Expert wildlife brand, CJ Wildlife, has launched a new range of bird and nature products to help children discover the wonderful world of wildlife on their doorstep, in collaboration with Europe’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust.

The first kids range of its kind in the UK, the exciting new products have been created to encourage children to engage with nature and care for wildlife from an early age, starting in their own back gardens, balconies and local outdoor spaces.

Designed for little ones aged five to twelve, the collection aligns with the National Trust’s “50 things to do before you’re 11¾” activity programme, sharing inspiration and ideas to help children connect with nature and the natural world.  

Among the products introduced is a range of easy flip, fully recyclable bird feeders, coordinating bird feed packaged in easy-to-carry, recyclable tubs and FSC certified, build-your-own wildlife wooden box kits, all featuring the iconic National Trust oakleaf logo.

Created to make feeding feathered friends fun, simple and interactive, the range includes three tube bird feeders each designed to house a different type of bird food – seed mix, fat balls and peanuts - to encourage a range of species to visit. The feeders come in colourful shades of red, blue and green, and feature an easy flip lid to allow children to get stuck in and refill the feeders themselves.

To complement the feeders, CJ Wildlife has introduced a line of bird food in easy-to-carry tubs, which are colour-coordinated to allow little ones to match the type of bird food with the correct feeder. The range includes a Robin and Blackbird seed mix, Finch and Sparrow blend, peanuts for Tits, and fat balls, which are popular with a wide variety of species. With specialist bird food production facilities at its Shrewsbury-based farm, most of CJ Wildlife’s bird food is made in Britain and provides birds with the energy and nutrients they need to thrive all year round.

Young explorers can also enjoy feeding wildlife on family walks, visits to National Trust properties and trips to the park, with the new specialist duck and swan food, formulated to provide water-dwelling birds with a nutritious food source.

The National Trust Kids Wildlife range also includes a selection of wildlife wooden box kits, designed to let children get hands-on by building a Bird Feeding House, Nest Box or Butterfly House. Each build-your-own kit comes with everything needed to construct a wildlife haven. kids can get creative by decorating or painting the boxes with their own wildlife-friendly materials, such as paint or markers, before hanging them in the garden.

Packaging also includes a QR code directing families to a hub of fun activity sheets to keep children engaged with their outdoor space, while educating them about Britain’s wildlife.

Claire Smith, Chief Officer Partnerships, Products and Business Development at CJ Wildlife and Vivara, commented: “Encouraging and inspiring kids to care for wildlife is something that both CJ Wildlife and the National Trust are truly passionate about. We believe that getting little ones involved at an early age will not only nurture a life-long love affair with nature but will also help educate the next generation on the importance of caring for wildlife, which in turn will have a hugely positive impact on the environment.  

“The range has been designed to be fun, engaging and easy to enjoy for children of all ages above five years old. Each product provides a fantastic way to teach children about the importance of looking after our native species, while encouraging them to spend time in the great outdoors and getting some much-needed fresh air! We have created a great POS package to support retailers and cannot wait to see these displays in stores.”

Becky Stanford, Head of Brand Licensing at the National Trust, commented on the range “This bright and accessible collection of wildlife products, tailored for little ones to engage with nature, both at home and on their outdoor adventures, is a game changer for children and nature – we can’t wait to witness a generation of children growing up with so much more interaction with the wildlife in their gardens or local parks.

One of the things we’re really passionate about at the National Trust, is ensuring that everyone has access to nature, and this range is one way of achieving this.”

Prices start from just £2.49 with the majority of items in the range priced under £5 making them perfect pocket money purchases.

Although items from the range can be purchased individually, CJ Wildlife highly recommend retailers commit to the full display unit package for maximum exposure and impact.

The full range is available to order from mid-March. For more information visit https://www.birdfood.co.uk/