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Conker crafts and activities

Discover creative and fun ways to use conkers in autumn. From simple crafts to activities and games the whole family can enjoy together.

Danielle Wesley  •  23 Sept 2019

Blog

Minibeast activities and crafts

Our arts and crafts are ideal for nature-loving kids. Make a butterfly symmetry painting, minibeast masks, rock bugs, ladybird potato stamps and more.

Danielle Wesley  •  10 Jun 2019

Blog

5 spring flower crafts for kids

Take a look at 5 fantastic spring flower crafts that kids will love, including tissue paper bluebells and finger-painted blossom.

Hannah Vickers  •  19 May 2021

Blog

7 blossom crafts and activities for kids

Discover fun blossom crafts and activities to enjoy with your children this spring.

Danielle Wesley  •  11 Mar 2022

Blog

Tree bark crafts: bark rubbings and more

Try our fun and simple tree bark arts and crafts. From bark rubbing to leaf boats, there’s something for all ages.

Danielle Wesley  •  21 Nov 2019

Visiting woods

Woodland activities for children and families

Spot wildlife. Craft with nature. Go on scavenger hunts. We've got plenty of ideas to help families enjoy woods and the great outdoors all year round.

Blog

13 Halloween nature crafts and activities for kids

Get set for spooky season with leaf ghosts, conker pumpkins, twig wands and a thrilling Halloween scavenger hunt!

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Oct 2023

Blog

10 easy butterfly crafts for kids

Discover 10 colourful butterfly crafts for kids, from simple symmetry paintings to fun mosaic art.

Danielle Wesley  •  03 Jul 2023

Blog

10 ways to use fallen autumn leaves

Fallen leaves can be put to great use in the garden, or turned into beautiful decorations as autumnal craft projects. Here are our top 10 things to do with autumn leaves.

Charlie Mellor  •  03 Nov 2022

Blog

5 fun Easter crafts for kids

Take a look at five fun Easter crafts for kids to do over the Easter break, from chocolate nests to egg carton flower wreaths. 

Hannah Vickers  •  30 Mar 2021

Blog

Stick crafts and activities for kids

Sticks have endless possibilities! From Poohsticks to twig towers and journey sticks to stick men, we've got plenty of ideas for your family to try on your next woodland walk.

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Nov 2019

Blog

How to make felt animals: easy step-by-step guide

Follow our simple guide to make your own stuffed woodland animals. This fun craft is ideal for kids and grown-ups alike!

Becca Smith  •  28 Apr 2023

About us

Croft Woodlands

Growing trees in the north and west of Scotland presents both unique challenges and benefits. Our Croft Woodlands advisory team helps crofters, smallholders and common grazings to create and manage woodlands that will flourish.

Research report

Croft Woodlands Project

The Croft Woodlands Project aims to engage crofters and smallholders in the creation and management of woodlands on their holdings, delivering multiple benefits to farms, landscapes and the environment.

PDF  (3.92 MB)

Blog

7 half-term ideas for families

Enjoy wildlife spotting, tree ID and nature crafts on a half-term hike in the woods.

Danielle Wesley  •  02 Feb 2023

Trees woods and wildlife

Brown rat

A contentious character but as resourceful as they come, the brown rat arrived in the UK in the 18th century and has been a crafty resident of our towns, cities and woods ever since.

Practical guidance

Trees for the Crofting Community

Our Croft Woodlands advisory team helps crofters, smallholders, and common grazings to create and manage woodlands that will flourish. Get more information on the project, funding and read case studies showing how trees can benefit your croft.

PDF  (1.81 MB)

Blog

Foraging at Easter: make a wreath and other home decorations

Brighten up your home and bring spring indoors with these easy ideas for Easter decorations using wild foraged plants.

Helen Keating  •  07 Apr 2022

Support us

Resources and activities for schools

All of our KS1, KS2 and KS3 resources can be found in Tree Tools for Schools – our online learning hub. Tried and tested by teachers, these activities include tree planting, wildlife identification, nature crafts and lots more.

