The Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre is hosting a “Wintry Wild Science” session for primary‑age children on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre on the boardwalk at Rushden Lakes, Rushden, Northamptonshire. The event, scheduled during the school half‑term break, offers families a local activity that teaches children about how local animals survive the cold. Participants will take part in simple science experiments and nature trails to explore how wildlife stays warm during the winter months.
The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire (Wildlife Trust BCN) is running the workshop to help young people learn more about the environment. The session will take place at the visitor centre on the boardwalk at Rushden Lakes — a location that attracts thousands of overwintering waterbirds (the site supports up to around 20,000 waterbirds annually). Children will be shown how to identify local birds and will carry out hands‑on activities exploring the properties of water in freezing conditions and other winter survival strategies.
According to the Wildlife Trust BCN, the event is part of a push to help more people connect with nature in their communities. Winter is a key time for the Nene Valley because many birds move to the wetlands, giving children an opportunity to see resilient local wildlife up close. The sessions are aimed at children aged 5–11 and make use of the Discovery Play Area and the reserve’s outdoor education space as an outdoor classroom.
The event is ticketed and pre‑booked; sessions typically run in mid‑morning or afternoon blocks. It is one of several half‑term activities the Wildlife Trust BCN is offering for families. Many of the Trust’s holiday events are low‑cost or carry a small, nominal fee to cover materials — exact ticket prices and time slots for this session should be checked on the Trust’s events page before booking (Wildlife Trust BCN events listing).
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