Children’s Professional Forest School in Ballynahinch

A forest school experience in Ballynahinch offers children the chance to immerse themselves in nature through a variety of engaging activities. Held in a beautiful beech woodland, each session is designed to promote fun learning and interaction with the natural world. There are two age-specific sessions, each offering a tailored experience for different age groups, packed with games, crafting, and outdoor exploration.

Key Details

• Location: Ballynahinch, County Down
• Session Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: 18 months to 12 years
• Accessibility: Stroller/pram accessible, wheelchair accessible, and suitable for those with limited mobility
• Meeting Point: Main car park, followed by a 10-minute walk to the forest school area

Muddy Tots Go Wild Forest School

For children aged 18 months to 7 years, the Muddy Tots Go Wild session introduces them to nature in a way that is playful and engaging. The woodland setting includes a variety of mini activities designed to promote a deeper understanding of the natural world. Parents will meet the group at the car park, where they will be led to the forest school for two hours of exploration and crafting.

The session includes a variety of activities such as wild painting, making hammered flower prints, fire building, and den building. There’s also time to explore the surroundings and enjoy a small pond, perfect for fishing out any swimming wildlife. At the end of each session, children are treated to a hot chocolate and toasted marshmallow before heading back along the scenic trail.

Young Adventurers Forest School

The Young Adventurers session, for children aged 4 to 12 years, offers the same engaging nature immersion as the Muddy Tots session but with more advanced activities and challenges. The children will experience all the same crafts and exploration as the younger group, with the added element of fire building and more intricate crafting. These young adventurers will finish their session around the campfire with a story and, of course, toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate.

This session provides the perfect balance of fun and learning, allowing kids to explore, build, and create in the heart of the woodland.

Location

The forest school is set within a beautiful 1.4 km nature trail, about a 10-minute walk from the main car park. The site is nestled within a dense beech woodland, offering a peaceful setting for children to explore. 

The forest is divided into two main tiers: an upper tier with a large weatherproof tent canopy and a lower tier featuring a campfire area and a short trail leading to a small pond. 

The area is accessible, with paths that allow for easy movement, even with a stroller or wheelchair.

Prerequisites

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless attending the Young Adventurers session, where drop-off is allowed. 

Appropriate clothing, including sturdy shoes or boots, is recommended for all participants.

Why Choose Us

The forest school is run by fully qualified, experienced forest leaders who are fire-qualified, first-aid trained, and registered with the IFSA. With a strong focus on safety, the sessions include fully insured activities, including campfire cooking. The team’s dedication to promoting outdoor learning, creativity, and exploration ensures that every child enjoys a fulfilling experience.

With its extensive range of activities, safety-conscious staff, and beautiful woodland setting, the forest school provides great value for money. Whether your child is learning to build a den, making elder jewellery, or building a fire, this is an opportunity for them to gain vital outdoor skills while having plenty of fun.