Fifty things to do before you're 11¾: The Hawthorne family – in pictures

Hengistbury Head, Dorset, where the Hawthorne family headed to try out some of the National Trust’s 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ activities. Photograph: Andrew Shaylor

Hengistbury Head beach made the perfect surface for a barefoot walk, one of the challenges on the 50 things to do list . Mum Lucy says: “It was really great spending time together as a family – we're all so busy, so it was nice to take some time out and just have fun.” Photograph: Andrew Shaylor

Bird watching was a new experience for all of the family. Poppy, seven, has an unfair height advantage thanks to dad Dean. Hengistbury Head is a site of special scientific interest and home to many birds. Photograph: Andrew Shaylor

Ready, steady, blow … Blowing grass trumpets brought out the competitive side of the family – it was roundly agreed dad Dean put in the most tuneful performance. Photograph: Andrew Shaylor

Amy, 10, attempts to perfect her grass-trumpet blowing skills. The trick is to find a clean wide piece of grass, position it between your thumbs and blow with your all of your might. Photograph: Andrew Shaylor

Poppy is quite the fan of her new binoculars. “I liked seeing the different birds in the harbour,” she says. Photograph: Andrew Shaylor

Amy explores the long grass of Mudeford Spit, part of the Hengistbury Head nature reserve. “I liked the nature reserve we went to because it was pretty and you could see the sea and the harbour,” she says. Photograph: Andrew Shaylor