Autumn Activities for Children Near Bournemouth: Meet Autumn Ash
If you’re looking for autumn activities for children near Bournemouth, a brand-new woodland adventure has arrived at Discovery Village. Autumn Ash’s Woodland Wander invites children aged 1 to 8 to become woodland helpers and discover how animals prepare for the changing season.
Like all our performer-led stories, the activities are woven throughout a relaxed two-hour play session. Children can join in as much or as little as they like while still enjoying all nine of our immersive role-play areas. Based in Christchurch, near Bournemouth, it is an indoor autumn activity the whole family can enjoy whatever the weather.
Meet Autumn Ash and Rustle
Friendly New Forest park ranger Autumn Ash has arrived with their special companion, Rustle the Red Squirrel. But Rustle is feeling worried. After a spell of unusually hot, dry weather, the woodland animals have become muddled and need a little help getting ready for winter.
The children’s first mission is to search Discovery Village for missing acorns and refill Rustle’s winter store. Young explorers will practise gentle hands, walking feet and careful listening as they work together to help their new squirrel friend.
Follow the Woodland Animal Trail
As night falls over our indoor village, magical lighting and a sparkling moon reveal a trail of animal tracks. Children will follow the footprints to find ten familiar woodland animals, including foxes, badgers, owls, hedgehogs, rabbits and bats.
Along the way, they can see, hear, touch and smell different clues while learning simple facts about each animal’s home, food and autumn habits. This playful sensory experience encourages curiosity and learning without ever feeling like a lesson.
The adventure does not have to end when your session finishes. Every child will receive a free woodland scavenger hunt sheet to take home, ready to explore a woodland near them with their special grown-up and see how many natural treasures they can discover together.
Bring Back the Colours of Autumn
Once the animals are safe, it is time to move like woodland creatures in Autumn Ash’s animal dance. Expect hopping rabbits, swooping owls and plenty of twitchy mouse noses.
For the finale, the children will help our special autumn tree remember how to change with the season, filling Discovery Village with swirling leaves in red, orange, yellow and gold.
Combining imaginative role play, live performance, music, movement and nature-inspired learning, Autumn Ash’s Woodland Wander is one of the most magical autumn activities for children near Bournemouth. Book your two-hour session and join Autumn Ash and Rustle for a gentle woodland adventure celebrating kindness, teamwork and the magic of autumn.
