We thoroughly enjoyed doing the Stick Man trail last year, run by the Forestry Commission, so when I spotted that there’s currently a Gruffalo Trail on, I knew it was an adventure for us. As I imagine most household’s with preschoolers are, we are big Julia Donaldson fans here, and The Gruffalo is a book we probably know off by heart now. So it was with excitement that we embarked on our journey, kids armed with their magnifying glasses for the hunt!
So snake found, we knew there was only one more character to look for, so we headed onwards, ready and eager to spy the Gruffalo!
Boo admired him…
And Little Man? Well, you may just see him there, trying to climb his prickly back instead of standing next to him for a photo!
We had lots of fun with this. The children loved running from marker to marker and completing the various tasks, such as tip-toeing like the mouse, or stomping like the Gruffalo. We explored the forest and it was fun trying to find each of the characters. The kids love being outside, roaming and exploring anything at all, but it was great to have this extra element to our outing and I loved seeing their excitement each time they found an animal.
Have you been on the trail? Ours was at Birches Valley, Cannock Chase, but there are plenty about!
I definitely want to go and do this in the school holidays. There’s a trail about half an hour from us & it looks fab x
Oh yes, do – lots of fun 🙂
Wow this looks great, we have a Gruffalo fan in our house, we love all Julia Donaldson books. Which did you go? Looks like the little ones loved it x
It was at Birches Valley, Cannock Chase. Such a simple idea for outdoors fun, and my daughter loves that book!
Your Little Man’s face in that first picture is just beautiful! I am yet to meet a child that doesn’t love the Gruffalo! x
He loved finding everything!
Glad you had a fun time, but you don’t say ‘which’ trail it is…. and they do vary greatly between woods.
We’ve been on 2 – the Sherwood pines one when it first opened (awful) but the boards and activities were a similar layout to this (however no characters! not even a gruffalo to find as he didn’t arrive until a couple of months after it opened) and the fantastic Thorndon Country Park where every animal was made from wood (rather then a cutout) and also included the Gruffalo’s Child. Both reviews can be found on my blog.
Ah, it was Birches Valley. What a shame to have no animals hidden, though that second one sounds fab!
Lovely photo’s Jocelyn. And we still haven’t been yet! Think I’m going to try when we go to Cornwall-Cardinham Woods will be a great spot to explore. And our nearest forest will have to wait a little longer ironically!
That’s a good plan. It’s a simple bit of fun, and the kids loved it 🙂
The great thing about the Gruffalo is they never really outgrow it, my elder ones would have as much fun on a trail like this as my four year old. Off to find my nearest one now!
Yes, exactly – it’s all about the trail!
This looks fantastic! We have just started reading the Gruffalo to our 4 month old so it will be a little while yet till we can take her along but great to know that it exists! it looks like your kids had great fun 🙂
They did indeed – I love these trails 🙂
Sounds fantastic! Loving how huge the gruffalo is! And love that little man wanted to climb up him 🙂 sounds like a great day 🙂 xx #countrykids
Yep, of course he did – he’s a climber!
that looks like just the best day ever i love your small daughters face next to mouse her eyes all lit up #countrykids
It was fun 🙂
Both The Stick Man and The Gruffalo are wonderful adventures for the whole family! I can tell by the photo that your children had a wonderful time spotting all the characters of the story. What a wonderful Gruffalo as well, no wonder your son was trying to climb the prickles – it’s big enough to be a climbing frame for toddlers. Thanks for linking up and sharing your fun with Country Kids.
Yes, it should have been a climbing frame – he was quite tenacious trying to get up there! Thanks for hosting x
That is fab! The Gruffalo is my fave picture book, I used to have the best story sack for it that I ended up giving to my sister’s children!
Ah, I love a story sack!
That looks fab! We are big Julia Donaldson fans too, even though I don’t have preschoolers anymore (sob, he starts school in September!) We’ve not been on an official trail, but we have looked out for the animals on a trip to the woods before. There is also a brilliant Gruffalo display in the restaurant garden at the Children’s hospital (our second home)
Ah yes, we like doing that – spotting ‘logpile houses’ and so on – lots of fun!
It looks like so much fun..I really must take my two along to the Gruffalo trail!! 🙂 x
Yes, do – mine loved it, as you can tell!
I really want to try and do this in the holidays, I’ve heard some are better than others but this one looks fab. I love him trying to climb up his back! x
My son does like to climb…!
They have just introduced a Gruffalo trail at the woods near us – after seeing your lovely pics we are definitely going to go along! #CountryKids
Have fun! x
My son is on my lap when im am reading this post. He just recited out loud the Grufallo. I have to admit that I dont understand much of it but the ‘Theres no such thing as the Grufallo’. I wish we cango and visit this place as well =) #countrykids
Oh yes, and yet…there is! They’re dotted all over the country, so hope you find one near to you x
Great isn’t it. We did the one at Wendover Woods, and Monkey’s teacher was so impressed with the Countryfile filming that Nursery and Reception went a couple of weeks ago as their school outing.
Ah, that’s great to go again! And yes, TV fame!
I’ve been meaning to take Roo on this for ages now! Looks so much fun! We heard Julia Donaldson on the radio at the weekend too – quite funny when you realise that you belong to that demographic who instantly recognises her as a major celebrity!
Oh yes, she’s a huge celebrity in my eyes!
Oh my goodness this looks like so.much.fun!! I love the Gruffalo {as do the kids, haha!} Fab post and photos! x
Ha ha- I’m the same! x
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