim a stone6. Run around in the rain 7. Fly a kite8. Catch a fish with a net9. Eat an apple straight from a tree10. Play conkers11. Throw some snow12. Hunt for treasure on the beach13. Make a mud pie14. Dam a stream15. Go sledging16. Bury someone in the sand17. Set up a snail race

35. Discover what’s in a pond36. Call an owl37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool38. Bring up a butterfly39. Catch a crab40. Go on a nature walk at night41. Plant it, grow it, eat it42. Go wild swimming43. Go rafting44. Light a fire without matches45. Find your way with a map and compass46. Try bouldering47. Cook on a campfire48. Try abseiling49. Find a geocache50. Canoe down a river

18. Balance on a fallen tree19. Swing on a rope swing20. Make a mud slide21. Eat blackberries growing in the wild22. Take a look inside a tree23. Visit an island24. Feel like you’re flying in the wind25. Make a grass trumpet26. Hunt for fossils and bones27. Watch the sun wake up28. Climb a huge hill29. Get behind a waterfall30. Feed a bird from your hand31. Hunt for bugs32. Find some frogspawn33. Catch a butterfly in a net34. 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 freelyTo look up and aroundTo find wonder, awe and empathy in all lifeTo nurture, steward and protectTo run, jump, climb, crawl and explore the world on our doorstepsTo seek imagination in wildnessTo 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: www.projectwildthing.com

- Watch the trailer

- Watch the film at Picturehouse cinemas from 25 October 2013

- Visit the website www.projectwildthing.com

- Join the conversation #wildtime #projectwildthing

-Take the pledge at www.projectwildthing.com and swap somescreen time for wild time

- Your organisation could become a member of the Wild Network at www.projectwildthing.com

Roam Free. Play Wild.