activities
These are just some of the things we offer. If there is something you would like to do that is not on our list, then call us on 01902 754612 and we will do our best to try and meet your needs.
bat walks
The canal and woodlands surrounding Wildside offer great habitats for bats such as Pippistrelles and Noctule bats.
Our evening walks don't guarantee seeing bats, but we haven't been disappointed yet!
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canal history
Learn all about these incredible ‘motorways of the past’. How canals came about and the impact they had on the development of industrial Britain, these sessions will also offer a taste of what life was like for those who lived and worked on ‘the cut’.
den building
A chance for children (and adults!) to use the materials found in our woodland to build their very own dens
Excellent for budding architects and (forest) home makers.
GARDENING
We offer gardening sessions around the Centre or at schools or community venues. Groups can also come to learn about bulbs, seeds and plants and plant up and decorate pots.
The session can include learning about the best plants for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Junk Modelling
Using discarded and recycled materials in a fun way to make models or fantasy creatures, often combining natural materials scavenged from the site.
This enables us to have a discussion about how much we waste and the steps we can take to prevent the worst effects of plastic waste and litter.
bird box making
We make several kinds of bird boxes (blue tits great tits, robins, sparrows, owls etc), bat boxes, and bug boxes to offer a home for our resident wildlife. For more specific projects, we have also made otter holts and hibernation boxes for hedgehogs.
canoeing
Learn some basic canoeing skills in our beginners lessons, or build on your previous experience in our intermediate sessions. Either way it's a great opportunity to relax and unwind as you meander along the local waterways.
fire lighting
Often combined with den building, we teach this essential bush craft skill in safe supervised conditions. And once the fire is lit, we can sit round the glowing embers and tell stories whilst toasting marshmallows.
habitat hunts
Come and investigate the different habitats found around the Centre. Compare micro-habitats and the special conditions that enable different species to live there, identifying the creatures you find and recording your findings.
mammal watch
Learn to identify the mammals that use the canal corridor for their homes or as hunting grounds. Animals you may see include water voles, foxes, badgers, otters, squirrels, bats, bank voles, mice and weasels (though some are nocturnal so you may not see them during the day). You will find out where they live, what they feed on and how we can help protect them. We can include the signs that help us locate and track them.
mammal watch
Learn to identify the mammals that use the canal corridor for their homes or as hunting grounds. Animals you may see include water voles, foxes, badgers, otters, squirrels, bats, bank voles, mice and weasels (though some are nocturnal so you may ne see them during the day). You will find out where they live, what they feed on and how we can help protect them. We can include the signs that help us locate and track them.
orienteering
Using maps and a compass, follow various routes around the Wildside site and the Smestow Valley to solve our cunning clues. A great activity for teams and small groups.
problem solving
Suitable for any age groups our problem solving and team building sessions offer a range of activities which see participants work together to solve a series of nature based challenges. Think escape room but with all the benefits of being out in nature (you could even include canoeing to complete your challenge!)
sensory days
These multi-sensory sessions invite you to use all your senses to enjoy the natural world around us. We incorporate a range of activities including making natural colour palettes, tasting and smelling herbs, investigating touch and texture through ‘feely boxes’, and listening for bird song and other sounds.
bird watching
Join our experts and learn how to spot one of the many varieties of birds that live in the habitats in and around Wildside. Get to know what to look (and listen out ) for to help you learn more about our feathered friends.
crafts & Art
Our art and crafts sessions make use of natural materials and are based on themes from nature with inspiration from the green spaces around us. Sessions not only allow you to make unique pieces of art, but they are a great way to relax and de-stress.
Forest School
As well as our Little Explorers sessions we can offer Forest School activities either here or at a school or community group on an outreach basis. Forest School allows children to achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learner centred experiences in nature.
insect safari
Find out how bees and other insects make sure we have fruit, vegetables, bread and other essentials we take for granted. You'll find out about insects' amazing life cycles from egg to larvae to adult insect and we'll go into our woodland to see if we can spot and identify some of them.
minibeast hunts
Explore the varied habitats around Wildside, identifying some of the invertebrates that live here and finding out ore about their different habitats.
Using simple equipment to collect and examine data, creative work may also be produced to complement the ‘scientific’ findings.
Pond dipping
Explore the various aquatic habitats around the Centre to see what aquatic species live here. Using nets and spotter sheets identify the fish and invertebrates that live in the water and learn about their amazing life cycles.
treasure hunts
Follow the cunning clues around the habitats surrounding Wildside to find various objects and facts about the nature on our doorstep. Combining map reading, letter hunts, local history quizzes, picture puzzles and scavenger hunts these are a great way to learn more about the environment in which we live.
insect safari
Explore the varied habitats around Wildside, identifying some of the invertebrates that live here and explore their different habitats.
Using simple equipment to collect and examine data, creative work may also be produced to complement the ‘scientific’ findings.
trees for life
Why are trees so important? What do they do for humans and animals?
These sessions will look at the importance of trees to our world. You will learn about their life cycles and how to recognise different species of tree. You’ll also get ‘hands on’ with bark rubbing and art sessions using dropped leaves and twigs.
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water safety
We look at all the dangers associated with being by water and how to ensure your time by a canal river or other body is enjoyable and safe! We encourage participants to identify potential risks themselves before looking at what can be done if someone is in difficulty in the water.