Mud Pies will be running for three weeks of July during the school summer holidays.
Aberdeen City - classes run on Mondays at Countesswells Wood - 12, 19 and 26 July
(Countesswells Wood is opposite Loanhead Equestrian Centre, on the road between Kingswells and Cults.)
Aberdeenshire - classes run on Tuesdays at Scotly Woods, Banchory - 13, 20 and 27 July
(Scolty Woods are south of Banchory. Drive down Dee Street, over the bridge and 200m later turn sharp right, taking
the brown tourist signs for "Scolty Woodland Park".)
Thanks to Forestry Commission Scotland for their co-operation in hosting these events in their wonderful woods!
Times: 10 – 11.30am or 2 – 3.30pm
Cost: £7 per session per child
Children will find out about nature, have time to play and explore outdoors, make something to take home and have a snack of a drink and biscuit. Classes can be booked individually. Come along to one, two or all three - it's up to you.
Please note - these activities are designed for children aged 24 months to those about to go into P1 in August. Older and younger siblings are welcome to come along and join in too - no extra charge!
Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 July
Bugs Britannica
6 legs, 8, lots or none – come and see how many bugs britannica you can find! Both Monday 12 July classes at Countesswells Woods, Aberdeen - morning and afternoon - are now fully booked.
Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 July
Wild Weaving
Come for an adventure around the wood, collect some natural treasures and make a colourful creation to take home!
Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 July
Hide and Seek
From reds and pinks to browns and greens, come and see if you’re any good at hiding in the wood! Please note - the morning classes of Tuesday 27 July is now fully booked - spaces still available in the afternoon though. There are also still a few remaining places for both the morning and afternoon classes on Monday 26 July.
Mud Pies will be commencing its termly classes on Monday 23 in Aberdeen City and Tuesday 24 August in Aberdeenshire. Venues are currently being confirmed. Have a look back soon for the details or get in touch to join the mailing list.
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.
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.
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