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Winter colours wander

There’s no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing. So put on something waterproof, some sturdy footwear and a favourite woolly hat – now you’re ready for an outdoor adventure!

Although its quieter in winter and the woodlands seem empty of wildlife there are things to see and do – if you know where to look. With my groups, I like to focus on wintertime colours which helps to make nature more visible and hidden wildlife appear before your eyes! Here are some ideas to get you started.

  • Winter mood board: Start your winter
    wander with a short discussion about winter; What does winter look like? Feel
    like?  What winter colours are their
    favourite? I use an A3 board to display a collage of winter pictures cut out
    from magazines with paint sample cards – whites, blues, grey to help represent weather,
    and dark greens to represent evergreen foliage. This is a lovely way for groups
    to share their knowledge.
  • Evergreen colour matching: Groups are
    introduced to a selection of evergreen foliage – ivy, holly, fir. Then using a
    basket with a selection of different green paint sample cards, individuals are
    invited to choose a colour card and challenged to find a perfect match in nature.
    This helps groups to explore and focus on the many different shades of green which
    add a welcome splash of colour to the winter landscape. Demonstrate to groups
    that the front and back of a leaf is a different colour, and when held up to
    the light.
  • Winter colours dream catcher: Invite
    group to decorate a willow hoop by wrapping different coloured wool around the
    hoop to represent their favourite winter colours. Sparkly white wool represents
    the frost and ice; light blue for crisp, blue skies. Small branches of
    evergreen foliage can also be tied in. This makes a special decoration and a
    learning prompt. Often, we discuss winter berries; bright red holly and the black
    ivy berries – important sources of food for birds during the winter.
  • Early signs of spring: You can extend
    your winter colour search to include early springtime colours – daffodil,
    snowdrop and crocus leaves, buds and flowers. A small viewing frame helps to
    focus observations and reveal hidden nature that would otherwise be overlooked.
  • Ice play: Don’t forget to give groups opportunities
    to explore and play with ice. Even a light frost creates amazing ice crystal
    patterns. Hoar frosts appear on branches, leaves and blades of grass when the temperature
    of the surface is below freezing and looks like a dusting of snow has fallen.
    Look at the world through a smooth piece of ice – magical!  

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