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.
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)
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.
Home
