Deer are large grazing and browsing mammals that feed on leaves, shoots, grass, sedge, moss, lichen, fruits, berries, nuts, twigs and bark. Healthy, normal populations of native deer benefit the environment by dispersing seeds and recycling nutrients into the soil via their scat (deer poo), as well as maintaining semi open habitats that benefit wildflowers and other wildlife, by grazing on the young trees and plants that would otherwise overtake the landscape. In other countries round the world they can also provide food for populations of large predators like wolves and lynx.
However large predators like the wolf and lynx are extinct in the UK, so deer here no longer have any significant, natural predators to keep their numbers in check. This means deer populations have been steadily increasing, tipping the balance towards a more negative environment impact with large numbers of deer damaging trees and woodlands, preventing natural regenerative growth and stripping habitats of the plants that other animals (like birds and insects) rely upon for food and shelter.
There are thirty species of deer in the world, six of which can be found in the UK. However only two of these (Roe deer and Red deer) are actually native to Britain. The other four (Fallow deer, Sika deer, Muntjac deer and Chinese water deer) are all non native invasive species.
Invasive species are non native plants and animals that spread quickly, out competing other native plants and animals as they do so and upsetting the natural balance of habitats, damaging the environment as well as killing off natural populations of plants and animals in the process. Non native means it is a species that comes from another country, area or habitat. Often non-native species like deer thrive because they have no natural predators in the new area. Some invasive species are such a problem that it is actually illegal to import, transport, keep, breed, sell, grow, cultivate or release them into the wild.
Invasive species of deer in the UK cause vast amounts of damage to trees, woodlands, natural habitats, timber forests, agricultural crops, gardens, allotments and even vehicles and people. It is estimated that there are now over 40,000 deer collisions a year on UK roads alone!
The mating season for deer normally starts in the autumn with male deer (called stags or bucks depending on the species) fighting for the attention of the females using their antlers. Antlers are sharp tipped, branches of bone that grow from the heads of male deer. Reindeer (or caribou) are the only species of deer where both the female and male have antlers. Chinese water deer are also unusual as they have tusks rather than antlers.
When the antlers start to grow they are covered with a thin, soft layer of skin and blood vessels that are commonly known as velvet, this layer of velvet helps provide oxygen and nutrients for the quickly growing antlers. Once the antlers are fully formed and hardened the male deer start to rub them against trees to rub off the velvet. After mating season (which is also known as rutting) the males shed their old antlers entirely so they can grow new ones again in the spring.
You can find lots of fun, educational activity ideas below to help you learn more about these amazing animals, from arts and crafts to science and sensory.
1. Look for hoof prints on a woodland walk
Deer have hard hoofed feet that are cloven (split in two) with two tear shaped front hooves and two smaller oval dew claws at the back. There hooves are made of keratin which is the same material our fingernails and hair are made from. The shape and durability of their hooves makes it easier for them to run and jump quickly over terrain. You can often find animal prints like deer hoof prints in muddy areas or after fresh snow. The best places to look are in areas right by water like rivers, lakes, ponds and streams where animals go to drink and walk through soft mud. The Wildlife Trust have a useful photo guide to identifying animal tracks here which you can use to help identify any prints you might find.
2. Make a hoof print plaster casts and impressions
You can easily take a cast of any deer hoof prints you find to enjoy and explore at home. All you need for this activity is some Plaster of Paris, water, a cup or mixing bowl and a spoon. Simply mix the plaster with water in the cup or bowl and then pour it onto the animal print. You could also make a simply cardboard collar or hoop to place over the print and contain the plaster but this isn’t essential. You then need to wait patiently for 30 minutes to an hour for the plaster to dry before carefully removing the cast of the print. You can also use your plaster cast paw prints as stampers to make impressions and prints into clay, salt dough or playdough.
3. Make potato deer hoof prints
Potato printing is a simple activity for children of ages, all you need is a potato cut in half, a bit of inspiration and some paint to get started. How about using the potato prints to make patterns, pictures, cards and even recyclable wrapping paper. It is also fun to experiment printing on different types of surfaces and textures from paper to fabric, foil and wood. And as long as you use non toxic paint you can even print on outdoor surfaces like paths, trees and leaves.
It is really easy to make a deer hoof print using just half a potato and a spoon, you just need to scoop a line down the middle of the potato and then carve or scoop the edges to give the two raised sides deer print tear drop shapes. You can then dip the hoof shapes into paint and have fun printing them onto different surfaces. You could even make your own deer print trail for other people to follow and explore.
4. Go on a deer poo hunt
A slightly gross but also surprisingly easy way to find signs of mammal activity or deer in an areas is via their poo*. Many species leave very distinctive droppings (like the Roe deer poo below) that you can identify using the Wildlife Trusts handy photo guide here. Once you feel confident identifying droppings you can also have a little fun trying their Poo Dunnit quiz here. *Please don’t touch or handle poo or droppings as they can harbour pathogens like bacteria and viruses. It’s best to observe them safely by telling children not to touch them or get too close.
