YPO visits Saplings for the day

Under the supervision of parents, teachers and experienced outdoor leaders, children are exposed to the great outdoors all year round, as well as nature inspired crafts, positive risk taking, bushcraft and more in weekly sessions that are likened to a Forest School experience.

Here's what we got up to when we visited…

Creativity and crafting

We supplied Saplings with everything they needed to create Leaf Paint Prints as part of their nature inspired crafts part of the session. First, the children ventured into the woods to forage for leaves of all varieties. The children were curious, asking about different types of leaves and the trees they originate from – even learning the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees and plants. Others wer mesmerised by the different shapes, colours, and textures of the leaves. We were then welcomed back to the Saplings indoor classroom.
The children were given paint brushes and asked to create their own backdrop for their prints – choosing their favourite colours and using an array of brushstrokes to fill a canvas before pressing and stamping their leaves over the top. The children were incredibly engaged throughout and were excited to see the outcome of their work. At the end of the session, the children returned to the classroom and peeled back the leaves from their canvases to reveal unique designs, which they were all delighted to take home.

What you’ll need:

• YPO Ready Mixed Paint- Assorted Colours - 713120
• Unbleached Medium Weight Fabric - 317616
• Junior Chubby Brushes - 759082

Obstacle course

On our way back into the woods, all the children took part in a unique obstacle course built by the staff from tyres, rope and wood. They crawled, climbed, jumped, balanced, slid, and sometimes fell! But they loved every minute of getting muddy and wet. It challenged them and encouraged them to take positive risks to improve their gross motor skills and overall physical development… all whilst having fun!

Den and team building

We ventured into the woods again, but this time to build a giant den from twigs, branches, and logs. This allowed the children to interact with each other and the natural elements. The children communicated and cooperated from the moment we started, helping each other lift branches and build a den – which they decided would be for the animals to live in.

From craft to bushcraft

The last stop on our woodland tour at Saplings was to visit the firepit, which gave the children (and us) a chance to warm up and discuss the day's adventures. The little ones enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate before using their hands to roll dough and wrap it around sticks 'like a unicorn horn' to bake bread on the fire. The firepit feast was finished by roasting marshmallows, a welcome treat for the children.

These activities have been taken from Little Learners, a FREE magazine full of early years resources and activities. Click here to read our latest issue!