Waldforum Riddagshausen | Program & Holiday Program

The Waldforum Riddagshausen is Braunschweig's address for experiential environmental education in the forest: Directly at Ebertallee 44, on the edge of Buchhorst and in close proximity to the arboretum, wildlife enclosure, and the historic monastery landscape, the forest education center of the Lower Saxony State Forests brings together knowledge of nature, enthusiasm, and movement. Here, families, daycare centers, school classes, and curious adults are equally welcomed – with a variety of events from Family Sundays to thematic tours to holiday weeks and the Waldforum Junior Days. This program is supported by a dedicated network: the Lower Saxony State Forests and the Waldforum Riddagshausen e. V. support association, which organizes the booking portal and numerous formats. Thanks to good bus connections via bus 423 (stop “Grüner Jäger”) and the forest parking lot Höseweg (opposite Ebertallee 45a), entering the nature experience is uncomplicated. Those who take a look behind the scenes will recognize: The Waldforum consistently implements its legal educational mandate into modern forest pedagogy – quality assured, for example, through the children’s holiday land certification, and close to Braunschweig's urban society.

Events and Program at Waldforum Riddagshausen

The heart of the Waldforum beats in the program calendar. It reflects the diversity that a forest in the midst of a cultural and natural landscape allows: short impulse offerings, guided tours, hands-on workshops, and entire experience days. Families find regularly occurring formats with seasonal themes – from early bloomers to soil animals to tracking in the autumn forest. Adults receive their own access to nature, whether through thematic tours, health-oriented forest breaks, or in-depth insights into sustainable forest management. Those coming with a group or association can inquire about guided group formats that flexibly adapt learning objectives and duration. The program overview is centrally located in the booking portal of the support association; there, dates, meeting points, age specifications, and fees are transparently viewable and directly bookable. Additionally, the Waldforum page of the Lower Saxony State Forests refers to current series, news, and contact options. Particularly striking is the consistent bridge between knowledge transfer and experience: Instead of frontal lectures, there is understanding; instead of distance, there is encounter. The Waldforum utilizes its immediate location at Buchhorst, a traditional forest area with old oaks and beeches, to illustrate ecological connections vividly. The proximity to the arboretum, where around 100 tree species are documented, also allows impressive comparisons regarding location, biodiversity, and forest history. The combination with the wildlife enclosure, where fallow deer can be easily observed, makes the area particularly family-friendly. Those who attend the program also benefit from the strong partner network: In addition to the support association, local foundations and institutions regularly support formats – an indication of the Waldforum's deep roots in Braunschweig's educational landscape. For interested parties, it is important to note: Many events take place at different times of the year to capture changing natural phenomena. Therefore, it is worthwhile to check the calendar at recurring intervals. The management of participant numbers ensures that groups remain manageable and there is room for questions, discoveries, and age-appropriate methods. Thus, the Waldforum is not only an organizer but also a learning place and meeting point where city and forest come together in a particularly constructive way.

Holiday Program and Waldforum Junior Days for Children

During school holidays, the Waldforum unfolds its profile as a children's and youth learning place in full breadth. Under the umbrella of holiday weeks and the Waldforum Junior Days, children discover nature in the rhythm of the seasons. The offerings are thematically bundled – sometimes it’s about tracking, sometimes about tree diversity, sometimes about water, soil, or species knowledge. The range extends from half-day offerings to well-structured multi-day formats. The organizational process is clear: Detailed descriptions with age ranges, meeting points, times, and equipment notes (for example, weatherproof clothing) are available on the booking portal of the support association. Registration is done online; many dates are in high demand, so early reservation is recommended. The holiday programs are characterized by action-oriented forest pedagogy. This means: Children explore outdoors with all their senses, try out tools and methods, build knowledge through action, and reflect on what they have seen in conversation. This didactic profile fits the educational mandate of the Waldforum as part of the Lower Saxony State Forests, which structure and ensure quality in forest pedagogy in Lower Saxony. Examples from previous years show that regional partners – from foundations to educational institutions – support formats, enabling additional themes and excursions. The location is ideal for children's offerings: short paths, safe access to forest trails, interesting comparison areas in the arboretum, and easily observable wildlife in the enclosure area. Particularly younger participants benefit from clear routes and clearly marked meeting points (often Ebertallee/Buchhorst, sometimes forest parking lot Höseweg), while older participants are interested in more in-depth nature conservation and forestry topics. Parents appreciate that the holiday offerings are reliably planned and bundled in the calendar. Since holiday times are often tight, the support association communicates information about registration start and remaining places transparently. While the focus is on nature experience and education, children also enjoy a shared outdoor experience that promotes motor skills, mindfulness, and teamwork. The pedagogical guiding principle: to build a positive, self-effective relationship with the forest that has lasting effects beyond the holidays. Last but not least, the “Children’s Holiday Land” certification supports orientation for families: it signals that offerings are designed to be child-friendly and organizationally reliable. Those booking for the first time will find helpful FAQs and contacts for inquiries in the portal, such as regarding age group divisions or special needs like allergies or assistance requirements. In conclusion: The holiday program of the Waldforum is not a filler in the calendar but a didactically sound, nature-oriented learning field that ignites enthusiasm for ecology, biodiversity, and sustainable forestry.

