Mud Pies
Mud Pies nature courses are for children aged 2-5, and their parent or other carer and take place in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

 

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Classes


Mud Pies

Fifty five families have taken part in Mud Pies since its inception in October 2009. We have made brooms for Halloween, leaf crowns, nature treasure boxes, secret dens and natural Christmas decorations. We also collected tree seeds, planted hazel trees, had a teddy bear's picnic and of course splashed in huge puddles and made mud pies. Have a look in the gallery!
Who, where and when? 
Mud Pies are for two to five year olds and their parent or other carer, i.e. children who are not yet in Primary 1.

The classes are held weekly and run in session blocks lasting half a school term, usually between 4 and 6 weeks. Each class lasts 75 minutes and will involve up to 10 children and their adults.

Sessions run throughout the school year and are held in specially selected woods within Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Aberdeen City sessions are held on Mondays with activities in Aberdeenshire taking place on Tuesdays. 

Classes times: 10 – 11.15am, 12.15 - 1.30pm or 2 – 3.15pm

January to March 2010
Aberdeen City - Hazlehead Woods
Session 3: Mondays 4 January to 8 February
Session 4: Mondays 15 February to 22 March - morning session places still available: afternoon session now fully booked

Aberdeenshire - Dunnottar Woodland Park, Stonehaven
Session 3: Tuesdays 5 January to 9 February
Session 4: Tuesdays 16 February to 23 March - morning session places still available: afternoon session now fully booked

April to June 2010
Aberdeen City - Tollohill Woods, Banchory-Devenick, Aberdeen
A beautiful wood with some of the best views of Aberdeen!
Session 5: Mondays 12 April to 17 May (6 week course)
Session 6: Mondays 7 to 28 June (4 week course)

Aberdeenshire - Back O'Bennachie, Oyne
On the northerly side of Bennachie this fantastic wood has streams, fruit trees and majestic views!
Session 5: Tuesdays 13 April to 18 May (6 week course)
Session 6: Tuesdays 8 to 29 June (4 week course)

Click here to book a Mud Pies session.

What’s involved?

After an initial welcome to each day's theme by the session leader, the children will explore the wood for half an hour to look for interesting items. The group will then arrive at the ‘nature den' (a temporary tarpaulin shelter) to take part in further activities and games for another thirty minutes. Everyone will then leave together, fifteen minutes prior to the end of the session, to make their way back, by another route, to the car park.

Classes will be based around a loose theme each week, and will involve a range of fun, seasonal activities, such as collecting leaves, identifying trees and birds, spotting colours and shapes or hunting for minibeasts. Classes will also involve making something from the natural treasures collected. Planting seeds which have been picked up in the woods to take home and look after will also feature in each session.

Not just for children!

Parents/carers are expected to play an active role in the session. This is an ideal opportunity for children and their adults to enjoy quality time while learning together about the environment. Mud Pies hopes all participants will be inspired to carry on exploring nature and replicate some of the activities outwith Mud Pies.

How much?

Classes are paid for in session blocks. Each class costs £6, so a six week session costs £36 per child. Adults go free. Payment (online or cheque) is made prior to the start of the session.

What about older children? Can my child’s nursery or school book a session?

Mud Pies are for families with children aged between two and five (not yet in P1). Mud Pies aims to work with schools, nurseries and playgroups in the very near future. Please get in touch in the meantime to discuss your group’s requirements.

Thanks to:

- the Forestry Commission Scotland for making the fantastic Countesswells Woods, Dunnottar and Scolty Woodland Parks and Back O'Bennachie available for Mud Pies.

- the steering group of the North East Forest Education Initiative for their financial support through their Woods for Learning Grant Scheme.

- Aberdeen City Council Ranger Service for making Hazlehead Woods available and Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service for their partnership in sharing the beautiful Back O'Bennachie woodlands.

 

Click here to book a Mud Pies session.

 

  leaf crowns at Mud Pies

mud pie classes by Mud Pies

fun outdoor classes for children in Aberdeenshire

Mud Pie courses by Mud Pies

nature courses for children in Aberdeen

fun nature classes by Mud Pies

 

     

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