On Monday, the Reception children enjoyed a brilliant visit to the Hampstead Heath Education Centre for an exciting workshop titled ‘Bugliest Bugs’!
After arriving, we were welcomed by our lovely workshop leaders, Amelia and Yasmine, who led us to the Secret Garden — a tucked-away gem in a quiet corner of Hampstead Heath. It was our very own space to explore, discover, and get close to nature.
We started with five minutes of free exploration, allowing the children to immerse themselves in their surroundings and become curious about what they might find. After a short discussion about minibeasts, we split into two groups for hands-on activities.
One group went off to explore the garden, searching high and low for bugs and creepy crawlies. We looked under logs, in the soil, around tree trunks, and even up in the branches — and we found loads of minibeasts! Among the discoveries were worms, snails, slugs, centipedes, woodlice, and many fast-moving flying insects that were a bit tricky to catch!
The second group took part in pond dipping. Using nets and trays, the children dipped into the water to discover all kinds of pond life. There was so much excitement as they carefully transferred their findings into trays to observe. One child even discovered a bright red bloodworm, which caused quite a buzz!
To finish the workshop, the children had the opportunity to create their own minibeasts using clay, natural materials, and, most importantly, their vivid imaginations! The creativity on display was impressive — some of the designs were incredibly detailed and full of character.
But the fun didn’t end there! After lunch in the park, we headed to the Hampstead Heath Playground and Paddling Pool, a fantastic play area filled with a huge variety of equipment. The children had an amazing time climbing, running, and splashing — and there were definitely a few reluctant faces when it was time to leave!
It was a truly wonderful day filled with hands-on learning, creativity, and outdoor fun. A big well done to all the children for their enthusiasm and excellent behaviour — and of course, we were lucky to have such wonderful weather too! ☀️
