June 2021 Treatbox Reveal and Review

That time has come around again for me to Reveal the contents of the Treatbox for the month. And I will then Review the products I have found inside. Welcome to the June 2021 Treatbox Reveal and Review.

Inside the June 2021 Box there was…

Treatbox Print “Note to Self”
A Bag of Popcorn Shed Cherry Bakewell Flavour
A Willow & Rose Compact Mirror
Grey Socks with Hearts
Vitamasques Vitamin C Cherry Brighten Mask
Treatbox Original Pin “You Got This”
Treatbox Notebook “You’re So Cool & I’m Not Even Mad About It”


My Honest Opinion


June 2021 was a box that I was feeling So So about to be honest with you, I opened it and got excited by only half of the box. As someone who is not a fan of cherry smell or taste I will be passing on some of these gifts to family members. I did however LOVE the Socks! Right up my alley! I didn’t think I needed yet another compact mirror, until I broke one of mine *face palm* so that ended up being a very appropriate item for me this month! The other products include the Treatbox original pin which is very cool! A little reminder of “You Got This” is always useful when I have moments when I am doubting myself! I was thinking of putting this one somewhere in my car! (Because my hallway and bedroom already have some pins on show!) The print is also pretty cool as is the little notebook. I would have just loved some stationery for a change instead of yet another notepad! I make lots of lists and notes and I have still not finished all the notepads I have received from my Treatbox subscriptions. That is food for thought perhaps! I would also love to see a month with no mask too, and replaced by something we could get stuck in to instead, like adult colouring, craft or something useful…

Thank you for reading this blog post review today, I hope you have enjoyed it, and that you pop by Severn Wishes Blog again sometime soon.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Spectrum Collections Zodiac “Dark Matter” Black Mascara, and Why it is My New Every Day Favourite

Today I am reviewing the Spectrum Zodiac “Dark Matter” Black Mascara.

When I bought this I was hoping to find myself a new “every day” mascara, both for easy application and removal. I don’t get a lot of time to do things like self care and to apply make up in a morning, so it has to be a breeze! I barely wear any makeup these days anyhow! But I did want something to make my eyes “pop” when I do go out, even if that’s just for a food shop.

After all, even though we are still wearing masks, your eyes are still on show aren’t they?! Might as well make them look nice!

With a thin brush and dark black mascara in the tube, this Mascara glides on easily and I found one tiny clump out of the entire first application to both sets of lashes! Already a huge tick for me, there is nothing worse than having to scrape off a ton of excess clumps of mascara lumps before you can begin applying it.

The tube is a small size but is ideal for storing at home or in a makeup bag to take out and about with you. A little application of it went a long way too! I found that it stayed on my lashes well, I didn’t end up with any fallout on my cheeks during the day, despite going out and about and doing some sweat producing housework!


When it came to removing it (I always use Garnier Micellar Water to remove my makeup) one cotton pad of micellar water was enough to clean it from both of my eyes. And I didn’t wake up to panda eyes the next morning having missed any which was great!

My Overall Review Scores

Appearance 5✩
Quality 5✩
Design 5✩
Staying Power 5✩

The Zodiac Dark Matter Mascara is an excellent product that I am very happy with.
Overall I rate it 5 Stars due to having tested it thoroughly in a range of daily scenarios, I was impressed with its staying power and the ease to remove as well. A fantastic product that is now my daily go-to mascara for an every day look.

If anyone is out there looking to get anything from Spectrum Collections (I recommend their brushes too!) then please feel free to use my referral code and get a discount of 15%.

REFERRAL CODE LINK

Why is it my New Favourite?

It is a wonderful little Mascara wand, with barely a clump in sight, easy application and removal! It’s just what you want in an every day Mascara! Lightweight, Black and Defining! Just Perfect!

I hope to see you on Severn Wishes Blog again soon I hope! Thank you for reading this review!

✩ Sabrina ✩

May 2021 Treatbox Reveal and Review

It’s time to Reveal the May 2021 TreatboxUK box!

