Mention going for a walk and you get the inevitable groans – mention a nature walk and the kids are running out the door - it make a walk so much more fun.

All you need are a few ideas and a little bit of planning to keep them amused and then they will probably join in with ideas of  their own .

A nature walk can take place anywhere,it does have to involve a long drive  it can take place in the park, on a nature trail or even in your own back garden –my mother  use to have hedgehogs living in her suburban backgarden and now she has foxes - all you need to do is go outdoors and observe!

Things you need to bring with you on a nature walk.

Baby wipes – after all it is a nature walk and they are going to get their hands dirty – searching and digging with loads of touching and feeling

Snacks and drinks – to keep their enery level going

Wellingtons – all kids want to walk into puddles or streams  and maybe a towel

Raingear, gloves and hats, change of clothes or even suncream

Bags/buckets  for bring home their treasures.

magnifying glass to examine the bugs, insects, leaves

Fish net for ponds or catching butterflies (where appropiate)

A nature book/ bird book,/insect book for the parents to answer those all important questions and to help with identifying!

Or a notebook to record what cannot identify to check out at home

Some Nature walk ideas can includes

Treasure Hunt - this can be varied each time - a list of items to find, how many different leaves, rocks, fungi,insects,how many red items can they find - the list is endless

Leaf or bark rubbings,

Collect leaves and make a collage

Collect items for a nature table

Collect conkers make a hole through the centre thread a string through it for conker fights

Collect pinecones and dry them out by the heat for instant Christmas decorations

Find out how  how old the tree is

Find some wild flowers (that are not protected) and press them between kitchen paper and some heavy books to preserve them or make cards and pictures with

Check out the height of a tree

If you fancy a day trip out here are some areas in Limerick that you should definitely spot different plants and wild life.

Butterfly Sanctuary at Aughinish (No catching butterflies here)

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This disused quarry is Irelands first sanctuary for butterflies with a habitat management programme specifically for the benefit of out native butterflies. It has a carpet of 'bird's foot trefoil' and 'kidney vetch'. These are the food plants of the 'dingy skipper' and 'small blue butterfly'. 'Bee orchidds' are common here while 'ravens' nest on the cliff ledges

This habitat has areas where the grass is kept short to attract various thrushes and wintering curlew.

This type of habitat is now rare in Ireland. Grasses, herbs and wild flowers grow in abundance giving a colorful display during the summer. The constant singing of the skylark can be heard along with the meadow 'pipits' and 'cuckoo'. Small heath butterflies can also be found.

Walk along the River Shannon Castleconnell.

Along the banks here you can discover wild flowers, feed the Mallard ducks and Greylag geese. There are places to go fishing. From the car park walk along the river or  head into the town and turn left at theT-junction and soon you will see the woods , continue along this route at Charco’s pub turn a sharp left bringing you back along the river. This walks are suitable for a buggy. Look out for Kingfishers  as this is one of the best places to see one in Limerick.

Westfield Bird Santuary Between Condell Road and North Circular Road Limerick City

Sign posts available of the birds and insects you can find in the santuary. There is a viewing area to look out on the wetlands. Don-t forget to bring bread to feed the ducks and swans although I think they must be the best  fed  birds in Ireland! The swans are at present chasing the last two of last years signets off the lake.

Ballylanders Wildlife bog.

Ballylanders wildlife bog is situated at Griston Bog on the west side of Ballylanders village. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, bees and insects and different types of waterlife, some of which are now in danger of extinction in many parts of the world.

To facilitate easy viewing of the park, a special wooden walkway has been put in place which visitors can use as they guide themselves through this peatland with the help of the informative interpretative boards.

For more Family walks check here.

Here is some other ideas to make your nature walks interesting

Heritage Ireland has a lovely download “Wild Things at School” which covers local plants, animals and insects with games to play and interesting facts for kids.

Change 4 life has great games and ideas to do with kids while on a nature walk like scavenger hunts, make your own Spring woodland scent ,make a leaf crown and many more

What ever the weather get out and enjoy!