New outdoor play experience invites under 7s to swap screens for sticks, mud and adventure
Families looking for a nature-filled summer activity can enjoy a brand-new woodland play experience launching at High Lodge Farm near Abingdon this July.
The family-run Oxfordshire farm is opening its woodland to local children with the launch of Little Explorers, a series of outdoor play sessions designed specifically for children under seven.
Running twice a week throughout the summer holidays, the 90-minute sessions will encourage youngsters to immerse themselves in nature through imaginative, hands-on play. Activities will include mud kitchens, water play, straw play, digging and construction areas, gardening, nature walks, sensory experiences and creative activities.
Set beneath the shade of the farm’s woodland canopy in Culham, Little Explorers aims to provide children with the freedom to explore, create and connect with the natural world.
Emily Allen, co-owner of High Lodge Farm, said:
“We’ve got this beautiful woodland on the farm that stays wonderfully cool, even on the hottest summer days, and it seemed a shame not to share it with local families.
“Children will be able to play under a canopy of trees, get muddy, splash around with water and enjoy the sort of simple outdoor adventures that many of us remember from our own childhoods.
“We’ve also tried to think about the grown-ups. There will be seating, barista coffee, cakes and a softer area for parents bringing babies, so everyone can feel included and enjoy their morning in nature.
“The summer holidays can be expensive and overwhelming for families, but we believe something as simple as playing in the woods should be available to every child. That’s really what Little Explorers is all about.”
Located on the banks of the River Thames near Abingdon, High Lodge Farm is run by sisters Emily, Katy, Lucy and Jess, whose family has farmed in South Oxfordshire for more than 100 years. The farm has become a popular destination for seasonal family events, including Easter trails, giant bale play, pumpkin picking and summer camping.
Little Explorers will run every Monday and Thursday during the summer holidays and is primarily aimed at preschool children, although older siblings up to the age of seven are also welcome.
Tickets cost £10 per child and include admission for one accompanying adult. Advance booking is essential, with the sessions running for a limited summer season.
