FROM the creators of The Gruffalo, the hugely popular children’s picture book Superworm returns to Alice Holt Forest this year with a brand-new family activity trail.

Opening on Saturday (January 15) and running throughout the year, the new trail follows the premiere of the animated special from Magic Light Pictures, which aired on BBC One on Christmas Day.

In the latest exciting partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures, the Superworm trail showcases the unsung mini heroes of the forest.

Based on the children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, it highlights the small but mighty creatures in the Superworm story, such as toad, beetle and Wizard Lizard, and shows their amazing abilities as they make their home in the forest.

The new Superworm activity trail has lots of fun activities to complete and encourages children to become superheroes of the forest themselves.

Families will discover brightly illustrated panels, packed with amazing activities designed to inspire children to think about the everyday heroic feats of the minibeasts of the woods and forests around them.

The 1.5km long trail, is a short walk from the main car park and begins next to Go Ape! Easily accessible, and suitable for pushchairs, it should keep the young ones entertained for around an hour leaving plenty of time to find more fun and explore the surrounding forest.

Special Superworm trail packs are available to buy on site from the visitor centre for £3.50 with additional activities, including stickers, a superhero mask, creature fact cards, at-home activity sheet, pencil and crayon.

Melanie Keddie, marketing manager for Forestry England, South District, said: “This is such a fun trail that offers children the chance to become champions of the forest, just like the much loved and heroic creatures within the Superworm story.

“You’ll get to learn about minibeasts and the important jobs they do for the nation’s forests. It’s the perfect winter’s day out.”