As one of Australia’s best known animals, the koala is an endearing creature with its large nose, fluffy ears and sleepy demeanour. But did you know that koala numbers are falling, and lots of work is being done to help this adorable creature survive? To help you understand the main character of your favourite cuddly koala book a little better, here are five koala themed activities you can do outdoors. 
 

1. Climb a tree

Koalas are famous for spending most of their lives high up in eucalyptus trees. These trees provided everything koalas need, from food and water to a place to sleep. They have long claws that help them to climb, and research has even shown that tree-hugging helps these cute critters regulate their body temperatures. Why not head to your local park and try to climb a tree to see what koala skills you need to do it? What do you think of the koala-eye view when you get into the branches?
 

2. Make a koala collage

Koalas eat, sleep and raise their babies in trees, so develop an appreciation for their precious habitat by gathering some leaves, pieces of bark and other outdoor items to create a koala collage. Create a koala home by gluing your finds to a piece of paper, then draw a koala relaxing among them. Did you know that koalas have fingerprints? You could use your fingers to paint your koala.

3. Have a koala picnic

Koalas enjoy their meals outdoors every day - and you can too! Make up a koala themed picnic with snacks such as sandwiches, fruits and koala shaped cookies and pack them up to enjoy in the fresh air under the shade of a tree. You could even bake cupcakes decorated with grey icing, chocolate drop eyes and chocolate button noses for the feast if you’re feeling creative. 
 

4. Make your own pap

At around six or seven months old, koala babies feed on pap - a nutrient packed substance made from the mother’s digested eucalyptus leaf diet. We don’t have eucalyptus trees growing naturally in the UK, but you can find some other juicy green leaves to use instead. Grind them up with a stone and add water to make your own pap. Just don’t try to feed it to anyone!

5. Plant eucalyptus

Some hardy varieties of eucalyptus trees will grow here in the UK, so why not ask your grown up if you can add one to your garden? Eucalyptus gunnii (cider gum) and Eucalyptus dalrympleana (mountain gum) can survive our climate and are suitable for growing in pots. Put them in full sunshine and well-drained soil - the RHS has a growing guide you can use to make sure your tree thrives.

See The Koala Who Could

If you love reading books on koalas and are looking for family activities to do near me, book tickets to The Koala Who Could theatre show. Based on the picture book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, it tells the story of Kevin the Koala, who learns to embrace change when disaster threatens his safe, peaceful life. Playing soon at a theatre near you, it’s a fantastic show for kids aged three and up.