I saw the sticker said “Bee Happy” and wondered if that was a clue!

Inside the May box was… “Bee Kind to Yourself” Themed Products ✩

The May 2021 Calendar Print / What’s Inside May Treatbox Information

Treatbox Original Print “Sunshine and Happy Days”

Treatbox Original Bag “You’re So Golden”

Treatbox Packet of Sunflower Seeds “no rain, no flowers”

Yummy Comb – Honeycomb Bar Smothered in Sea Salted Caramel Belgian Milk Chocolate

our tiny bees – Mini Floral Hand Balm 21ml Ylang Ylang and Lemon

by Jessica Alice – English Pear & Freesia – Wax Melt – Hand Poured & Vegan

Treatbox Original Positivity / Self Care/ Wellness Cards – 10 Designs

It’s World Bee Day on the 20th of May!!!

✩ My Opinion of the May Box Contents 

What I really liked this time around were the themed products and how most of them were handbag size. Most were Vegan and Cruelty Free as well. I am looking forward to enjoying the honeycomb chocolate on a day that my son is away (as it contains dairy and he has allergies). And the Wax Melts smell lovely! They are currently making my lounge smell beautiful without even the need to melt them, it smells so strong through the packaging and such a Spring like scent!

The bag is so cool! Cannot believe you’re now doing things like this in house at Treatbox HQ! They look amazing! The hand cream is lovely and smells nice.

Love the Bee theme! The Print and the Cards are all lovely and very well appreciated during this difficult time. It’s nice to get little reminders to look after yourself. As a single mum some days I might not get another adult conversation and I am often busy and tired. Treatbox is a little pick me up which contains even more little bits and bobs to remind me that “I’m Amazing” – so thanks Treatbox!

Did you know that you can view all of my previous Treatbox unboxing posts in this unique category of mine called ‘Treatbox’ it is specifically for these box reviews and reveals – Severn Wishes Treatbox.

Thank you for joining me while I Review and Reveal this May Treatbox! If you liked it why not check out my other reviews too! Have a great remainder of May!

✩ Sabrina ✩

April 2021 Treatbox Reveal and Review

It’s time to Reveal the April 2021 TreatboxUK box!

I was intrigued to see what would be inside because of how much I loved the March box!

I wasn’t disappointed! The box is filled with uplifting items!

✩ What Was In The April 2021 Box? ✩

April Calendar Print

Treatbox Original Pin “Little Steps Still Get You There”

Treatbox Square Print “If You have Good Thoughts they will Shine out of your Face like Sunbeams and you will Always Look Lovely”


Biscuit “Focus on the Good”

Smiley Design White Ribbed Socks


teapigs Happy Tea ~ Tea Bags x 2 Lemon Balm

Sensory Retreats Amour Eyes Self Heating Eye Mask


The Happy News by Emily Coxhead ~ A Newspaper filled with Positivity

✩ My Opinion of the April Box Contents 

What I really liked most about this box was how happy it was! The positive vibes emanated from every item. I laughed out loud when I saw the socks, they are so funny! Then I began to read the TreatboxUK originals like the Print and the Pin. They are all positive or uplifting and that makes for an overall delightfully lovely box.


I look forward to eating the biscuit and drinking the uplifting tea. A Calendar Print is always handy, I am going to use mine as a meal planner for the month I think! The eye mask I will certainly use at some point in the future too!

Did you know that you can view all of my previous Treatbox unboxing posts in this unique category of mine called ‘Treatbox’ it is specifically for these box reviews and reveals – Severn Wishes Treatbox.
The April 2021 was box number 61 for me!!!

Thank you for reading this Review and Reveal for the April Treatbox! If you liked it why not check out my other reviews too! Have a great Easter weekend!

✩ Sabrina ✩

Fun Ways to Spend Quality Time with your Children both Indoors and Outdoors this Easter

Sometimes we are all guilty of spending too much time on technology, and now that the weather is improving we should all be putting down our TV remotes and phones and getting outside! (I know that you’re thinking about doing that now, as you read this blog post on a piece of tech, but please bare with me as I have some great activities you’ll want to be inspired by I’m sure!)

