You know when you take part in an organised children’s activity? And it is just so good and it makes you (and the children) so happy? And the organisers just get “it” and children so much? And it only costs a couple of pounds but you would happily have paid 10x more for what you got? And everything is such high quality and not one part of the whole event leaves you feeling you could have done it better, or that you wish you hadn’t bothered? Yeah that! That is what Fairytale Fun at Castell Henllys was like.
Castell Henllys is an Iron Age village set within thirty acres of beautiful woodland and river meadows in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.1 We visited whilst on holiday last week and I will write more about the place itself later. We went on the Friday of our holiday as there was an organised children’s activity being put on, with a fairy theme; so A was bound to love it! It did not have to be booked in advance so we just turned up and booked on the door when we arrived.
We met at the event start time, and we were greeted by two “wood nymphs”; they were very funny and friendly right from the start as the set the scene for the morning. They explained that we were going on a treasure hunt to find some lost/stolen “magical” items and we then headed to a part of the forest that seemed ordinarily closed to visitors; this forest location alone helped to set a magical scene, and there was a stone spiral on the ground that we were told was the entrance to fairyland. It was very cute and A was very excited!
We searched for all of the magical items, and although there was quite a large number of children, there were enough items for each child to find quite a few. The wood nymphs also ensured that latecomers had a chance to find items too. I was so impressed with the way it was run, even this early on.
We then headed to another part of the wood, and took a seat on a tree stump in a clearing right next to the river, for the main activities. In the first part the children made a wand. The wands themselves had been pre-made and were waiting to be selected by the children. These were made from willow and the children had a choice of a simple straight version, or a version with a star shape on the end. Both A and E chose one with a star obviously! They then had to select some string to wrap around their wand in some way, as well as some rags (you have to understand that there was a whole back story to this, and everything represented something magical. The strings and the rags were hanging on trees over the river, and the children were able to select the ones they wanted and untie them before putting them on their wands in whatever way they chose; it was not a simple case of being handed items. I can’t remember the ins and outs of this back story though which is really annoying)! The wood nymphs then came around with glue and glitter and the children had chance to add this “fairy dust” to their wands if they wished.
Once the wands were complete it was on to making fairy headdresses. The wood nymphs came around and made each child a willow crown that fit their heads perfectly. Naturally this took a bit of time, but it did not matter! It was fun to watch them bending and shaping the willow, and it was lovely just sitting in the beautiful location. A and E were very well behaved; I think they were in awe! Once they had been fitted for their crowns they had to decorate them with natural materials (flowers, leaves etc); however, a small number of beautiful colourful flowers were provided and each child was allowed to take a couple to start them off. While A and E were waiting to be fitted for their crowns they went foraging in the wood for some extra bits and pieces to go in.
When it was our turn E did not want to be fitted so he had one made that was roughly the size of his head, so it doesn’t fit as well as A’s, but A’s really did look magical. D did the threading of all of the foraged materials; I just couldn’t get it right!
And it did not end there. Once everyone had finished their headdresses each child was offered face painting. A willingly took this up, but E did not want it (boys did not have to be fairies; there was an alternative face painting option, in case you were wondering)!
After this the children went to fairy school and were taught some spells, in Welsh (which means I don’t remember a word of it; Welsh does sound very magical though, it worked so well)!
Then they were given some wishes in their hands to blow into the river (I think these were some sort of seeds; again, I don’t remember the full story, but it was beautiful to watch all of the children so engrossed).
Finally, as each child was leaving they were given a “dragon stone” (gemstone) to take home “to protect them from the bad creatures that we had been discussing all morning”; again, I can’t for the life of me remember any of the Welsh words!
It was an absolutely wonderful activity, and one I haven’t stopped thinking about! I would definitely recommend this if you happen to be in the area in the next few weeks.
1http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/default.asp?PID=264
I love this, well done to all the organizers. It really reminds me of my activity hour sessions here on the farm. It’s amazing what you can do with nature and throw away items to make a whole imaginary world come to life. I love watching children embrace the ideas and crowns and wands are always a favourite. We’ve made fairy food before but not fairy wishing seeds, I’ll have to remember this one. Definitely a good choice to visit on the day with the extra activities and well worth every penny. Gorgeous photos of your little fairy coming to life.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
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I know! That is exactly what it reminded me of! I admire your activity hours so much and was so happy to attend something that seemed even vaguely as good 🙂
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What a wonderful session to take part in. The head crowns are gorgeous. (N wouldn’t do face painting either) #countrykids
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It was really wonderful! They are aren’t they? I couldn’t get a decent picture of the wands as they both waved them around too much whenever I tried (I should have prised them away from them for a photo), but they were really cool too!
