Key Stage 1 activities

These are a list of activities for our Key Stage 1 education groups. Most activities are available for 3 hours (half day) or 5 hours (full day) sessions for one class (up to 33 children). There will be time for lunch during the 5 hour session (children & teachers/parents to bring their own packed lunch)

How do I book?

Please check availability on our events calendar and then send us an enquiry with suggested dates using the link below.  We will need to speak to you prior to your visit so please include your contact number and the best time to contact you by phone.

SEND ENQUIRY >

  • Hannah and her team are organised, adaptable and fun. After the first time with them, we were hooked! They have enriched the student experience for the last 3 years and we look forward to our annual visit.

  • Thank you so much for our trip today. We had a fantastic day and I am sure the children will be talking about it for weeks to come! The trip was so well organised and I was very impressed with your grasp of their names so quickly.

    Teacher from Education Group visit

  • “We had a truly wonderful day in the woods with A Touch of the Wild. It was an incredibly valuable experience for the children’s learning but also allowing them to learn in a play based way. Have already recommended you to friends and colleagues! Thank you for a fantastic day.”

    Ide Primary School

  • “The A Touch of the Wild team are organised, adaptable and fun. After the first time with them, we were hooked! They have enriched the pupil experience for the last 3 years and we look forward to our annual visit.”

    Ilsington Primary School

  • The site was even better than last year. The children particularly enjoyed the nets and tree house and the marshmallows and hot chocolate. The teachers felt the led activities were valuable and we will definitely book again. Many thanks to all the staff.

    Exeter Cathedral School

  • We were all very impressed with our visit to the woods, the activities were well matched and the children had a wonderful time telling all their grown ups and the school in our class assembly.

  • We all really enjoyed our time in the woods. I was struck how calm all the children seemed around the camp fire and what great opportunities for cooperative play they had. I also thought the planned activities were wonderful and pitched at the right level. So we, too, came away feeling enthusiastic.

  • “Thank you for helping E to become more confident, independent and inquiring. She has learnt so much from you and is now always up for an adventure!”

    Parent, Dec 2022

  • “Thank you so much for looking after R again this year with so much care, interest and kindness. And for teaching her so much – amazing outdoor skills and knowledge and wonder, and independence, confidence and good socialising! And just for having such a fun time together! She’s absolutely loved her time with you and we feel so lucky to have come across you.”

    Parent, 2022

  • “A very big THANK YOU to all of you for all your hard work and enthusiasm. B has LOVED coming to see you since the day he started to the very end!”

    Parent, 2022

Wildlife Discovery - 3 or 5 hours

Put your detective hat on and come and see whether you can work out which animals live in the woods at Grammarcombe Woods, Ashcombe Estate. There’s an abundance of animals who call these woods their home so we may well be lucky enough to find badger tracks and sets, deer tracks and lots more. Children will develop all their senses through playing a series of sensory awareness activities and will really enjoy searching for animal tracks and signs.

Numeracy – Number and place value
Science – Sound, living things & their habitats, plants & animals
Observation skills

Growing Plants - 3 or 5 hours

Join us in the woods to consider what a plant needs to grow, investigate the variety of plant life in the forest and compare different habitats for plants. Then have a chance to plant your very own seed to take back to school and create your own leaf print flag.

Science – Living things & habitats, plants & animals
Observation skills – Different shapes & colours in nature
Numeracy –  Geometry, properties of shapes (symmetry)

 

Gruffalo or Bear hunt - 3 or 5 hours

Can you help find the Gruffalo or Bear hidden in our woodland? Starting with an instructional letter follow a flour trail to find the hidden creatures, make them some homes using natural materials to keep them warm and dry and sculpt them a friend from clay. All polished off with some marshmallow toasting – always popular!

Science – Living things and their habitats, plants & animals, human senses
Literacy – A great way in to non-fiction writing.
Art – Using tactile material
Observation skills

Forest food chain & habitats - 3 hours

Using a variety of sensory activities and games we will discover the different creatures that live in the forest and how they relate to each other. Creating some homes for them to nest and hibernate in and keep them safe.
Children will get a chance to create their own mini beast to take home.

Science – Living things and their habitats, plants & animals,
Art, Design & Technology – Using tactile materials
Numeracy

Crafts from the hedgerow - 3 or 5 hours

Search the ground, hedgerows and woods to gather natural materials to create your very own craft inspired by the colours, textures and shapes found amongst the forest.
Depending on the age of the pupils, they may have the opportunity to use simple tools, such as a saw and drill – under close supervision.

Numeracy – Counting
Science – Plants
Design & Technology – Designing & making, work in a different context, select from a range of tools & materials for practical tasks
Art – Use a range of materials creatively, share ideas

Finding art in nature - 3 or 5 hours

Children are encouraged to make full use of their senses in exploring the forest. The group will take part in a variety of exciting sensory activities discovering the forest in a new and inspirational way. The rainbow chip story, blindfold games and smelly cocktails are just a few of our ever popular games. End by creating a class art gallery among the trees inspired by the work of Andy Goldsworthy.

Science – Living things and their habitats, plants
Art – Using a variety of materials creatively, similarities of Andy Goldsworthy’s work to their own

Survival skills & cookery - 3 or 5 hours

Come to our secret woodland camp for a day of survival! Consider what you need to live comfortably outdoors using minimum resources and minimal environmental impact. Collect wild food, build your own shelters, play games, make fires and cook over an open fire. (please note, children must still bring packed lunch, as we will only be cooking snacks/light food)

Design & Technology – Cooking & Nutrition, cook over a campfire, principles of a healthy & varied diet
Science – Animals (human senses)
Numeracy – Sorting
Problem solving & Team work

Safety Information

The group will be safely supervised in all these activities by our trained and experienced staff, who will lead them on exciting adventures into the magical woods. All staff are qualified group leaders, first aid trained and DBS checked.