THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A full-day outdoor program for ages 8–14 along the Beaulieu River. Expect bushcraft, archery, paddling and nature play guided by experienced instructors in the New Forest area. Book for a safe, active holiday day out.
A full-day outdoor program for ages 8–14 along the Beaulieu River. Expect bushcraft, archery, paddling and nature play guided by experienced instructors in the New Forest area. Book for a safe, active holiday day out.
Book with New Forest Activities
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by New Forest Activities · Farnborough, England
On the edge of the New Forest National Park, at Baileys Hard on the Beaulieu River in Hampshire, Kids Holiday Camp offers a full-day woodland program for children aged 8–14. From the first meet-up at Baileys Hard, Beaulieu, Hampshire SO42 7YF, leaders guide groups through riverside paddles, bushcraft sessions, archery, den building, woodland crafts and free play across mixed oak woodland and riverine edge habitat.
The day runs 10am–4pm and keeps numbers deliberately small so instructors can focus on skill-building, safety and confidence. Activities are hands-on and age-appropriate: learning to whittle safely and start a tinder bundle under supervision, aiming a first arrow in beginner archery, fashioning small crafts from hazel and willow, and racing through team challenges that encourage cooperation. On calmer stretches of the Beaulieu River children paddle family-friendly kayaks and canoes, watching for grey seals at low tide and kingfishers darting along the banks.
The landscape itself is a highlight. A mix of ancient broadleaf stands, wet alder fringes and open tidal creek creates a teaching ground for natural history: look for New Forest ponies grazing on nearby heath, muntjac or red deer at dawn, and early-summer orchids in sheltered glades. The New Forest became a national park in 2005, and the camp makes the most of that protected terrain without intruding — sessions emphasize Leave No Trace values so future visitors and wildlife continue to thrive.
Practical details are straightforward: drop-off and collection are at the Baileys Hard meeting point (full directions are sent after booking) and parents should arrive 15 minutes before the start. All activity equipment is provided and instructors lead groups with first aid and child-safety protocols in place. The program suits both nature-curious kids and experienced young outdoorspeople; the mix of structured sessions and supervised free play gives children room to try new skills and make friends.
Group sizes are capped at 16 children, and the camp accepts ages 8–14, which keeps ratios tight for attentive supervision and small-group learning. Parents complete a waiver and emergency contact form prior to arrival; instructors carry basic first aid and communicate any issues at collection. Weather-adapted programming means wet-weather woodland craft and sheltered archery when required, so children stay active and dry while experiencing authentic outdoor skills and river ecology.
easy.
6 hours.
Children should be reasonably active and able to participate in light hiking, games and supervised paddling for several hours.
The camp accepts children aged 8–14.
Drop-off and collection are at the Baileys Hard meeting point in Beaulieu; full directions are sent after booking.
Yes—archery gear, bushcraft tools, paddles, lifejackets and other activity equipment are provided by the instructors.
Activities are adapted for wet weather with sheltered craft and modified paddling; sessions prioritize safety and comfort.
Instructors carry basic first aid and follow child-safety protocols; parents provide emergency contacts at booking.
Group sizes are capped at 16 children to keep supervision ratios tight and allow personalized instruction.
The New Forest was designated a national park in 2005, and the Beaulieu River area has a long history of maritime and woodland use.
Programs emphasize Leave No Trace practices and river-edge stewardship to reduce impact on sensitive habitats.
New Forest Activities is an outdoor activity provider based in Beaulieu, England, offering guided paddling, woodland and combat experiences on the Beaulieu River and surrounding forest. The operator runs a range of family-friendly and specialist sessions including BattleZone infrared combat games, Family Kayaking 90-minute guided tours, Family Canoeing, canoe hire, kayak hire, walk-in bike hire and archery. BattleZone sessions include adults-only and themed events such as BattleZone Special OPS, BattleZone at Bailey's Hard, BattleZone: Apocalypse! and seasonal scenarios like The Great Grinchmas Heist. These 2-hour, non-projectile infrared games are suitable for ages from 8 or 14 depending on the event and focus on tactical play without messy paint. Paddling options feature guided Family Kayaking, Ladies Only Paddling coached by female instructors, the River Explorer, Paddle to the Pub one-way trips, Christmas Canoe Paddle and Winter Paddling. The 90-minute guided kayak tour on the Beaulieu River is noted for wildlife spotting and gentle taster sessions suitable for beginners. Safety equipment is provided for paddling and canoeing activities. Seasonal and themed choices include Halloween Archery Pumpkin Shooting, Canoe Halloween Treasure Hunt, Spooky Halloween River Tour and other family-focused events. New Forest Activities also offers Discover Team Building tasters for organisations exploring woodland-based team days. Booking and activity requests can be made through the operator’s site or visit. Activities use non-projectile infrared gaming guns for pain-free fun and stable Canadian canoes for confident paddling. Expert instructors lead woodland sessions and archery, ensuring safe, enjoyable experiences that create memories for friends, families and groups.
Book with New Forest Activities