A fabulous last session of our Autumn term 💚 thank you to everyone who has come and made our sessions so wonderful 💚

Wonderful Wednesday at Wacky Wellies 💚💚

Wonderful wednesday at Wacky Wellies @Shepherdswell Primary School. Toasted pancakes on the fire, leaf art , autumn sensory bags, tie dye with berries and so much fun and exploring 💚

What an amazing start to our new term with Fox cubs group !! Tools, hammocks, puppet shows, mud kitchen restaurants to name a few . With some porridge for snack to warm our bellies 💚 so excited to see what next week brings.

Mud kitchen almost done , work in progress and helpers💚💚 very rustic

Final Wonderful Wednesdays 5s and under session before a break for the 🌞 thank you to all the families that have come along it's been an absolute pleasure 💚 can't wait for September

Wonderful Wednesdays are definitely a thing! Thanks to you all for sharing it with us . Last one next week and then bring on September 💚

Wonderful Wednesdays at Wacky Wellies💚💦 wiggle worms in the mud kitchen, nature stencils, lots of water play and some crumpets cooked on the fire for snack. What toppings would you choose? We had honey, syrup, jam and butter... Thank you everyone that came and made it such a fabulous session. Can't wait for next week 💚🙏🏼

Wonderful Wednesday at Wacky Wellies...lots of swinging , tool work , digging, bird spotting and so much more . Thank you to everyone who came and can't wait to see you all in two weeks time 💚#forestschool#earlychildhoodeducation #outdoors #backtonature

We are back 💚 with a fabulous morning decorating our explorer bags with some hapa zome. It was such a joy to welcome back some familiar faces and some new ones to Wacky Wellies#forestschool #outdoors #play

Don't miss out on your place 💚

We had so much fun making a dandelion everlasting wish jar at home. So simple and the perfect time of year to make one .

Play , play and more play . Anyone else love how a mud kitchen isn't just for mud but anything that is just lying around flower play is always a big favourite 💚 what's some of your favourite mud kitchen enhancements?

4 and a bit years and what a transformation 💚 it's incredible to see who much these trees have grown and changed the whole area , along with our wonderful fire, circle and shelter. This area has been known as the meadow, but looking at how much the trees have grown it think we might have to call it something else! Any suggestions? Or stick with the meadow? Swipe to see before pics ( not from the same angle but you can get the idea of what it did look like )

When all you want to do is stay and play in the water 💦#forestschool #mudlife #wildandfreekids

“Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.” -Diane Ackerman

On a cold day all you need is a hot drink! My absolute favourite activity to do with my groups is use our Kelly Kettle (Storm kettle) to boil some water to achieve that. The children have the opportunity to learn about what type of file is needed to build and feed the fire , how to gather this in a sustainable way, risk management. As well as how to light and keep the fire going until the water reaches boiling point. Nothing more satisfying 🔥☕🫖

Camping snapshot. Just a few pics of an amazing time with Friends and the tribe 💚

Veg patch and cuties in Pjs enjoying the evening sunshine 💚💚💚☀️

Best time camping with friends 💚💚🏕️ it's was just fab to be out in nature and watching the kidos all run about bare foot having the best time. Of course no camping trip would be complete without a fire and marshmallows. So very lucky💚not to finish unpacking the car😅

💚💚💚💚Garden days

Veg patch update , very simple and just the start! Always a bit late to get round to it but fingers crossed for a good crop this year. Rhubarb, rasberries, onions, beetroot, lettuce, carrots and pumpkins which the kids all planted ready for October. Also have some pots inside with Cauliflower and Courgette, so have left space att he end for them to go in. Really wanted to plant some. Spinach but yet again can't find the seeds!! Looking forward to see what will grow this year 💚

Thank you for the sunshine today 🌸☀️💚

Enter a raffle to win this fab bundle for some spring time fun! To enter claim your numbers 1-70 in the comments and pm me for details to pay. Each number is £1. 50, all money goes to support Canterbury Books For Change UK entries only, this is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. Image : new book Mama built a little nest, acrylic pens, wooden Eggs, wooden discs, red and white string and a bell

