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Explore · Wild and Tumble activity

Nettle and dock spotters

Know the stingy one! Learn to spot stinging nettles, and find their dock leaf neighbours.

  • 15 min total
  • Low mess
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Spring to autumn
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 2 min to prepare · 12 min to spot · 1 min to head off. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A walk along a path, hedge or field edge
  • A photo of a nettle and a dock leaf on your phone

Let's begin

Five simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Together

    Look at the photos together. Nettles have jagged edges and tiny hairs.

  2. Walk slowly and spot nettles. Point, don't touch!

  3. Look for big, smooth dock leaves nearby.

  4. Count how many nettle patches you find.

  5. Talk about how to walk carefully around them.

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

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