Our family learning events are all about having fun in the outdoors, connecting with other children and learning about wildlife. Whichever way your child learns best -whether this is through creative expression, science-based conversations or getting stuck in exploring the reserves – our events have something for everyone. These sessions are designed to provide children and their guardians with hands-on experiences in nature, fostering a deeper connection with their environment and emphasising the importance of caring for local wildlife.

In a city where access to green spaces can be limited, opportunities for outdoor learning have never been more essential, especially for young people. Research commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts shows that spending time outdoors and engaging with nature significantly enhances children's wellbeing.

To help children learn about and connect with our city’s wildlife, we run a series of family learning events called Urban Nature Club. These sessions are aimed at nature enthusiasts aged 6-12 years who want to learn more about the wildlife on our reserves. Each session focuses in detail on a different wildlife theme, from dragonflies and bees to nocturnal wildlife and trees. Curious to see these sessions in action, we visited an Urban Nature Club event at Camley Street Natural Park, called ‘What’s the Buzz?’. This session was all about bees, their habitats, characteristics, and the vital role they play in the environment.

Upon arriving at Camley Street, we joined the families who were attending the event. The group gathered in a woodland clearing, sitting together on blankets chatting. Adding to the excitement, a friendly robin joined the circle, perching nearby, listening in to the session!  

The activities started with a discussion about what the children already knew about bees and why they thought bees were important, leading to great conversations between the children about wildflowers.

The session leader then brought out educational graphics to explain the pollination process, the children listened eagerly and contributed to the questions that were asked. Next, the group played a fun quiz - children and their guardians had to guess whether the images shown were of bees or wasps and even better, identify the species. The children impressed everyone by correctly identifying more species than the adults!

“It’s great for him to learn so many new things and be outdoors with other kids who are excited too,” one parent commented.

With new knowledge about bees in mind, it was time to set off on a bee-spotting adventure around the reserve. Equipped with magnifying glasses and species spotter sheets, the group explored the wildflowers along the paths. The children’s keen eyes quickly found various bees, and they excitedly chattered among themselves, identifying different species. The guardians were equally involved, learning right alongside their children.

For older attendees, these sessions provided more than just educational value, as the adults gathered to discuss the findings too.

“When you start to get older, it can get lonely, so coming out to these events helps you see familiar faces and make those connections again.”

Guided by the session leader, the group visited the butterfly bank, where they observed bees buzzing around the blooms and learned to distinguish between hoverflies and bees. The children were quick to apply their new knowledge, correctly identifying the different insects they encountered. After nearly an hour of exploration, the group returned to the clearing for some arts and crafts.

Back in the clearing, each child was given a mini-insect hotel to decorate. The session leader explained the importance of providing homes for bees and how these hotels function. The children embraced the creative challenge, decorating their hotels with enthusiasm and care.

“Even in such a short space of time, the kids were chatting and colouring together—it was so wholesome to hear,”

As the session came to an end, the children proudly carried their decorated insect hotels home, excited about all they had learned.

“He’s always been so interested in nature, and these sessions are brilliant because, even though he already loves bugs and flowers, he’s actually learning new things. I’m sure he’s going to have a job involving insects when he’s older!” a grandparent proudly remarked.

If you’re a parent or guardian looking to have fun with you little ones out in nature, come along join us at our family learning events. We host activities at Camley Street Natural Park, Woodberry Wetlands, Walthamstow Wetlands, and Centre for Wildlife Gardening.

We have activities for all children, starting at the smallest explorers who can join us for activities such as Nature Storytime, aimed at children aged six and under.

We also have  drop-in family learning sessions like Wonderful Wildlife Weekends, where the whole family can get hands-on with nature and explore the reserve, guided by our friendly session leaders.

You can also keep an eye out for sessions just like ‘What’s the Buzz’ around school holidays for longer sessions dedicated to specific species or subjects in nature, including activities such as minibeast hunting, games and crafts. These sessions cater to all interests and help children build confidence and foster connections with their environment.

View all our upcoming Family Learning events here

We hope to see you soon at one of our sessions - come along and have fun discovering nature together!