Explore, discover and protect your local river
Take on fun river challenges as a family and become an official Junior River Ranger.
Explore the wildlife living near your local river, discover simple ways to save water and take positive action for nature. Complete three challenges to earn your Junior River Ranger certificate and Kingfisher badge.
Ready to become a Junior River Ranger?
Junior River Rangers is a free family activity programme designed for children aged 5 to 11, although younger and older family members can join in too.
To become a Junior River Ranger, complete:
- Two green river challenges
- One blue water-saving challenge
You can complete more activities whenever you like.
Junior River Rangers completing their activities © South East Rivers Trust
How it works
1. Choose your challenges
Pick at least two green challenges and one blue challenge from the activities below.
2. Explore and take action
Discover your local river and its wildlife, enjoy activities together and learn how you can help care for rivers at home.
3. Tell us what you completed
Once you have finished your three challenges, ask an adult to email our Education Team using the button below.
4. Receive your award
We will send you your Junior River Ranger certificate and Kingfisher badge.
Congratulations. You are now an official Junior River Ranger!
Stay safe near rivers
Rivers are wonderful places to explore, but it is important to stay safe.
Children should always complete the challenges with a responsible adult. We recommend enjoying the river from the riverbank and avoiding entering the water.
Please read our river safety guidance before beginning your activities.
Choose your Junior River Ranger challenges
Green challenges: Explore your river
Discover the natural world around your local river and meet some of the wildlife that calls it home.
Complete at least two green challenges.
River scavenger hunt
Search for different colours, shapes, plants, animals and natural objects beside your river.
Pooh sticks
Choose a stick, drop it into the river from the upstream side of a bridge and see whose appears first on the other side.
Seasonal changes
Visit your river at different times of the year and record how the plants, wildlife and landscape change.
River boats
Create a small boat using natural or recycled materials and test how well it floats.
Emoji trail
Use emojis to record the wildlife, weather, sounds and sights you discover on your river walk.
River alphabet
See how many letters of the alphabet you can match with things found beside the river.
Rainbow walk
Look for every colour of the rainbow in the plants, wildlife and landscape around your river.
Ice art
Create a piece of frozen nature art using leaves, flowers and other fallen natural materials.
Improve the habitat
Take positive action for your river by completing a simple activity that helps create a cleaner or healthier habitat.
Soundscape
Stop, listen and record the different natural and human-made sounds you can hear beside the river.
Creature profile
Choose a river animal and create a profile showing where it lives, what it eats and what makes it special.
River dipping session © South East Rivers Trust
Blue challenges: Save water at home
The water that comes from our taps is connected to the same natural water sources that supply our rivers.
Using water carefully helps leave more water in the environment for rivers and wildlife.
Complete at least one blue challenge and collect Happy Water Droplets as you go.
Save water in the kitchen
Discover simple ways to use less water while cooking, washing food and cleaning dishes.
Save water in the bathroom
Take on challenges that help your family save water when brushing teeth, washing and showering.
Save water in the garden
Learn how to care for plants and wildlife while using water wisely outdoors.
Become a leak detective
Search your home for dripping taps, leaking toilets and other places where water could be going to waste.
Try a meat-free day
Discover how the food we eat affects water use and plan a tasty meat-free meal together.
Spread the word
Create a poster, message or presentation encouraging other people to save water and care for rivers.
Keep track of your progress
Completing more than three challenges?
Use the Junior River Ranger scoresheet to record your activities and count how many Happy Water Droplets you collect.
Claim your badge and certificate
Have you completed at least two green challenges and one blue challenge?
Ask a parent, guardian or responsible adult to email our Education Team and tell us which activities you completed. Please include the Junior River Ranger’s first name and a postal address so we can send their certificate and Kingfisher badge.
