Activities
Farm Jobs
Help care for Magdalen's pigs, chickens, goats and cattle. Get stuck into gardening jobs, connect with where food comes from and understand farming the organic way!
hands on farming
An extended version of Hands on Farming. Activities will depend on the season.
farmer for the day
sustainability
Why is our climate changing and what can we do to help? Discover what’s happening to our planet and explore simple, powerful actions you can take in your own life to make a real difference.
planet protectors
Use pedal power to make a smoothie and renewable energy to make a pizza snack. There’s a lot to enjoy and a lot to learn about the carbon cycle, seasonality, sustainability, food miles and food waste.
sustainable chefs
teamwork
Explore Magdalen’s woods and stream. Activities may include creating a team den to shelter in, sculpting clay ‘golems’, safely using a flint and steel to make fire. Let your imagination go wild!
survival in the wild
Can you work together to lead your team to victory? Fun and friendly outdoor challenges framed within environmental issues, encouraging cooperation, communication, creativity and cognition!
teamwork
Everyone has a superpower! Your skills make a team stronger. Can your team succeed at tackling fun challenges that are up to 1 metre off the ground?
Advisory aged 8 years and above.
low ropes
Skill, patience and teamwork are needed to light a fire and keep it going using a flint and steel.
fire lighting
orienteering
Magdalen Farm is big! Use maps to explore the further reaches of the farm and complete nature based missions whilst gaining points to compete against teams.
farm adventure: strategy
Magdalen Farm is big! Use maps to explore the further reaches of the farm. Complete nature based missions encountering magnificent trees along the way and end with creating ephemeral art for all to enjoy.
farm adventure: treemendous tree trail
In teams, use a map to explore the farm and discover more about Magdalen’s wildlife at checkpoints you find along the way.
map masters
In teams use a compass and bearing instructions to explore the farm and discover more about Magdalen’s wildlife at checkpoints along the way.
compass challenge
nature
Explore a safe and shallow section of the River Axe, discover its features and history of recent regeneration and discover the amazing wildlife that calls this watery world home.
Seasonal – typically March to October.
river investigators
Grab a net and catch, spot, and identify the weird and wonderful creatures living in Magdalen’s spring fed pond.
Seasonal – typically March to October.
pond detectives
Nature is full of surprises! Discover how wildlife stays alive in clever ways and how every animal is connected. From tiny insects to top predators, each one plays a part! Explore habitats, food chains and ecosystems in a hands-on, fun way.
ecosystem explorers
Soil is a living, breathing ecosystem that supports 95% of global food production and is totally fascinating. An estimated ¼ of living organisms are found in soil! Help care for it, learn easy ways to waste less and make the most of nature’s resources.
soil superheroes
Become a nature detective and discover wildlife all around you. Locate where creatures live and their amazing survival strategies. Tread lightly as you explore!
Seasonal – typically April to October.
minibeast hunters
Be amazed by how animals are specially adapted to their habitats and how changes over time can lead to evolution.
Suitable for Upper KS2 curriculum.
evolution explorers
sensory
Get creative with nature’s treasures and recycled materials! Make amazing one-of-a-kind masterpieces to take home! Clay creatures, Hapa Zome and wooden medallions are just a few options.
eco artists
Explore the natural environment through sensory activities that celebrate smells, sights, sounds and textures. Potions and sensory scavenger hunts are two of the favourite activities.
surprise your senses
youth groups
You can make a difference! Get hands-on with fun, practical projects to help care for nature such as creating habitats, collecting wild flower seeds and building leaky dams.
Suitable for groups of 15 or less.
conservation crew
Feel good for immersing yourself in hands-on tasks that benefit Magdalen and our visitors. Work as a team, use tools and make a difference.
Projects vary seasonally and are suitable for groups of 15 and less.
practical projects
evening
Everyone loves a campfire! Gathered around a fire under the sky, toast treats and enjoy togetherness.
Residential only.
campfire
Grab a bat detector and uncover the secret world of bats! Listen for hidden bat calls, discover how they fly and hunt in the dark, and become a nocturnal wildlife explorer.
Seasonal – typically May to September. Residential only.
bat detectors
Residential only.
night adventure walk
seasonal
Make a meaningful contribution for decades to come and help the planet by planting trees and improving the environment for now and the future.
Seasonal - typically November to mid-February.
treemendous tree planting
Enjoy pressing fresh apple juice using organic apples grown on the farm. Explore the journey from harvesting in the orchard to sampling the end result!
Seasonal – typically September to October.
apple juice making
off-site
Head out on an adventure to the Jurassic Coast and find amazing fossils that could be over 185 million years old!
Groups need to provide their own transport.
beyond the farm gate: jurassic journey
Embrace Magdalen’s rural surroundings with a walk to a nearby village along footpaths and through open fields. There will be time to enjoy the village park or community shop before returning.
The walk is approximately 40 to 50 minutes in each direction.