gruffalo land art

The Gruffalo Storybook Day

The Gruffalo Storybook Day

Follow the mouse on an exciting adventure through the deep dark wood, meeting all the animal from Julia Donaldson's beloved story along the way.

Children will have lots of opportunities to develop their gross motor skills through climbing over logs and paddling in the stream. While following the trail, there will be a variety of hands on activities from natural land art to fun teamwork games.

After lunch you can choose between sensory activities in our garden, animal handling or looking under logs in the forest. Animal handling will include meeting and handling our animals (e.g., giant African land snails, stick insects, hissing cockroaches, fire salamanders and corn snake.)

Specific learning objectives

  • To have the confidence to try at least one new experience.
  • To be able to tell an adult about something they have seen or touched on their trip using the correct vocabulary.
  • To learn to care for and respect natural habitats and animals.


Early Learning Goal links

Communication and language
Children have opportunities to experience a rich language environment to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

Physical development
Provide opportunities for young children to be active and interactive and to develop their coordination, control, and movement.

Personal, social and emotional development
Help children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others to form positive relationships and develop respect for others. To develop social skills, learn how to manage their feelings, understand appropriate behaviour in groups and to have confidence in their own abilities.

Understanding the world
Guiding children to make sense of their physical world through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about places and the environment.

Expressive arts and design 
Enable children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts and ideas.