What a beautifully hot and sunny week we’ve had in the forest! With the temperature climbing, we’ve kept cool with plenty of refreshing play. Our shady corners and thoughtful planning have meant the children could continue exploring comfortably - with water, ice and fruity treats keeping everyone happy and hydrated. We whipped up some delicious melon ice lollies, which were just the thing for our sunny afternoons. The children also showed fantastic independence applying their sun cream, wearing hats and recognising when they needed a rest in the shade - such brilliant body awareness!
Water was the star of the week - and not just for drinking! We had a splash-tastic time zooming down our forest water slide, made from our trusty tarps and plenty of soapy water. The children arrived in their swim costumes, full of excitement and took turns slipping, sliding and giggling their way through the day. It was pure joy!
In another corner of the forest, our Little Forest Folk-ers took on the important task of car washing. After many weeks of muddy driving adventures, our toy vehicles were in desperate need of a clean. Buckets of water, sponges and plenty of elbow grease were used to scrub, rinse and polish every one until they were sparkling. The children worked together beautifully, taking turns and making sure not a single car was left behind.
The sandy part of our site turned into a seaside escape as the children built castles and moats in our beach-themed tuff tray. Shovels, buckets, and imaginative storytelling were in full swing as they created beach scenes - complete with ice cream shops and sunbathers!
One of our most popular stations this week was our water funnel system. Our little explorers poured, splashed and experimented with the flowing water, observing how it moved through the tubes and hoses. By the afternoon, this had transformed into an exciting fireman game with children dashing about “putting out fires” across the forest, using the hoses as their trusty tools.
We also had a wonderfully chilly time exploring ice play. Using paintbrushes and hands, the children experimented with painting on blocks of ice - noticing how the colours moved and how their fingers felt as the ice slowly melted. Even more excitement came with our frozen animals, trapped in colourful ice! Our little adventurers used warm water, different tools and teamwork to rescue the creatures, discussing the best methods for melting ice and predicting what might happen next. It was sensory, scientific and imaginative all at once!
To keep our learning rich and connected, we continued exploring shapes and patterns. The children created delicious “ice cream” patterns with scoops of raspberry and lemon flavours. They also crafted colourful caterpillars, carefully arranging patterns to challenge their growing maths skills. Our older children heading off to school were especially engaged, showing confidence and pride in their creations.
What a vibrant and joy-filled week it’s been - full of sunshine, water, laughter and learning. We can’t wait for more adventures next week! We wish you all a great weekend🌿
Little Forest Folk
Chiswick