Week Four: Creativity, Clay, and Connection in the Autumn Forest

As autumn leaves began to fall and the forest air turned crisp, week four of the Dads Matter – Nature & Wellbeing Project brought warmth, creativity, and connection to the woods once again.

Delivered by Forest Frontiers in partnership with Time to Connect CIC, and fully funded by Bolton CVS, this week’s session was all about creative expression through nature - a chance for dads and their little ones to explore their imaginations, make something with their hands, and deepen the bonds forming week by week.

Exploring creativity

The evening began with Julie introducing the theme: creativity. She spoke about what it means to be creative - not just in art, but in everyday life - and how imagination, curiosity, and connection help us unlock new ways of thinking.

As Jan from the Time to Connect team reflected:

“Julie did a great introduction to what creativity is, and how people can improve their creativity by connection and by using their imagination.”

Creativity, Julie explained, isn’t about being an artist - it’s about play, openness, and seeing the world through fresh eyes. That message resonated strongly as the group moved into a series of activities that combined natural materials, clay, and a little forest magic.

Fire, warmth, and autumn energy

To start, Sam lit a small fire, setting the tone for the evening. The flicker of flames drew everyone together - dads, children, and facilitators alike.

“Everybody was absolutely entranced by that,” Jan said. “The little ones went and got sticks to put on it, and the dads reached to get going - because everybody loves a good fire.”

The gentle crackle and scent of smoke added a comforting atmosphere to the woodland space. With leaves tumbling gently from the trees, the session captured the season perfectly.

“It gave a nice kind of aroma and a nice aura to the evening,” Jan added.

As the fire burned, children played nearby, collecting twigs and leaves, while dads chatted and prepared for the creative activity ahead.

Pottery, clay, and imagination

This week’s main activity was clay pot making, a hands-on creative exercise that encouraged dads and children to shape, decorate, and express themselves using natural materials found around them - acorns, berries, feathers, and leaves.

Some families jumped straight in, experimenting with shapes, textures, and patterns. Others took a little longer to warm up, especially the younger children, who were drawn to the freedom of play before returning to the clay later.

“Some people got into it straight away and really enjoyed it,” Jan observed. “Other people, not so much - the little ones weren’t that bothered at first but came back to it later when they saw other kids doing it.”

That natural ebb and flow of attention is part of what makes forest sessions so special. There’s space for each child to engage in their own time and way, without pressure - and when they’re ready, creativity blooms.

Julie invited everyone to fill their pots with items that represented feelings - a gentle mindfulness activity connecting emotional expression with creativity. While some fully embraced this reflective layer, others focused more on the joy of making.

“The idea was to fill it with things that could describe your feelings,” Jan noted. “I think the idea was good. I’m not sure how successful it was tonight, but maybe I wasn’t watching in the right places.”

What mattered most was the sense of exploration. Some of the finished creations were genuinely impressive - intricate, expressive, and full of life.

“A couple of them could have been in an art gallery by the end of it,” Jan laughed. “They had rowan berries, feathers, and all sorts of shapes. They really enjoyed that creativity.”

Joy, play, and imagination

As the clay activity wound down, the energy shifted back to playful adventure. Children began collecting sticks to make swords, pairing up with friends, and crafting imaginative games among the trees.

“Little lads with swords - they absolutely enjoy it,” Jan said. “They were having great fun.”

Even adults got to learn something new.

“I learned how to do a clove hitch knot tonight,” Jan added. “I never learned it in Brownies - I got kicked out of Guides - so that was a new learning thing for me.”

These moments of light-hearted learning, laughter, and play show how the project supports everyone involved - dads, children, and facilitators alike. Every week, there’s something new to discover.

Relationships blossoming

By week four, something special had become clear: the group was starting to feel like a community. Dads who were once reserved were now chatting freely; children who were shy were beginning to call each other by name; and the forest had become a familiar, comfortable space for everyone.

“The little ones are pairing up a bit now,” Jan noticed. “Boys are remembering each other’s names and forming friendships. The dads are in conversation and the quieter ones have joined in.”

From a group development perspective, this marks an important milestone.

“In terms of group work,” Jan explained, “you’ve got forming, norming, storming, performing - and I think they’re at the stage where people are more comfortable, conversing naturally, and have a bit of history together. It feels more gentle and natural now.”

That progression - from strangers to a supportive network - is one of the most rewarding outcomes of the project.

Skills, professionalism, and pride

Throughout the session, there was admiration for the skills of the Forest Frontiers and Time to Connect teams.

“I’m absolutely amazed by the skills of the people that do forest school,” Jan reflected. “Julie is able to just deal with any child, any time, over any problem.”

Her calm guidance and ability to engage both dads and children continues to be a defining feature of the programme. Sam’s facilitation, too, brought creativity and warmth, while the support team ensured everything ran smoothly.

The evening also showed how engaged the dads have become in the process.

“What I noticed tonight was people taking pictures on their phones - not just Julie taking photos, but dads too. They wanted a memory to show their mums at home. That shows pride in what they’re doing.”

And even the simple act of completing feedback forms became something participants valued:

“People were asking where the evaluation forms were! Usually on courses, people roll their eyes, but these dads were actively asking for them. That was a nice touch.”

Food, warmth, and gratitude

No session would be complete without Julie’s signature touch - food, drink, and community around the fire. This week’s menu was a hit.

“The food and drink that Julie provides is always fantastic,” Jan said. “We had Chicken Buddies and cheese, and the kids really enjoyed their drinks, crisps, and fruit.”

Sharing food is more than just a snack break; it’s a moment of connection and reflection. As everyone gathered, laughter mixed with the sounds of the forest, and the evening ended on a note of warmth and gratitude.

Reflections and learning

Jan summed up the night beautifully:

“As I’ve said before, I learn something new all the time. Watching people flourish like this is amazing.”

From clay pots and creative expression to playful sword-making and fireside chats, week four showed how creativity connects people - across generations, backgrounds, and personalities.

Dads are not just taking part; they’re shaping the journey, finding confidence, and building lasting memories with their children.

And as the group left the forest, many with clay creations in hand and smiles on their faces, it was clear that the seeds of connection planted in week one are now truly taking root.