Making Woodland Crafts: Using Green Sticks, Rods, Poles, Beads and String (Crafts and Family Activities)

Through a series of visually stunning, hand-drawn illustrations, Patrick Harrison guides the reader on a productive journey through the woods. It provides the basic knowledge and skills to complete a range of both simple and more advanced craft projects, from functional structures to creative outdoor play forms. You will learn to choose and work your wood effectively, use simple tools, tie knots and develop your own designs. Projects include building masks and puppets, night torches, staffs, arrows, jewelry, ladders, shelters, and chairs for stargazing.

Making Woodland Crafts is the perfect companion for any family outdoor day, a joyful introduction to the crafts available in any piece of woodland. It is guaranteed to get children―as well as parents, siblings, grandparents―out and about and enjoying nature.

Patrick Harrison is an experienced outdoor learning educator and trainer of Forest School Leaders, as well as an accomplished illustrator. Through his personal struggles as a child bewildered by schooling, Patrick developed a passion for alternative learning processes. He recognized the vitally important role of creativity in education for developing flexibility in thinking, confidence, and self-esteem. Patrick also developed a thorough understanding of the effects of doing, playing, and deep-level learning as a catalyst for fundamental development and lasting change.

Patrick’s background is in creative expression, through professional painting, graphic design and environmental arts. He taught reflexive art classes for many years, as well as drumming and rhythm in schools and for adults with special needs.

As a full-time level-4 Forest School trainer, Patrick has trained hundreds of teachers, independent practitioners, and other professionals to deliver Forest School programs throughout the UK.