Week Three: Mindfulness, Mud, and the Magic of Sound

The Dads Matter – Nature & Wellbeing Project, delivered by Forest Frontiers in partnership with Time to Connect CIC and funded by Bolton CVS, continues to grow in warmth and depth. After two uplifting weeks of storytelling and free play, week three invited everyone to slow down, tune in, and rediscover calm through mindfulness, sound baths, and a good dose of mud.

This session was all about balance - between stillness and energy, reflection and laughter, quiet moments and joyful mess.

A mindful start

The session began with reflection. Julie opened by chatting with the dads about the previous week’s free play session and the difference it had made since then. Several dads shared that they had played more with their children and relied less on technology over the week - a simple but profound shift that shows how these sessions ripple beyond the forest.

When asked what they thought mindfulness meant, many dads initially said “being quiet.” Julie gently expanded the idea, explaining that mindfulness is really about noticing - noticing sounds, feelings, and sensations; noticing breath; noticing what’s around you without judgement.

“I explained about noticing things around you, controlling breathing daily, listening to sounds,” Julie shared. “This led perfectly into the sound bath where everyone was just still.”

That conversation set the tone for a deeply grounding experience.

Finding stillness through sound

For many dads, this was their first-ever sound bath, and the experience was powerful. One described it simply as “really relaxing after a stressful day.” Another said it was “nice to switch off,” while another noted that it was “quiet time with my daughter - she found the sounds calming.”

The forest became a natural concert hall. Surrounded by trees, the soft resonance of gongs, bowls, and gentle chimes created an atmosphere that encouraged calm and connection.

“The sound bath and listening to nature,” one dad wrote, “was what helped me most in this session.”

Another added that he had learned to use “sounds to calm myself and my children.”

It was beautiful to see fathers and children sharing that moment of quiet attention - some lying back with eyes closed, others sitting together, simply listening. For children, it was a chance to experience mindfulness through play and curiosity; for dads, it was a reminder that calm doesn’t come from silence but from awareness.

Mud, movement, and connection

After stillness came energy - and lots of it. The second part of the session revolved around mud play, where dads and children dug, moulded, and threw mud balls at targets. What began as a playful activity quickly turned into a lively bonding experience.

Children started by throwing mud, then dads joined in, and soon they were playing together, laughing, and cheering one another on. A sling shot was added for extra challenge, allowing pairs to work as teams and test their coordination.

Julie reflected on how naturally the activity brought fathers and children together:

“Using the sling shot allowed dads and kids to work together. All talking, supporting each other.”

For one dad, the experience was particularly emotional.“He said he felt he hadn’t had the opportunity to play this way with his child and wasn’t good at it,” Julie shared. “We talked about stereotypes, and he realised they had fallen into that without realising. He wanted to build more connection and have calmer time with his child after this.”

It was a powerful reminder that play isn’t just fun - it’s healing. It helps rebuild confidence, reframe roles, and remind fathers that they don’t need to be perfect, just present.

The hidden learning in mud play

While the activity looked like messy fun (and it was), it also supported children’s physical development in important ways. As Julie explained, digging, throwing, and slinging mud build upper body strength and fine-motor control - essential for writing and coordination.

“The throwing and digging help build muscles in the shoulders and arms,” she noted. “That physical development supports writing later on.”

In a world where outdoor play is often limited, sessions like this reconnect children with the sensory experiences their bodies need. They learn through movement, touch, and experimentation - and when their dads join in, that learning is doubled in impact.

What dads said

The written feedback from the dads captured both the relaxation and joy of the session:

• “Relaxing during the sound bath after a stressful day.”

• “Getting to play with mud and explore the forest.”

• “Time to wind down.”

• “Quiet time with my daughter - she found the sounds calming.”

• “The mindfulness was new learning for me.”

• “Might look for sound bath–like soundtracks at home.”

• “I’m buying a hammock!”

The mention of hammocks became a running theme - several dads talked about how much they enjoyed using them in earlier sessions and wanted to recreate that calming space at home.

There was also constructive feedback. One dad noted that the sound bath could be easier to hear if the group was spaced differently, while another suggested trying a 90-minute format instead of two hours. Overall, though, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing this as their “favourite session so far.”

Emotional growth and gentle challenge

The blend of mindfulness and mud was deliberate - a balance of inner calm and outer activity. For some dads, mindfulness was unfamiliar territory, but the natural environment made it accessible. The sounds of the forest blended with the instruments, creating an experience that was both meditative and earthy.

The emotional moments, like the dad who felt unsure of his play skills, gave space for important reflection. These are the kinds of breakthroughs that can shift family dynamics and strengthen relationships.

“He wanted to build connections more after this session and have more calm time with his child,” Julie shared.

By naming those feelings openly, the group created a safe environment where fathers could be vulnerable - a rare and powerful thing in itself.

Mindfulness for fathers and children

For many dads, this session reframed what mindfulness means in family life. It’s not just about formal meditation; it’s about paying attention, listening, and creating space for calm together.

One dad wrote that it was his “first experience of a sound bath,” while another said he learned about “using sounds to calm myself and children.”

These insights point to something important: when fathers learn to self-regulate and find peace, that calm transfers naturally to their children. Sound baths, breathing exercises, or even simple outdoor play can become shared mindfulness tools - things families can use again and again at home.

The beauty of presence

Throughout the afternoon, what stood out most was the presence of the dads - no phones, no distractions, just connection. In the rhythm of mindful breathing, the sound bath’s resonance, and the laughter of muddy play, fathers rediscovered the joy of simply being there.

As one wrote on his feedback sheet: “No improvements needed - my favourite session.”

That sentiment echoes what we see week by week: dads relaxing into the moment, children thriving in the freedom of nature, and everyone leaving with lighter hearts (and perhaps a little more mud on their boots).

Looking ahead

Week three reminded us all that wellbeing is not a luxury - it’s a practice, built moment by moment, breath by breath, game by game.

The Dads Matter – Nature & Wellbeing Project continues to show how simple activities can nurture connection, reflection, and confidence among fathers and their children. From storytelling to sound baths, every session reveals a new side of what it means to parent with presence.

Next week, the group moves deeper into the theme of mindfulness, exploring how to weave calm and creativity into daily family life. But for now, we’ll carry the echoes of those singing bowls, the laughter of mud play, and the feeling of calm connection that only nature can offer.

“The sound bath, the listening to nature, the mud balls, the laughter - and time to wind down. It was great.” That quote, simple yet full of meaning, says it all.