Tall Tales, Magical Castles and Woodland Adventures at Andover Trees

There was magic in the woods this half-term as families joined us for our latest Tall Tales & Seasonal Stories session, hosted by the wonderful Amanda from Merry Go Round Storytelling. Every school holiday we host a Tall Tales & Seasonal Stories session for families. Our latest event took place on Thursday 28th May.

We were grateful for the cooler weather, after the half term week generated temperatures closer to 30 degrees! The drop in temperature allowed us to have the perfect morning outdoors. With the woodland looking beautiful in its spring colours, everyone was able to make the most of being immersed in nature throughout the session.

The morning began with an interactive retelling of the classic tale Jack and the Beanstalk. Amanda brought the story to life as children enthusiastically stepped into the roles of both Jack and the giant. There was plenty of laughter as young adventurers ran, hid and tiptoed through the woods while the giant slept nearby!

After the story, it was time to get creative. Children designed their own magical castle flags, decorating them with colourful gems, drawings and imaginative details to create their dream homes in the clouds. They then planted a bean seed in a small pot and proudly added their flag, ready to take home and nurture their very own beanstalk.

One of the loveliest parts of the day was seeing the kindness and teamwork on display. Children helped one another with planting and crafting activities, with a special mention to the wonderful Elsie, who kindly supported some of the younger children throughout the session. Moments like these remind us how powerful nature-based activities can be in bringing people together.

To round off the morning, everyone gathered in the Willow Circle for a picnic. While adults enjoyed a well-earned coffee, children tucked into chocolate biscuits and breadsticks and shared stories about their adventures.

These sessions are always great fun, but they are about much more than stories and crafts. They help children connect with nature, build confidence outdoors, make new friends and develop a deeper appreciation for the special green spaces we have right here on our doorstep.

A huge thank you to Amanda, our volunteers and all the families who joined us.

We can't wait to welcome everyone back for our summer holiday activities. There is plenty more woodland fun, creativity and exploration to come.

Visit our website to discover upcoming events and book your places.