A cosy and relaxed forest school playgroup in your local park... Handy, wholesome and heaps of fun

You and your crew can play, build, create, climb, wander, wonder, bake, balance, socialise, swing, read, sing, chill, snack, chat, dance, craft and explore nature’s playground together.

COVID-19 Update Contact Us

COVID-19 UPDATE

At present all outdoor sessions are cancelled due to COVID-19. Thank you all for your ongoing support and understanding during these difficult and uncertain times.

You can still get a fix of fresh air fun. Check out our online classes here. You can also find us on our Facebook and Instagram pages where there are ideas, activities and inspiration aplenty…

With healthy and positive vibes to you all,

Conker Crew

Where & When…

Conker Crew (age 3-5):

Mondays and Fridays 10am-11.30am and 1.00pm-2.30pm

The New Crew (non-movers and emerging crawlers):

Wednesdays 10am-10.45am 11.30-12.15am and 1.00pm-1.45pm

77 Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, M16 8GJ

Advance booking required. Click here >>

Conker Crew is also available for parties, events, festivals and school groups. Or, why not hold one of your own Conker Crew parties at home? Click here >>

About Chantel

Hello there. I’m Chantel and I’ve got a secret to share… I am not Bear Grylls, Ray Mears or even Julia Bradbury. I wasn’t brought up with an extensive knowledge of knots, experience of camping or wood-whittling parents. But I’ve found myself here as a parent of three young kids, with 15 years high school teaching experience facing my fears of what our fast-paced, screen-driven and nature-deprived culture is doing to our children. This was a slowly emerging realisation which lead me to retrain as a Forest School Leader, get a campervan, embrace the outdoor family life and reignite a lifelong love of learning. And so, Conker Crew came from the understanding that yes, we all know we need to get out and about, but man, sometimes life with kids just makes it hard. I definitely know it; you know it – and so, a chilled out, festival forest school vibe awaits in your local park with a smile, a hot brew, and a proper Geordie welcome.

What our crew and their folks say…

“We love the Conker Crew! My son liked playing at playgroups but I never enjoyed the experience, then we came here and it so great! Chilled outdoor fun. Chantel is amazing. She brings different stories each week to life and it’s lovely seeing everyone immersed in the story around the park.”

Erica Thomson

Conker Crew Mum

“I love hunting woodland animals with my forest mummy … oh, and stories about poo.”

Zac

Conker Crew, age 3

“Playing in the mud kitchen is great and going on adventures is loads of fun.”

Florence

Conker Crew, age 4

“Highly recommended!!

We’ve attended two terms at the Conker Crew and absolutely loved it! Each week is carefully planned out with a fab story and even cooler activities!”

Victoria Spencer

Conker Crew Mum

“Conker Crew let me make campfires. I love making campfires.”

Harper

Conker Crew, age 2

“Best class we have attended, Jude my 3 year old loved it. Chantel is so creative and enthusiastic and the forest school activities are fab. Wish we had discovered it sooner!”

Rachel Blenkinsopp

Conker Crew Mum

“Chantel is fab, she’s energetic and fun and the amount of thought and creativity that go into the sessions blows my mind. I also love that we get to do things we would never do at home, like lighting fires and using tools. Highly, highly, highly recommended!”

Hannah Niblett

Conker Crew Mum

“I like everything about the Conker Crew. And Chantel. And marshmallows.”

Arthur

Conker Crew, age 3

“Thank you for W’s amazing woodland birthday party this weekend! He and his friends had a fantastic time – with den building, an assault course, piñata and the highlight of the day, fire lighting and campfire cooking. Chantel was super with the children and the activities were well planned out – the kids had a blast!”

Michelle Zephir

Conker Crew Mum

“We’ve attended two summer terms at The Conker Crew now and it’s truly the best pre-school activity that we’ve done. Chantel keeps the children fascinated with her stories, adventures and craft activities but there’s enough freedom for them to explore and do their own thing too…”

Hannah Scott

Conker Crew Mum

“My little one has not stopped going on about The Conker Crew – he’s really enjoyed it. I could see how he has gained confidence throughout the weeks too. It’s been a great place to have fun and learn.”

James Hoskins

Conker Crew Dad

“Everybody BOOK IT! Beautiful and most inspiring playgroup. Fun, professional, educational, inclusive, thoughtful and super sweet. Loved all the many varied activities, especially how the stories magically come to life in the park. Such a fantastic location both in winter and spring, sad we’ll have to miss the summer term. Awesome work Chantel, you’re so talented. Thank you!”

Ana Rojas

Conker Crew Mum

To see more testimonials, check out our reviews page on Facebook here >>