The children this week have been astronauts, racing drivers and surfers, all in the woodlands on Putney Heath!
On one day, the children used long logs and planks to create their own spaceship. They then went off around the forest and grabbed metal bowls, wooden spoons, sticks and pots to act as the different parts that make the rocket go! They created a booster button, a super-fuel tank, a lever, wings and a kitchen. When it was time to take off the children counted down from 5 and blasted off towards the moon! Each child had their own steering stick as they guided the ship safely to touch down. They then ran off around the moon until they found a cosy bed for the night. They had to get up early though, back to the rock to explore space some more! On the way, exotic space drinks were served with alien goo and moon cheese slices! The children continued this game until they had visited numerous planets and along the way they interacted with each other beautifully with wonderful conversation and collaboration.
Our rocket ship was not a rocket ship to all the children in the forest! Some found out that it can be a racing car too! These children embraced speed as they took off on a racing adventure around the forest. Some were in their wooden cars making whizzing noises whilst others were running around camp at top speed exclaiming that they are in fact ‘Lightening McQueen’! The speed and agility the children displayed as they shot between trees, over roots and amongst each other was remarkable.
The wooden logs are always in regular use in the forest and the car was reformed to become a surfer’s paradise. The children carefully balanced on the planks as they lent forward and backwards, using gravity. The children gave each other tips on how to balance and also showed off their surf moves trying out spins and fakie switch ups.
After surfing in the forest, the children enjoyed recreating their favourite balancing obstacle course. This time with an extremely steep “up and down” section and some super wobbly logs to negotiate! As the children were building, they were testing out their ideas, adjusting planks that didn’t feel right until they had a sturdy structure to climb on. We marvelled as we watched their perseverance and ability to test their own ideas with confidence!
We look forward to seeing all the creativity and imaginative games the children will come up with next week!
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Little Forest Folk
Putney Heath