Vita Coco Kids is are looking to find the best autumn picnic spots across the UK. We headed to the Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean with our Gruffalo picnic where the Gruffalo’s Child trail is available until 28th February 2015. We were sent a picnic basket of goodies and have a chance of receiving a John Lewis voucher for £100 and a month’s supply of Vita Coco Kids. See why we think the forest is a great place for an autumn picnic.
“The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should
Ever set foot in the deep dark wood.”
It wasn’t dark when we went but Beechenhurst Forest is open from 8am-6pm, meaning that (especially as we get into winter) there’s a chance to explore the dark. If you are going to stay that long then you really want refuelling.
By bringing books to life you can really help engage children, making it easier for them to learn. We made a Gruffalo picnic using cues from the books The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child. We did substitute the Gruffalo Tea for the drinks provided by Vita Coco Kids.
By using your imagination you can even get children to try things they would not normally. Such as when we added a piece of lettuce with a long stem to represent the mouse’s tail hanging out of the wraps.
As you can see our Sensory Seeker does not like lettuce – but he DID eat it when we convinced him that he could have some Gruffalo cake if he did!
I think that this the Forest is the best place for an Autumn picnic because:
- It is Nature’s playground – where else will you be able to experience and enjoy all that Autumn has to offer.
- The boys had plenty of space to run, jump, splash in puddles, play with sticks and generally enjoy their youth.
- The boys could scream and shout.
- The boys learnt so much, with hands on experience.
- It is a great place for fresh air – away from fumes, and industry.
- There are toilets and hand-washing facilities provided.
- You may just see a Gruffalo.
- It is the perfect place for family time as there’s no (or very little) signal – meaning no distractions from technology.
- The boys slept like a log afterwards.
The two youngest boys clothing we received free from Joules. We received a free picnic set (food not included) in order to find an autumn picnic location for Vita Coco Kids. All words and opinions are my own.
This is a fun idea! I love how you’ve put together a Gruffalo picnic, and I know my two would enjoy it!
What a lovely place for a picnic and I love the idea of a Gruffalo themed picnic. Your boys look like they are enjoying themselves 🙂
A Gruffalo picnic! What a great idea.
Loving the Joules outfits and the the little picnic basket. Autumn is a great time to explore the woods and go for a picnic xx
This looks like so much fun, I want to do a Gruffalo picnic now x
This looks like great fun!
Oh Joy I LOVE this post what a fabulous picnic and such fab food too! so creative. looks like you and the boys had an amazing trip to the woods xx
Ooh – my friends live near the Forest of Dean. I might be tempted to pay them a visit now! x
That’s really creative – fab idea. We love picnics too!
I really should do something like this for my girls, seeing as we live fairly close to the Gruffalo woods! Great post.
Good idea, I’ve never thought of picnics in autumn before, worth trying
How cute, they look so snug in their little coats!!
Sara
I have a visit planned to our local Gruffalo trail in the next few weeks, I think I will be borrowing some of your picnic ideas to make the day more memorable
Looks like a great place for an Autumn picnic
what a great idea for a picnic!
Love the picture at the bottom left, forests make me want to do that too!
I love Beechenhurst, it is such an awesome place for all ages.
A Gruffalo picnic is a great idea. It looks like you had lots of fun.
What great fun! Fabulous picnic! x
Picnics sound like lots of fun, especially Grufflo ones.
Fab ideas for a themed picnic- we love the Gruffalo so I can see this going down a treat!
Amy would love this. Looks like the perfect place to have fun and get rid off excess energy and believe me she’s got plenty of it, haha…
Picnics are fun no matter what the weather. Looks like you had a fab time.
I love the idea of a themed picnic to bring a story to life. Brilliant! Might even try the mouse wrap on the girls…
What a fun day you have! And yes, forest is the perfect place during the fall. Very nice post!
what complete and utter fun I love the Gruffalo
Looks like an awesome spot for a picnic to me 🙂
We love visiting our local woods and often take a picnic with us.I love how imaginative and fun you’ve made the food Joy.
We should have done a Gruffalo picnic when we did the trail last weekend
I love the mouse’s tale in the picnic, so sweet! Looks like the perfect spot for one…I love the idea of Autumn picnics too.