DESPITE being the coldest and darkest time of the year, there’s a wonderland of wildlife experiences waiting to be had during the winter months – so wrap up your young ones in preparation for their wildest winter yet!

Grab your gloves, pull on your wellies and immerse yourselves in The Wildlife Trust’s brrr-illiant route to spending time with nature this Christmas.

My Wild Winter is an online wildlife and activity guide jam-packed with ideas and information, complemented by places to go and things to do.

All will help families to explore nature and wild places, at home or on days out over the festive period.

There’s also a reading list from which young readers can choose some great nature-inspired books – perfect for curling up in comfy chairs over Christmas.

Exploring nature at a young age can bring a lifetime of pleasure and winter offers a multitude of wildlife experiences to be had – build a shelter for yourself and a nest box for a bird, muck about with snow, ice and in the dark and identify wildlife from the tracks and signs they leave behind.

Look out for deer, foxes, rabbits and different types of bird prints.

My Wild Winter activity guide is our free downloadable guide to wildlife, habitats and activities to look out for and try this winter.

It includes: Places to go Our nature reserves are great places to visit all year round, with loads to see and do in winter.

Try recording the booming sounds of bitterns and the bird song of redpoll and siskin at Blashford Lakes, discover who has been nibbling the pine cones at Bouldnor Forest, get close to our feathered winter visitors at Testwood Lakes or go hunting for mini-beasts at our Swanwick Lakes nature reserve.

Be amazed by flocks of winter waders at Farlington Marshes and Langstone Harbour. Explore the world of hunters and their prey under the leaves at Roydon Woods .

Go dinosaur hunting on our beaches after storms or search for woodland pixies under fungi at Pamber Forest.

Things to do The Wildlife Trusts across the UK run hundreds of events every year, from guided walks and talks to bat detecting, bird ringing and photography courses.

Daily Echo:

Our Wildlife Watch and Tots clubs for young people under the ages of 15 aim to demonstrate the joy of nature and involve families in the experience of learning about wildlife.

Activities include pond dipping, making bird feeders, shelter building and seashore safaris among many other exciting activities and learning experiences.

Dawn Morgan, Children’s Engagement Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said: “Go on a family Christmas adventure this year, visit a reserve or coastline and give your family the opportunity to spot real wildlife and let imaginations run wild.

“Put on those Christmas jumpers and wellie boots and explore our winter wonderland. We have activities year round at our reserves around Hampshire and Isle of Wight, so plenty of inspiration for those new to wild adventures.”