From mud pies to bug hunt, bring out the wild thing within you with the RSPB

1 Bake marvellous mud pies. Another rainy day? Why not get outdoors with your waterproofs, some newspaper and a spoon. You can dig, shape and make a range of mud pies decorating them with nature's materials like pebbles, acorns, leaves and feathers. Let your wild things splash, splat and stomp in muddy puddles and you'll be their favourite person for the rest of the day.

2 Look out for signs of spring. Take a stroll with your phone and get the kids to take photos of spring: budding blossom, flowering bulbs, emerging insects, whatever takes your fancy. Alternatively, visit a reserve and learn a little more about spring activities and migrating birds where volunteers will be delighted to share their expertise with you.

3 Grab a net and pond dip. RSPB reserves, including Strumpshaw Fen, will be pond-dipping this holiday to reveal an underwater jungle of wild things that lurk beneath the surface. Discover diving beetles, pond skaters and tadpoles. Alternatively download the RSPB pond mini beast sheet to identify species in your back garden. Wherever your location, always be careful not to disturb frogspawn and carefully replace all natural life.

4 Go on a minibeast safari. Bug hunts are a great way to discover the wild things living in your back garden. Take a jam jar, paintbrush and, if possible, a magnifying glass and get hunting. Be gentle when handling bugs or when overturning rocks and leaves. Use the paintbrush to brush the bugs in to the jar. Then take a closer look. Always remember to release the bugs gently into the wild afterwards.

5 Make stunning nature masks. Take a piece of cardboard (the inside of a cereal packet is perfect), cut out the shape of a mask, and decorate with leaves, petals and feathers. Add eye holes and a piece of elastic and your little nature warrior will be ready for action.

6 Build a den fit for wild things. Head to RSPB Lakenheath Fen for the ultimate den building experience, with hours of fun scavenging for materials; sorting the mainframe sticks; filling thes frame in with smaller twigs; and topping the whole thing off with leaves.

7 Release your creative side. Throughout the Easter holidays, RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden is going sparrow crazy! Why not take part in their sparrow quiz trail, the name-the-sparrow competition or the poetry and story-writing contest?

8 Craft nature crowns. Become king or queen of the wild things with a nature crown. Find a band of card long enough to fit round your head. Wrap double-sided sticky tape around the band. Head outside and look for fallen leaves, sticks and feathers to decorate a crown fit for wild things royalty.

9 Build a nest. Ever tried to make a bird's nest? It might just look like a pile of old twigs, but there's a fine art to the process. Practise in your garden or visit RSPB Minsmere to learn the bird's tactics.

10 Become a backpack explorer. In addition to their Wild Things at Easter activities, you can hire a Family Adventure Backpack at RSPB Titchwell Marsh, packed with everything your tribe needs to enjoy a wild day out. You'll want to stay all day!

To find your nearest RSPB nature reserve running Wild Things at Easter activities visit rspb.org.uk/wildthings