Year 1 and 2 Explore Nature at West Boldon Lodge Forest School

The morning started with a fun craft project—making personalised name tags from slices of wood. Each pupil decorated their tag with string and beads, creating a keepsake to wear for the day. Once everyone had their name tags, the group headed into the forest to create artist palettes from natural materials. The children eagerly searched for shades of brown, green, and grey to complete their palettes, all while learning to observe the subtle variations in nature.

Next, the children tackled another creative challenge—spelling out their names using only natural materials they could find on the forest floor. They collected sticks, twigs, leaves, bark, and wood chips to form each letter. Those with longer names took the opportunity to flex their problem-solving skills as they scoured the forest for more materials.

The morning adventure continued with a storytelling session featuring Superworm by Julia Donaldson. Inspired by the tale, the pupils divided into teams and crafted insect characters from the story using natural resources. This hands-on activity allowed them to work together while exploring creative ways to represent their chosen insects.

After a quick lunch break, the focus shifted to orienteering and map-reading skills. In small groups, the children followed colour-coded instructions to navigate the forest in search of hidden treasures. Their efforts were rewarded with puzzle pieces that, when assembled, revealed a poem and matching illustrations about different animals and plants.

The day was a resounding success, with smiles all around. The pupils loved the fresh air, teamwork, and creative activities, making memories that will last long after the trip. West Boldon Lodge Forest School certainly provided a perfect blend of fun and learning for our Year 1 and 2 pupils!