Celebrating National Tree Week – How to Get Your Family Involved

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the trees shed their colourful leaves, there’s no better time to celebrate the natural world around us. National Tree Week, which takes place from the 23rd November to 1st December, is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree-planting season. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors, engage with nature, and teach our children the importance of trees and the environment.

As a parent and a lover of nature, I believe that National Tree Week offers the perfect chance to involve your family in fun, educational activities that foster a deeper connection with the world around us. Here are some simple but impactful ways you can celebrate National Tree Week with your family and inspire a lifelong love for nature.

1. Plant a Tree Together

One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate National Tree Week is, of course, by planting a tree. Whether you have space in your garden or you join a local community tree-planting event, the experience of planting a tree is one that children will remember for years to come. It’s a hands-on activity that teaches patience, responsibility, and care for the environment.

You don’t need a large garden to plant a tree. Many small trees, such as rowan or crab apple, are suitable for smaller gardens and provide valuable habitats for wildlife. Alternatively, you could plant a tree in a pot if space is limited. The Woodland Trust, for example, offers great advice on choosing the right tree for your space and provides information on tree-planting events in your area.

2. Go on a Tree Spotting Adventure

If planting a tree isn’t possible, why not go on a tree-spotting adventure instead? Head to your local park, nature reserve, or woodland and spend some time exploring the trees around you. Encourage your children to identify different tree species by looking at their leaves, bark, and branches. Bring along a simple guidebook or download a tree identification app to make it easier.

Autumn is an ideal time for this activity, as many trees are still showing off their vibrant colours, and the fallen leaves provide plenty of opportunities for leaf-collecting and nature crafts. You could even turn it into a scavenger hunt, with the kids looking for specific types of trees, seeds, or leaf shapes.

This activity not only helps children develop their observational skills but also sparks curiosity about the natural world. You can talk about how trees provide oxygen, store carbon, and support wildlife, helping your children understand why trees are so important to the health of our planet.

3. Create Nature-Inspired Crafts

Autumn’s abundance of natural materials makes it the perfect season for crafting. Gather fallen leaves, twigs, acorns, and pinecones during your tree-spotting adventures and use them to create nature-inspired crafts with your family. Leaf rubbings, for instance, are a simple yet beautiful way to capture the unique patterns of different tree leaves. You only need paper and crayons to create these lovely keepsakes.

You could also make a nature collage, where your children arrange their found objects into a creative design. Or, if you’re feeling more ambitious, try making tree decorations out of natural materials to use around the home or garden. Pinecones can be turned into festive decorations for the Christmas season, and twigs can be bundled together to make rustic ornaments or picture frames.

These craft activities help children engage their creativity and develop a deeper appreciation for the materials that nature provides. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to spend quality time together as a family while celebrating the beauty of the autumn season.

4. Read Books About Trees and Nature

Reading is a fantastic way to nurture a love of nature, and there are plenty of wonderful children’s books about trees and the natural world. For younger children, picture books like The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein or The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins tell beautiful stories about the importance of trees and how they enrich our lives.

For older children, books such as The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben offer fascinating insights into how trees communicate and support one another. Even as adults, we can find joy and inspiration in these stories and learn more about the interconnectedness of life on Earth.

After reading together, you can discuss what you’ve learned and encourage your children to ask questions about trees and the environment. It’s a gentle way to introduce them to more complex topics like deforestation, climate change, and conservation in a way that’s engaging and age-appropriate.

5. Join a Local Tree Event

Many local councils, environmental organisations, and community groups organise tree-planting events, nature walks, and workshops during National Tree Week. These events are a great way to meet like-minded families, get involved in local conservation efforts, and learn from experts about the role trees play in our environment.

Check with your local council or visit the Woodland Trust or The Tree Council’s websites to find events happening near you. These gatherings are not only educational but also provide a sense of community, showing children the power of collective action in caring for the planet.

6. Make a Pledge to Protect Trees

Use National Tree Week as an opportunity to make a family pledge to protect trees and the environment. This could be something as simple as committing to reduce paper waste, planting more trees in the future, or supporting organisations that work to protect forests and woodlands.

Encourage your children to come up with their own pledges, whether it’s recycling more, using less plastic, or planting wildflowers to support local wildlife. By making these small but significant changes as a family, you’re instilling a sense of responsibility and action in your children, helping them understand that everyone can make a difference.

Conclusion

National Tree Week is a brilliant opportunity to engage your family with nature and teach your children about the importance of trees in our environment. From planting a tree and going on nature walks to creating crafts and joining local events, there are countless ways to celebrate and get involved.

By participating in these activities, you’ll not only be creating lasting memories with your family, but also fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. And, who knows? You might even inspire your children to become lifelong nature lovers and environmental advocates.

So, this National Tree Week, why not head outdoors, get your hands dirty, and take some time to appreciate the incredible role trees play in our lives?