Info for families
Schedule
See the schedule below to find out when and where our Family Forest School sessions take place and how to book.
What to expect
Each session is quite a relaxed affair as we appreciate that life with small children often gets in the way of hard and fast schedules.
As people arrive, we draw their attention to the specifics that may or may not have been found on the morning’s risk assessment sweep, and we share with them our plans for the morning.
Alongside our planned activity, resources are available for a huge variety of choice in what children and families would like to get busy with; from lying in the hammocks to digging and making mud pies; searching for beasts or reading a story; painting and chalking or playing with water and so much more, the choices are there for all.
Then we disband and let the morning take whatever path it will take within the safe boundaries of the base.
Snack and drinks are available for everyone to have during the session, and handwashing is always possible.
Our sessions close with a gathering together time for those that want to, when we sing songs, chat about our morning and raise any issues that we have or information that we want to pass on.
After singing everyone heads off, after doing a little bit to help tidy up.
We look forward to seeing you there soon.
We love to hear what you think: surveymonkey
What should adults do?
We encourage the adults to support the children in their activities rather than doing them for them or choosing for them.
We encourage the adults, whilst watching out for their child’s safety, to let them take some responsibility for their own adventures.
Whilst the children will be gaining a massive amount from being in the woods and playing together, we recognise that an important aspect to any parent and child group is the support and friendship that we as adults can gain.
Parenting is really challenging! And getting together with others can make it seem a little lighter for a time.
What to wear / bring
As the weather conditions vary through the year each adult bringing a child to the sessions is responsible for dressing themselves and their child appropriately.
Ideally both adults and children alike should have (depending on the season)
- Long Trousers
- Wellies/ footwear that protects toes
- Wooly hat and gloves
- Spare socks
- Change of clothes in a carrier bag
- Fleece/ sweatshirt
- Jacket/ coat
- Sun hat
- Waterproofs
Eastwood family sites
Eastwood
Our long standing weekly Friday morning family sessions are held at Eastwood. Mud, pond life, singing and tea will be staples of every playful creative session for you and your children to come and enjoy with us in our beautiful little space. These sessions are by block booking for the half term, but if thats tricky we always keep some last minute spaces free on each Thursday, cos we know that life with small people can be a fickle thing! bookable here Buy tickets for Tinderwood Trust (tickettailor.com)
Booking for the next half term will be live via the link above at 10am on Thursday February 20th.
- Spring term 2 2025 dates are Friday February 28th to Friday April 4th 5 weeks. NO SESSION ON FRIDAY MARCH 7th
Booking for Summer half term 1 will be live via the link above at 10am on Thursday March 20th.
- Summer term 1 dates are Friday April 25th to Friday May 23rd. 5 weeks
NEW PRICES FROM JANUARY 2025.
We are making a change to our pricing to enable us to be sustainable.
From January 2025 block booked places will be £7 per child per session.
We have increased the number of block booked places to 25 each week.
Last minute places for single sessions if available will be limited and will cost £10 per child per session, bookable each Thursday at 10am.
!Hi, when coming to play out with us at Eastwood, Cycle and park on the site; come by Bus and then walk down from the main road, walk along the canal from either Tod or Hebden. If you come by CAR, parking is on the main road with a short walk either down Stoodley Glen to the tow path then swing a right at the Canal. Or come through the gated gap in the cricket club wall, walk towards the cricket pavilion, pop over the river bridge - Take Care - and .... TA DAAAAR there we are. Remember that there is absolutely no parking at all for cars down Stoodley Glen - lets not upset any residents!!
Sessions at Eastwood on Friday
When?
Fridays 10-12 noon
For children 0-5 with parents/carers
Where?
Eastwood Family forest school site
Find us on the map: street maps link
Cost?
We ask those who can afford to do so to contribute to the cost of these individual family Forest School sessions.
We ask for a donation from families of £7 per session when block booking (£10 per session last minute places) per child but welcome anything you can afford.
Availability
Spaces still available.
Please note: We run in all weathers with just two exceptions; if there is a strong wind or if the rain has been really heavy and the site is liable to flood. Either of these conditions would make it unsafe to be in the woods, and families will be contacted on Facebook or text message as soon as a risk assessment has been carried out. A message will also be shown on this page.