Wild Wednesdays for 5-12 year olds

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Family activity days on Ashdown Forest suitable for children age 5–12 years (check individual events for age suitability)

Join our Education team to explore the beautiful Ashdown Forest. We will be exploring the seasons with a walk, fun activities, natural crafts and games.

Build your nature knowledge over the year and connect with the wild! Different topics and activities every session.

Suitable for children aged 5 - 12 years, accompanied by an adult. Please check individual events as some are more suitable for children age 6 years and over.

Please come dressed to be outdoors whatever the weather in clothes you don't mind getting muddy and messy. Long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy shoes are required throughout the year for both children and adults, as these will help protect from stings and scratches.

Please buy a ticket for each child attending (£10 per child).

Parents/guardians are free.

Parking is included - you will need to register your car on arrival in the Information Barn at the Forest Centre.

Nature walks take place over uneven ground and may not be easily accessible for all. Please get in touch if you have any questions or need advice.

These events are not suitable for dogs.

18th February: Outdoor cooking

Join us in Friends Wood at the Forest Centre to discover how to safely light a fire and cook a tasty snack. Learn how we sometime use fire to help the Forest.

1st April: Trickery

Discover all about the animals that play tricks to survive. Be bird, bug, or snake come and find out about their strategies for success.

8th April: Bird kites and spring migration

Spring sees the return to the Forest of many birds that travel a long way to spend the summer here. Find out about their journey and why the Forest is special for them.

27th May: Warts and all

Is it a frog or a toad? Or perhaps a newt? Come and explore the world of amphibians.

29th July: Creatures of the night

What creeps, crawls, runs, jumps, pounces or flies when the sun goes down? Find out about the nocturnal creatures of the Forest.

5th August: Masters of camouflage

Find out who is the best at hiding and test your own hiding skills with some games!

12th August: Fangs

Which creature has the sharpest teeth and whose are the deadliest to be bitten by?

19th August: Creepers and crawlers

No back bone, no problem. Find out about the mini beasts of the Forest. We will be searching in long grass and trees to find out who lives where!

26th August: Build a camp

Join us for a morning designing and building dens using materials found on the Forest.

28th October: Birch brooms

Make a traditional besom broom out of silver birch twigs. Help manage our heathland habitat as well as sweeping up your leaves!

23rd December: Winter walk

Join us for a short 'hike' around the Forest. Playing and creeping games along the way and then stop for a hot chocolate at the end. Suitable only for those that can independently walk 2.5km. Involves steep slopes and uneven ground. A great way to use some energy up before Christmas!