Mums Matter - Week 7: Rain, Resilience, and Woodland Magic

Some of the most memorable sessions are the ones where the weather tests our plans - and this week’s Mums Matter - Nature & Wellbeing session proved exactly that.

Delivered by Time to Connect CIC, in partnership with Forest Frontiers and supported by Bolton CVS, Week 7 welcomed mums and children back into the forest on what could only be described as a very wet day. Yet despite the drizzle - or perhaps because of it - the woods were full of laughter, movement, and connection.

What unfolded was a joyful reminder that wellbeing isn’t about perfect conditions. Sometimes, it’s about embracing the puddles, warming cold hands around a cup of hot chocolate, and watching children run freely through the rain without a second thought.

A soggy start - and instant enthusiasm

From the moment families arrived, it was clear that the rain wasn’t going to dampen spirits.

Waterproof coats zipped up, hoods pulled tight, and wellies planted firmly in the mud - the children were ready. Any hesitation that adults might have felt about the weather was quickly replaced by excitement as the day’s activities were explained.

“All the children were engaged immediately,” Julie shared. “They wanted to search straight away - they didn’t mind the rain at all.”

This contrast between adult caution and child enthusiasm became one of the quiet lessons of the morning: children don’t see bad weather - they see opportunity.

The Elf Hunt: imagination in motion

The session kicked off with a forest Elf Hunt, and within seconds the woodland floor was alive with movement.

Tiny figures had been hidden among tree roots, behind logs, and tucked into branches, inviting the children to explore every corner of the forest. The moment the hunt was announced, the children scattered - scanning the ground, peering into mossy nooks, and calling out excitedly whenever an elf was spotted.

Rain dripped from branches, boots squelched into the earth, and yet the focus was absolute.

The Elf Hunt encouraged:

• Observation and problem-solving

• Communication between children and parents

• Confidence to explore independently

Some children ran ahead, others stayed close to their mums, carefully checking each hiding place together. There was no right or wrong way to take part - just shared discovery.

“They were completely absorbed,” Julie said. “You could see how much joy there was in the searching.”

Willow weaving: slowing down together

After the excitement of the hunt, the group naturally shifted into a calmer rhythm with willow weaving.

Flexible willow rods were used to create simple structures and shapes, offering a tactile, grounding activity that encouraged focus and patience. Mums and children worked side by side - bending, threading, and holding the willow in place while negotiating how it should look.

For some children, it was about experimenting with texture and movement. For others, it became a collaborative project with their mum - a moment of quiet teamwork amid the rain.

The weaving invited:

• Fine motor skill development

• Turn-taking and cooperation

• Shared problem-solving

It also created space for conversation - not forced, but natural. As hands were busy, words flowed more easily. Some mums chatted softly with one another while others simply focused on the rhythm of the task.

In contrast to the rush of everyday life, willow weaving offered permission to slow down.

Scavenger hunting through the rain

Next came a forest scavenger hunt, sending families off once more to search for specific natural items - leaves, sticks, textures, colours - all made more vivid by the rain.

Wet bark glistened, leaves shone brighter, and the forest felt alive in a way it doesn’t on dry days. Children delighted in noticing how everything looked and felt different, pointing out muddy patches, shiny stones, and dripping branches.

The rain became part of the learning.

Parents followed their children’s lead - crouching, looking closely, and sharing the discoveries. What could have been seen as an inconvenience became a sensory gift.

The scavenger hunt supported:

• Curiosity and observation

• Language development (“rough”, “slippery”, “shiny”)

• Physical confidence in uneven terrain

And importantly, it showed both mums and children that nature doesn’t need to be comfortable to be enriching.

Reindeer food and festive anticipation

As hands grew colder and cheeks rosier, the group gathered for a more settled activity: making reindeer food.

Using simple ingredients, children scooped, poured, and mixed - their concentration unwavering despite damp sleeves and muddy gloves. The activity sparked excitement and imagination, with conversations about reindeer, winter traditions, and upcoming festivities.

Some children talked about Christmas. Others focused entirely on the textures and movements of mixing.

For mums, it was another chance to sit alongside their children - supporting where needed, stepping back where possible, and enjoying the simple pleasure of doing something together.

The reindeer food became a take-home reminder of the day - a small, joyful token of a shared experience in the rain.

Warmth, comfort, and care

As the session progressed, moments of comfort became just as important as the activities themselves.

Parents gathered with hot chocolate, warming hands and sharing smiles, while children paused for fruit snacks between adventures. These moments of nourishment - physical and emotional - grounded the session.

“Parents enjoyed the hot chocolate,” Julie noted, “and the children happily snacked in between.”

These small acts of care mattered. They created safety, allowed everyone to regulate, and reinforced that wellbeing is built through attention to basic needs as much as through play.

Unexpected magic: a deer in the woods

Then came a moment that stopped everyone in their tracks.

As the group moved through the forest, a deer quietly walked past.

For a brief moment, the rain, the noise, the movement - everything softened. Children froze, eyes wide. Mums whispered. The forest felt hushed.

It was one of those rare, unplanned moments that no activity could ever replicate.

The deer didn’t stay long - but its presence lingered.

Moments like this are why nature-based sessions resonate so deeply. They offer children (and adults) a sense of wonder, humility, and connection to something bigger than themselves.

Community, commitment, and connection

Julie admitted she wasn’t sure how many families would attend due to the weather - but the turnout was strong, and the atmosphere warm.

“Really great connections,” she shared. “I wasn’t sure who would come, but it was a great turnout.”

That commitment - choosing to come out in the rain, to show up for one another - speaks volumes about the trust growing within the group.

Mums chatted easily, children moved confidently between activities, and the forest became a shared space of belonging.

This is what Mums Matter continues to nurture: not just activities, but relationships.

What this week reminded us

Week 7 offered some powerful, quiet lessons:

• Children are resilient — and often braver than we expect

• Nature doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful

• Connection is strengthened through shared challenge

• Community grows when people show up, even in the rain

The wet weather stripped away expectations and revealed what really matters: presence, play, and togetherness.

Looking ahead

As the programme continues, sessions like this one reinforce the core ethos of Mums Matter - that wellbeing is not found in polished moments, but in real ones.

Rain-soaked coats, muddy hands, warm drinks, and a fleeting glimpse of a deer - these are the experiences that children remember, and that mums carry with them long after the session ends.

Sometimes, the best days are the ones that don’t go exactly to plan - but end up giving us exactly what we needed.