Where the wild things are

"We want to see more children playing in woods, says the Woodland Trust". In an article in the Woodland Trust's Spring 2008 Broadleaf magazine, they discuss the importance of unstructured play in wild places. "As childrens' lives become more sedentary there are real concerns about the increased incidence of childhood obesity and other related physical, mental and emotional health problems." The Forestry Commission have acknowleged the need for this and are developing new play spaces in every region with swings and slides but also fallen trees, water, sand or small stream. They are also encouraging kids to build dens in their woods. The Woodland Trust is also thinking along the same lines and want to draw people's attention to the fact they have over 1,000 fantastic play spaces just waiting to be discovered. "All children or adults have to bring is their imagination" says Graham Blight ,the Trust's Learning Programme Manager.

"Getting children to mess about in the woods is part of our long-term conservation strategy." says Andy Beer. There is danger out there but you need to help children judge risk for themselves. "You teach them how to cross the road safely rather than saying you're never allowed near a road, says Rebecca Haskell. And it's the same with woods: they need to learn that judgement." For a list of one of the Trust's woods near you waiting to be explored look at http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

Activities you can do this Spring

SPRING IS IN THE AIR


All winter long the natural world has been patiently lying in wait, biding its time until the first hint of spring is in the air. That hint is simply the combined effect of warmer temperatures and more daylight, which together stimulate growth and activity – bulbs push their way up through the soil, buds begin to swell and open and the birds start collecting nesting materials. This most awaited of all the seasons is suddenly all around us and everything bursts into life - and we too are ready to burst outdoors to feel those first warm rays of sun and make the most of the longer days. So get outdoors and become immersed in the natural world………



Mud glorious Mud!


One spring morning, we set off along a deeply rutted track for a walk to the woods. While Jo and I skirted the wettest stretches of the track, the children were drawn irresistibly to the mud and the puddles. It wasn’t long before one child sank into the mud, and we watched in horror as the runny mud oozed right over the top of his wellies. We waited for the anguished screams – but instead there was delighted laughter as he was pulled from out of the mud by his friends, and then proceeded to abandon his wellies and slosh around barefoot. Once the children had had enough of wading through the mud, they progressed on to moulding and shaping it, creating a whole village of muddy elf houses, some of them with twig walls and wattle walls. The woods just waited for another day.

Mud is a wonderful material for playing with – squidging between the toes, dribbling through fingers, or it can be plastered on faces and made into pies. If you shudder at the thought of your children becoming mud larks, remember that it is just soil - easily washed off and pretty harmless. It doesn’t matter if the children get dirty – just let them have fun and enjoy exploring the natural world. It’s acceptable for boys to get plastered in mud on the football pitch, so why shouldn’t they get muddy while exploring the natural world? Children need the freedom to play outdoors, to have adventures – and to get dirty.


Mud pies and cakes



– An old favourite – encourage them to look for different coloured soils to create layer cakes – what better way to learn that soil varies in colour and texture. Decorate the cakes with twig candles, nuts and seeds.
Mud drawings – Try using a stick to draw in the mud, or try dipping the stick in mud and then using it like paint to make patterns on rocks or tree trunks. Or let them make muddy handprints and footprints on rocks, on paper – or, best of all, on each other.
Mud balls – Roll handfuls of mud to make balls – then try sticking different materials to them – such as moss, dead leaves and grasses. How many mud balls can you balance on top of each other? Who can make the tallest mud ball tower?
Mud bowls and sculptures – The first pots made by humans were created from mud collected straight from the ground; if you can find a patch of clay, have a go at making your own pinch pots – or get creative and make sculptures.

Nest building


No sooner has spring arrived than birds start to gather twigs, grasses, moss and other suitable materials for weaving into nests. One spring holiday Hannah and Edward were inspired to collect lengths of broom, handfuls of moss and a few feathers. They experimented with weaving the materials together to make cup shaped nests, which they then lined with soft mosses. They hid their nests around the garden for their cousins to find the next day – when to their delight a clutch of chocolate eggs had been laid in each little nest.

This activity works best if the children can first have a look at a real bird’s nest, or some photographs of nests – they need to know what they are aiming for.
Organise an expedition to collect nesting materials – this is easy for the children, but remind them how difficult it must be for a small bird carrying one twig at a time!
Let the children choose what sort of nest they wish to make - they may want to make a large twiggy nest like a magpie, a cup nest like a blue tit – or even a mud nest like a house martin.
To make a cup nest, encourage children to weave and thread bendy twigs or stems together to make a base, then use softer materials such as moss, lichen, downy feathers or sheep’s wool as an insulating lining.
Place the nests in hidey-holes in the woods or around the garden. Children like to imagine that birds might come along and use them.
Surprise the children by laying chocolate mini-eggs in the nests – a variation on the Easter egg hunt.

Bows and Arrows

Armed with a bow and arrows, children are transformed into fearsome warriors or magical creatures from storybooks, and every walk becomes an exciting adventure. With only a supple length of hazel and some string, you can help them to create a weapon that will become their pride and joy. This activity is always popular with groups of children, and works well at outdoor parties.

Bows and arrows can be made at any time of year – but the rising sap of spring seems to ensure strong yet flexible bows. Look out for slender stems of young hazel in the hedgerows or the woods and cut lengths for each child.
Make sure the stem is flexible before using it
Carve notches about 2cm from each end
Attach some string around one notch, securing it with a slipknot
Tension the string so the bow forms a wide arc, and twist it a couple of times around the other notch, securing it with a knot.
Ensure the knots are tight before using the bow
Arrows can be made out of thin straight sticks; for added authenticity add feathers for flights.

TIPS


What to take
Mud activities and nest building are all about using what you can find – but before you go do make sure the children are wearing old clothes! For making bows and arrows you will need to be equipped with a couple of penknives and some string.

Safety tips


Mud
Make sure any cuts are covered with waterproof plasters
Always ensure children wash properly after playing with mud

Birds nests
Keep an eye on what materials the children are collecting, and wash hands after the activity

Bows and Arrows
Only let children use knives when they are closely supervised
Adult help is essential when tensioning the bow
Bows and arrows should always be used with care, and under adult supervision
Arrows should never be aimed at people or animals; always make sure that all the bows are laid on the ground before the children rush off to collect their fired arrows


Lots more exciting and inspiring ideas for exploring and enjoying the natural world can be found in Fiona and Jo’s book Nature’s Playground, published by Frances Lincoln, (http://www.franceslincoln.com/).