Woodland Trust

Nature DetectivesNature's Calendar

Make a marvellous minibeast masterpiece in our NEW creepy crawlies colouring competition

conkerConkers

There's a fierce debate
in the playground!

Which conker is best
 - natural or modified?

The hardest conkers usually win, so here are some top tips to
make a battle-hardy champion conker!
 
 

CHOOSE A SINKER

The best conkers are hard, symmetrical and not cracked. 

To test for the hardest conkers, plop them in a bucket of water - damaged ones will float but the healthiest, hardest will sink to bottom so pick these!
 

 
CHAMPION SECRETS

There are lots of weird and wonderful ways to 'harden' your conker even more:

  • bake it in the oven for a short while (but don't let it go wrinkly :O)
  • soak it in vinegar
  • bake it in the oven and then soak it in vinegar!
  • soak it in salt water
  • paint your conker with clear nail varnish
  • roll it in hand cream
  • freeze it overnight (then roll it in hand cream)
  • keep a conker from this season and store it in a warm, dark place until next year - this gives it a whole year to harden!

What's your best secret conker tip? Share it with us 

 

THE GREAT CONKER CHALLENGE 

Some people think these methods are cheating and the best way to play is with conkers straight from the tree!

What works best? Hold your own tournament and see which conker is champion.

nature detectives wildlife club arrowhow to play

 
What's your highest scoring conker? Our friend Sharon has a 143'er!

nature detectives wildlife club arrowCan you beat this?

 

 

CONKER FACTS 

The first recorded game of conkers was on the Isle of Wight in 1848. 

Before horse chestnut seeds were used, the game was played with hazelnuts. And before these, snail shells!

There are lots of ideas about where the name 'conkers' comes from

  • the French word 'conque' meaning conch shell
  • the French word 'cogner' meaning to bump
  • the word 'conquer' - the game has also been called conquerers

The World Conker Championships take place on the second Sunday in October every year in Northamptonshire.

Some people believe putting conkers on your windowsill, or in the corners of rooms, helps to keep spiders out of your house (good if your Mum or older sister are terrified of eight-legged creepy-crawlies!). Test it - does it work?

Watch pupils from Roselyon School in Devon test this conker theory: