The great outdoors are not something naturally associated with millennials, but the new generation – which is being introduced to nature at a very early age – may well reverse that assumption in a few years’ time.

New-fangled forest schools, which take learning outside whatever the weather, are growing more and more popular amongst parents who are looking to broaden the activities their toddlers take part in.

Gazette: Caring – grandparents with one of the tots at Wivenhoe WoodsCaring – grandparents with one of the tots at Wivenhoe Woods

Muddy Totz Baby & Toddler Forest Schools is just one of those groups, with Kirsty Bartle running sessions each day where parents join their young ones for outdoor learning and exploring.

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Toddlers are encouraged to dig, scavenge, and get their hands dirty – and although there are plenty of toys, spades, and buckets to rummage around with, toddlers are just as intrigued by the sticks, worms, and foliage in Wivenhoe Wood.

Gazette: Sweeping up – this toddler could have a big job on his handsSweeping up – this toddler could have a big job on his hands

Mrs Bartle changes the location daily, with sessions costing £8.95 for a one-off drop-in, or £7.95 each session if booking for a half-term.

Mrs Bartle originally devised the idea when she was deputy manager of a nursery, and took youngsters for an outdoor session once a week.

Gazette: Wheeling away – one toddler is a born helper collecting leaves in her wheelbarrowWheeling away – one toddler is a born helper collecting leaves in her wheelbarrow

Red tape meant parents couldn’t join their kids, so Mrs Bartle set up her her own group, separate from the nursery, so parents could join in.

Everything came to fruition in 2014, and Mrs Bartle has been running the outdoor learning sessions ever since.

Gazette: Treat – the parents and youngsters got to enjoy chocolate porridge straight from the campfire at the end of the morningTreat – the parents and youngsters got to enjoy chocolate porridge straight from the campfire at the end of the morning

She said: “I thought I'd set up something on my own from the kitchen table, and it’s gone from strength to strength.

“I started off running two mornings each week, but now I run six morning each week with a different wood every day.

Gazette: Story time – Kirsty Bartle reads a storybook for the toddlers to enjoyStory time – Kirsty Bartle reads a storybook for the toddlers to enjoy

“It's lovely to watch friendships being built amongst parents and toddlers.

“I think it helps parents a lot, because parenting can be quite isolating at times.”

Gazette: Campfire – the morning ended with a campfire brunch for the children and parentsCampfire – the morning ended with a campfire brunch for the children and parents

The session sends with a campfire brunch and a storybook.

And with that, the session is over for another day, and Mrs Bartle packs everything up and gets ready to do it all over again in 24 hours’ time.