So where to begin! If you’re not naturally adventurous for the great outdoors it can seem a bit overwhelming! So how about we just start small! I have come up with a range of things to suit everyone, outdoorsy types and not so much! All you need to do is choose one of these to do each day during the school break or even at the Easter weekend and voila you have some outdoor fun, nature related or outdoor activity to enjoy!

Here are my 15 “Things We Can Do” of Fun Ideas to do Indoors and Outdoors… Weather Dependent!

🥚 Use Nature in a Painting – Use sticks or leaves to paint with!

🥚
Spot a Bird of Prey – Look up and see what is flying above your head!

🥚
Find Some Minibeasts and Draw Them from Memory – Bugs can be colourful and interesting!

🥚
Take a Walk in 4 Different Types of Weather – No matter what the weather it can be fun to take a walk!

🥚 Go For a Walk and Find Some Puddles to Jump in – Who doesn’t like jumping in a puddle! Wear wellies!

🥚 Have a Musical Morning, Listening or Playing – Music can help you relax!

🥚 Do Some Finger Painting – Draw the trunk of a tree and make the leaves with your fingers!

🥚
Play Eye-Spy on a Family Walk – Eye Spy is great for a range of ages!

🥚
Do a Jigsaw on a Rainy Day – Jigsaws can be a fun family activity on a rainy day or a board game!

🥚 Build a Den or Fort Together – Who doesn’t love building a den! Cushions and Throws work well!

🥚 Draw and then Colour in something you’ve seen in Nature on your Walk, a Rainbow, Tree, Flower etc

🥚 Design your own Dream Car or Dream House (for older children to imagine)

🥚 Create Post for a Loved One and Walk to a Post Box to Send it – Draw a Picture or Write a Letter

🥚 Have an Afternoon of MESS with Messy Play or Fun with Paint or Food items – Paint and Rice Crispies…

🥚 Read More! Read as a Family, decide on what your Favourite Book is and why Books help you learn!

🥚 Nature Hunter GatherersCollect some things from in your local area to look at when you get home such as leaves and pinecones, things that have fallen from trees and bushes. Don’t deliberately destroy nature though! Fallen Leaves are great, discover what tree they come from by looking at the shape!

The image above is from when my son and I did a day of Nature Hunter Gatherers. It was a lovely warm day and we spent six hours outside having fun, games and walking. This activity is great for learning about where things come from such as pinecones and feathers. Make sure you do this on a dry day. We took a long walk through our village and picked up things that we found on the ground. Leave them somewhere cool and dry for a few days to dry out and make sure there are no creatures living in them before you handle them again!

I highly recommend getting some coloured trays like these, they were only £3 for a pack of 3 from

The Works. Perfect for both Art and Craft and collecting things too!

✩✩✩

Picking Up Litter

If your children are a little older than mine you might want to pop gloves on when you go on your walk, take a plastic bag with you, and do a litter picking up hour in your local village or town. This helps the environment and the animals and birds in your area from getting injured.

🥚 Easter Ideas 🥚

You could also do Easter themed Drawings, Colouring In and Games such as an Easter Egg Hunt in your house or garden this weekend.


Check out my previous Easter blog posts for Art and Craft ideas and Baking fun… Here

Thank you for reading this blog post today! I hope that I have inspired you to do at least one of these activities with your own family. Let me know in the comments section or on my social media if you get up to anything fun in the next few weeks!

✩ Sabrina ✩

March 2021 Treatbox Reveal and Review


Welcome to the March 2021 Treatbox UK unboxing Reveal and my Review of the contents inside the box. This box month always coincides with my birthday, so it’s like an extra little present to myself! And funnily enough it felt even more like my birthday when I opened it thanks to two items inside…


… a blank Happy Birthday card and a key ring! (I have collected Keyrings since I was a child)!

Happy Birthday to me! And here is what else was inside this great box!


What Was In The March 2021 Box?

