We are firm believers in the benefits of playing outdoors and for children to connect with nature as much as they can. We are fortunate to have access to a small woodland near one of our nurseries and use this area as much as we can to allow the children to explore, play and enjoy the natural environment.

This week we had two Woodland Adventure sessions where the children at the Spinney Day Nursery Bell Meadow and Hoole Pre School went on an adventure in the forest.

The Spinney Day Nursery Bell Meadow nursery children went in to the woods where they talked about what kind of animals might live there and what type of home they may have, learning the names such as a Badger’s Sett, a Fox’s Den and a Rabbit Warren.

They then had to find the animal pictures that were hidden in the woods, so off they went exploring the woods and looking for the animal pictures.

After a picnic lunch in the woods, which they enjoyed immensely, they learnt about the different types of foot prints that the animals have and how they are all so different.

They saw that the Fox print was very different to squirrels and that the Duck’s was very different to the other birds. We then talked about our own feet and how our footprints are extremely different to all the animals!

When they had looked at all the different foot/paw prints they played a game of ‘Guess the Paw print’ which they were all very good at. After a bit for exploring and a nature trail across the fields to look for butterflies, flowers and listen to the sounds that the wildlife make we headed back to the Spinney Bell Meadow.

The children had a fantastic time on their Woodland Adventure and look forward to the next one!