With half-term officially here, it is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to get together for some quality time at Whinlatter forest.

You're practically spoilt for choice when it comes to our nation’s forests, with lots of low-cost, fun activities guaranteed to entertain the whole family. And with the ongoing cost of living crisis still affecting us all, the good news is you don’t need to spend the earth to ensure children have a good time.

To make the most of the late spring weather, here is Forestry England’s list of low-cost, family-friendly activities and fun things to do!

1. Enjoy a Zog trail – Set off on a forest adventure this half term and enjoy an activity trail based on Julia Donaldson’s much-loved book, Zog. With lots of fun activities to complete, the trail will encourage your little dragons to learn about the forests and how the forests can care for them!
2. Gruffalo sculptures - Enjoy a fun family day out as you search for the characters from Julia Donaldson's classic story, The Gruffalo, in the deep dark wood. Your children will love meeting Mouse, Owl, Fox, Snake and Squirrel as well as the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's child!
3. Find a walking trail – The nation’s forests have hundreds of walking trails for you and your family to explore. From spectacular mountain hikes for keen adventurers to quiet streamside paths and short play trails for the younger family members, you're never far from a great walk.
4. Become a forest rider – Cycling is an excellent way to experience the outdoors and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Ride your way to adventure this half term with Forestry England’s Forest Rider packs. The packs have been designed to challenge children to complete a series of off-road rides, build their confidence and enjoy the fantastic network of trails the nation’s forest have to offer.
5. Plan a pilgrimage – Forestry England are inviting families to enjoy their own personal pilgrimage at a local forest to celebrate the release of the film, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Share your families #ForestPilgrimage photo for a chance to win a five-night campervan trip and forest membership.
6. Challenge your family to some ActiviTrees!– Keep your children active and learning this half term with Forestry England’s ActiviTree challenge. Free to download, there are five activity sheets that explore the life cycle of a tree whilst keeping your family active in nature.
7. Look for wildlife – Give a prize to whoever can tick off the most animals on the spotter sheet during your half term visit. Forestry England’s colourful spotter sheet is a great introduction to recording wildlife and from beautiful butterflies to roe deer, there is a lot of wildlife to spot in the nation’s forests. Don’t miss the brand-new wildlife hide on Whinlatter’s amazing Wow trail – what will you see?
8. Play in the forest - Get the whole family involved this half term as you scramble, slide and swing your way around forests and woodlands! From adventure play zones to natural equipment, our amazing play areas are great for kids and adults alike to burn off some steam.
9. Gruffalo Orienteering – Try this fun, navigational challenge in your local forest. Use a simple map to find twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood as quickly as possible. Who in your family will find them all first?
10. Go Ape tree top adventure – A firm favourite with children, Go Ape provides a rewarding experience with cheek-to-cheek smiles throughout. The high ropes experience is perfect for the whole family and a thrilling way to explore the forest canopy.

With adventurous play areas, safe off-road family cycling, activity trails and beautiful picnic areas, the nation’s forests offer a fantastic family day out. Visit www.forestryengland.uk/whinlatter for further information.