About WildPlay
WildPlay is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of children aged 0-14 in Herefordshire and fostering a love of nature through play. Herefordshire Wildlife Trust has been running its WildPlay rogramme for over 25 years.
Our WildPlay Rangers feel passionately that children need the opportunity for joyful and playful experiences outdoors, chances to manage and take their own risks, build their confidence and make judgements independently. These early connections with nature support all areas of development, embedding skills they will use for the rest of their lives and play is fundamental to a child’s emotional, physical and cognitive development. Giving children time and freedom to play in nature also nurtures them into becoming adults who love and care for the natural world.
Summer 2026
During the school summer holidays WildPlay worked in greenspaces across the county from recreation grounds to city parks and nature reserves. They also delivered activities at Queenswood Country Park: Nature Tots and Wild Adventure Club.
In total, 734 children came to 31 WildPlay events and workshops. Thanks to our funders, they were able to play in the same location over a number of sessions which has the biggest impact for children and their families in those communities, building positive relationships.
Activities included den building, tool use, whittling, mud kitchen, nature trails, bug hunting, pond/stream dipping, nature based crafts (e.g. Making insects out of clay, butterfly kites and dragonfly wands), loose parts play (e.g. cardboard boxes, paints and tape, where children were free to be creative and make what they liked) and because the summer was so hot, lots of water play.
Where we played:
- Kempson Players Recreation Ground in Bromyard
- Aylestone Park, Northolme Community Centre, Holme Lacy Road Park and the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford
- The Sydney Noland Trust
- Eastnor Castle
- Westfield Special School in Leominster
- Wellington village
- Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum
