Auf geht’s: Perfekt vorbereitet in den Wald starten
Was ziehen wir an?
In autumn it can sometimes get a bit chilly or rainy – so the right outdoor clothing should of course not be missing on a woodland walk with children. Ideally it should be robust and dirt‑resistant so the kids can romp about whatever the weather.
With our outdoor trousers your child will stay dry and well wrapped up, as these are usually wind‑ and water‑repellent as well as breathable. The little ones can look just like the grown‑ups: the outdoor trousers come in black, blue, green and pink, and have cool pockets where they can immediately stash any treasures they find. Whether softshell, fleece or Primaloft – comfortable jackets and gilets are also essential kit for a woodland walk with your child. They come in a variety of styles to suit every taste. Above all, the jackets are cosy and warm and perfect for the change from autumn to winter. With great colours, horse motifs or little stars, the walk in the woods is even more fun.
No autumn outfit is complete without a comfortable outdoor shoe to feel good in. With us you'll find classic boots, wellies and walking boots for your little ones, available with quick‑lace systems or Velcro so children can put them on themselves. The shoes are waterproof, super‑warm and breathable – so your child can even go and jump enthusiastically into the next puddle.
What should we take with us?
It's not just the right autumn clothes that matter, but also the right equipment if you’re planning a longer woodland stroll. That way you and your child are perfectly prepared for the next outing.
Accessories such as hats, gloves and scarves keep your child warm and are a stylish eye‑catcher too. From fluffy knitted hats to casual beanies with patterns and snow‑proof winter gloves – there's suitable kit for every kind of weather.
A practical rucksack can turn kids into true outdoor pros. Of course some children prefer a small shoulder bag, while others insist on playing scout with a fully equipped rucksack. Our rucksacks come in various sizes, shapes and colours – and of course there are hiking versions too.
The outdoor rucksacks not only offer lots of space but can also be personalised with your child's name. They are also perfect for stowing lunch boxes and water bottles – after all, every brave little explorer needs the right provisions for their adventure. The rucksacks are ideal for lunch boxes and water bottles – and the lunch boxes and water bottles come in colours to match our rucksacks, and in many other motifs too.
To make the forest expedition a complete success, you'll also find exciting explorer toys, such as magnifying jars, nets, excavation kits or walkie‑talkies. That way your child is excellently equipped and can take a really close look at the nature of the forest.
Exploring the forest and experiencing it with all the senses
Collecting leaves and conkers
A woodland walk in autumn is a riot of colour. The leaves glow in all kinds of reds and yellows – your little ones can really let off steam in the colourful sea of leaves. Let your child collect the most beautiful leaves in different colours and shapes and wait to see how enthusiastically they present their discoveries to you.
The forest also offers many other natural materials, such as conkers, beech nuts, pine cones or acorns. It's not only fun to collect these – after the walk they are fantastic for crafting with.
Listening to the forest wildlife
On a trip into the woods there's always a chance to spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Perhaps a deer will cross your path or a squirrel will dart from tree to tree.
A woodland walk with children is especially exciting because you and your child can fully immerse yourselves in nature. Just pause for a moment and listen to the sounds of the forest and its animals.
Forest ecosystem
What does the forest protect us from?
The forest is so important to people because it acts as a natural protector of the climate. Trees use the carbon from the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen during photosynthesis, which we need to breathe. In this way all the trees in the forest contribute to climate protection and are of particular importance to us.
The forest also supplies us with the sustainable, environmentally friendly raw material wood, provides moisture and replenishes groundwater. Last but not least, forests are of great importance for wildlife, since this habitat is home to numerous animal species and organisms.
How much forest is there in Germany?
Forest areas in Germany cover a total of 11.4 million hectares and make up 33 percent of the country – so one third. On this area there are over 90 billion young and old trees. The most common species is the spruce, but pines, beeches, oaks and birches are also often found in our forests.
What types of forest are there?
In Germany there are primarily deciduous forests, coniferous forests and mixed forests. The growth of deciduous forests, such as beech woods or floodplain forests, is favoured by the Central European climate. Coniferous forests, on the other hand, are mostly planted by people, while natural coniferous forests only occur at higher altitudes in the mountains. As the name suggests, mixed forests consist of both deciduous and coniferous trees and are particularly species‑rich.
Back home: time for crafting!
The fun doesn't end after a woodland walk with children – the various natural materials are perfect for crafting. If your child has been busy collecting leaves, conkers, pine cones, stones, sticks or bark on the way, you can create lots of things at home. This is how some lovely decorations are made that will remind you of the walk and encourage your child to head back to the woods soon.
Instructions: making conker animals
To make cute conker animals with your child you will need conkers, a hand drill, a conker holder, toothpicks or matchsticks, scissors, wiggle eyes for decorating and all‑purpose glue.
Now the crafting can begin. Let your child decide which animals they'd like to make – maybe even the wild animals of the forest? Why not start with a deer.
First, very carefully drill the holes into the conkers. Help your child with this so they don't get hurt. Start by fixing the conker for the body in a holder, then drill four holes for the legs into the underside using the hand drill. Also drill two holes on the top of the conker, one at the front and one at the back — these are for the tail and the neck. Take a second conker for the head and drill a hole underneath for the neck connector and two holes on top for the antlers.
Now everything can be assembled and your child can help nicely. First, push four toothpicks or matchsticks into the conker for the body to form the legs. The almost finished animal is now standing on all fours. Next comes the tail: carefully shorten a matchstick a little with the scissors and push it into one of the rear holes. The matchstick for the neck can remain full length and is attached too. Now only the conker for the head is missing. This is placed on the neck piece with the side that has only one hole. Finally the deer gets antlers made from two shortened matchsticks. And that's it — it's finished!
To finish, the animal can be decorated with cute wiggle eyes. These are carefully glued on with a little glue.
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Image credits
Children examine the forest with a magnifying glass© Jacob Lund- stock.adobe.com
Child with colorful leaves in hand © mtrlin - stock.adobe.com