Shapwick Heath Forest School

Join Us for a Wild Minibeast Hunt!

Step into the world beneath our feet and discover the tiny creatures that make nature so magical! From speedy beetles to wriggly worms, fluttering butterflies to busy ants – there’s a whole hidden kingdom waiting to be explored. Perfect for curious minds and nature lovers of all ages.

Make a Wooden Mini Beast!

Making a wood cookie bug is a fun, hands-on activity that blends creativity with basic tool skills. A wood cookie is simply a thin slice of a tree branch or log, showing the natural rings and textures of the wood.

Children start by safely helping to cut a wood cookie under expert supervision. Then they Drill holes, use natural materials—like twigs, leaves, seeds, and pinecones—along with craft items such as pens and pipe cleaners to bring their “bug” to life.

Bug Bottle Hotel!

A mini bug hotel is an engaging, hands-on craft that teaches biodiversity by giving garden insects a safe place to shelter, breed, and hibernate. Using upcycled containers and natural garden finds, participants pack materials tightly together to create dark, cosy crevices for minibeasts.

About the Day:

This session will be held outdoors at Shapwick Heath NNR. Adults must accompany their children through the session. It will involve walking to and from the Forest School area on the Shapwick Heath NNR over flat but uneven ground.

• Meeting Point: Main courtyard, Avalon Marshes Centre

• Start Time: 10:00am / 14:00pm

• End Time: 12.30pm / 16:30pm

• Activity length: 2.5 hours

• Cost: £12 per child including 1 free adult ticket, additional adults cost £5 each

What is a Forest School?

A Forest School is an outdoor education programme that encourages child-led learning through exploration, play, and hands-on activities in a natural environment. Children engage in activities like building shelters, identifying plants and wildlife, crafting with natural materials, and learning survival skills, all while developing confidence, creativity, and a connection to nature.