London - Scraped knees, muddy clothes and nettle stings were once everyday hazards for boisterous boys and girls.
But with the rise of computer games and over-cautious parents, it seems fewer youngsters are venturing into the great outdoors.
Now in an effort to encourage children away from their TV screens, the National Trust has compiled a list of “50 things to do before you’re 11¾”.
Research has shown that fewer than one in ten of today’s children have played in a wild place compared to half of their parents’ generation.
The new list of children’s challenges includes old-fashioned pursuits such as climbing a tree, building a den, flying a kite and hunting for frogspawn.
But there are more difficult ones including abseiling, lighting a fire without matches or “geocaching” – a hi-tech form of hide and seek. The campaign (https://www.50things.org.uk/) launches on April 21 when 200 National Trust properties will be opening their doors to offer different activities.
Stephen Moss, a naturalist and broadcaster working for the Trust, recently compiled a report calling on parents and particularly grandparents to pass on their experience of the outdoors – before the traditional childhood is relegated to the history books.
Fiona Reynolds, director general of the National Trust, said many adults remember a time when, as children, they roamed around unsupervised all day – something unthinkable for many youngsters today.
She said: “Children today are completely unfamiliar with that feeling.
“They need to be given the confidence and the skills to go into the wood and build a den or climb a tree. The outdoors is a treasure trove, rich in imagination.
“It brings huge benefits that we believe every child should have the opportunity to experience. And there are huge costs when they don’t.”
The list of 50 things was compiled by a panel of experts from a shortlist of 400 ideas submitted by staff at National Trust homes who were asked to “share their childhood memories which gave them a love of nature”.
Helen Meech of the National Trust said: “We wanted a mix of activities so younger children can get involved, but also harder ones for those near to 11¾.
“Research has shown it is important for children to have a love of nature before the age of 12.” - Daily Mail