Beautiful evening, out for a walk with the tribe and looking out at fantastic veiw, some of the lake still frozen and taking in a quiet moment 💚

Let them be 'bored'!!... What are your thoughts? We had a fab afternoon at the beach. But before hand it was a different story. Lots of grumbles about it being boring, didn't want to go!! Sometimes trying to get outside isn't fun it feel like a chore. I know that once we are there mostly we all feel better for it. For me in particular I need to have outside time. It helps keep me going and makes me feel calm. As soon as we got there, they had already decided what adventure they needed to go on and where knocking on the car doors to be let out. The tide was out, the rock pools were calling and spots of sand were exposed. I normally have a beach bag in the car with nets, buckets, spades and a towel... but of course I had forgotten that today. Again came the grumbles, but they didn't last long and off they went and made their own fun, no bells and whisltes. Wet soggy trousers and shoes, smiling faces and chilly hands later. We sat warmed up with a cup of hot chocolate and chatted about all we had found and seen and home we went. By not giving them all the tools and the kit they just had to make their own fun and they did. I need to remind myself of this that I don't need to entertain and give every tools resource going to, facilitate the best play and learning. Sometimes the magic comes from having nothing and no particular plan💚💚💚

Spooky leaves 🍁👻 an easy and fun activity, which the children can make their own. We had great fun collecting the leaves on an adventure. Then paint and decorate however you wish. They decide to only paint one side then used felt tips once it had dried to draw design and details 💚💚 Image description : leaves layed out painted with a white background with different spooky designs on, eyes, skeleton head.

Walking home from the school run with the tribe and searching for the last carrots in the veg bed🥕What a Beautiful Day💚💚

Water play 💦 hot days its all about the water play. Endless amounts of fun and keeping cool at the same time. If your like me and just not organised enough to remember to do some ice to play with, hot days are perfect for doing some water art, if it's on a patio, fence, pavement or tray. Water some brushes, sponges, toys or hands and feet. So much fun mark making and watching it disappear to carry on playing💚 obviously I over see by sitting with my feet in the paddling pool 😜 What's your favourite waterplay? Image 1:grey patio slabs, with water marks on in the shape of lines and a flower, blue small tray with water and a childs shadow and top of head and arm. Holding a paintbrush, water painting. Image 2: feet and legs in a blue green paddling pool full of water.

I don't normally post photos of myself but felt this needed to be recorded. Today was my last FS session before MAT leave. It feels very strange to reach this point, as my track record is normally ealry arrival on the bubs front. But this time I have managed to keep going with one week today until my Due date. I definitely have found it hard with moving around but, just being outside and doing what I love has been amazing and I feel better for it. This time round I have someone taking over from me while I'm off and I'm so happy. I can't wait to see how the develop it further and what the get up to while I'm away. I also can't wait to start up my 5s and under group again and really hope that will be in the not to distant future! It was a day of two halves wet and hot and oh so beautiful to be out in both. We nibbled nettle crisp and made some elderflower cordial. I'm going to miss it so much. You know I won't be able to keep away for long x x x

Enjoying a gentle walk in the bluebells in the rain 💚 This is my absolute favourite time of year because the bluebells are out. The colour the smell makes me smile and just want to loose myself in the woods. I think the tribe have picked up on how much I love them as they pointed out every single one with great excitement 😂

Still can't believe this has actually come to life💚 with some incredible volunteers and hard work. Sensory pathway ekkkkk!!!

