1 Take a walk that doesn't sound like a walk
Especially for children whose reflex response to being told they are going for a walk is to lie on the floor screaming that life can't get any worse, England's forests are full of trails that will cunningly distract them from the fact that, yes, they are actually walking.
The Follow That Sound Trail at High Lodge in East Anglia's Thetford Forest, for example, takes children on an audio adventure through the trees to discover such exotic instruments as the "multi gong", the granite xylophone, windpipes, jumping sound cushions, sound rollers, tongue drums, a dendrophone and dance chimes.
All can be jumped on, hit and otherwise played to create beautiful forest music – before the trail ends at a bell tower that creates yet more squeaks and whistles. Other glorious distractions include Haldon Forest Park near Exeter in Devon, with its Sensory and Discovery Trails (both rated easy and with loads of fun features en route), plus the slightly harder, wildlife-themed Butterfly and Raptor Trails.
In a similar vein, Alice Holt Forest and the Forest of Dean both host Sky Rainforest Rescue discovery trails: an educational journey accompanied by the sounds of the rainforest and a "roaming" jaguar.
All Forestry Commission walking trails are graded according to their difficulty, ranging from "easy" walks like the Abbots Amble through Abbots Wood in East Sussex, to the "hard" Wheal Glynn walk at Cardinham Woods in Cornwall. Easy routes should be suitable for all ages; simply equip yourselves with water, sunscreen and – if necessary – a good story to disguise the fact you are all going for a walk …
2 Become a true tree hugger
Obviously a forest is a pretty good place to look for trees. But how much do we really know about these gentle giants? The National Arboretum at Westonbirt in Gloucestershire, with its 2,500 species creating extraordinary displays of autumnal leaf colour, is just the place to start finding out. Happily, they've arranged a "hidden voices" tour to talk you through exotic species, such as corkscrew hazel, diva magnolia, eastern hemlock and Chinese red birch. What's more, Westonbirt's annual Treefest on 24–26 August promises an unfeasibly large number of tree-related activities for all ages, including expert carvers, traditional music, and more than 100 tree-fanatic exhibitors.
If, however, you are more of an evergreen-only family, look no further than the National Pinetum at Bedgebury in Kent. The world's most complete collection of conifers boasts more than 10,000 trees and shrubs, including many rare and endangered varieties from across five continents.
3 Listen to a story
Children know instinctively that woods are full of stories; Little Red Riding Hood was, after all, not a one-off. At Queen Elizabeth Woods in Hampshire, they're celebrating their local legends this summer with Wonderful Wild: children will make story props and then head out for a walk with local storyteller Lindsey Jerome to hear of the Dragon of Butser Hill. And at Bolderwood visitor site in the New Forest, they'll be hosting drop-in fairytale sessions in the late summer.
4 Take a journey back in time
Forests offer a wonderful, living history lesson to all who follow their long-trodden paths. You could take the Walk with a Commoner tour at the New Forest in Hampshire (the Commoners are the small group of people with land rights and responsibilities here). Or visit astounding historical sites like Stokeleigh Camp iron age hillfort in Leigh Woods, Avon, where neolithic arrowheads and axeheads have been found (you can see them on display at the Ashton Court visitor centre).
The fort was probably used from 350BC until the Romans invaded in AD43, and work carried out in the last few years means its scale (with a companion fort, Clifton Camp, across the Avon Gorge) can really be appreciated. And for those in search of something aristocratic, head for the north Staffordshire beauty spot of Dimmingsdale. Magnificent drives built by the Earl of Shrewsbury now form sections of the Valley walk, so close your eyes and imagine those grand carriages rattling past.
5 Hide and see the birds
Do you know your dunnock from your starling? Your goldcrest from your greenfinch? If you love birds but know nothing about them, it's time to buy yourself a pair of binoculars and hunker down inside a bird hide – like those in the extensive wetlands at Cranberry Rough, Norfolk, or at Nightingale Woods in Somerset. See our top tips for better spotting to help you remain patient while flicking frantically through your bird book.
6 Hunt for the headless woman
If it's supernatural thrills you're after, head for Wiltshire and England's most haunted forest, Savernake, where terrifying tales abound of a headless woman on horseback, a ghostly white deer, and a phantom coach and horses. This ancient forest was a favourite royal hunting site, which may explain a lot, and is also home of the distinctly spooky-sounding King of Limbs tree.
7 Build a forest home
Is there anything better than creating one's own den? It could be deep in a bush, or beneath the shadowing lower branches of a trusty old tree – just as long as it keeps the kids occupied for hours while the adults "oversee construction" from a nice sunny spot with eyes firmly closed.
For those poor children who've never made their own den (and for those who have), there's assistance on offer this summer at forests such as Hamsterley in Durham – courtesy of the multi-talented bushcraft expert Bruce Ferguson – and at Alice Holt Forest in Hampshire.
8 Picnic in the shade
What makes a perfect picnic? Good weather – definitely not negotiable. Good food – entirely subjective. After all, one child's pan-bagnat is another's yucky tuna sarnie.
A good site? Some seem happy enough with the edge of a car park, or a motorway verge. But those more adventurous folk might seek out Falling Foss, the waterfall at the heart of Sneaton Forest in North Yorkshire, or the picnic tables beside Trimpley reservoir in Worcestershire, allowing you to gaze out at beautiful Hawkbatch Woods and the Wyre Forest.
