Ranger in a Bag at Alice Holt Forest

Hire your own resource filled backpack

Give your class the opportunity to become rangers for the day with our easy-to-use, self-contained Ranger in a Bag. 

Our bags support you to deliver learning about forests at your own pace with experiential activities, scenarios and role play. Packed with practical tasks, they are curriculum linked and flexible to fit a range of learning outcomes.

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This video was created in partnership with Shy Guys Studios

Each bag contains:

  • equipment, games and resources
  • activity sheets and instructions
  • health and safety guidance
  • plenary activities

We recommend half a day to get the most out of this activity. If you’re planning a full day visit, you can add a second bag, or use our free learning resources.

Ranger in a Bag is suitable for children aged 4 – 11, with enough resources for 30/35 children. The bag hire charge is £50 for one bag or £75 for two. Some schools hire just the one and stagger their lunches, so that one class gets to use the bag in the morning and the other in the afternoon. If you decide to hire either one or two bags, then coach parking charges are waivered for the day.

Available year round, book by emailing learning.south@forestryengland.uk.

Free pre-visit sessions with a member of Forestry England staff are essential so that we can help you plan your visit, go through the backpacks and look around the site.

Ranger in a Bag themes

Trainee Ecologist

Links to subject areas: Science, Maths

Why is it important to survey forest habitats and monitor animal species? Discover the answers by becoming trainee ecologists for the day. Using the equipment provided carry out a minibeast survey and record your findings, create a forest food chain and find out why Forestry England’s favourite microhabitat is decaying wood.

Trainee forester

Links to subject areas: Science, Maths

Pop on your hard hats and hi-vis vests and explore what it takes to be a trainee forester. Discover how to calculate the age and height of a tree and discuss why cutting down a tree isn’t always a bad thing.   

Trainee woodland artist

Links to subject areas: Art and Design, Maths

Discover how artists are inspired by nature. Your class will take part in a series of activities that explore the natural shapes, textures and colours found in nature. Then they will create their very own pieces of artwork from natural materials found in the forest. What will your class’s art exhibition include? 

Trainee wellbeing champion

Links to subject areas: PSHE, PE

Life can be challenging at times. This pack helps young children to explore different techniques that will help them to feel relaxed and calm. Providing them with their very own toolkit to deal with everyday worries. Have a go at some woodland stretches that boosts physical and mental wellbeing, take a forest walk and carry out a grounding exercise to help you feel calm.