Wild Ancestor: printable card set
A sample of 4 cards. The full set of 59 comes with the collection. Back
Imitate natureHow do you walk?

Step by step

  1. Find a stretch of level ground about 20 paces long and walk along it as you normally would, without trying to change anything.
  2. Then walk it again, slowly, and pay attention to your own body. Notice which part of your foot touches the ground first and which part leaves it last. Notice where your weight sits, how long your stride is, whether your feet point straight ahead or turn out, and what your arms, shoulders and head are doing.
  3. Listen to the sound you make. Notice where your eyes rest, on the ground just in front of you or out in the landscape.
  4. Now look back at any tracks you have left in soft ground, sand or dewy grass and see what they show.
  5. Finally, try changing 1 thing at a time, such as slowing down, shortening your stride or landing more softly, and notice what difference it makes to your balance and your noise.
The full Wilding activity guide (what you need, safety, variations and questions to wonder about): re-wild.co.uk/g/how-do-you-walk/
Wild Ancestor · re-wild.co.uk
Imitate natureNatural camouflage

Step by step

  1. Use a small mirror or your phone's front camera. Mix natural pigments from your area, such as clay with water, chalk or crumbled charcoal, and apply them to your face to break up its shine and shape.
The full Wilding activity guide (what you need, safety, variations and questions to wonder about): re-wild.co.uk/g/natural-camouflage/
Wild Ancestor · re-wild.co.uk
Imitate natureThe wild cat

Step by step

  1. Become a stealthy cat by slowly bending down, sliding your hands along your body as you go. Drop one knee gently to the ground, landing on its outside edge and rolling inward before placing weight on it. Slice the hand on the same side down to the ground like a knife, landing sideways on its outer edge, rolling in, and placing weight on it.
  2. Repeat with your other hand, then your other knee, until you are on all fours in a crawling position.
  3. Move slowly in a diagonal pattern, placing each knee where the hand on that side of your body had just been.
The full Wilding activity guide (what you need, safety, variations and questions to wonder about): re-wild.co.uk/g/the-wild-cat/
Wild Ancestor · re-wild.co.uk
Imitate natureFox walking

Step by step

  1. Try walking around for a short time with your hands over your ears and notice what you feel through your feet instead. To imitate a fox, look ahead and walk slowly forward, lowering each foot so it lands softly on the outside edge, near the ball of the foot. Without putting your full weight through this foot yet, gently roll it inward towards your big toe.
  2. Once the whole ball of the foot is in contact with the ground, slowly lower the rest of the foot. Only then shift your full weight onto this foot, and repeat with the other.
  3. If you feel a twig or other obstacle beneath your foot as you lower it, adjust your placement to avoid snapping it.
The full Wilding activity guide (what you need, safety, variations and questions to wonder about): re-wild.co.uk/g/fox-walking/
Wild Ancestor · re-wild.co.uk