Alternatively, they might go to Castle Neroche in Somerset, where a stroll out to the viewpoint will offer spectacular views over the Vale of Taunton towards the Quantock Hills and Exmoor.
They might hunt out the remains of the Japanese Gardens in Giggle Alley in Cumbria, or venture deep into the ancient woodlands in Dymock Woods in Herefordshire. But hey, the car park is probably nice, too.
9 Sleep among the trees
Forests are friendly and welcoming by day, but by night they are very different places: alive, exciting, full of strange creakings, scuttlings and the occasional unexplained footstep. Not that we want to spook you or anything …
The wardens at Top Lodge Fineshade, Rutlandshire, and Fermyn Woods in Northamptonshire have imported a Danish-designed, open-sided shelter in which you can gaze happily at your fire, then drift off to sleep. Shhhh – what was that noise?
10 Reach for the stars
For many city-dwelling children, a night's forest camping may be the first time they realise quite how full our heavens are. Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland is hoping to become England's first official "dark sky park"; the modern observatory there hosts regular public events. Chambers Farm Wood in Lincolnshire is another excellent star-spotting site; a special stargazing night with astronomer Paul Money is scheduled there on 5 October.
11 Explore your arty side
Forests are places for reflection and inspiration. Grizedale Arts, based in the Forest of Grizedale in the Lake District, has been in existence for more than 30 years, and is responsible for at least 40 sculptures scattered throughout the woods, including dear old Romeo (pictured left), by Rupert Ackroyd and Owen Bullett.
An art trail is a great way to better understand a forest. Beechenhurst Lodge Sculpture Trail in the Forest of Dean has sculptures inspired by its trees, wildlife and industrial past. They are mostly constructed out of materials from the Dean – wood, stone and iron. The sculptures are interspersed along the trail through majestic oaks and towering Scots pines, plus the occasional wild boar …
In Northamptonshire, local artist Linda Johns has created sculptures inspired by her observations while walking in Salcey Forest. Made from fine wires and natural materials, the sculptures are intended to blend with their environment rather than imposing upon it.
12 Light a spark
The instruction for children not to play with fire is so ingrained that to be offered a class in starting one is truly thrilling for youngsters.
Learning to build your own fire can be a wonderful confidence-building exercise, and in firecraft sessions (at Hamsterley in Durham and Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire), children and adults can learn what fuel to gather, how to make a flame without matches and light it in wet conditions, and how to build it up so you can cook over it.
13 Climb up to the tree canopy
Frustratingly, lots of forest action takes place up in the tree canopy, where only giraffes can see it. But at Salcey Forest they've thought of everything, and have built the Tree Top Way – a network of wheelchair-accessible bridges and platforms through the forest canopy which rises as high as 15m. Much of the Tree Top Way is made from local green oak and, in case you were wondering, was designed to sway and bounce! At the centre of the trail, more steps lead up to a crow's nest platform that is 20m high, giving breathtaking views over and above the forest canopy.
Other forest sites such as Dalby offer rope networks and bridges – and then there are the many chances to Go Ape in Forestry Commission sites all over the country.
14 Take forest photographs
With all that sun-dappled light, it's not as easy as you might think to capture woodland beauty with a camera. For older family members, the National Pinetum at Bedgebury offers photography courses out and about in the forest. There are classes at the National Arboretum at Westonbirt too, and an exhibition for the Environmental Photographer of the Year award at Grizedale Forest.
15 Meet forest craftsmen
Over the centuries, craftsmen and forest dwellers have perfected ways to use what is around them to make furniture, medicines, food and shelter. Take the chance to learn how to make your own arrow or weave willow baskets at Sherwood Pines in Nottinghamshire, to work with green wood and turn it on a pole lathe at Hamsterley, or concoct some strange tree potions at Westonbirt.
16 Enjoy a forest with a view
Some forests are all about losing yourself among the trees. Others are about a clamber, a scrabble, and then a startling, stunning view across the surrounding countryside. Head to Bellever in Devon to savour the view from the Bellever Tor; to Harwood Forest in Northumberland to go up breathtaking Simonside Crag and look out over the whole of the Cheviots and the Northumberland coastline; and to Symonds Yat in Herefordshire for a famous view down to the river Wye.
17 Savour the flavour
Why does food taste better when you cook it outside? Perhaps fresh air sharpens your senses; or maybe it's to do with being far from your fitted kitchen. On special cooking sessions at Hamsterley in Durham and Sherwood Pines in Nottinghamshire, you'll cook snacks, breadcakes and the odd pizza. Many forests also lend out barbecue grills if you fancy a barbie in the woods.
18 Find a fungus
Never mind the edible fungi in our woods, what about the seriously poisonous ones? Fungi exploration is a thrilling way to find your way about the woods, and children will love the Fungus Forays at Chambers Wood Farm in Lincolnshire and in the New Forest. There's no sampling, obviously, just a gentle wander through the woods with an expert guide who will let you into some of the secrets of the forest floor.
19 Make your own forest creatures
Mud, wood, branches and leaves are the most natural building blocks. Challenge your children to make faces on tree trunks, adding moss, feathers, berries, pebbles and whatever else you find around the forest. They could also try making little cone creatures.
20 Discover more for yourself
Support your local forest by buying an annual Forestry Commission Discovery Pass, which gives you free parking, a seasonal e-newsletter and discounts for shops and activities on and off site.