Treatbox A5 Print “You Got This”
Treatbox Cards x 3 “Happy Birthday”, “Keep Going” & “You Are Amazing”

Treatbox Rainbow Design Weekly Planner Pad
“Pretty Things” Keepsake Dish
Bubble t Cleansing Hand Sanitiser “Confetea Edition” 50ml
Jealous Sweets Love Bears Sugar Free Vegan Sweets 40g
“Good Vibes” Rainbow Key Ring


9 items in total.


My Opinion of the March Box Contents


What I really liked inside this box was… all of it! 😀 From the Rainbow theme to the positive vibes! I thought the Keepsake Dish is of excellent quality, and the key ring is lovely too. Sanitiser is something that we all need a lot of at the moment and it is great to have a pretty pink one that smells amazing, that is a bonus! What fun!

The A5 print and the cards are positive orientated and I love that we can pass the positive vibes on to other people from our joy in receiving the Treatbox UK March box! I cannot wait to try those Vegan Sweets and I saw they have a long use by date so no rush in nibbling them all up! Yay!

But my favourite item by far has to be the Weekly Planner! I love how much design Zoe and the team have managed to incorporate into it! Drinking Water, Days of the Week, Goals, Priorities and Don’t Forgets! It is now so much faster to plan my week than my old planner where I had to use a ruler to section parts of the day out for my To Do’s and Goals! Now I just pop them all on this one page! I LOVE IT!


Thanks so much for an awesome item! I would love to see another one with a different border in a few months time, because I will be using this weekly from now on 😉 A great box I am very happy!


Did you know that you can view all of my previous Treatbox unboxing posts in this unique category of mine called ‘Treatbox’ it is specifically for these box reviews and reveals – Severn Wishes Treatbox.

March 2021 was box number 60 for me!!!


Thank you for reading this Review and Reveal for the March Treatbox! If you liked it why not check out my other reviews too! Have a wonderful day!

✩ Sabrina ✩

How to Make Pretty Mother’s Day Cards For Your Loved Ones and How to Create Beautiful Paper Flowers

With much of the United Kingdom still in lockdown and people unable to purchase their usual items for loved ones, I have decided to write this blog post to help people out. Mother’s Day is a special day for everyone who is classed as a Mummy, whether that is to furry children, human children, step children or children who may still reside inside us. It’s for Grandmothers, Nan’s and Great Grandparents too don’t forget, so why not make a loved one a card and let them know you’re thinking of them.

I have several ideas that should suit most people, because Mother’s Day Cards are usually floral or feminine, but you can personalise your design to fit the people in your life. If you can draw then even better! I’m not very good at drawing so I prefer to use paper and card to create pretty cards instead. This blog post is all about how I make cards using coloured card and paper.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Coloured Paper and Coloured Card
A Pencil
Items to Draw Around – to make the Circles for the Flowers
Scissors
Coloured Pencils or Crayons if you are Drawing
Pens – Mixed Colours and Thickness
Glue or Sticky Tape
Ruler
Coloured Tissue Paper
Pipe Cleaners

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CARD – 3D FLOWERS

Step 1. Take a piece of pale coloured card and fold it in half to get your card shape. Decide if your design is going to be a landscape or portrait style.


TOP TIP 1. When you come to make your shapes maximise the paper by doing them close to one another and along one edge. It makes it easier to cut them out but also and more importantly you’re not wasting any of the paper, and the leftovers can be used on your next awesome project!

Step 2. Draw around circular items in order to make your petals. Carefully cut them out and then fold them in half to create your three dimensional petals.


TOP TIP 2. The ideal size for the petals for an A4 Card design (an A5 when it is folded) are the size of a Nail Varnish bottle. Draw around the base of the bottle when it is stood up on the card. Another tip is to cut out one shape and use that as a guide to cut out the other petals so you get them the same size.

Step 3. Arrange your design on the Card first before gluing anything down, so as to make sure it all fits nicely.


Step 4. Glue or Stick the Card pieces down and finish decorating with any details or wording that you choose.

