Children denied joys of natural world

The poll of 2,000 eight- to 12-year-olds found how little time they were spending outside – and how their knowledge of nature was suffering as a result.

Almost a fifth were unaware a dock leaf can relieve the sting of a nettle, more than a quarter did not know what happens to a bee after it stings you and just under half did not realise there were poisonous snakes in the UK.

The latest survey to reveal children's lack of knowledge about nature found a quarter did not know horse chestnut trees produced conkers and more than a fifth were unable to name the tree that produces acorns.

Many were ignorant about natural phenomena including the rotation of the planet, tides and when birds nest – and one in 10 even thought cows hibernated.

The survey also highlighted how little time some youngsters spend in the great outdoors, with two fifths having never camped in a tent and over a quarter saying they have not been on a country walk with their family in the last year.

More than a third play outside only once a week or less, and an overwhelming majority watch more TV on a weekly basis than play outside, according to the research for Eden channel's Eden Inspires campaign to encourage families to spend time with nature.

The campaign by the TV channel is inviting families to spend a day with nature and then share their experience online at exploreeden.co.uk. The top five entrants and family members will get to spend a day and night in the Forest of Dean with TV presenter Ben Fogle.