Discovery bag

This activity challenges you to identify leaves, nuts, seeds and other natural objects, by comparing colour, shape and feel.

Need help to identify what's in your bag?

OPAL tree guide (PDF) - a simple guide to common trees, including their seeds

Tree gallery - a photo gallery of common trees and their leaves

OPAL lichen guide - a simple photographic guide to common British lichens

Tree identification key - an interactive key on the Natural History Museum website

What objects will you put in your discovery bag?

Try to use objects that have a very distinctive shape or feel, but avoid anything sharp. See below for some ideas. You may wish to include more seeds in the autumn, flowers in the summer, or conifer cones in the winter.

A, B, C, D and E - Seeds and nuts

There are many different shapes, sizes and textures of seeds and nuts. Avoid seed cases that are too sharp or prickly.

F - Fruits

Try fruits such as figs, apples and cherries. Make sure they aren't overly ripe and soft.

G - Leaves

Try finding leaves with varying shapes and colours.

H - Lichen

Lichens are interesting because they are not part of the tree, but a different organism altogether. Look for fallen twigs with lichens on them, or pieces of bark that have dropped from the tree.

I - Bark

Try including barks with very different textures. London Plane and Cherry trees both have bark that peels easily, so it is common to find pieces of it on the ground.