Forest School Magic Wands at Our Cambridge Nursery
At Monkey Puzzle Grange Road, our Cambridge day nursery, some of the best learning happens outdoors. On Monday and Tuesday this week, the children headed into the forest to craft their very own magic wands, with one day dedicated to peeling and whittling and the next to decorating.
Day One: Peeling and Whittling
On the first day, the children carefully shaped their sticks by whittling away the bark with a potato peeler, with close adult supervision throughout to make sure every tool was handled safely. As they worked, they had the chance to explore the texture, shape and appearance of the wood underneath before moving on to decorating.
Day Two: Wrapping Wands in Colour
On the second day, the wands really came to life. The children wrapped colourful string and wool around their sticks, choosing their favourite colours and experimenting with different patterns and designs. No two wands were the same, and each one reflected the personality of the child who made it.
Why Outdoor Crafting Matters for Your Child
Both activities fostered imagination and creativity, giving the children the freedom to explore natural materials and express their own unique ideas. Whittling with a real tool, under careful supervision, also builds concentration, hand control and confidence, and teaches children how to handle equipment safely and responsibly. Wrapping and winding wool strengthens fine motor skills and encourages them to plan and experiment. For your child, that means rich, hands-on early years learning that connects them with nature and lets their imagination run wild.
