WITH the amount of time children and families are spending outside in nature in decline, Europe’s largest conservation charity has linked up with a discount supermarket and is challenging families to go on their own wild adventure in Hampshire this Easter.

And through the wild challenge laid down by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)?and Aldi, a top prize worth more £500 is up for grabs.

In 2013, the RSPB Connecting with Nature report revealed that children in the UK were missing out on a wealth of mental and physical benefits from not spending enough time outside, with only one in five having a “healthy connection to nature”.

To encourage more children and their families to take a step closer to nature, the RSPB has launched the Wild Challenge.

By completing fun and engaging activities ranging from mini-beast safaris and rock pooling to creating a hedgehog cafe and planting for wildlife, families can take their first steps on their own wild adventure. There are 24 activities to choose from that will take you from your own back garden to exploring towns, cities, woodlands, and even the coast. Participants can then log their achievements on the RSPB Wild Challenge website and collect bronze, silver and gold awards.

Miranda Krestovnikoff, BBC?television presenter and RSPB president, said: “I enjoy nothing more than spending time outside with my family and showing my children what’s out there – be it a majestic bird of prey or a quirkier creature like a slow worm. Research keeps proving what our instincts know, time outside isn’t just good for us, it’s vital.

“As a family, we’ve enjoyed going on our own wild adventure from discovering the mini-beasts in our garden to exploring the rock pools in Marlowes Beach in Pembrokeshire.”

The Wild Challenge is open to everyone, whether you live in a busy city, seaside haven, or a sleepy village. There is something to do at all times of the year, no matter what the weather. Each activity comes with helpful ideas and resources to help families on their wild adventure.

Every family who achieves a bronze, silver on gold award during April will be entered into a prize draw to win the Ultimate Wild Challenge explorer kit worth more than £500. The kit includes a selection of wildlife goodies such as a hedgehog home, mini-beast explorer kit and a bat detector to help them continue on their wild adventure.

Paul Birmingham, the RSPB’s families development manager, said: “Families will always remember their amazing discoveries when out getting wild in nature. From the thrill of uncovering mysterious creatures while rock pooling or spotting their first hedgehog making use of the homemade hedgehog cafe.”

Mary Dunn, Aldi’s communications director, said: “We are delighted that we are working with the RSPB to help connect children with nature. We encourage families across the UK to sign up to the Wild Challenge to celebrate the great outdoors.”

The RSPB will be on hand with hints, tips and rewards through your wild adventure. To take your first steps to your bronze, silver or gold Wild Challenge award, visit rspb.org.uk/wildchallenge.