Children enjoying last year’s Wild Play Day at Hurst Spit.
Families can enjoy crabbing and seashore scavenging at a free day of activities in the New Forest this Easter holiday.
The free event organised by the New Forest National Park Authority and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust aims to help families enjoy nature at its best.
The play day will run from 10am to 3pm on 31 March at Hurst Spit near Keyhaven. No booking is required, but there are charges for parking at the Hurst Road East car park in Milford-on-Sea.
Last year’s event proved a huge success, with more than 800 people taking part in activities at the beach near Milford-on-Sea.
Jonathan Dean, education officer at the National Park Authority, said: ‘The most memorable experiences for families are usually the simplest activities like seashore scavenging or making beach art.
‘If you’re looking for ways to keep your children busy, come along to our wild play day for some great ideas.’
The New Forest offers a wealth of opportunities for free, wild play, but families often do not know how to spend their time here. These wild play days help families get outside and enjoy their local landscape instead of being glued to technology indoors.
They also aim to break perceptions that outdoor play is not safe or as entertaining as televisions, laptops, phones and tablets. By exploring their natural surroundings, families are also creating memorable experiences and staying fit and healthy.
For details on the Wild Play Day visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/hurstwildplay
