Guiding The Young Ones

Category: Activities and Inspiration

Playful ideas, provocation inspiration and creative sparks for engaging, educational and meaningful moments with Young Ones.

  • Simple Forest School Activities for Little Explorers

    Simple Forest School Activities for Little Explorers

    There’s something magical about the forest — the way the light dances through the trees, the crunch of leaves under little feet, and the freedom children feel when they’re surrounded by nature. Forest School isn’t just about being outside — it’s about being with the outdoors. It’s about curiosity, confidence, and connection.

    Whether you’re running a Forest School session or just heading out to your local woods with little ones, here are some simple yet powerful activities to spark learning, laughter, and a love of the wild.

     1. Stick Man Story Walk

    Inspired by the beloved book Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, take a walk through the woods and encourage children to find their own “Stick Man.” Use sticks to retell the story, act out scenes, or make your own woodland puppet show.

    Extension idea: Collect sticks of different lengths and sizes — can you measure them? Sort them? Build a den?

    2. Playdough & Clay Tree Faces

    Bring along some natural-toned playdough or forest clay and let imaginations run wild! Children can create faces on tree trunks using leaves, twigs, stones, acorns, and other natural treasures. Will it be a friendly forest spirit, a cheeky goblin, or a wise old woodland watcher?

    We’ve even made Gruffalo characters before — it’s a wonderful way to mix storytelling, fine motor skills, and sensory creativity!

    Top tip: Take photos of their creations to revisit and reflect later — especially if the weather changes them!

    3. Nature Potions

    Set up a little “potion station” using bowls, ladles, pestle and mortar, or even just open-ended containers. Encourage children to mix mud, leaves, petals, and water to create magical mixtures.

    Why it matters: This activity supports imaginative play, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration.

    4. Bird Nest Building

    Challenge children to build a nest using only natural materials — twigs, moss, grass, and leaves. Talk about where birds live, and what makes a good home. Compare your nest designs and see how well they hold an “egg” (a small stone or pinecone works well!).

    Learning link: This activity introduces early engineering, problem-solving, and empathy for animals.

     5. Listening Walk

    Slow things down with a mindful listening walk. Ask the children to close their eyes for a few seconds — what can they hear? Birds? Wind? Cracking twigs? Create a sound map by drawing or marking where each sound came from.

    This is a wonderful way to promote mindfulness, awareness, and calm.

     6. Campfire Snacks (With Safety!)

    If you have the training and setup for it, a small campfire can be an unforgettable part of Forest School. Try making chocolate baked banana, popping corn in foil, or even making dampers (twisty bread on a stick).

    REMEMBER — Always follow strict safety guidance, ratios, and permissions — and model respectful, responsible fire use.

     Forest School Is About Being, Not Just Doing

    Some of the most powerful moments in Forest School aren’t planned. They happen when a child crouches to watch an ant carry a leaf, or when they proudly balance on a fallen log for the first time. Let go of outcomes. Follow their lead. Nature is the teacher — we’re just there to walk beside them.

    Final Tip: Bring a journal or camera to document the wonder. The small moments — muddy smiles, a feather found, a whisper of “Look what I made!” — are worth remembering.

    Let’s keep nurturing a generation who loves the earth, plays with purpose, and grows with freedom. 

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  • Dandelion Sensory Playdough – Simple Play to Spark Big Magic

    Dandelion Sensory Playdough – Simple Play to Spark Big Magic

    This nature-inspired sensory activity is perfect for spring and celebrates the simple joy of playing with what the season offers. Using dandelions collected by the children, we create homemade playdough together — combining fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and a love for nature in one calming invitation to play.

    You will need:

    • Collected dandelions (Just make sure to leave some for the butterflies and bees – Dandelions are the most important first nectar and pollen sources for beneficial insects).

