Discover the wonder of nature this Easter with Forestry England! Head to the nation’s forests and have an exciting adventures with your friends and families. Whether you’re soaking up the sun during a leisurely picnic or exploring the new Stick Man family adventure trail, there’s endless entertainment for all ages.
Best of all, many of these activities are low-cost or even free, making it accessible for all budgets. Join us for a day filled with laughter and make unforgettable memories amidst the stunning scenery of the great outdoors.
Here are some of the exciting activities families can look forward to during the Easter break:
- Stick Man family adventure trails
This Easter, families can have a magical woodland adventure with Stick Man, the beloved character from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular book. The specially designed activity trails, running across 26 forests in England, invite young explorers to help Stick Man find his way back to the family tree.
Along the route, children can enjoy nine interactive activity stations and six spotter panels, where they’ll build with sticks, learn about forest wildlife, and discover the wonders of woodland birds and their nests. For just £4, families can buy an activity pack including materials to create their own Stick Man and a special passport to collect stamps during their forest adventure. The activity pack provides hours of entertainment, making it excellent value for money.
Cost: £4 per activity pack. Parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
- Join Wallace and Gromit for the ultimate forest walkies
Swap hunting for Easter eggs with cracking crossword clues with Wallace and Gromit this Easter and be in with the chance of winning an amazing dog-friendly holiday. Available at 22 forests, the Forest Walkies with Wallace & Gromit trail is packed with games and challenges designed for your family and your dog to tackle. Simply use the free OS Maps app to follow the route and discover a series of panels, each featuring a different dog-tastic activity and a crossword clue to solve.
Download the route on OS Maps and pick up your Forest Walkies with Wallace & Gromit pack before you set off. It’s filled with tips, activities, and more ideas to make your adventure unforgettable!
Cost: App: free. £5 per Forest Walkies pack plus parking charges. Free parking for members.
- Test your family’s bluebell knowledge
A truly iconic part of British springtime, the small but beautiful bluebell creates fantastic carpets of blue in our forests. You may also see them popping up along verges and in gardens each spring, but how much do you know about the British bluebell?
Download and print Forestry England’s game of true or false to learn and head to one of Forestry England’s recommended list of bluebell woods to learn more about these enchanting flowers and their history.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
- Enjoy the blossoms
Blossom is one of the loveliest sights of spring for the whole family to admire. Woodlands across the country are full of colour with cherry, blackthorn and wild pear trees creating stunning natural displays. Head to your local forest this Easter and enjoy this spectacular spring sight!
Children can enjoy the simple pleasure of spotting different blooms while parents can capture the perfect family photo beneath canopies of delicate flowers – a breath-taking backdrop that costs nothing but delivers priceless moments.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
- Go on a family bike ride
With over 2,500km of cycling trails and family friendly off-road routes, the nation’s forests are the perfect destination for a family cycle this Easter. Discover green spaces, dedicated cycling trails, skills areas and beginner mountain bike trails perfect for starting your children on their cycling journey. So, grab your helmet and head out for a beautiful cycle ride.
Cost: Free, bike hire charges and parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
- Go on a picnic
It has been proven that spending time in the forest is good for our wellbeing, and what could be more joyous this Easter than spending time with your friends and family, sharing a picnic nestled amongst the nation’s forests’ magnificent trees?
Getting the picnic ready is also a fun activity for kids – they can help you plan out what you’re going to eat and drink, pack up the food items and help prepare the sandwiches.
Here are Forestry England’s top picnic sites.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
- Take a moment to reflect
It doesn’t all have to be go, go, go! With Easter comes the sense of new beginnings and an opportunity to reflect. During Easter, spend some quality time away from screens with your family and connect with nature on one of Forestry England’s wellbeing trails.
In addition to the wellbeing trails, families can also give forest bathing a go. Simply find a quiet spot where your kids feel safe and relaxed and start practicing the art of forest bathing with Forestry England’s downloadable activity sheets.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
- Stargazing
Spring is still a brilliant time to head outside and gaze at the stars. Head to your local forest this Easter and see the night sky like never before.
For fantastic activities for all the family, download Forestry England’s free beginner’s guide. Written in association with BBC Sky at Night magazine, you can learn about constellations, try star navigation, play night games and become a Forest-Star.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
- Butterfly spotting
Butterfly spotting is a delightful and magical activity to enjoy during Easter, especially as many butterflies emerge to bask in the spring sunshine. To help you spot these beautiful creatures, here are Forestry England’s top tips:
- Head out for your butterfly hunt in the mid-morning, as butterflies love to soak up the first rays of sunshine to warm up before taking flight.
- Look for sheltered areas where butterflies are protected from the wind.
- Move slowly and quietly to avoid startling the butterflies. Try to avoid casting shadows over them, as they may fly away to find a new sunny spot!
If you spot a butterfly that captures your interest, try drawing it from memory when you return home. Who knows, you might even create an entirely new species!
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
- Play in the forest
Get the whole family involved as you scramble, slide and swing your way around our forests this Easter!
With adventure play zones and natural equipment, our fantastic play areas offer a perfect opportunity for both kids and adults to blow off some steam.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
If you want to extend your stay and immerse yourself in the forests for longer this Easter, Forestry England has plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets. From back-to-basics camping to your very own log cabin with a hot tub, Forestry England works with a range of accommodation providers, helping you make the most of your forest experience.
Image: Forestry England/Crown copyright