HOW TO MAKE A TISSUE PAPER FLOWER

You Will Need;
A Coloured Pipe Cleaner
Sheets of Coloured Tissue Paper

Step 1.
Lay out your tissue paper flat, you want to cut it into equal rectangles. Once cut you stack them one on top of the other.

Step 2. Fold the tissue paper stack into a concertina, like a fan, until it is all folded and flatten it down. Stick the pipe cleaner in the middle, folding it over and under the stack, then wrap the remainder of it around.

Step 3. Next you need to trim the edges of the tissue paper, you can round them off or make them pointed, it depends on how you would like your flower to look like at the end. This determines the shape of the petals of your flower.

Step 4. Once the ends are trimmed lay the flower concertina across your hand with the pipe cleaner part pointing down. You want to gently and carefully tease the layers of the flower up and out. Once they are all up spread them out and make it look like the petal layers of a real flower.

(There is a video tutorial on this on my Facebook page as well).

Check out my images below!

My Tips for Opening your Flower: Open the tissue paper out gently and carefully, you should start to see a fan shape at first, and then you can raise the inner layers of the flower, just start by pulling upwards towards the middle part where the pipe cleaner is so as to make the flower look three dimensional.

Step 5. When you are finished it should look like my images below. Bend the pipe cleaner a little to make it look like a flower. Fan the petals out gently to make it three dimensional.

Paper Flower Dimensions

It depends upon how much you trim on the ends to create the petal shapes of your flower, but here are some rough dimensions of the size that your flowers will be. The larger the flower the easier it is to fluff up. Why don’t you experiment like I have below with different shaped petals and layering different colours of tissue paper too!

Rectangle Size 20cm equals a 17cm flower
Rectangle Size 15cm equals a 12cm flower
Rectangle Size 7.5cm equals at 7cm flower

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CARD – Happy Mother’s Day – Their Favourite Flower or Favourite Item

Step 1.
Work out what your loved ones favourite thing is, then you want to write the words Happy Mother’s Day either vertical or horizontal on the folded A5 card. You incorporate those words into the item, such as the stem of the flower, or the base of an item like a slice of cake. (See my photo below for inspiration).

Step 2. To make a flower you need to cut twelve identical coloured card petals. Layer them up on the card to make the flower, don’t forget the middle bit either.

TOP TIP 3. If you want the petals to all be the same cut one and then use that one to draw around to make the additional ones.

Step 3. Other things you could do include a slice of cake with a triangle piece of card decorated with smaller shaped pieces. Or draw an outline and let smaller children colour them in.

Another easy thing to do is a card of family hand prints.

Other Card Designs that are Easy to Achieve are…

Flat Flowers
Three Dimensional Flowers
Drawing Bouquet of Flowers
Family Hand Prints
Cake Slice Drawing
Favourite Animal

Use a Ruler and Pen to make the stem lines and the bow, colour them in with pens and draw little flowers on the end of the stems. I did daisy like shapes, but if you can draw better then me be creative with it! Do any colour combination that you like. Add some wording around your design like “Happy Mother’s Day”.

I really hope that you have enjoyed this blog post and find it beneficial. If you do make some cards I would love to see them! Please tag me on any of my social media using the hashtag #SabrinasArtandCrafts

Thank you and I wish you all a lovely Mother’s Day.

✩ Sabrina ✩

February 2021 Treatbox Reveal and Review

Welcome to the February 2021 Reveal and Review of Treatbox.

Here I am, photographing and reviewing the items within my 59th Box. My box of Treats arrived a little late this time around so I’m sorry for bringing this to you a little later into the month than I would have liked! Hopefully the March box won’t be too late and I would love it to arrive on my birthday!

What is inside the February Box?

A “Ginger Ray” Pop Up Box to put Popcorn or Treats inside on Movie Night at home

Propercorn – A bag of Microwavable Popcorn

AfterSpa Exfoliating Gloves

Treatbox Print “it’s okay if…”

Treatbox “Affirmation Word Search” A5 activity sheet

Unwind Bath Soak

Vitamasques Lip Mask

Get It Girl – Choker Necklace – Stay Fierce – Lightning Bolt on a Leather Cord

My Opinions on the Box

I love that this box was all about relaxation and taking time for myself. I am saving the bath soak and gloves for this upcoming weekend when I will be dyeing my hair and having a relaxing bath.

