Our week in the forest
This week, our Little Forest Folk-ers set sail on a series of exciting adventures, exploring everything from pirates and Bonfire Night to libraries and royal self-portraits. Their energy, creativity and curiosity filled every corner of the forest!
On Monday, the children dived into the world of English pirates, especially learning about the infamous Blackbeard. Inspired by their swashbuckling hero, they pretended to be pirates and explorers on a treasure hunt. Working together, they searched the forest for hidden maps and X marks, then embarked on scavenger hunts to find treasure chests tucked around camp. Our little adventurers also created their own pirate maps, scrunching and dyeing paper with herbal teas to give it a worn, authentic look. Once dry, they drew their own maps, ready for future adventures and imaginative play.
Tuesday was all about discovery and creativity. The children explored clay fossils, painting bright and intricate patterns while taking turns and discussing different animals, including dinosaurs. They also enjoyed role-playing various jobs in England, such as forest rangers protecting nature and police officers keeping everyone safe. Meanwhile, building towers and structures with Lego encouraged teamwork and problem-solving, with the children collaborating to make the tallest, most impressive creations possible.
On Wednesday, the children embraced the excitement of Bonfire Night. The day began with songs about fireworks, inspiring arts and crafts. They used sparkly yarn to wrap sticks and create their own pretend sparklers, practicing fine motor skills while enjoying imaginative play. In the afternoon, they made rockets from recyclable materials, combining paper bags, kebab skewers, pens and tape. The rockets soared and “banged” across camp, bringing joy and plenty of giggles. The swing was up all day and the children also enjoyed a long walk through the woods, exploring and staying active.
Thursday took us to Roehampton Library, where the children returned books and explored the shelves, discovering new stories and revisiting favourites from home. This trip was a wonderful way to encourage curiosity, early literacy and independent choice. Back at the nursery, the afternoon was spent relaxing and playing in the garden, followed by a hands-on cooking session where the children prepared their own dinner on the fire.
To end the week on Friday, the children embraced a royal theme, creating self-portraits fit for Buckingham Palace. They carefully painted themselves with crowns and regal attire, celebrating creativity, self-expression and a sense of fun.
It has been a week full of imagination, teamwork and joyful exploration. Well done everyone for making the most of every adventure!
Little Forest Folk
Putney Heath