A Muddy, Messy Adventure at Saltdean’s After School Forest School!
This week at our after-school Forest School session in Saltdean, the children threw themselves – quite literally! – into one of the messiest, yuckiest, and giggly activities we’ve done this term. From laughter to reluctant giggles, they learned to embrace the beauty of getting their hands dirty while making their very own seed bombs!
Flower Power in the Making
With a number of the children taking part, we introduced the idea of creating seed bombs, words like “disgusting” and “gross” flew around our circle - as they started to see they'd be getting a little mucky in this session. But within minutes, those same children who looked unsure, were squishing and squashing the sticky mix of soil, clay, and seeds with full enthusiasm. These little “flower balls of fun” were messy to make, but shared a lot of laughter as the children continued to become more comfortable in our natural environment!
With the cold fog rolling in, so not enough of that beautiful sunshine we'd had all day, some of the children’s creations might have looked suspiciously like elephant dung as they took their "treasures" home. We can only apologize if the drying process wasn’t as successful as planned… ;-) but what matters is that the children had a blast! Making seed bombs wasn’t just about the mess; it was a chance to learn about how plants grow and how they can spread wildflowers to help bees and other wildlife. A hands-on science lesson in action!
Obstacle Courses and More Adventures
Although the seed bombs stole the limelight, the session had plenty more going on. Dan led some brilliant games to warm everyone up in the chilly mist, sparking laughter while helping the children explore every corner of our space. Meanwhile, a few of our crafty adventurers worked on their knot-tying skills to create an epic obstacle course for their friends. Watching them weave their imaginative ideas into reality was thrilling!
What stood out most to us was the children’s willingness to go from “No way, that’s too gross!” to full-on giggles of delight. There’s something magical about how the Forest School environment encourages kids to take on challenges, connect with nature, and try things they never thought they’d enjoy.
Whether it’s crafting seed bombs, tackling team games, or building obstacles, every session offers new ways for the kids to grow. And best of all, they’re having so much fun they don’t even realize they’re learning.
Join Us for Our Easter Forest School Club!
If your little ones missed out on this week’s muddy adventures, don’t worry! Our Easter Forest School Club is just around the corner, ready to inspire creativity, laughter, and connection with nature. We’ve got fun-filled sessions coming up on 7th, 8th, and 9th April at Saltdean and on 14th April at Parkwood, offering plenty of exciting Easter activities you won’t want to miss.
Whether they love using tools, arts and craft, or simply exploring the great outdoors, our Easter Forest School Club has something for everyone for children aged 7-11. Plus, it’s a brilliant way for them to burn off some holiday energy while learning and having fun in nature - while you catch up on work or enjoy a cuppa of your favourite coffee in the sunshine.
Spaces fill up fast, so don’t miss out! Come join our Forest School sessions in Saltdean and Parkwood, and see where your child’s creativity takes them.
Who knows? They might come home with stories, creations, and even more memories of muddy adventures! 🌱