ACTIVE MINDSTEPS

TREES

90-minute group session

A 90-minute session exploring trees through memory, reminiscence, movement, problem-solving, coordination and number skills.

SESSION AT A GLANCE

⏱ DURATION

90 minutes

👥 GROUP SIZE

6 - 12 participants

⭐ DIFFICULTY

Moderate

🧠 ACTIVITY MIX

Cognitive · Movement · Social

SESSION OBJECTIVES

  • Stimulate long-term memory and recall

  • Encourage reminiscence and storytelling

  • Develop concentration, logic and number skills

  • Encourage movement, balance and coordination

  • Develop spatial awareness

  • Provide opportunities for social interaction

  • Finish with relaxation and a positive sense of achievement

EQUIPMENT & PREPARATION

  • Pens and paper

  • Printed handouts

  • Activity instructions

  • Space for movement and balance activities

ACTIVITIES

The following activities can be adapted to suit the interests and abilities of your group.

Welcome Poem

Time: 5 minutes

Focus: Welcome, engagement and gentle cognitive stimulation

Brief description: This poem is an activity throughout the 8 (or 10) sessions. It is a short 4-line poem and each syllable in a line has a movement associated with it. The pace of reciting the poem and the movements increase over the weeks.

Trees we know

Time: 15 minutes

Focus: Memory, reminiscence, language and social connection

Brief description: Explore different ypes of trees and invite participants to share favourite trees, memories and experiences associated with them.

Tree stretch

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Gentle movements, flexibility, body awareness and imagination.

Brief description: Use the imagery of a tree to guide gentle movement, from a seed growing roots and a trunk to branches reaching upwards and leaves moving in the breeze.

Tree rings

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Counting, memory, concentration and reminiscence.

Brief description: Explore the idea of tree rings through counting and discussion, linking the age of a tree with significant events and memories from participants' own lives.

Tree logic puzzle

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Logic, reasoning, concentration, problem solving

Brief description: Challenge participants with tree-themed logic puzzles that encourage careful thinking, discussion and problem-solving.

Balance exercises

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Balance, mobility, coordination and confidence in movement

Brief description: A series of gentle balance exercises designed to encourage safe movement, coordination and physical confidence.

Apple Tree

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Numeracy, logic and problem-solving

Brief description: A tree-themed number activity that encourages participants to work with numbers, think through calculations and solve the challenge together.

Mirror tree leaves

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Spatial awareness, concentration and coordination

Brief description: A visual activity that challenges participants to observe patterns and select the correct mirror images.

Breathing and Stretching exercise

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Relaxation, breathing, gently movement and positive closure

Brief description: Finish the session with gentle stretching and breathing exercises to help participants relax and leave the session feeling calm and positive.

SESSION RESOURCES

VIEW FULL SESSION PLAN

Opens the full facilitator session plan in your browser.

Printable Resources

Worksheets and participant materials.

Answers

Answers sheets where applicable

Additional Resources

Music, videos and other supporting resources.