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…

Critters  – 12th July | 10:00am
Creepy crawlies take centre stage this week! Inspired by Bella Loves Bugs, we’ll be transforming leaves into cheeky bug characters and painting our own watercolour critters—brought to life with a puff of breath and a splash of colour. Grown-ups and little ones can work together to build mandalas, critter dens, and rock towers. From leaf legs to insect imagination, this is a week for nature’s tiniest stars!

Little Wild Scientists – 15th July | 10:00am & 19th July  | 10:00am
Let curiosity lead the way! This week, we’ll become mini scientists—testing what floats or sinks, and threading leaves with stick “needles” to boost fine motor skills and focus. Children can build towers from sticks, create nests like birds, and play nature-inspired Tic-Tac-Toe. It’s a joyful mix of science, experimentation, and discovery—all under the forest canopy.

Forest Builders & Makers – 21st July | 10:30am
Calling all creators! Inspired by Stanley’s Stick, this session is all about hands-on building and wild invention. Children can craft nature paintbrushes to create woodland masterpieces, or make their very own mini slingshot with adult support. Grown-ups and kids can get creative with natural face art on the forest floor and sort seeds and nuts at the woodland “tinker table”. A perfect blend of imagination and construction!

Busy Bees – 1st August | 10:30am
Buzz into a beehive of forest fun inspired by Busy Buzzy Bee! Children will craft sweet little bees using alder cones, yellow wool, and clever wing designs. They’ll bring wooden bees to life with yellow and black paint, then dive into nature play with their grown-ups. Build bee homes and puddle baths to support real-life pollinators, dance through flower paths on buzzing flight games, and roll up your sleeves to make wildflower seed bombs that help our fuzzy friends thrive. A honey-sweet session full of learning, laughter, and love for bees!

Superheroes of the Forest – 4th August | 10:30 & 9th August | 10:00am
Calling all nature heroes! Inspired by Ten Little Superheroes, this session is packed with action, imagination, and outdoor adventure. Kids will create superhero masks decorated with foraged forest treasures, then carve and paint their own “loglet” sidekicks. With their grown-ups, they’ll build secret woodland hideouts, search the forest on a daring rescue trail, and craft mini twig rafts to save creatures in peril. Capes optional—but a sense of adventure is a must!

The Smeds and The Smoos – 18th August | 10:00am & 22nd August | 10:30am
Join us for a cosmic adventure inspired by The Smeds and The Smoos! Children will create magical moon dust sensory bottles and stretchy space slime filled with glittering stars and petals. Together with their grown-ups, they’ll cook up “space soup” in our mud kitchen, build rocket ships from natural treasures, and compete in a friendly meteorite toss game. Whether you’re a red Smed or a blue Smoo, everyone’s welcome on this intergalactic forest playdate!

Dragonfly Dreams & Butterfly Beams – 23rd August | 10:00am & 30th August | 10:00am
Flutter into a magical morning of wings, wonder, and woodland whimsy. Inspired by The Butterfly Dance, we’ll explore the beauty of transformation and symmetry in nature. Children will craft dragonflies using real samara seeds and bright beads, then paint beautiful butterflies from coffee filters and dolly pegs. Together with their grown-ups, they’ll create petal-perfect dragonfly wings on the forest floor, build leafy cocoons, and twirl through the trees in a joyful butterfly ballet. A celebration of all things that flutter, float, and fly!

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