Blog

Summer holidays: outdoor activities for kids

Discover fun things to do at home and on days out with our outdoor activity guide for the summer holidays. Spot wildlife, try yoga, compete in the forest Olympics and much more.

Danielle Wesley  •  21 Jul 2022

Support us

How we spend your money

We can’t do our work without you. Every pound you give bolsters our fighting funds, pays for hard graft in our woods and gets trees in the ground. But don’t just take our word for it. Find out what your money is helping to achieve.

Blog

Rainy day activities for kids: mud kitchens and pies

Don’t get stuck indoors when the weather’s wet. Try our rainy outdoor activities including mud kitchens, mud pies, leaf boats and puddle jumping.

Danielle Wesley  •  01 Apr 2019

Press centre

Agroforestry for Scottish farming’s future

The Scottish Government is crafting its new agricultural support scheme, representing the biggest change in the support and regulation of land use and management in Scotland for 40 years.

Blog

8 handmade Christmas card ideas

Add a personal touch with homemade Christmas cards that are eco-friendly and budget-friendly too. Check out our best ideas that adults and kids can make.

Charlie Mellor  •  27 Nov 2023

Support us

2025's winning projects

Meet the six young finalists whose brilliant projects won our Igniting Innovation conservation challenge.

Blog

How to make a fairy door and more magical ideas

Learn how to make a fairy door with your kids, plus more enchanting forest ideas such as magic wands, woodland potions and fairy tea parties.

Danielle Wesley  •  22 Apr 2019

Blog

When are conkers ready? Plus, tips for how to play

Discover the best time to collect conkers and how to prepare them for a conker fight.

Danielle Wesley  •  27 Sept 2021

Blog

Alternative charity gifts for Christmas

Our shop offers a huge variety of gifts with something for everyone for Christmas. Here are our top ideas for alternative charity gifts for the festive season.

Charlie Mellor  •  13 Dec 2024

Blog

5 homemade advent calendars: how to make DIY advent calendars

With a range of shapes and sizes to choose from, these homemade advent calendars are the perfect way to get into the festive spirit.  

Annabel Kemp  •  07 Nov 2024

Blog

Create a cosy winter wonderland: 7 ideas for sustainable and foraged home decor

Discover how to transform your home into a magical winter wonderland. Forage responsibly and intertwine nature and the wild with the warmth of your home. 

Helen Keating  •  30 Nov 2023

Trees woods and wildlife

Elder

Feared by the devil. Favoured by foragers. Find out all you need to know about why elder is the very essence of summer.

Video

Meet the people behind our work: Loch Arkaig

Hard graft. Passionate people. Expertise and skill. There's more to our woods than just trees. See for yourself what makes Loch Arkaig Pine Forest so special, and what it takes to keep it that way.

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Video

Meet the people behind our work: Llennyrch

Hard graft. Passionate people. Expertise and skill. There's more to our woods than just trees. See for yourself what makes Llennyrch so special, and what it takes to keep it that way.

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Video

Meet the people behind our work: Fingle Woods

Hard graft. Passionate people. Expertise and skill. There's more to our woods than just trees. See for yourself what makes Fingle Woods so special, and what it takes to keep it that way.

00:02:17

Video

Meet the people behind our work: Friends of Belvoir Wood

Hard graft. Passionate people. Expertise and skill. There's more to our woods than just trees. See for yourself what makes Friends of Belvoir Wood so special, and what it takes to keep it that way.

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Blog

Which birds migrate? Who you can spot this summer

Swallows, swifts and martins aren’t our only summer migrants – keep your eyes peeled for these species and record your sightings through Nature’s Calendar.

Charlotte Varela  •  12 May 2018

Blog

How to make a hedgehog house

Give a hog a home by following our step-by-step guide.

Charlotte Varela  •  19 Aug 2019

Protecting trees and woods

Campaigns news

Discover the latest challenges and successes for woods and trees and find out how you can make a difference.

Blog

Do conkers keep spiders away? And other conker facts and uses

Do conkers keep spiders away? Do they deter moths? Can you eat conkers? Check out our top six facts and debunked myths.

Rachel Hoskins  •  30 Aug 2019