Dads Matter - Nature & Wellbeing: Connecting Fathers and Children Through Play

At Time to Connect, we believe in the power of presence - of stepping away from distractions and giving children our time, attention, and care. That’s why we are so proud to be partnering with Forest Frontiers to deliver the Dads Matter - Nature & Wellbeing Project, fully funded by Bolton CVS.

This six-week programme is designed to strengthen bonds between dads and their little ones through nature, play, and wellbeing activities. Already, in just the first sessions, we have witnessed something truly special: fathers and children connecting one-to-one in nature, with warmth, care, and joy that is too often squeezed out of everyday life.

Why this matters

We know how vital dads are in their children’s lives. When fathers are actively involved, children benefit across every area of their development - from confidence and resilience to emotional wellbeing and social skills. Fathers, too, gain by finding purpose, joy, and connection.

Yet too often, opportunities for dads to spend meaningful time with their children are rare. Daily routines can be filled with distractions, competing demands, and the presence of siblings that makes one-to-one connection harder.

As Jan, of our team, reflected after watching the first session unfold:

“Just to observe dads spending individual time with their children in nature was something you rarely see. There are usually distractions, or siblings around. To see that 1-to-1 was really, really heartwarming.”

That is what Dads Matter is all about - giving fathers a space to pause, be present, and experience the softer, caring side of themselves in front of their peers.

What the programme involves

Each week brings a new activity designed to nurture creativity, connection, and wellbeing:

• Week 1: Connection and Storytelling - introductions, shared stories, and beginning the journey together.

• Week 2: Storytelling with Danny English - using imagination, colour, and nature to bring tales to life.

• Week 3: Wild Play - unstructured, child-led adventure in the woods.

• Week 4: Mindfulness Session - practical tools for relaxation and focus.

• Week 5: Therapeutic Clay Play - creative exploration through touch and art.

• Week 6: Nature Walks and Talks - guided journeys with Forest Frontiers’ Russ.

• Week 7: Campfire Cookout and Celebration - sharing food and reflections around the fire.

• Final Workshop: A dads-only session with Time to Connect, focusing on building lasting support networks.

These two-hour sessions, running every Wednesday afternoon, create a rhythm for dads and children to anticipate, enjoy, and carry home with them.

Simplicity with depth

One of the striking things about the early sessions has been the way simple activities hold such depth. As one dad explained:

“Play can be very simple - that’s what I learned today. My child loved having the open space to roam.”

Another observer highlighted the skill with which the activities were structured:

“I thought what Danny did was great - starting with something simple like ‘bring something green,’ then ‘bring something brown,’ and building up to ‘bring something with five colours.’ The way he stepped up the intensity was inspiring. It looked simple, but it was underpinned by real professionalism.”

That ability to design activities that feel effortless but create powerful engagement is the hallmark of skilled facilitators. As Jan put it:

“There was a lot going on, and it looked really simple. Sometimes that underlies the professionalism and the skills the team have got in making it look so easy when we know it isn’t.”

Feedback from dads

The dads themselves have been generous in sharing their thoughts, and their feedback speaks volumes about the value of this project.

Here are just a few of the reflections:

• “Meeting other dads was really helpful, and I loved seeing my child enjoy interactive stories in the forest.”

• “Yeah, they both enjoyed playing in the forest. I picked up new activities we can try at home - like flour butterflies and finding things.”

• “Spending story time together and searching for things in the forest was wonderful. It was great to see my child getting involved.”

• “Everybody introducing themselves at the start was really helpful. My child loved using his imagination in the forest. For me, I realised how powerful it is to tell more stories.”

• “It was very easy to find, the session was a good duration, and my child had the open area to roam. I learned that play can be very simple.”

The themes running through these comments are clear: dads value meeting one another, children thrive on imaginative play, and families are leaving with ideas they can take home and repeat in everyday life.

Seeing the softer side

Perhaps most heartwarming of all has been witnessing the softer, nurturing side of fathers emerge in the forest. Jan described it beautifully:

“It was so heartwarming to see dads’ caring skills and softer side coming out - it was always there, no doubt, but seeing it emerge in front of other dads was really powerful. There was a natural flow of communication and care.”

And just as importantly, the children responded in kind. Despite the range of ages - from toddlers of 17 months right through to children of five years - the storytelling and activities held them all together.

“I was struck by how the children, from 17 months to 5 years old, were all fully engaged in the same activity. That really is something special.”

A rare space

Another remarkable observation was how fully present both dads and children were during the sessions. For two whole hours, phones were set aside, distractions melted away, and families were immersed in the woodland experience.

“It was great to see people not using their phones for two hours - what a revelation that was. And to see the children fully engaged in nature was wonderful.”

That kind of undistracted time is increasingly rare, and it is part of what makes this programme so valuable.

Professionalism and care

The success of these first sessions has also highlighted the professionalism and warmth of the team leading them. Danny’s storytelling has been described as “magnificent” and “absolutely poignant and inspiring,” weaving imagination, colour, and creativity into every tale. Julie’s leadership was praised for her professionalism and ability to make families feel welcome and supported.

One participant reflected:

“I really enjoyed the stories, and I’ll be telling my grandson them -though probably not as well as Danny did! The way he used colour and imagination was inspiring.”

The sense of friendliness, care, and professionalism created by the team is already a highlight of the programme.

Looking ahead

This is only the beginning, but the early signs are hugely encouraging. Fathers are connecting with their children, children are exploring with wonder, and families are building memories that will last.

The project is more than six weeks of activities. It is about planting seeds - seeds of stronger relationships, greater confidence, and deeper appreciation of the natural world.

As one dad summed up after his very first session:

“Nothing to improve. My first session - I really enjoyed it.”

At Time to Connect, we are excited to continue this journey alongside Forest Frontiers, Bolton CVS, and, most importantly, the amazing dads and children taking part.

We look forward to many more stories told, discoveries made, and campfires shared in the weeks ahead.