5. Take part in a mammal survey
Did you know that you can find over 100 mammal species on land and in the waters around the UK? Mammals are warm blooded animals that have back bones, mammary glands and fur or hair. Wildlife and mammal surveys are quick and easy to do for all ages and you don’t need anything other than observant eyes and an outdoors space to explore and survey. You can often spot signs of mammal activity if you know what to look for. If you want you could take a notepad or camera with you to record your finds or print out photos or guides to identifying mammal signs and tracks. You can then record your deer and other mammal sightings on national databases like Nature’s Calendar or iRecord or submit findings to your own local wildlife, environmental science or natural history groups. You can also take part in national surveys like the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species Living with Mammals Survey or their Mammals on the Road Survey here.
6. Make a cardboard tube deer
We hate to waste anything and recycling and reusing materials is one of many small things we can all do to help the environment. So instead of chucking used cardboard tubes we like to find ways to use them in crafts and activities. To make cardboard tube deer you just need an old cardboard tube, paint and two branched twigs. First cut into one of end of the tube to form two ear shapes, then paint, colour or collage onto the tube to decorate the deer. Finally glue or tape the two branched twigs to the inside of the ring to form the antlers. You can then use your deer as a decorations, story props, napkin rings or even fill them with sweets or presents to give as gifts.
7. Make a egg carton deer
To make egg carton deer you just need an old egg carton, paint and two branched twigs if your deer is going to be male. First cut off one of the bottom spikes from the egg carton making sure to cut two triangles on one edge to form the ears. You can then add colour to your egg carton deer using paint, pens or collaged materials. If you are making a male deer or reindeer don’t forget to glue or tape the two branched twigs to the inside of the head to form antlers
8. Nature character deer
Nature characters are so simple and fun to make for children of all ages. They are also a great way to stimulate conversation and explore different textures, colours, shapes and patterns. Simply draw a deer face or shape onto a piece of recycled cardboard and then cut it out. When you have cut out the faces and shapes you can take them on a woodland walk and place them by any interesting natural objects you find, to give your deer antlers, fur or hooves. You could use leaves, stones, grass, bark, twigs, fallen fruit, nuts and seeds and flowers. *But pretty please don’t pick any wild flowers, only collect ones you have grown yourself or fallen ones you find on the floor.
9. Painted pebble deer
We love finding painted pebbles when we are out and about, it’s wonderful to see the creativity and love that people put into them. You can easily find pebbles to decorate yourself by looking in your garden, on a nature walk or along the shore. All you need then is some paint or permanent markers to paint or draw deer themed pictures or designs onto the pebbles. *Safety note please be aware of the choking hazard of pebbles with smaller children.
10. Log slice deer
Log slices are simply slices of tree logs or branches. They can be any shape or size and they are a brilliant, tactile and fun resource to use in play. You can easily decorate your log slices with deer pictures or faces and then turn the log slices into pendants or decorations. You just need to carefully drill a single hole through the slice so the children can thread some string, ribbon or wool through.
11. Log and stick deer
It is surprisingly easy to make a log deer. All you need to do is saw a thick branch (or thin log) into two short sections. One to form the reindeers head and one slightly bigger/longer one to form the body. You will also need four sturdy straight sticks for the legs, one straight stick for the neck, and two branches to form the antlers.
Drill two holes into the top of the head section to fit the branch antlers into. Then underneath drill a hold for the neck stick. In the top of the body section drill another hole to connect the neck onto. Then underneath drill four holes for the legs. Then simply stick everything together. Voila you now have your very own log deer!
12. Deer ice blocks
Deer ice blocks are so simple to make, you just need to stick some small branched twigs into old recycled pot filled with water and then freeze them overnight. Once you take the ice blocks out of the pots you can then add on eyes and a nose with paper and pens. Its a great activity for practising fine motor skills and developing imaginative play. Ice is a wonderful material for sensory and exploratory play. Its so easy to make and you can easily add extra sensory elements like scented herbs, flavoured oils, textured natural materials and colours.
13. Deer nature art
Nature art is a great indoor or outdoor activity that encourages creativity and fine motor skills. It is also fun and engaging activity for children of all ages and abilities. Simply collect as many natural objects as you can find around you and then arrange them into deer shapes. You could use leaves, stones, grass, bark, fallen fruit and flowers. *But pretty please don’t pick any wild flowers, only collect ones you have grown yourself or fallen ones you find on the floor.
14. Pompom deer
A very cute and easy craft for all ages. You can either make your own pompoms using old wool or use ready made ones. You just need to stick two large brown or white pompoms together and then glue on a smaller pompom for the nose as well as some eyes and branched twig antlers.
15. Paper plate deer
To make a paper plate reindeer you will need one paper plate or cardboard circle and paint. Simply paint the the plate or circle entirely brown and then leave it to dry. You can then either paint, draw or stick on the deer eyes, nose and antlers. You can easily make some fun antlers by drawing the outline of your hands and fingers on card or brown paper to cut out.
For day 6 of 30 days wild 2024. We followed deer prints in the woods, made a plaster cast of one of the prints to take home and also had fun painting and making our own potato print deer hoof print tracks on the garden path at home.
If you like this you might like to try:
Childsplayabc ~ Nature is our playground 
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