It feels like forever since we have properly been into the woods and had a real explore and play. So pleased to be back in my happy place and just to watch the tribe at play. The carpet of anemones was just stunning and sings of new life springing up were everywhere to be found🌼🌱🐝🦋 taking a slower pace with no frills just the woods and little people 💚

You don't have to be in a woods or beach to be enjoy the benifits of outdoorplay💚 this is a reminder to myself and all who need it. Just getting outside no matter where it is holds so many benifits. It doesn't have to be fancy or a beautiful location. HAPPY MONDAY X X

Taking in some quite moments 💚 just breathe💚

It was a damper bread kinda day 🍞 it's one of those things I often forget about. It's so simple and just yummy either on its on, filled with Jam or a bit of butter. Filling of choice was Jam today... Yum yum The recipe we used today was 500g self raising flour 200ml of water 75g caster sugar And a filling of your choice Make sure to add the water gradually as you don't want to dough too sticky💚

Wishing all of you wonderful people such a happy 2022!! It feels very strange coming to and end of a New Year when we have just been poorly for the last two weeks. Really looking forward to some healthy and exciting times ahead. Can't wait to welcome back some of our lovely families and friends to join us for some more sessions in 2022 we have missed you all lots. Really hope everyone is keeping well and sending love and hopes for the year ahead 💚

Unfortunately session today is cancelled. You have Email 😘

A time laps of setting up some of Wednesdays session. I definitely get my steps in 😊

Wacky Wellies Wednesdays 💚💚 a few snippets of what we all got up to. Nature weaving, hedgehogs and pattern making with playdough and sticks, wands and streamers and some conker painting. I love our Wednesdays 💚💚💚

Wonderful Wednesdays return 💚💚💚 some highlights from our fist 5s and under session this term. Thank you to everyone who attended and for all the photos 😘

Autumn term dates are finally up! Change of venue but excited for some new adventures and to welcome this most beautiful time of year with you all 💚 book via the website www.wackywelliesforestschool.co.uk, link also in bio and hope to see some of you very soon x x

Lizards soaking up the sunshine today at Forest School 🦎 Learning together is always my favourite. Together we observed, took a closer look, discussed, researched and just took pure joy in nature 💚💚💚 What's made you feel happy today?

Always my favourite moments, sitting with the tribe around the fire sipping hot chocolate and chatting 💚💚💚💚

Presenting Make at Home Kits with Wacky Wellies. Raising money to support @canterburybooksforchange Our first kits will allow you to make your very own solitory bee home 🐝 Cost £12.99 including postage and packing (UK delivery only) DM to order with Name and address 💚 All profits go to support @canterburybooksforchange campaign to get as many diverse and Inclusive books in to our local primary schools. Each kit purchased allows another book to be donated 📙📖❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍 Thank you for your love and support and I really hope you like our new kit🐝 Bee Kind🐝

Summer days 💚

Blackberrys are ready to pick in our area💚 we took a stroll around our local woods and there were so many! To our delight we had a little feast. It was so lovely to hear the boys talk about which ones they thought would be ripe, and discussion about why a red or green one was not ready to eat. What's your favourite dish or treat with blackberries?? I love fresh jam and chunky bread simple but a winner ❤️

Wacky Wellies round up. I have been so bad at taking photos this term. So here are some I did manage 💚💚💚

Nature paints. It's one of those activities which is so much fun and creates an amazing opportunity for investigation and discussion. The children had lots of fun experimenting to see what colours they could make.

This pictures sp ak louder than any words I have 💚💚💚 these beautiful people , big and small just soaking up the woodland and books 💚💚 #forestschooluk #booksforchange #wackywellies #earlyyearseducation

Found the gem of a photo 💚💚💚 5s and under Summer term dates are live on the website. Follow the link in my bio to book places filling up fast. Come and join us for 6 session of fabulous forest fun and adventure.

