Many years ago Persil washing powder published a list of the 33 things to do before you’re 10. They make an interesting list when compared to today’s protective environment. In the 60’s 80% of children used to walk home from school unaccompanied. Because of the threats of today’s ‘improved’ society this figure has fallen to 10%. See which of these activities are now under similar constraints:
1. roll down a grassy bank
2. make a mud pie
3. prepare a modelling dough mixture
4. collect frogspawn
5. make perfume from petal flowers
6. grow cress on the window sill
7. make a paper mache mask
8. build a sandcastle
9. climb a tree
10. make a den in the garden
11. paint using hands and feet
12. organise a teddy bears picnic
13. have a face painting session
14. bury a friend in the sand
15. bake some bread
16. make snow angels
17. create a clay sculpture
18. take part in a scavenger hunt
19. camp out in the garden
20. bake a cake
21. feed a farm animal
22. pick some strawberries
23. play Pooh sticks
24. recognise five bird species
25. find some worms
26. cycle through a muddy puddle
27. make and fly a kite
28. plant a tree
29. build a nest from grass and twigs
30. find 10 different leaves in the park
31. grow some vegetables
32. make breakfast in bed for parents
33. create a garden mini assault course
