Hi everyone! Nikki here, Deputy Manager at Woodlands. đź‘‹
If you’ve ever walked into our preschool at the end of a session, you’ve probably noticed two things: a lot of very happy faces and... well, a fair bit of mud. We wear that mud like a badge of honour! As a forest-school-inspired environment, we truly believe that there is no classroom better than the great outdoors, especially for our curious 2–5 year olds.
Living in Hemel Hempstead, we are so lucky to have incredible green spaces right on our doorstep, from Gadebridge Park to the hidden gems around Warners End. But I know what you’re thinking: "Nikki, I love the idea of nature play, but I don't have a teaching degree or a degree in botany!"
The good news? You don’t need either.
Forest school isn't about identifying rare species of moss (though that’s cool too); it’s about child-led exploration, getting those little hands busy, and letting their imaginations run wild. Whether you’re looking for a nursery in Hemel Hempstead that prioritises outdoor learning or you just want to survive a Sunday afternoon without resorting to the TV, I’ve got you covered.
Here are five super easy, forest-school-inspired activities you can do with your preschooler today. Grab your wellies, and let’s get stuck in! 🪵
1. Natural Picture Frames (The "Transient Art" Masterpiece)
At Woodlands, we talk a lot about "transient art." It’s a fancy way of saying "art that isn’t permanent." No glue, no glitter (you're welcome!), just pure creativity.
How to do it: Cut a simple "frame" out of an old cereal box. Just a hollow rectangle will do. Take your frame outside, to the garden or the local park, and ask your child to find "treasures" to fill it.
What to look for:
- Crunchy brown leaves 🍂
- Bright yellow dandelions
- Interesting grey stones
- Twisty little twigs
Why it’s great for development: This isn't just about making a pretty picture. It’s an exercise in observation and fine motor skills. Picking up a tiny acorn or a thin blade of grass requires a lot of "pincer grip" strength, which is exactly what they’ll need later for holding a pencil. Plus, it encourages them to look closer at the world around them.
2. Meet a Tree (A Sensory Adventure)
This is a classic forest school activity that builds a massive amount of trust and sensory awareness. It’s also quite funny to watch!
How to do it: If your child is feeling brave, you can use a soft scarf as a blindfold. If not, just ask them to "keep their eyes tight shut like they’re sleeping." Lead them gently by the hand to a nearby tree.
The Challenge: Ask them to "meet" the tree using only their hands and ears.
- "Is the bark scratchy or smooth?"
- "Can you reach all the way around it?"
- "What does it smell like?"
Lead them away, have them open their eyes, and see if they can guess which tree they just met!
Why it’s great for development: For a preschooler for 2 year olds, world-building is all about the senses. Removing sight heightens their sense of touch and hearing. It builds vocabulary as they search for words like "rough," "bumpy," or "crinkly." It also strengthens the bond between you, they have to trust you to lead them safely!
3. The "Critter Playground" (Imaginative Engineering)
We are big fans of "loose parts" play here. Instead of buying a plastic toy, we use what nature provides. In this activity, your child becomes an architect for the local bug population.
How to do it: Find a quiet corner of the garden or park. Tell your child that the local beetles and woodlice are looking for a fun place to play. Using only sticks, stones, and leaves, help them build a "playground" or a "hotel."
Think about:
- A "slide" made from a smooth piece of bark.
- A "swimming pool" (a large leaf filled with a few drops of water).
- A "bedroom" made from soft moss.
Why it’s great for development: This is STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) in its purest form. They are learning about stability (will this stick stay up?), habitats (where do bugs like to hide?), and empathy (taking care of small creatures).
4. Leaf Math (Making Numbers Natural)
Maths doesn't have to be done sitting at a table with a workbook. In fact, at our outdoor preschool, we find that children grasp mathematical concepts much faster when they can physically move the "numbers" around.
How to do it: Collect a big pile of leaves.
- Sorting: Group them by colour (the green ones here, the brown ones there).
- Size: Line them up from the smallest baby leaf to the giant daddy leaf.
- Counting: "Can we find 5 red leaves?"
- Patterns: Make a line that goes: leaf, stone, leaf, stone.
Why it’s great for development: This covers classification, sorting, and sequencing. These are the building blocks of early numeracy. By using natural materials, the "pressure" of learning disappears, and it just feels like a game.
5. Texture Explorer (The Vocabulary Builder)
If you've got a little one who is just starting to find their voice, this is a fantastic way to boost their language skills while burning off some energy.
How to do it: Give your child a "mission." You are the Mission Controller, and they are the Texture Explorer.
- "Explorer, find me something prickly!" (Hello, holly leaves or pine cones).
- "Explorer, find me something squishy!" (Mud is a popular choice here!).
- "Explorer, find me something cold!" (A big stone in the shade).
Why it’s great for development: It builds a rich, descriptive vocabulary. Instead of just saying "good" or "nice," they start to understand nuance. It’s also great for gross motor skills as they run, squat, and reach to find the items on their list.
Why We Love the "Forest Way" at Woodlands
You might wonder why we put so much emphasis on this style of learning at Woodlands Preschool Hemel. It’s because we see the results every single day. When a child is outside, their stress levels drop, their curiosity peaks, and they become more resilient.
Whether they are learning to use child-safe scissors to snip leaves or working together to move a heavy log, they are developing independence. As a preschool for 2 year olds up to school age, we focus on making sure they are "school ready": not just academically, but emotionally and physically.
Our setting in Warners End is designed to be a bridge between the home and the "big school" world, providing a nurturing, adventurous start. We don't just "go outside" for a break; the outside is our classroom.
Ready to join the fun?
We know that choosing the right nursery in Hemel Hempstead is a huge decision. You want a place where your child is seen as an individual, where they can get muddy, ask a million questions, and feel completely safe to explore.
If you’d like to see our forest-school-inspired approach in action, we’d love to show you around!
✔️ Check out our About Us page to meet the team. ✔️ Take a look at our Approach to see how we teach. ✔️ Or just Contact Us to book a visit.
Don't forget to follow us for more "at-home" tips and a peek into what we get up to during our sessions. Now, who’s ready to go find some mud? 🌳✨
See you soon,
Nikki Laventure Deputy Manager, Woodlands Preschool Hemel
Woodlands Preschool Hemel A nurturing, forest-school-inspired preschool for children aged 2–5. 📍 Located in Hemel Hempstead 📞 Contact us today 🔗 Explore our Sessions & Funding
We’re registered for 15 and 30 free hours for eligible families, plus Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit support.