Sliding 💚

Cooking on the fire 🔥 There is something so special about being able to cook something on an open fire. It never really matters exactly what you are cooking as the enjoyment and achievement levels are the same. From collecting, splitting and laying the wood. Lighting the fire using a flint and steel. Waiting and tending to the fire, to then be able to cook, toast roast. Preparing any food ready to go on. Then the actual cooking stage, using your judgement to see if it's ready or not. Lastly the final stage the sitting back and tastor sharing what you have made with others. In these time I have so many conversations with the children about home life, what they eat, enjoy how they help out or not at home. As well as sharing some of my home life as well. I am always left feeling very privileged at how much they choose to share with me at these times and how much is gained from a simple bit of cooking together 💚 Image black fire bowl and grate, with grill holding bread over the fire. Image 2 pan with boiling water and vegetable stock being stired in beside the fire. #cooking #forestschool #openfire #wildcooking #forestschooluk #outdooreducation #backtobasics #wackywellies

Wonderful Wednesdays with @LittlebournePrimaryschool so much fun designing boats and making them, lighting and cooking noodles and cheese toasties on the fire, den building, tree climbing. It always amazes me how much actually happens in just two hours!! Such an amazing group 💚

Wacky Wellies 5s and under 💚 tools, flower potions, washing stones, water play, tool work and so much more.

Stick Tower challenge 💚 The children had so much fun working together and against each other to see who could make the tallest stick tower. The energy, concentration and enjoyment was wonderful. The part I loved the most was at the end there wasn't any boasting of who manged to make the tallest tower, but talking to each other about their different approaches, how they could improve, or what they liked and how close they had all come. They all came away with a sense of pride and achievement, no prizes, stickers, points. So proud of them today 💚💚

Water play 💦 wonderful Wednesdays ment I got to welcome back our 5s and under group💚 seeing all the adults and children back in our lovely setting and exploring was just amazing. The children were particularly enthralled with water play this morning, jugs, bowls, buckets and some cut up guttering. Therapeutic play at its best, watching, controlling and exploring the way water travels moves. The filling up and emptying of containers is just so calming and satisfying. It's is also great for fine and gross motor development. It's such a great sensory play and really helps to calm littleones especially when feeling overwhelmed. I always remember when I first became a mummy someone said to me if they are ever having a hard time put them in water or let them do water play, sink, bath, bowl on the floor or outside works every time 💚

Fossil hunting today with Family 💚

Woodland swinging 💚

Absolutely joy at watching the lambs play today. All the feels of spring 💚

Connecting with nature 💚 there are many ways you can connect with nature and one of them is sharing books out side. Just being outside surrounded by nature, if it's out on a walk or just on your door step it's so important. I am absolutely loving doing our Reading Explorer Fundraiser Challenge, for 14 days we are sharing books somwhere outside @canterburybooksforchange. Photo was day 3💚💚

So peaceful 💚💚💚💚🌸🌸🌸 happy place I hope everyone is doing well. For those local to me I will be starting up the 5s and under Forest School group. I will be putting up dates this week and sending email out to anyone of my list for first dibs. Really looking forward to having you all back in the woods again x x

Magnolia 🌸🌸🌸💕💕💕 just wow at this time of year! Wow! We enjoyed a lovely day in the garden with family. Anyone celebrating Easter I hope you had a lovely day. So looking forward to the Easter holidays with our tribe and lots of outdoor fun and reading with @canterburybooksforchange Reading Explorer for 14 days. If you w at to join along it's a great way to get out and about and enjoy some books together.

Hapa Zome (leaf bashing) It's a firm favourite and excellent for this time of year. Everything is so fresh and juicy💚🌸 I have done alot of Hapa Zome over the year and it still amazes me how much detail you can transfer and just how beautiful it is. It is also lots of fun and great for self regulation. Mostly I use fabric, but you can use card or paper.

There was a bit of a bird and egg theme in the weeks forest school sessions. The children were amazed to learn about different types of bird eggs. Some just couldn't believe how different they looked in shape, size, colour and pattern. They had great fun going on a egg hunt around the site🥚

What an absloute beaut of a day 💚 as a family we are incredibly lucky to have a garden. This morning was spent fully making the most of it. Breathing in the snets and colour and getting seeds planted and veg patch prepared. Giving the no dig method a try this year. Has anyone had a go? Success? Top tips?

