Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is encouraging families to get outdoors this Easter and use their local woodland as a space to keep kids active and entertained during the school holidays. 

As children across Glasgow break off school for their Easter break, it is the perfect time to take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather outdoors.

Research has shown that play and learning in woodland and greenspaces leads to a range of benefits for children’s development, including better concentration, better communication skills, greater stamina, improved balance and coordination, increased confidence and appreciation of the outdoors.

Eilidh Malcolm, community ranger at FLS, said: “Many of us don’t have a back garden that can be used for outdoor play, and even less so for those who live in the city, however, there are many urban woodlands and green spaces we can make use of. Taking children to a local woodland for fun Easter activities has many benefits, such as encouraging physical activity and promoting social skills. It is also a great way to educate children on the outdoors and nature.” 

Eilidh shares her favourite games to play outdoors this Easter.

1. Classic egg hunt – adults, be prepared to select a section of the woodlands to hide decorated (or chocolate) eggs in and challenge children to the hunt. The child who finds the most eggs is the winner.
2. Egg rolling - get creative and decorate hard boiled eggs then take them to a woodland or a park with a hill. From the top of the hill, players can take turns rolling their eggs down - the egg that travels the furthest wins.
3. Egg and spoon race – bring along eggs and large spoons to the woodland and challenge friends and family to a race. A game of balance and concentration, it is a lot more difficult than it looks.
4. Egg decoration hunt – woodlands are filled with interesting natural items, such as sticks, leaves, pine cones, berries and feathers for children to collect and get crafty with when decorating Easter eggs. A prize can be awarded to the most creatively decorated egg.
5. Splat – a game to improve throwing techniques, pairs start close together throwing an (uncooked if you are feeling lucky) egg to each other. As the throwing goes on, the pair move further and further apart. The loser is the one who drops it.

Eilidh continues: “We hope everyone has a great time over the Easter holidays, trying out different games and activities in their local woodland.”

There are a variety of woodlands in and around Glasgow that are suitable for fun and games over the Easter holidays, including Auchenshuggle, Drumchapel, Greenoakhill, Cardowan Moss and Cuningar Loop. To find out where your local woodland is visit: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit

Notes to editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) was established as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government on 1 April 2019, following completion of the devolution of forestry as a result of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018. It replaces Forest Enterprise Scotland.
2. The purpose of FLS is to manage forests and land owned by Scottish Minsters in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; and delivers benefits for people and nature. FLS may manage other forested and non-forested land by arrangement, as set out in the Act.
3. The primary focus of FLS, in delivering its purpose, is to support Scottish Ministers in their role as leaders of Sustainable Forest Management and Sustainable Development through their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
4. www.forestryandland.gov.scot | www.twitter.com/ForestryLS
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