Embark on a woodland adventure with Mini Foresters, the enchanting forest school experience at Batsford!

Mini foresters is an all outdoor stay and play inspired by forest school theories, brought to you by ‘Mini Mudders‘ on our dedicated forest school site.

Sessions are suitable for ages 2-6 and will run come rain or shine, set in a wooded environment with a heated shelter for those colder days.

Your Mini Foresters will explore the natural environment and learn through meaningful hands-on experiences, problem-solving and getting creative!

What to expect

You will meet the session leader in our top carpark by the Mini Foresters sign, then it’s just a short 30 second walk onto our site.

The activities are designed with children in mind, each week we will take inspiration from books. You can expect anything from den building to tool whittling, to bug hunts, to sound safaris, woodland crafting and of course campfires where your foresters will love exploring the woods, collecting sticks and toasting marshmallows.

We have a magical wooded area, perfect for hide and seek, a mud kitchen for all those mud pies and leaf stews, our wooden tipis are the perfect hideaways and the balance logs prove a fun way for the children to gain confidence and a sense of achievement whilst improving their balance and co-ordination.

All staff are qualified group leaders, first aid trained and DBS checked. It’s a stay and play, so the Mini Foresters remain the responsibility of their grownups throughout the sessions.

Forthcoming sessions…

Dear Zoo
Date: 21st October | Time: 10:00am
What to expect:
We wrote to the zoo to send us a pet, but who will it be? Children can reveal surprise animals from delivery boxes, put on their own pet puppet show, stomp like elephants and hop like frogs in our movement game, and build homes for zoo animals using natural treasures.

Room on the Broom
Date: 31st October | Time: 10:00am 
What to expect:
Join the witch and her friends for magical Halloween fun. Children can mix bubbling potions in the forest cauldron, race on flying broomsticks through obstacle courses, weave giant spider webs between the trees, and create their own magic wand to cast spells.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Date: 4th Nov | Time: 10:00am
What to expect:
The caterpillar is hungry! Children will drill holes in log slices to mimic the caterpillar nibbling through food, create a giant caterpillar from leaves and sticks, and make natural food prints using fruits and vegetables. They will also decorate mini butterfly wristbands and go on a leaf and fruit hunt, collecting items in the order the caterpillar ate them.

The Highway Rat
Date: Nov 11Th and 15th Nov  | Time: 10:00am
What to expect:
The mischievous Highway Rat is on the loose! Children will build his secret rat cave using branches and leaves, make pretend biscuits and cakes for the forest creatures, and go on a treasure hunt to return stolen goods to their rightful owners. They will also design “Wanted” posters for the Highway Rat and decorate their own nature treasure pouches to fill with kind treasures found in the forest.

The Princess and the Wizard
Date: 18th Nov | Time: 10:00am
What to expect:
Magic is in the forest! Children will make magical wands and create enchanted leaf prints using natural pigments. They will dance, cast spells, and mix wizard potions with leaves, flowers, and herbs. Children can also take part in a magical hunt, searching for items the fairy has transformed throughout the forest.

Spinderella
Date: 25th Nov | Time: 10:00am
What to expect:
Step into the web of Spinderella! Children will work together to create a giant group web, explore the strength of spider silk with wool and string, and craft natural spider web art. They will make pinecone spiders and paint handprint spiders, learning about teamwork, creativity, and the fascinating world of spiders.

For more details and to book, visit www.mini-mudders.co.uk/miniforesters