Embers Outdoor Learning

🌿 Are we giving children enough freedom to play outside?
New research from the University of Exeter has highlighted a growing “generational play gap.”
Nearly 2,000 parents and carers of children aged 5–11 were surveyed, and the findings are striking:
👉 Children are now, on average, 10.8 years old before they’re allowed to play outdoors independently.
👉 Their parents remember being given that freedom at around 9.7 years old.
👉 56% of parents said they give their children independent freedom later than they themselves had it.
👉 Less than half of children’s play now happens outdoors.
👉 Perhaps most strikingly, children average less than 25 minutes of street play a week.

Why does this matter?
Independent and adventurous outdoor play gives children opportunities to make decisions, assess risk, solve problems, negotiate with friends, experience uncertainty and discover what they’re capable of.
And research increasingly links outdoor and adventurous play with better mental health and wellbeing, more positive emotions and greater physical activity.
Of course, simply telling parents to “give children more freedom” misses the bigger picture. Busy roads, fewer accessible play spaces, changing social expectations and increased screen time all play a part.
For those of us working with children, this feels hugely important.
Perhaps our role isn't always to organise, direct and supervise every moment of childhood.
Sometimes it's to create the conditions for play, provide appropriate boundaries… and then step back.
Children need opportunities to climb, explore, get muddy, take manageable risks, make their own decisions and experience a little freedom.

🌳 How old were you when you were first allowed to go out and play without an adult? And do you think children today are getting enough freedom to do the same?
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Blackberry season is here! 🫐💜
There’s something lovely about heading out with a tub and coming home with purple fingers (and probably eating just as many as you collect! 😋).

Blackberries are such an easy way to connect children with the seasons — spotting them ripening, carefully picking the juiciest ones and deciding what to make with our haul.

Will yours become a crumble? 🥧
A jar of jam?
Blackberry pancakes? 🥞
A campfire treat? 🔥
Or will they simply get eaten before they even make it home?
What will you do with yours? 💜

OutdoorLearning WildFood GetOutside NatureConnection

Who says Forest School and playing outside is only for children? 🌿🔥
We think the grown-ups deserve a turn too! Whether it’s learning new skills, getting creative, sitting around the fire or simply spending some proper time outdoors, Forest School is definitely not just for little ones.
👀 Keep your eyes peeled… we’ve got some sessions for the slightly older “kids” coming soon! 🌲🔥☕️

Thanks for the 📸 and inspo Jessica Perrin | Personal Trainer Richmond, North Yorkshire

NatureConnection GrownUpsNeedToPlayToo

What a magical day in the woods! 🧙🌿✨
Today's Summer Forest Fun was full of woodland magic. We mixed colourful potions, created our own little forest gnomes and finished the day by cooking delicious pizzas over the campfire. 🍄🧪🍕🔥
There was so much laughter, creativity, teamwork and muddy fun as the children explored, imagined and made wonderful memories together.
We absolutely love seeing the woodland come alive with curious minds and happy faces. 💚
We've still got a few Summer Forest Fun sessions left this summer, so if you'd like to join us for more outdoor adventures, keep an eye on our page or get in touch.
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🌿 Another fantastic day of Summer Forest Fun! 🌿
Today the woodland was full of imagination, adventure and teamwork. We mixed magical woodland potions, built brilliant camps, crafted woodland weapons from natural materials, and gathered around the campfire to cook and share stories.
It's always amazing to see where children's creativity takes them when they're given the freedom to explore, create and play in nature. 🍃🔥
Thank you to everyone who joined us today—we've loved spending the day with you and can't wait to do it all again!
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🌿 One week of Summer Forest Fun complete! ☀️🔥
What an amazing first week of our Summer Forest Fun sessions! We've built dens, lit campfires, explored the woodland, created nature crafts, played games, discovered wildlife, made new friends and enjoyed delicious campfire treats. 🌲🍃
Seeing children grow in confidence, embrace new challenges and simply enjoy being outdoors has been the best part of our week. Thank you to every family who joined us—we've loved sharing these adventures with you!

A huge thank you to for supporting these fantastic opportunities through the FEAST programme.

We can't wait to welcome more adventurers over the coming weeks! 💚
NaturePlay LearningOutside AdventureAwaits CampfireCooking NorthYorkshireTogether

✨ 5 Years of Embers Outdoor Learning ✨
Five years ago, Embers Outdoor Learning began with a simple belief: that children thrive when they're given the freedom to explore, create, take managed risks and connect with nature.
Since then, we've welcomed so many children around campfires, into woodlands and school sites, and through every season. Together we've built dens, climbed trees, discovered minibeasts, learned bushcraft skills, cooked over open fires, splashed in puddles, made lifelong friendships and created countless muddy, magical memories.
What started as a dream has grown into a wonderful community of families, schools, home educators and supporters who all share our passion for outdoor learning. Every smile, every muddy boot, every marshmallow toasted over the fire reminds us why we do what we do.
To everyone who has joined us on this journey—thank you. Whether you've visited once, come every week, recommended us to a friend, partnered with us or simply cheered us on, you've helped make Embers what it is today.
Here's to celebrating five years of adventure, curiosity, confidence and connection... and to many more campfires, woodland adventures and wild memories still to come. 🌿🔥

Thank you for being part of our story. ❤️

🌿 Hello, July! ☀️
Summer has arrived, and we're looking forward to another month of adventures in the woods at Embers Outdoor Learning!
🍃 Preschool Stay & Play 📅 Tuesdays 7th & 14th July 🕤 9:30am–10:45am

🌳 Home Education Session 📅 Wednesday 15th July 🕙 10:00am–11:30am

🌼 Family Stay & Play 📅 Saturday 18th July 🕤 9:30am–10:45am

🔥 Summer Holiday Activity Days (Ages 4+)
📅 20th, 21st, 30th & 31st July
🕤 9:30am–1:30pm
Our holiday activity days are fully funded through FEAST for eligible families, with pay-as-you-go places also available, so everyone can join in the fun!

Expect woodland games, campfire cooking, bushcraft, nature crafts, den building, exploration and plenty of opportunities to make new friends, build confidence and enjoy a summer full of adventure.
🌿 Spaces are limited, so book early!
📲 Book now at www.embersoutdoorlearning.co.uk/shop

We can't wait to welcome both familiar and new faces to the woods this July! 💚

StayAndPlay HomeEducation OutdoorLearning NaturePlay CampfireCooking Bushcraft NorthYorkshire LearningOutside

Need help getting to your FEAST activity this summer?

Transport support may be available for eligible children and young people who would otherwise be unable to attend a FEAST activity.

For more information and to request transport, please visit our website


Department for Education

🌿 Summer Holiday Adventure Sessions – Spaces Still Available! 🌿

There's still time to book onto our summer holiday outdoor sessions!

We have fully funded places available through FEAST for eligible families, as well as pay-as-you-go places for everyone else.
Join us for days full of:
🔥 Campfire cooking
🌳 Bushcraft & den building
🐞 Nature exploration
🎨 Outdoor crafts
🌼 Games, adventure and plenty of woodland fun!
Whether your child loves getting muddy, making friends or trying something new, there's something for everyone.
📅 Limited spaces remaining – book now to avoid missing out!
🌐 Book here: www.embersoutdoorlearning.co.uk/shop/⁠�

SummerFun NorthYorkshireKids ChildhoodUnplugged NaturePlay Bushcraft CampfireCooking