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What a really lovely, fun activity! My 4yo daughter would love this. The headdress and face paint looks awesome! #CountryKids
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It was such a lovely activity! Everything was so pretty!
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I love this so much! We’ve just built fairy gardens in our backyard and my boys are obsessed with the ideas of hunting for fairies in the woods. This seems such a magical outdoor experience. #CountryKids
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It was so magical. My litle girl is obsessed with hunting for fairies too. I love the idea of a fairy garden, that is definitely on my list of things to do!
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I love this, what a magical day for the children! My girls would absolutely love this kind of thing. Looks like the organisers did a fantastic job! A looks great with all her fairy accessories 🙂 #countrykids
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They really did a good job – I think the organisers themselves were the best part of the day!
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How lovely to have found such a great outing that really engaged your kiddos. Love all the pictures, especially the ones with the fairy headdresses. #countrykids
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Thank you! Yes the headdresses were wonderful, and the willow will last for ages so once the flowers are past their best the organisers suggested going and foraging new materials and changing it with the seasons – another great idea!
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Every photo looks gorgeous and sounds like the organizers really wanted the kids to be happy. Events like this is special. Not a lot of organizers are like this nowadays. Usually its all about paying for this and for that. But this one I can see the details that they had thought of. Amazing place and lovely people behind this event =) #countrykids
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Thank you! I completely agree, the organisers are often rubbish these days which makes me so sad, especially as all these things cost so much to attend. I think that is why I was just so happy after this activity – every part had been so carefully planned, and the organisers were just fab!
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What beautiful pictures! I have fallen in love with the floral crown! I love events like this and can’t wait to take Josh to things like this xx #KCACOLS
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It is gorgeous isn’t it? And the willow will last for ages, so once the flowers are past their best we can go and find new materials and make a new, seasonal crown!
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Wow, this looks beautiful. We have been thinking about going to Blue Stone for a holiday next year and this Castle was one of the places recommended to visit whilst staying there, now it’s a definite! I particularly love the idea of the gemstones for protection, my son has bad dreams occasionally about dragons and big bad wolves coming to eat him after certain bedtime stories (i’m looking at you, Julia Donaldson!) So i think this would really be useful for us 🙂 Thank you! #KCACOLS
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Hehe, that is a Julia Donaldson I have avoided so far! It is definitely a beautiful place to visit, I hope you make it (I also hope this event runs every year as I would love to do it again)!
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We went to the Iron Age village years ago. No fairies in sight then. What a wonderful idea. I love the area it is so magical and hearing it in welsh would just add to all the stories. (not that I’d be able to follow it). It sounds like it was very well thought out. #CountryKids
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Yes welsh sounds really magical! It was a perfect location to add fairies!
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Sounds like a truly beautiful day out and the organisers did a great job! I wish we were close enough to visit.
#countrykids
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It is definitely one to try if you are ever in the area – we have been holidaying there for the last few years but it is a long way away from anywhere!
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Oh, this really does look like a magical day! I love the willow crowns. It sounds like the organisers really put so much thought into getting the children to embrace the concept and sprinkle a bit of magic over their day! It all looks so pretty – your photos have a touch of the magic about them too! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
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Thank you! That is a very good way of putting it – they really did embrace the concept, and sometimes that is all you need 🙂
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That sounds positively magical! What a lovely adventure. Id be the same I’m rubbish at remembering stories. What a good find #countrykids
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This looks like such a magical day out. I adore those headbands and would love one for myself! #countrykids
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I know! I wanted to ask for one of my own! I don’t know of any willow trees around me to take a twig from 😦
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Oh my word how very enchanting is this! What a truly magical experience which will no doubt be remembered for years to come. Xx #countrykids #KCACOLS
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Wow that does sound like a magical day out and love how well it was organised and all the different activities that were part of it. Those willow headbands look amazing and I love the face painting too. My girls would love something like this – what a shame we live so far away from it! #countrykids
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I know – it is a long long way from anywhere!
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Oh wow! How lovely. It looks like a magical day out. The face painting is really nicely done. Olivia would love something like this. Your photos are gorgeous too. xx
#countrykids
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Thank you 🙂
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