Tree Themed Activities

I recently co-organised The Friends of Trendlewood Park's Family Tree Trail for the Festival of Nature. It was incredible to see families enjoying exploring trees on the trail and being inspired by activities in our marquee.

Here are some ideas to help you create your own tree-themed day!

Activity 1 - Leaf Rubbings

While our tree trail features signs identifying various trees, you can enjoy this activity anywhere with paper and crayons. Take a walk around a nature area and when you find a leaf, make a rubbing of it. If you don't know the tree they came from, when you get home you can do some research. You can also create a tree from their leaf rubbings as we had in our marquee.

Activity 2 - Storytelling

We had a cosy corner in the marquee where volunteers read tree-themed stories to the children. After exploring the trail, it provided a much needed space to relax and take a breather. Why not take some nature-themed stories to your next picnic to allow for a quieter activity?

Activity 3 - Nature Mandalas

Nature Mandalas are a wonderful nature-based craft to build creativity and curiosity. People of all ages enjoyed designing their mandalas, while inquiring about the different objects they were using to make them. Capture a photo before leaving it for others to enjoy - no clean up necessary! Ensure you use safe objects and avoid disturbing living organisms.

Activity 4 - Stickman Creation

If your child loves Julia Donaldson's Stickman, this is a great activity. It may require adult assistance for younger children, but they’ll enjoy playing with their creations afterward - making up stories, taking them on adventures, etc. A helpful tip: find twigs that already have a legs/arms so there is less to attach!

Any day that is spent in nature can inspire us to be inquisitive, creative and thoughtful - making it a wonderful way to connect as a family!

Have you tried any of these tree-themed activities or created your own? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Share your photos, stories, or ideas in the comments below or tag us on Instagram (@thoughtfulhumanslearninghub). Let’s inspire each other to connect with nature and create lasting memories!