1. Stamp collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, with an estimated 20 million collectors in the United States alone, so your child will be in good company with plenty of other philatelists to enjoy her new hobby with

Shell collecting is a wonderful pastime. It doesn’t cost a thing, and it is full of possibilities for pleasure and learning alike. Children love shells because they are safe and easy to pick up, they are great for decorating sand pies, or for making

-pooling log, a little tub to collect empty shells and some wet wipes or antibacterial gel to keep hands clean before tucking into a celebratory, post-hunt ice cream.3. Do not disturbRock pools are carefully balanced ecosystems that survive against the harsh

collect fallen leaves in a host of different colours – golds, reds and browns – as well as interesting looking twigs, mosses and ferns. Then, once you return home, get the glue out. Create your own autumnal landscape from all of the items your child has

are very friendly and protect children from the dark.5. Perform with a DIY band  Make a kazoo – use an old toilet roll with a piece of waxed paper secured over the end with an elastic band, then just hum into the open end; percussion – collect pots and pans

time by the sun   Before you head to the park, make your own sundial to keep track of time. Visit www.sundials.co.uk for instructions (note, stick to the easier ones).10. Collect colours  Parks are bursting with colour so encourage your child to collect

1. Make your coppers shine  Collect up a handful of copper coins, then set up five glasses on the kitchen bench and put at least one coin in each glass to test out ‘cleaning solutions’ that are ‘rumoured’ to magically shine your copper coins. Your

, the former home of Anne Boleyn, and swish your way through its gardens’ autumn glory. Walk along Anne Boleyn’s Walk with its collection of trees planted over 100 years ago. In Discover Autumn on October 16–17 you can also visit the head gardener

their very first Disney memory and in return will donate £1 to the Great Ormond Street Hospital children's charity, until they reach the target of a whopping £1 million. Over 21,000 memories have been collected so far, which is a fantastic start, but many

collection of bubble blowing ‘wands’ (a piece of string tied in a loop, a wire coathanger twisted into a circle). Compete to blow the biggest bubbles, do a bubblechase, or see how many bubbles you can burst in one minute. 6. Start a water fight