Children Embrace Nature and Storytelling in Half-Term Woodland Event
During the recent half-term break, Andover Trees United volunteers, Matt and Natalia joined forces with Amanda from Merry-Go-Round Storytelling to bring the magic of stories and nature together in a fun-filled day for local children. The event took place in the heart of the woods, offering youngsters an engaging mix of storytelling, crafting, and outdoor games.
The day was split into two sessions catering to different age groups. In the morning, children aged 2 to 5 were enchanted by Amanda’s lively retelling of The Three Little Pigs. The story was brought to life with interactive rhymes and songs, engaging not only the children but also parents and volunteers. After the storytelling, the little ones set about constructing their own houses for the pigs, using sticks and other natural materials they found in the woods.
In the afternoon, the older children enjoyed a weather-themed story before getting creative with nature crowns. They crafted their crowns from sticks, grasses, and plants, embracing the beauty of the woodland surroundings. The session ended with a high-energy game of ‘Bird and Nest,’ a competitive challenge where participants raced to gather wool offcuts (representing worms) and bring them back to their nests without being caught.
Reflecting on the event, Matt Thomas shared, “I really enjoyed my day at the woods. I’m used to nature-based activities, but working with Amanda was a new and unique experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.”
The enthusiasm for Amanda’s storytelling was evident, with one participant already asking, “When can Amanda come back?” The excitement was echoed by Matthew Thomas, Youth Group Co-leader of Andover Trees United, who said, “We are so lucky to have the space we do, and it is great that the children are able to come and make use of it.”
Parents also shared their appreciation for the event. One parent commented, “Lovely to be in the woods again. Good open-ended activities. Atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. Amanda was great. Well led by Matt and Natalia – thank you!” Another parent added, “Both girls thoroughly enjoyed the workshop with Amanda and Natalia. The storytelling was interactive and engaging, and foraging and making the nature crowns was great. The girls also enjoyed the game afterwards. We would definitely want to join future workshops. Thank you.”
Another delighted parent shared, “Effy loved this session and came away absolutely buzzing about what she had crafted! She will definitely be back.”
Events like these highlight the importance of outdoor learning and creative play, reinforcing the value of community spaces like those managed by Andover Trees United. With such positive feedback, it seems likely that more storytelling adventures in the woods will be on the horizon.