    (Here is a basic homemade playdough we use but there are many other simple recipes available and other methods of making it, that you may like to try or adapt)

    • 2 cups plain flour
    • 1 cup salt
    • 2 tbsp cream of tartar
    • 2 tbsp oil
    • 1.5-2 cups hot water cooked over a low heat
    • Optional: A few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil for additional scent

    How to make it:

    1. Prepare the dandelions: Let the children help gently pull apart the petals — this is a sensory experience in itself!
    2. In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients together and 1/2 of the dandelion petals.
    3. Add the oil and hot water and stir over a low heat until it forms a dough (please remember to discuss safety rules with your Young Ones if they are using the hob – there are also no cook recipes that you can use, if you are not able to safely cook your dough).
    4. Add the remaining dandelion petals and knead well (once suitably cooled).
    5. Enjoy the gentle texture and sensory experience!

    Creating an invitation to spark curiosity and excitement – Suggestion for a natural and simple invitation to play… Offer the dandelion playdough with natural loose parts (sticks, pebbles, leaves, pine cones, more dandelions, small wooden bowls and/or cutters)
    No agenda, just open-ended sensory play.

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Understanding the natural world – identifying and gathering seasonal flowers. You can also use this as an opportunity to learn more about this amazing plant… For example: did you know the whole of a dandelion is edible and it actually contains more nutrients than most common vegetables (how amazing is that)?!
    • Fine motor development – Mixing, kneading, moulding, squishing, rolling, and pinching playdough strengthens small muscles in the hands and fingers, which supports handwriting and other fine motor tasks. That’s without mentioning the hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills used to collect and pull apart the dandelions.
    • Sensory exploration – engaging touch, smell and sight in calming ways.
    • Language and communication – talking about textures, colours and the nature around them. Sensory play is also a great opportunity to incorporate new language and to use lots of fantastic adjectives.
    • Emotional wellbeing – using nature-based play to ground, relax and calm.
    • Creativity and Imagination – Children can create anything from insects and animals, to imaginary creatures, encouraging imaginative play and storytelling.

    This activity is as much about the process as the product. It encourages connection, mindfulness, and creativity — while nurturing a lifelong love for nature, right from the earliest years.

    🌼 Because the biggest memories are often made in the smallest, most natural moments.

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    Georgina Young – Early Years Specialist

  • Magical Mirrors: Enhancing Play and Learning Through Reflection

    Magical Mirrors: Enhancing Play and Learning Through Reflection

    Some people have been asking why mirrors are often used in play and learning invitations, so I thought I’d share a few reasons why they can be such powerful additions to your provocations – both at home and in early years settings.

    Mirrors reflect light, creating a visually stimulating environment that supports the development of visual senses and adds a whole new dimension to play. Children are naturally drawn to their reflections – they love seeing themselves and watching their play unfold in the mirror. This not only enhances self-awareness but can also support early communication, as children begin talking to themselves, making faces and expressing emotions through their reflections.

    When observing children engaged in mirror play, you may notice moments of self-regulation, like children using what’s known as private speech – talking to themselves as they think through ideas or solve problems. In adult terms, this is like an inner monologue and it plays an important role in cognitive development.

    Mirrors also present opportunities for children to explore the world from a different perspective. They can investigate symmetry, silhouettes, shadows, colours, reflection, luminosity and more. The ever-changing images offer endless possibilities for creative exploration and even the simplest materials can feel magical when mirrored.

    Beyond the sensory and cognitive benefits, mirrors provide space for identity exploration. Children can observe their own movements, increasing body awareness and developing a stronger sense of self.

    Whether placed under a light tray, alongside natural loose parts, or propped up outdoors next to leaves and petals, mirrors invite children to look closer, think deeper and imagine more boldly.

    So if you’re looking to enrich your next play setup, try adding a mirror. You might just be surprised by what reflects back!

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  • Let There Be Light: Illuminating Play for Young Explorers

    Let There Be Light: Illuminating Play for Young Explorers

    Light has a magical way of capturing children’s attention – and their imagination. Whether you’re an educator setting up a provocation or a parent looking to spark curiosity at home, incorporating light into play can add wonder, warmth and endless learning opportunities.

