As with the vegetable and bug garden, the forest school area became quite wild and overgrown during the summer holidays. We took this opportunity to rearrange the area creating a much larger whittling circle next to the elder tree, a more central fire circle to avoid the overhanging branches and we have also allocated an area where we can create a bog garden or pond dependant on funding.
Short lengths of elder are ideal for jewelry making as the central pith is easily removed with a skewer or tent peg. Children can peel off the bark (use pen knives for older children, potato peelers for younger ones), then thread and decorate them.
Our lunch club started with the basics or whittling by peeling carrots (so now we can help at home!!). We learned all about safety with peelers and have now progressed to sticks to make whistles, pencils and puppets.