Writing for a purpose 💚💚💚 So I left out a chalk board and pen in the mud kitchen area and look what they created! This is a year two class and this just melted my heart seeing them using it and how they have got leaf money. They have asked for paper to make menus for next week💕

Lots of fun this week making Elder bubble sticks 💚

Trying out the obstacle course💚 I'm really excited to see how it develops and changes as the children add more to it.

One year ago 💚💚💚 looking forward to opening up our 5s and Under group again. Watch this space!

Nature Colour hunt 💚👀 As part of our walk towards the end to ge them all home we played a game of colour eye spy. It's simple no resources, no preparation. We each took turns and hunted for different things of that colour, the children wanted to take photos of some of the ones they found. It always amazes me how many different colours and tones there are! What colours do you see? #naturecolours #forestschool #wildandfree #outdooreducation #learningthroughplay #earlyyears

Today is World book day in the uk🌍 anyone that knows me I have always been a little obsessed with childrens books. Not much has changed , so to celebrate our love for reading at Wacky Wellies we have been busy creating a reading nook. My little tribe have been helping and hopefully it will be done for when you can return to the woods with us💚 Happy world book day #bookstagram #booksforchange #booksinthewild #booksforall

Making shapes💚 E had so much fun making different shapes using some nails. He came and asked me if he could use the tools. When I came back to see what he had been up to, he presented me with a diamond or a square shape made of nails. He then went on to take the nails out and then make other shapes. I felt so proud of him, he used the hammer so well and his care and patience was amazing.

So the last two days have been all about site management and maintenance. It's very rare I get the time to actually sort things out without any children helping as well. So my first attempt at making a saw horse, the only thing I brought were the nails otherwise it's all fro. recycled fence posts. Then also starting a new bug hotel. Again all from recycled materials. All ready and waiting for when the children can return and start filling in more sections. Also a whole day spent repairing one of the cannopys 😢possibly my least favourite job so far!! I hope you have all had a good couple of days. It's the weekend I'm going to have a glass of wine and chill 💚🍷 happy Friday you love lot x

Loving not having to drag the tribe outside at the moment 💚 They basicly sprinted out before I could get a cuppa this morning. I set up a little invitation to play and investigate looking at what a plant needs to grow. They could draw their own or use some cardboard cutouts of the different parts of a plant, stem, flower and leaf. We had a read of some of our books as well 'A seed is Sleepy' and 'Planting a Rainbow' I do love how our garden becomes our forest school area💚🌈

Very excited at the thought of being back working my freelance day🤞🏻 and everything crossed the 5s abd under group wil be able to run again.... Watch this space 💚💚

Hello 😊 so some how I have a had a little flurry or new followers. Thank you so much for wanting to follow along really means alot. So I thought I would do a little introduction post. Firstly thank you so much for joing me and our little Wacky Wellies Family. I am Naomi creater of Wacky Wellies Forest School, dyslexic, primary school teacher, early years specialist, science lead, Level 3 forest school leader and most importantly mummy to a tribe of 3. I am passionate about play and anything to do with getting learning outside. Once I trained in forest school I knew I couldn't stay in the classroom anymore. So now get to teach at several schools bring forest school to them💚 so now I have the best classroom ever the great outdoors. I also run a 5s and under Forest School group which I am. Hopeful will be able to resume soon. You will find me outside in all weather's, normally covered in mud with lots of layers. I am bubble of ideas and normally hopeless in time management. Living in my own little world of unorganised, organised chaos 😉 I have never been great about talking about myself so I hope that gives you little bit of an insight into who I am. Please feel free to ask me anything else you would like to know about me?

Stones 💚 I love how much fun you can have with a stone. We made some of our own story stones in the garden yesterday. Just using a felt tip pen so, nothing fancy drawing whatever they wanted. We had a robot, bird and a digger afterwards they brought them inside and had fun just playing with them together and individually. The talk and imagination that comes from it is just wonderful. What's your favourite play or activity with stones?

