Beautiful, Wild and Worth Knowing There is something quite magical about walking through the woods at this time of year. The hedgerows are full of colour. Blackberries are ripening. Wild raspberries can be tucked amongst the brambles. Seeds are forming, berries are appearing and everywhere you look there seems to be something to notice. And […]

When Rubbish Becomes Possibility The other day, I arrived at Forest School with a bundle of straw from a local farmer. The farmer, who knows me well enough by now, was curious. “What are you making with it this time?” Scarecrows, I told him. And that’s exactly what the Year 3 children set about making. […]

Why I keep coming back Last week was our final preschool Forest School session of the academic year. It is always one of my favourite days. And one of the hardest. Every summer, we say goodbye to the children who are about to start school. Over the years, I’ve created a little tradition. Each child […]

The Treasures We Bring Sometimes the magic of Forest School begins long before anyone steps into the woods. Last week, I invited the families at our preschool session to bring along a few little treasures from home. A feather, a shell, a pine cone, a ribbon… Anything that could become part of a woodland mobile […]

Too Big to Play? Every summer, I notice it. Year 6 children ( 11 years old) arrive at Forest School carrying something different. Some are excited about moving on. Some have mentally checked out of primary school weeks before the end of term. Many seem caught somewhere in between. They’re beginning to let go of […]

Wild garlic is out…you can smell it before you can see it! Such an exciting time!  It means; I can make nettle soup again. For many, this can seem like an odd thing to do. If that’s you, I’m asking you to put your trust in me! Just this once… Nettle soup is delicious, I love […]

Earlier this month, World Book day was celebrated throughout the country. I love books. I love stories. It’s very rare I don’t share a story with the children at forest school. I love the worlds a good book takes you in, the emotions it makes you feel, and the opportunities for discussion it presents you […]

Wing Parish Council & the Volunteers of the Spinney have always been so supportive of Tales and Trails. When I approached them back in 2019 with the vision of opening a little forest school, they quickly gave me the green light. I was encouraged to volunteer in the Spinney. I say “encouraged” because yes, the […]

I hope you are enjoying the days getting longer, the daffodils rising and blooming, the warm sun rays reaching across the bare canopy. This half-term, among all the nature activities planned around the rising energy of spring, I also decided to thread some activities about emotions throughout the sessions. Toddlers have big emotions and it […]