Wild Things
BEST FOR
Ages 1-11
WHERE
York
What it’s like
Child-led outdoor sessions in the grounds of a York school, with a mud kitchen, sand pit and a campfire for toasting marshmallows.
There's no register and no sitting still required here. Explorer sessions run child-led, so your toddler can dig in the mud kitchen, potter in the sand pit, or head for the story corner to read and draw, and nobody's chasing them back to a circle time. The seasonal nature crafts and woodland treasure hunting give the session a bit of shape without forcing it, and the campfire with marshmallow toasting is the one they'll be talking about on the walk back to the car.
It suits the very young end best, roughly 18 months to 4 years for the term-time Explorers slot, though the site runs separate Woodland Family and Woodland Warriors sessions in the holidays that stretch up to 11. The only moment structure creeps in is when the fire's lit, when everyone has to stick to the fire safety rules, which feels fair enough given what's involved.
You'll walk in over a field to reach the site in the grounds of Millthorpe School, and Emma waits at the gate for the first 15 minutes of each session, so aim to be prompt or give her a ring if you're running late. Hot chocolate's provided, with allergy options if you flag it on the booking form, but Emma's advice is to bring your own water and snacks too. Nappies get taken home rather than binned on site, and baby changing is alfresco, which is worth knowing before you're stood in a field with a squirming one-year-old.
Parking is free on Scarcroft Road for up to two hours near the Tadcaster Road junction, though you can't park at the school itself during school hours. It's walkable, cyclable and on a bus route too, so the car isn't essential.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 18 months to 4 years in term time, up to 11 in holidays
- Parking
- Free parking on Scarcroft Road up to 2 hours, near Tadcaster Road junction
- Getting there by bus or train
- Accessible on foot, bike, bus and car
- Emma only waits at the gate for 15 minutes, so call ahead if you're running behind
- Baby changing is outdoors, not indoors, so pack accordingly
- Nappies need to go home with you rather than in a bin on site
- Fire safety rules are the one non-negotiable once the campfire's lit
Plan your visit
What age is this for?
Explorer sessions in term time are for 18 months to 4 year olds. Holiday sessions widen that out, with Woodland Family covering 18 months to about 8, and Woodland Warriors for 5 to 11 year olds.
What do the children actually do?
It's all child-led: mud kitchen, sand pit, story and drawing corners, seasonal nature crafts, hunting for woodland treasures, and a campfire with marshmallows. Nobody's made to join in if they'd rather not, apart from sticking to the fire safety rules once it's lit.
Where do we go and what if we're late?
You head to the site in the grounds of Millthorpe School, a short walk over a field. Emma waits at the gate for 15 minutes, and after that you'll need to call so someone can come and let you in.
Is there parking?
Free parking on Scarcroft Road near the Tadcaster Road junction, up to two hours. You cannot park at the school itself during school hours.
Are there toilets and baby changing?
There are toilets, but baby changing is alfresco, so bring what you need for that. Families are asked to take dirty nappies home with them.
Is there food and drink?
Hot chocolate is provided, with allergy-suitable versions if you mention it on the booking form. Emma suggests bringing your own water bottles and snacks as well.
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