Frequently asked questions

Our weekday sessions (Wednesdays & Fridays) are lovingly designed for children up to 7 years old. To allow the whole family to play together, our monthly weekend sessions welcome older siblings with an extended age range for children up to 10 years old.

This is our most important question! The right clothes are the difference between a magical adventure and a miserable one, and we are passionate about making sure everyone is comfortable. Don't worry if you're new to this - it's simple once you know the secret!

The Golden Rule: Layers are your best friend! Lots of thin layers are far warmer than one thick one. They work by trapping air, which is a brilliant insulator. It also means you can easily remove a layer if you get too warm from all the exploring.

Here is the simple, foolproof layering system we recommend, especially for autumn and winter:

1. The Base Layer (Next to the skin) This layer’s job is to keep you dry by wicking away moisture.

• What to wear: A long-sleeved top and leggings. Thermal sets or merino wool are fantastic, but any non-cotton top will do.

• Top Tip: Try to avoid cotton for this layer. Cotton absorbs sweat and rain and stays wet, which will make your child cold very quickly.

2. The Mid Layer (The cosy, insulating layer) This is your warm layer. Its job is to trap body heat.

• What to wear: A fleece jumper, a warm hoodie, or a woolly jumper. On the bottom, fleece-lined or thick jogging trousers are perfect. You can even double up with two mid-layers on very cold days.

3. The Outer Layer (The wind and water shield) This is your weatherproof shell. It keeps the wind and rain out, and all the warmth in.

• What to wear: A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers, or (our favourite for little ones) an all-in-one puddle suit. This is the most important part of the kit!

Happy Feet = Happy Child! (A Note on Wellies)

Keeping feet warm is a game-changer. Standard, unlined rubber wellies are great for summer, but in the cold, they are like wearing chilly boxes on your feet and will lead to tears.

• For Winter, we STRONGLY recommend neoprene (like wetsuit material) or fleece-lined thermal wellies. They make a huge difference and will keep toes toasty for the whole session.

• If you only have standard rubber wellies, please make sure your child wears two pairs of thick, warm socks (wool or thermal socks are much better than cotton).

Don't Forget the Extras!

• A warm hat is essential.

• Warm, waterproof gloves or mittens.

• A scarf or neck warmer (a 'snood').

• Always bring spare socks and gloves! These are often the first things to get wet.

A Quick Note for the Grown-Ups: Remember, you'll be standing still more than your little explorer! The same rules apply to you – layer up, wear warm, waterproof shoes, and you'll have a much better time.

Summer in the woods is truly magical, and our woodland has a superpower: the trees!

Our beautiful, dense tree canopy creates a cool, dappled shelter, making our sessions the perfect escape during a summer heatwave. It also provides fantastic cover from any passing showers! Our philosophy is to embrace the joy of the season, and we believe happy children are often messy children!

Comfort is Key Light, comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting messy is the way to go. We still find that long, light trousers and long-sleeved t-shirts are best to keep arms and legs comfortable while exploring amongst the trees and kneeling on the woodland floor.

Embracing the Mud & Water! On hot, sunny days, waterproofs are often far too warm for playing in. We wholeheartedly encourage getting stuck into the mud kitchen and the water run, so instead of waterproofs, we simply recommend you pack a change of clothes for the journey home. Let them play freely, and worry about the clean-up later!

On cooler or predictably rainy summer days, waterproof dungarees or a rainsuit as a top layer is a good idea.

Happy Feet Closed-toe shoes like trainers or wellies are essential to protect feet on uneven ground. Please, no sandals or open-toed shoes.

Just yourselves and your sense of adventure! You may wish to bring a drink and a snack for your child, as all that exploring is thirsty work. Please note, there are no bins on site. We kindly ask that you are prepared to take everything you bring away with you, including food wrappers and used nappies.

Our sessions are held in a beautiful private woodland in Acresford, near Swadlincote in the heart of the national forest. The exact location and directions are provided in your booking confirmation email. You can also find visual directions on our instagram page under the "Location" highlight.