The word search and print were both lovely and nice reminders that I don’t have to have my stuff together every day and it’s okay to take a mental health day or a self care Saturday!

I am really looking forward to box number 60 in March because it’s also my birthday! So it’s like an extra little treat to myself!

Did you know that you can view all of my previous Treatbox unboxing posts in this unique category of mine called ‘Treatbox’ it is specifically for these box reviews and reveals – Severn Wishes Treatbox.

Thank you for reading this Review and Reveal of the February Treatbox, I hope you pop back here again soon for the next one.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Argos Tester Review of the Chad Valley Bright Stars Pop Up Play Tunnel

I am fortunate to be an Argos Tester, this means that I often get items sent to me for the purpose of an online review. I test products and take photographs of them before submitting my findings and thoughts to Argos. For February I was offered Children’s Toys. I was excited at the thought of testing something that my young son would be a huge part of, and his opinions would matter during the reviewing process.

#ArgosTester #ArgosTesters #ArgosTestersCommunity

I have written this article about a product that I have been supplied for free, in order to test and then review it. This is my experience with said product and my honest review about the product which is listed below. I have already submitted my product review to the Argos Website when this post has been published.

My Honest Opinion on the Product

I have been rather happy with the overall look and quality of this product. The Pop Up Tunnel is something that doesn’t only entertain my toddler, but we can add learning into play and he also gets exercise indoors on poor weather days. It is bright and inviting and my son wanted to play with it immediately after I had set it up for him. I look forward to setting it up outside in the summer too on some outdoor play mats. I think it’s an excellent product for the price it is available at, and most children would have the imagination to be able to use it effectively. Because it folds away neatly it even fits into our large toy chest so it takes up no additional room. This product is ideal for any parents who may have a toddler or young child with lots of energy like mine. The best features are the ideal length (it is not too long to overtake your floor but long enough for a toddler to crawl through and have lots of fun), its bright colours and fun stars pattern, the genius tabs at either end so it can be securely fastened and put away for another day, and finally the imagination factor of it!

✩✩✩

Sabrina’s Top Tips for Using this Tunnel for Learning during Play

Once your child is used to the tunnel and is having fun with it, then there are several ways you can use it to increase learning while your child is playing. Words such as “Through” for them crawling through the tunnel is a good one, as well as “In”, “Out” and “Under”. You can also name the various Colours such as “Red”, “Yellow” and “Blue” and the “Stars” on the pattern too. See if your toddler can indicate which is which and say them back.

✩✩✩

Usage of the Product

The tunnel is made from material that is not waterproof, and is only wipe clean, so it is best used indoors and on a soft surface such as carpet, a rug or play mats. Keep food and drink away from it in my opinion. It will move around and slip easily on a wooden floor so perhaps look at where is safest in your home to set it up. Always supervise your child or children when using toys. The tunnel can be used outdoors in dry weather but I would suggest it was still set up on play mats still to avoid the material getting torn by anything sharp or pointed.

Product Name: Chad Valley Bright Stars Pop Up Play Tunnel

Product Details: A Red, Yellow and Blue Tunnel with White Stars. Ideal for children aged 2 years and over. Pop Up means it has minimal assembly required and also folds away neatly using the tabs at either end to secure and store reasonably flat. It is advisable to supervise children at all times while using this toy tunnel and to keep any sharp toys or furniture away from the material to prolong use. It can be used indoors or outdoors, but should only really be used on a flat and soft surface indoors, ideally set up on play mats or carpet. Due to the nature of the material it should be stored appropriately. Play Mats that can be set up outdoors is also a good idea when planning to use this outside because this tunnel is not waterproof.

