Activity trail featuring popular picture book character encourages children to learn outdoors

Popular character, Stick Man, based on the children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, features in a new free activity trail officially launched at Ridgeway Farm, Blackpool on Friday 29th March 2024, which will encourage children to get outdoors and explore the natural world.  

The launch event will feature Stick Man Trail activities such as: creating your very own Stick Man; making a nest; searching for mini beasts and regular readings of  Stick Man to mark World Book Day.

Ridgeway Farm, Blackpool was chosen to host the trail as part of a nationwide scheme supported by Stick Man brand owner Magic Light Pictures and Social Farms & Gardens, a charity which promotes land-based activities that encourage learning and improved well-being. 

The self-guided trail offers an interactive learning experience for three to seven year olds and has been designed to help children go on their own adventure with the character. Brightly coloured boards featuring Stick Man and other characters from the picture book will be used alongside an activity pack, with children able to claim a Stick Man Trail Certificate for completing the trail.

Farmer Helen, from Ridgeway Farm said: “Learning about nature and the environment and creating community resources are very important parts of what we do here, so we’re thrilled that we can host a trail at our site. Stick Man is extremely popular with young children, so being able to have this trail is a real boost. We’re expecting lots of interest from regular visitors and hopefully some new visitors, who will be able to find out more about the work we do here.” 

The trail is part of a unique national project devised by Social Farms & Gardens, which uses the Stick Man character to help thousands of parents and young children ‘twig' just how much fun learning through nature can be.  There are more than 2,500 social farms and gardens in the UK, which do great work in helping transform people’s lives and the places where they live.

Social Farms & Gardens said: "Modern life sometimes means children don’t always have access to the countryside or regular opportunity to play and learn outdoors. We hope that the trail at Ridgeway Farm, Blackpool will inspire young children and their families to go on their own outdoor adventure with Stick Man, where they can have fun, as well as learn more about the natural world and how things grow.