    A light tray is a brilliant place to start. It can transform even the simplest materials into something new and exciting. Try using it to highlight objects for close observation – natural treasures like leaves, shells or feathers suddenly glow with detail when lit from below. Add a topper tray, and it quickly becomes a sensory base for loose parts or sensory materials/bases – such as rice or beans. Want to mix things up? Add playdough for a whole new sensory experience with colour and shadow interplay.

    But light play doesn’t have to stop at the tray…. Fairy lights, soft lamps and rope lights can be woven into invitations to play, creating a gentle, calming atmosphere that draws children in. These additions are perfect for building a hygge-inspired learning space – cosy, inviting and rich in possibility.

    Torches open up another world of exploration. Use them to cast shadows on the wall, explore reflection with mirrors or observe the magic of refraction through glass and water. Not only are these activities incredibly engaging but they also lay the groundwork for early science concepts in a hands-on, child-led way.

    By incorporating light into your play environments, you’re not only making spaces beautiful and inviting – you’re also inviting children to wonder, investigate and learn in meaningful, sensory-rich ways.

    So next time you’re planning a provocation, ask yourself: how could light shine a new perspective on this experience?

    Let’s light up learning – one twinkle at a time.

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  • Calm Down Box/Basket

    Calm Down Box/Basket

    What is a Calm Down Basket/Box?

    We all experience moments when we feel stressed, overwhelmed or dysregulated – these feelings are completely normal, all be them unpleasant! A calm down box is a wonderful tool designed to help children (or even adults) manage their emotions, regulate their bodies and minds and build resilience in moments of stress.

    A calm down box is a special place that holds your child’s (or your own) favourite items, specifically chosen to aid in self-regulation. These items help to restore balance by grounding the senses – whether through touch, smell, sight, sound or practicing breathing techniques.

    The Golden Rules of a Calm Down Box:

    • Choose items that are liked and age-appropriate: Make sure the contents are things your child (or you) will enjoy using.
    • Avoid screen-time items: Calm down boxes should not include screens like iPads or gaming devices.
    • Encourage independent play: The purpose of a calm down box is to (eventually) help children self-regulate on their own, so it’s important that the contents promote independent interaction.
    • Model how to use it: If your child is new to using a calm down box, you may need to show them how to engage with the items inside, especially during moments of big emotions (some children will need a longer period of time co-regulating and it is important we support them, so they can eventually self-regulate).

    What to Include in a Calm Down Box:

    If you’re wondering what to add, consider items that encourage repetitive motions or sensory experiences, such as spinning, clicking or rolling. These activities can help children focus and calm their minds. Toys with different textures, sounds and scents can be particularly effective in distracting from overwhelming emotions, helping children refocus and regain a sense of calm.

    What is a Sensory Break?

    A sensory break is a short, intentional pause from regular activities to engage in calming sensory experiences. These breaks are not just for times of stress; they can also be used when a child is feeling calm or happy. The purpose is to teach children valuable self-regulation tools that they can later use during moments of frustration or upset.

    The Benefits of a Calm Down Box and Sensory Breaks:

    A calm down box and sensory breaks offer many benefits, such as:

    • Increased mindfulness: Helping children become more aware of their emotional and physical states.
    • Reduced stress and anxiety: Sensory activities can reduce the impact of stress and encourage relaxation.
    • Improved emotional regulation: Children learn to better manage their emotions, even in challenging situations.
    • Enhanced self-awareness: Through regular practice, children become more in tune with their emotions and how to manage them.

    When we engage with our senses, such as through touch or smell, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) – the body’s natural calming response. This response counteracts the “fight or flight” instinct, reducing heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. Sensory breaks also help distract the brain from anxious thoughts, redirecting focus to more calming and restorative experiences.

    A Reminder:

    Younger children may need support and guidance from adults to effectively use their calm down boxes, especially during moments of strong emotions, distress, or dysregulation. It’s important to be patient, offer gentle guidance and make it a practice that encourages emotional growth and resilience.

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