Product Dimensions: H42cm W80cm D42cm

Product Description: Ideal for bringing children into a world of imagination. This tunnel can be anything they want it to be, and you can also use it with other items such as when children want to build a den for example. A tunnel to a secret dinosaur world, a secret passageway out into the world of spies… this can be whatever your child can dream up.

Argos Website Link: Chad Valley Bright Stars Pop Up Play Tunnel

Argos Website Price: £8.00 (Correct as of 14th February 2021)

My Argos Tester Review Submission

My son was over the moon with this bright & fun tunnel he loves anything with stars on. It took no time to set up & easily packed away again, tabs either end secure it together almost flat so storage is no issue when not in use. A lovely item filled with possibilities with a bit of imagination, good for learning, teaching & great exercise on days we can’t get out of the house.

If you are interested in finding out more about this product then please click the link above in my Product Details section to go to the Argos website.

Thank you for reading this review, have a lovely day.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Introducing Children to Nature with Fun and Games

There are many ways to introduce toddlers and young children to nature. No matter where you live there will always be something to see. So here are my top tips on how you can start showing off the nature where you live, to your children. It’s never too early to start learning!

And I am sure that David Attenborough would agree with me when I say that “You’re never too young or too old to learn about the world around you”.

By making things fun children are more likely to learn and remember the information you are portraying. You can still stay safe at home but enjoy nature around where you live by keeping to social distancing guidelines.

Here are my Top 5 things to do at Home but Outside! Be it in your Garden or if you don’t have one you could just go on a Walk around your village or town or park. It may be lockdown but that doesn’t stop you walking socially distanced from other families.

Children are more likely to learn and listen if you turn things into fun and a game. So why not make your own games up, or take a look at my ideas below.

1. Bird Spotting
2. Bug Finding
3. Pick a Creature – Try To Find It
4. What Is That I See? What Is Around My Home
5. Eye Spy Lockdown Edition

1. Bird Spotting is easy enough to do, take a notepad and pen with you and write everyone’s names at the top. Make columns down the page and write down every different sort of bird that you spot. The person who spots the most species of birds is the winner!

2. Bug Finding is great fun in a small space, depending on how old your children are you could just spot basic bugs and say things like “Beetle” or “Spider” or you can go into what type of bug you are looking at such as “Stag Beetle” etc. You could even ask little ones to draw what they saw on the walk from their memory when you get back home.

3. Pick a Creature is a great game to play with children who already know what certain animals are. Take a walk and get everyone to pick something, one person might count Crows, the other Cats, another Pigeons, but whatever it is they have to keep score of their creature until you get home.

4. What is that I see? Use your knowledge of things around where you live and discuss things with your children like the seasons, if there are evergreen trees, what colour the flowers are you can find, any buildings and their purpose etc.

5. Eye Spy Lockdown Edition is literally eye spy but your children are only allowed to pick one type of thing during your walk. You could say just birds, or just objects, whatever is best for your children’s age.

Books I Recommend

I recently invested in several books for my son who is two and a half. He is interested in matching things up lately so I thought books with pictures of things to spot when we go out for a walk are ideal. I also have a number of nature books I have collected over my lifetime, anything with large pictures and easy to see nature depicting scenes are engaging for most children.

“Usborne Minis” are Great little books ideal to carry with you on a walk, and they have a range so you could pick which is most relevant to you and where you live, for example Birds, Trees or Bugs. There are always National Trust books and also RSPB for birds. Another great book I own is the DK Pocket Nature Wildlife of Britain book, it’s a few years old now but has excellent photography and information about British wildlife.

Of course you can always use a search engine on your phone to find out what you’ve seen, but the joy of these sorts of books is being able to mark things off when you have spotted them. The Usborne Mini book set have stickers for you to place on a grid inside the book in order to tick them off. This is great because you also have to identify the sticker as well as the creature or tree for example. Simple but it’s still learning at its best.

Thank you for reading this post today, I hope I have inspired you to get out and about in your area with your children (or just your other half). I have many more lockdown friendly ideas coming up over the next few weeks, so please check back another time if you enjoyed this post.

Have a lovely week!

✩ Sabrina ✩