Dads Matter - Nature & Wellbeing: A Journey of Growth, Mud, and Connection

The Dads Matter – Nature & Wellbeing Project, delivered by Time to Connect CIC in partnership with Forest Frontiers and supported by Bolton CVS, has officially come to an end - and what a journey it has been.

Over six weeks, dads and their children explored the outdoors together through storytelling, mindfulness, free play, creativity, nature walks, and outdoor cooking. The programme was designed to strengthen father–child relationships, boost wellbeing, and break down the barriers that often prevent men from engaging in early years and family activities.

What began as a simple idea - to help dads connect with their children in nature - grew into a powerful community experience filled with laughter, learning, and transformation.

The final evaluations, completed by the dads during the closing session, tell a story that’s as heart-warming as it is inspiring. They show how spending time in nature helped fathers reconnect with their children, with other men, and with their own sense of calm.

A six-week journey of discovery

Each session brought its own focus and atmosphere - from imaginative play to mindful stillness - but together they formed a holistic journey of connection, confidence, and wellbeing.

Week 1 - Storytelling: Building connection through imagination

The project began around a circle in the woods, where stories came to life beneath the trees. Dads and children used twigs, leaves, and imagination to create characters and adventures together.

Storytelling reminded everyone that communication doesn’t always need structure or screens - sometimes it’s about laughter, wonder, and simply being present.

“It was great to see my child’s imagination take over. I forgot how freeing it is to just make up stories,” one dad shared.

For many, storytelling became the quiet foundation for everything that followed - a first step into shared play and connection.

Week 2 - Free Play: Letting go and letting children lead

Free play challenged traditional ideas of structure. At first, some dads found it difficult to step back and allow their children to take the lead - but soon the forest filled with curiosity, creativity, and laughter.

Dads discovered that standing back didn’t mean disengaging; it meant giving their children space to express themselves freely.

“I learned that sometimes the best thing to do is nothing - just let them lead and be part of their world,” one dad reflected.

By the end of the programme, several fathers ranked this session higher than expected, realising that unstructured play was where genuine connection began.

Week 3 - Mindfulness and Mud: Finding calm in chaos

Week three was one of the most memorable sessions. It combined a peaceful sound bath and simple mindfulness techniques with a chance to get hands-on in the mud.

Many dads listed this as their top session, calling it “relaxing,” “eye-opening,” and “something I’ll definitely do again.”

“Relaxing during the sound bath after a stressful day,” one participant wrote.Another added, “It was my first experience of mindfulness - I didn’t realise how much I needed it.”

The children, too, loved it - especially the mud bath that followed. Parents noted that their little ones seemed calmer and slept better that night.

This week captured the balance that defined the project: calm and chaos, mindfulness and play, side by side.

Week 4 - Creative Clay: Hands-on connection

The fourth week brought imagination and craftsmanship together. Using clay and natural materials, dads and children made miniature sculptures - from forest creatures to bowls and smiley-faced creations decorated with berries and acorns.

The feedback was rich with emotion:

“It’s amazing what happens when you just sit side by side making something. We didn’t even talk much — but we were connected.”

While some found it slower-paced than other sessions, most agreed it created moments of focus and pride. It was an exercise in patience, creativity, and presence - and a reminder that connection can be as simple as sitting together and making something with your hands.

Week 5 - Nature Walk and Foraging: Seeing nature with new eyes

Led by local nature expert Russ, this week was a favourite for many. The group learned about edible plants, mushrooms, and fruits - spotting deer antlers, rosehips, and apples in a nearby orchard.

“I’ve parked next to those apple trees hundreds of times and never noticed them!” one dad laughed.

Both dads and children ranked this session near the top. It was a shared discovery, full of curiosity and teamwork.

Children ran ahead to explore while dads asked questions, learned plant names, and shared memories of their own childhoods outdoors.It was a session that reminded everyone that connection begins with noticing - and that sometimes the simplest walks can open whole new worlds.

Week 6 - Cooking Outdoors: The perfect ending

The grand finale brought everything full circle. Dads and children gathered around a campfire to cook Quorn chili, toast bread, and share their experiences from the past six weeks.

“Eating outside with my child.”“Learning how to be safe around the fire.”“Going to the stream together.”“Building a fire pit at home and going camping.”

Those were just a few of the reflections written on the evaluation forms.

Children loved the freedom - getting muddy, exploring the stream, and proudly helping with the cooking. Dads said it inspired them to build fire pits at home or plan their first family camping trip.

When asked how the session could be improved, most wrote simply:

“None - it was perfect.”

Key findings from the evaluations

The written evaluations and reflections painted a consistent picture of transformation. Here are some of the main themes that emerged.

1. Reconnection and Confidence

Many dads reported feeling more confident in spending quality time with their children and engaging in play without structure or pressure.

“It gave me ideas to do at home - and reminded me how much fun it is just being outside.”

The experience helped fathers rediscover their natural ability to connect through curiosity, laughter, and shared activity - something many admitted had faded in the busyness of life.

2. Wellbeing and Calm

The mindfulness session stood out as a turning point. Dads spoke about how the breathing and stillness activities helped them unwind after stressful days.

Several participants said they now practice short mindfulness moments at home - taking deep breaths before bedtime or using sound to help their children calm down.

It showed that wellbeing doesn’t require expensive therapy or equipment - sometimes it’s just about pausing together and listening to the forest.

3. Outdoor Play as a Way of Life

Nearly every dad wrote about taking ideas home: from cooking outdoors and foraging to trying new walks.

“Playing doesn’t have to cost anything,” one father summed up.

The sessions inspired long-term lifestyle shifts - families now plan regular outdoor days together, with many saying their children are more eager to go outside and less reliant on screens.

4. Friendship and Peer Support

What began as a group of strangers ended as a supportive community. Dads shared jokes, helped each other with tasks, and opened up about the joys and struggles of fatherhood.

The forest became a leveller - a space free from titles, jobs, and daily pressures, where everyone was simply a dad learning alongside his child.

The overall verdict

When asked to rank all six sessions, Nature Walk and Cooking Outdoors consistently came out on top for both dads and children. Mindfulness closely followed, praised for its calm and grounding impact.

Storytelling and Creative Clay were celebrated for sparking imagination, while Free Play - though sometimes rated lower - was recognised as one of the most valuable sessions for child development and bonding.

Reflections from the team

Julie Robinson, who facilitated many of the sessions, reflected:

“Watching the dads grow in confidence each week was amazing. At first some were unsure, but by the end they were laughing, leading activities, and sharing stories. It’s been an absolute joy to witness.”

Claudio Sisera, from Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs, added:

“This project has shown just how powerful nature can be in helping men connect - not only with their children, but with their own sense of wellbeing. You could see relationships strengthening before your eyes.”

Jan, who supported facilitation and evaluation throughout, shared a heartfelt reflection:

“What struck me most was seeing dads relax into the experience. You could see their softer side come out - laughing, helping, and letting go of their phones for two hours. By the end, they weren’t just participants; they were a community.”

A legacy that lasts

Though the Dads Matter – Nature & Wellbeing project has officially ended, its impact will continue.

Dads are now planning camping trips, family walks, and outdoor cooking days inspired by what they learned. Children are showing more curiosity, resilience, and joy in being outdoors.

And perhaps most importantly, the barriers that once kept many fathers on the sidelines of early years activities are slowly breaking down.

One dad summed it up perfectly:

“It wasn’t just about learning something new - it was about remembering what really matters.”