“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.” -Charles Schaefer This quote just says it all really 💚

Bird House 🐦 today we made some bird house for our garden. My very talented @barry.feldman_mdes.rca cut out all the peices for us. So all we had to do was drill some holes, add some nails and a bit of wood glue for good measure. The boys were in their element.

Snow snow snow ❄️🌨️⛄ today I made some stencils to use with the snow painting, there were alot of fun. We have just had so much fun playing in the snow. Not doing anything particular just relishing the pure joy it gives❄️ If you have had snow, how have you been enjoying it?

Snow painting ❄️🎨 we did this on Monday. It's so simple and can be done in lots of different ways. We used food colouring and water, with paintbrushes. You could use spray bottles, pippets or we also used some calpol syringes. It can be done with herbal teas, watercolours, or even certain spices which when added to water make a colour 💚❄️

Igloo❄️ well half an igloo/snow wall🤣💚 we didn't mange to finish but we did have great fun. It kept us moving, talking and doing a lot of problem solving. As well as guarding it from one small child who just wanted to 'Hulk smash' it!!

Snow days are the best ❄️⛄

Learn how to make a quick and easy bow and arrow. For endless fun and play💚🏹

Puddles and Grass 💚 ticked off our nature bingo today. So much fun seeing who could make the biggest splash in the puddles. Playing with water in general today was an absolute winner. Also creating grass rafts to see which ones would float, finding sails and just having a wonderful time outside in nature 😊💚 What have you manged to do off our nature bingo list?

STICKS 💚 Ticking off Sticks from our nature bingo with an invitation to play, making some mini dens.

Walks at dusk🌓 anyone else enjoy going for a walk as the sun is setting? We have really been enjoying exploring when the light is being to fad. Yesterday we went for our normal walk aroundd the woods, but it felt very different, it was peaceful in an almost magical way. We could hear the chatter of birds and very clearly the rain as it began to fall amongst the trees. The boys really enjoy wearing torches as well so it's an incentive to get out and about 💚

Learn how to make some simple bird feeders. Great for any age, lots of sensory, fine motor skill and just lots of fun. We had so much fun making these and talked alot about birds and what they would like to eat 🐦💚

Making 💚 what a beautiful day it was yesterday. My groups in school were completely in the flow at the tool station. Which ment I had no choice but to join in as well 😊 It was lovely to see them develop their skills and be full of confidence using certain tools. I was on hand to lend help and advice when needed. We were all most definitely in the flow and it was beautiful 💚

Muddy faces, woodland spirts , guardians. Without fail this is always something that gets everyone thinking creatively. Making a face in nature from nature. From the collecting of natural materials to the making. Every part requires you to look more closely at the natural world around. Identify the materials you want to use to know what they are called are thet safe to pick or touch. Feeling them so gaining those sensory experiences and ultimately having fun 💚 This doesn't have to been done just outside, if you can't get out use some playdough, salt dough and make one inside. Or just stick or lay some natural materials onto some card or paper to make your face. If you have a go please share you faces #makewithwackywellies

A bit in love with our bug hotel made today with KW and Vulnerable children 💚🐞🐛🐜🐌🕷️🐝🦟

Another fun activity that can be done inside or outside. Wonderful for exploring, patterns, texture, shades and colour. You will need Stick String Anything from nature for the brush Mud Food colouring Pots Flour Water We had so much fun making and using ours. Hope you do to💚#makewithwackywellies

Making bridges 💚 We had so much fun today making a little bridge over some water. When we walked past this a couple of days ago the boys had wanted to make a bridge. For whatever reason we only managed to collect a few sticks and then they lost intrest. But today when we went back and they got to work, collecting sticks, measuring them, testing them to see if they were strong enough. The amount of communication and problem solving that went into maki g this was wonderful. So much learning taking place and so much fun. They were very proud of it and have grand plans on how to add to it next time 💚

Mud paint and nature paintbrushes 💚 We had lots of fun doing this in our garden. I have done another #makewithwackywellies coming soon. So you can have ago with us💚