Woodland Den and Shelter

BuildingAimsWoodland den and shelter building outside allows children to interact with natural elements, such as leaves, sticks, soil etc. It provides an opportunity for children to learn to manage and work as a team, to learn from their mistakes and it encourages imaginative and creative play.

Following the instructions below will ensure that your woodland den building will also be conducted in a safe way.

Before Den Building Ensure the den area is clear of old dens, debris etc. Check the tree canopy on site and decide safe areas for den building (no

leaning tree, hung-up branches, etc) Ensure that you have selected demonstration poles and trees for the safety

talk BEFORE the session starts. Brief assistants and volunteers as necessary. Give a den building safety talk and demonstration covering main points at

the beginning of the session including safe carrying. Children must respect other people’s den materials and not to take

materials gathered for or on other dens.

You will need: long, straight branches and sticks; lots of thin, bendy sticks; materials to cover the den, such as dried leaves, twigs and grass.

Location of the Den Advise the children how to choose a suitable location for their den. Scan the area first- all the woodland layers especially the canopy area- look

out for loose branches, hanging branches, dead wood in the canopy and shrub layers.

If unsure, locate the den elsewhere. Use flat ground where possible. Be away from prickly trees such as hawthorn and holly. Be away from any fire and tool areas (as appropriate). Demonstrate safe areas for den building if the group need guidance.

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Demonstrate the Safe Carrying of Den Poles/Building Materials Demonstrate safe carrying especially when

carrying large/long poles. Get 2 or 3 members and arrange them on

alternate sides of the pole then allocate a ‘controller’ or team leader.

The team leader makes sure all are ready to lift (encourage eye contact), and the group lift and walk with the pole to where they want it to go, then place it down on instruction from the team leader, minding feet!

The pole is carried at waist height. If carrying independently, demonstrate dragging the pole behind and walking with the pole.

If carrying stumps/ heavy objects, demonstrate carrying at waist height and make it very clear that any heavy items should be placed on the floor or on the outside of the den/ shelter and NOT balancing on the den structure

Demonstrate the Selection of Appropriate Den Building Materials Forked poles are useful for den building, demonstrate the difference in

poles. Very rotten/dead wood should NOT be used for the main structure due to

potential weakness in the wood. Poles should be able to bear weight.

Demonstrate the Safe and Stable Creation of Den Structures DO NOT lean branches loosely against tree to create main den structure,

use natural forks in the trees or forked poles to help create main den structure.

Children should use dead wood on the woodland floor where possible. If planning to use bracken, harvest WEARING GLOVES. Leave ferns alone. Children should be told to build the den from the outside - do not place

wood on the den if someone is inside. If teaching lashing, use square lashing to lash poles to trees. If teaching tipi-making, use tripod lashing to secure poles (make sure

lashing is at thinner end of poles). Make sure that the thicker end of the pole is the end which rests on the

ground for stability purposes

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Adults should test what the children are creating and search for loose poles that could fall.

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All adults should monitor the den building and, if unhappy with what the group are doing, they should guide them and remove/alter anything unsafe. They could suggest different kinds of dens/shelters such as making nests, making small dens, etc.

All adults should ensure that children are not balancing very heavy poles/ materials on the den.

All adults should ensure that children are considering the lengths of their poles- balancing short poles on the structure can destabilise it and create lots of moving parts which could fall.

Use of Tarpaulins for Dens Show the group a tarpaulin, get them to open it out so they can see the size

and get used to the feel of it. Point out the eyelets which they can use to put the rope through. Introduce the rope/ para-cord etc. Instruct on safe carrying

ie walk with the rope/ cord and ensure it is wound/ bunched up to prevent trips.

Demonstrate how to attach the tarpaulin to the tree using eg a timber hitch. Remind the group that they are responsible for the equipment and for its

safe return, including ensuring that the ropes/ string are bunched up after they have finished using it.

Going Into the Dens All adults should ensure that the

dens do not get very overcrowded as this is when accidents can occur - moving bodies can dislodge and move wood.

It may be necessary to limit numbers in the den at any one time.

Children should also respect that some people do not want their dens invaded by others!

Review of the Dens Then groups look at each shelter in turn. This will allow each group to tell

the class how they have built their den and why. eg Where were the best places to find building materials? Do you think the

shelter works? Will it keep you all warm and dry? How could you adapt or improve it? Which materials/shapes work best? etc.

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The Safe Taking Down of Dens Ensure you demonstrate safe den deconstruction before getting the group

involved. This is potentially the most dangerous part of den building and must be done from the OUTSIDE in with NOBODY inside the den.

It should be done considering the safety of others and remind children that it is not a race!

When the den is taken down, the area should be left tidy.

Other Woodland Den Building Ideas: Why not link den building into other topics and themes: eg Stone Age

Village, shelter for an advancing Roman Army (See Trailblazer Roman Outdoor Activities), surviving a storm, survival skills, books such as Kensuke’s Kingdom, Stig of the Dump, etc.

Mini-Dens Making a mini den in the woods is a fun way to introduce den building to

kids! Dens can be made for soft toys, Lego figures, action figures etc. Or build a home for a gnome or a fairy world. Or where can Teddy sleep overnight?

The skills used in making a mini den, can then be scaled up to make a larger den for the children to go in.

Fairy Gardenhttps://www.ltl.org.uk/resources/fairy-garden

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Back in the Classroom Write instructions on how to build a shelter. Use persuasive writing and create an advertisement for the shelter.

eg If Teddy or the ‘gnome with a home’ wants to sell his ‘house’.

Websites Examples of different techniques for den and shelter building:https://www.muddyfaces.co.uk/download/denbuilding_web.pdf

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