At the Woodland Play Centre we are able to offer a range of activities and programmes, take a look and see.

• Woodland Playschemes
• Woodland Birthday Parties
• Woodland Adventure Days
• Woodland Educational Visits
• Forest Schools
• Professional Training

Woodland Playschemes
Woodland Playschemes are for children and young people aged 8 - 16 years old. The challenge is to offer parents / carers an alternative environment for children to enjoy the outdoors, where they can explore, climb, get wet, muddy and dirty, look for bugs, learn about and feel the natural elements. Allowing children and young people to get close to nature, acquire new skills, freely play in wild spaces, appreciate and understand the natural environment.

With access to plenty of wild spaces we offer a wide and stimulating range of activities during the school holidays such as;

Den building, environmental art, fire lighting, campfire cooking, wide games and most of all have fun!

Example day plan…..

We provide a rich and varied programme of activities, as play is personally directed and motivated by each individual child we make sure there are plenty of opportunities and operate a flexible approach to responding to the play cues.

We work on a 1:8 adult to child ratio, are affiliated with Young Somerset and members of the Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL).

Children’s play environments should create a safe and stimulating, yet challenging play experience in which it encourages children to explore the natural world. Activities offered will be the play experiences that a child both needs and enjoys, whilst at the same time building on their knowledge and interests.

Woodland Birthday Parties
Fancy a birthday party in the woods sitting around a campfire toasting marshmallows?

Birthday parties will be tailored to meet an individual child’s age, ability and desires. Activities can include;

• Den building
• Environmental art
• Bug hunting
• Fire lighting
• Campfire cooking
• Bushcraft / Survival
• Wide games

Themed parties on request such as; Survival, Cowboys & Indians, Nature Detectives or Fairy parties are available.

Parties are usually half a day with times generally 10am - 1pm or 1pm - 4pm. These times can be negotiated and whole days can be catered for on request. At least one adult (parent / carer) must accompany and be responsible for the group at all times. Meals are not provided as a general rule, although can be on request. Light snacks and drinks are provided.

Cost: £100.00 for up to 12 children; per half day; one free adult per 6 children; additional children £5.00 each.

Parties are not just for children, so contact us for further information or download a booking form.

Click Here to view our Terms and Conditions

Woodland Adventure Days
Think you are too old for woodland playschemes?

The Woodland Adventure Days are aimed at teenagers or adults wanting a day out with friends. Themed and structured days can be catered for such as:

• Survival skills
• Team building
• Bush craft
• Camp craft skills

Projects for parents and their children to play naturally together in an environment that lends itself to magical experiences, inspiration and creativity can be organised during the week or weekends…. watch this space for further information, dates or contact us.

Woodland Educational Visits
We are able to offer educational day trips to pre-school, primary or secondary schools for a class or group to spend the day outside. Where using the natural environment to enhance core curriculum in a fun, safe, hands-on and exciting way. The trip organiser should contact us to discuss how activities can be linked to the curriculum in order to make the day a day the children will remember!

Forest School Programmes
Forest Schools are described as a ‘Classroom without walls’. Traditionally a Danish concept Forest Schools are a unique way of educating children outdoors, using the environment as a learning tool.

‘Forest School is a unique educational experience. Its principle purpose is to tailor an educational curriculum to a participant's preferred learning style (rather than vice versa). Its philosophy is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through mastery of small achievable tasks in a woodland environment, to grow in confidence and independence so that they can develop a sense of self-worth.’ www.bridgwater.ac.uk

Forest Schools are a growing and developing notion within the UK, where research has identified an increased number of children having little access to outdoor spaces for structured education or free play.

Forest Schools benefits

• Increased Self-esteem & Confidence
• Social Skills
• Independence
• Concentration
• Physical Activity
• To manage risks
• Higher level of understanding and appreciation for the natural environment

Forest School programmes for pre-school, primary or secondary school children are designed to be attended on a weekly or fortnightly basis for a term or ideally a full academic year, as they do in Scandinavia. Each programme is tailored to meet the curriculum in an outdoor environment, along with a host of holistic development.

Benefits to each individual

• Each session is learner-led
• Learning through play
• Structured activities are set up through small achievable tasks in order to help build confidence
• Activities such as shelter building, using tools can be linked to the curriculum
• Sessions are delivered by trained Forest School Leaders
• Group sizes consist of no more than 16
• All groups must be accompanied by a member of staff from the school

Forest Schools are about the Process rather than the Outcome an individual child goes through.

Are you are interested in providing a Forest School Programme at your school? We are able to advise on appropriate training courses, please contact us to discuss.

"Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem, through long-term, regular and positive hands-on learning experiences in an outdoor/woodland environment." (Devon Forest School Network, 2004)

Professional Training
Louise has planned and led a number of inspirational practical and theoretical workshops for leaders and carers of children / young people, both locally and nationally. Her workshops explore ideas, concepts and ways to encourage adults in using outdoor spaces for play.

If you would like Louise to deliver at your conference / seminar or book any professional training days please contact to discuss. Recent events were the Forest Education Initiative (FEI) National Networking day in Scotland and Just Play Conference in Cambridgeshire.

In order for children and young people to benefit from the outdoors safely, it is crucial for adults to feel comfortable and be competent in the facilitation within their own setting. The Woodland Play Centre will provide relevant theoretical, practical workshops and training.

“Playing outdoors should be a fundamental part of childhood, yet we are in danger of tidying our children away into stuffy bedrooms...”
Fiona Danks & Jo Schofield 2005

“Outdoor environments with natural things have three qualities that are unique and appealing to children as play environments – their unending diversity; the fact that they are not created by people; and their feeling of timelessness – the landscapes, tress, rivers described in fairy tales and myths still exist today”
White & Stocklin, 1997

“Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher”
William Wordsworth