We’re going on a snail hunt! Play and Learn at Home

First go and find some snails, they are usually hiding underneath stones. Don’t forget to be gentle.

Talk about the creatures that live in the garden. Discuss what is special about a snail, such as its shell and the way and speed that it moves. 

What you need

Some snails, at least 2, which you will put back later, An old fish tank or reptile case. Some good soil. A hosta plant, or some fresh lettuce or cucumber. Watering can with a fine rose or a water sprayer. Small stickers such as coloured dots. A magnifying glass

What to do

Collect some snails. Fill the bottom of a fish tank with 5 –10cm of good soil. If possible plant a hosta inside or add some fresh lettuce and cucumber. Add the snails (you may wish to add a coloured sticker to the shell of each snail to identify them). Encourage the children to observe the snails with the magnifying glasses. Keep the tank moist and warm but not hot. Put the snails against one wall of the tank and put the food on the other side. See how long each snail takes to reach the other side!

After a while return the snails to the wild. You may like to leave the stickers on their shells so that you can identify them in the garden over the coming days. The stickers will not harm the snails and will gradually wear off. Children can safely handle garden snails but don’t forget hand washing.

While you’re out and about some great fun can be had with apples like apple bobbing, apple fishing or cooking, or with conkers, seeing how far away from a bucket you can stand and still throw them into it