Family Sunday: Experience Nature for the Whole Family

The Family Sunday is one of the best-known formats at the Waldforum – designed for children and adults to become active together. The principle is simple: short, theme-guided units, plenty of hands-on and trying out, along with illustrative stories from forest life. For example, bark structures can be compared, tree species identified by leaves and fruits, or animal tracks found in the ground. The themes change seasonally, making repeat visits worthwhile. For parents, it is important: The content depth is chosen so that even younger children can easily keep up, while older ones receive additional tasks. In practice, this means: Those who attend the Family Sunday do not experience a rigid program but rather a moderated, joyful outdoor time with clear safety and nature conservation rules. The schedule and meeting points (often in the vicinity of Ebertallee/Buchhorst or forest parking lot Höseweg) are published in the calendar. Due to high demand, it is advisable to book in advance. The location at the wildlife enclosure is a plus, as observing fallow deer is a highlight for many children, which can be well integrated into themes such as habitat, adaptation, and responsible behavior in nature. The arboretum also offers exciting opportunities for comparison: How do species differ? What tree families exist? What do growth rings reveal about the location? Photography enthusiasts will also find good perspectives along Ebertallee and at the meadow edges, depending on the season, showcasing forest edges, old tree shapes, and blooming edge structures. Organizationally, the Family Sunday is deliberately low-threshold: It is suitable for families looking for a compact, meaningful nature outing without much preparation time. Because the number of participants per date is limited, there is room for questions and individual aha moments. At the same time, the format fosters community: Those who meet like-minded individuals network, exchange tips on routes or seasonal observations, and may find interest in more in-depth tours. Overall, the Family Sunday serves as a showcase for the pedagogical work of the Waldforum: understandable, experience-oriented, safe, and approachable – an ideal entry point into the world of environmental education right at Braunschweig's doorstep.

Children's Birthday at the Waldforum: Plan and Book a Forest Children's Birthday

The Forest Children's Birthday combines adventure, pedagogy, and nature experience. Instead of celebrating indoors, children explore, build, and marvel outdoors – with trained forest educators by their side. The format is offered through the booking portal of the support association and can be tailored to age, group size, and season. The process is transparently described: time and meeting point are set (often in the area of Ebertallee/Buchhorst or forest parking lot Höseweg), and a thematic orientation (e.g., “Tracks in the Forest,” “Discovering Trees,” “Little Forest Crafts”) is chosen. Weatherproof clothing is important; many activities take place regardless of light rain. Safety and nature conservation are paramount: paths are chosen carefully, sensitive areas are respected, and children learn how to move considerately in the forest. For parents, the format is relieving because the educational leadership structures the group and provides age-appropriate knowledge impulses. The children, in turn, benefit from a birthday that promotes self-efficacy: fire pits are used only where and how it is allowed; materials come from the surroundings or are prepared; tasks are solved together. Many families appreciate that the route remains engaging and highlights – such as a detour to forest edge meadows, the arboretum, or observation points at the wildlife enclosure – are within reach. Because popular weekends fill up quickly, early inquiries are advisable. The support association provides information in the portal about available dates and answers questions, e.g., about group size, accompanying persons, individual needs, or the integration of small snacks and breaks. Besides the actual birthday, the format leaves traces in the best sense: children take home craft ideas, species knowledge, and experiences and see the forest with new eyes on their next walk. For Braunschweig, the Forest Children's Birthday is more than just a celebration option – it is part of an active, sustainable urban culture that understands nature education as a heartfelt concern.

Directions, Address, Opening Hours, and Parking

The Waldforum is located at Ebertallee 44, 38104 Braunschweig – easily accessible, yet right in the greenery. Those arriving by public transport can use bus line 423 to the stop “Grüner Jäger.” From there, a short walk along Ebertallee towards Buchhorst leads to the Waldforum and the designated meeting points. The schedules and routes are published by the Braunschweiger Verkehrs-GmbH; daily changes are possible, so it is worth checking the official information before starting. For those arriving by car, the forest parking lot Höseweg, opposite Ebertallee 45a, is recommended. This entry is mentioned in the program notes of the organizers and leads directly to the forest paths. Additionally, there are further parking options available in the Ebertallee area, which may be useful depending on the event notice. Those arriving by bicycle benefit from a scenic approach through the eastern ring area and the Prinz-Albrecht-Park; on-site, there are safe leaning options along paths and fences, please pay attention to signage. Opening hours: The Waldforum is not a museum with a permanent exhibition and fixed daily opening hours, but a forest education center with event-related operations. Participation and access are therefore based on the dates and meeting points published in the program; contact details are available for group inquiries. The surrounding path network in Buchhorst is publicly accessible, and the nearby wildlife enclosure is freely accessible at all times – a plus if you want to spend additional time in the greenery before or after an event. Tip: When traveling with children, plan for short paths and breaks, bring enough drinks, and pay attention to forest-appropriate clothing. Photography is allowed, but it is important to: not disturb wildlife, keep a distance, and respect retreat areas. Those who come without their own event will find many attractive, easily accessible photo motifs around Ebertallee and the arboretum – especially in the morning or late afternoon when the light is soft. Overall, getting there is uncomplicated if you orient yourself by the key points Ebertallee 44, “Grüner Jäger,” and forest parking lot Höseweg.

Surroundings: Arboretum, Wildlife Enclosure, and Monastery – Nature Experience in Braunschweig

Riddagshausen is a mosaic of nature, cultural history, and local recreation. Right next to the Waldforum is the arboretum, a historic forest garden with around 100 tree species. It is excellent for discovering diversity, growth forms, and adaptations vividly – a didactic treasure that the Waldforum utilizes in its tours. Directly opposite, the wildlife enclosure attracts with easily observable fallow deer. Especially for families, it is an ideal additional stop: children experience native wildlife up close and simultaneously learn rules for respectful behavior in protected areas. Within walking distance is also the Riddagshausen monastery complex – a former Cistercian abbey that gives the area a special cultural framework. Ebertallee connects these points like a green backbone; those who follow it quickly reach forests, meadows, and waterways around Wabe and Weddeler Graben. This interconnection makes Riddagshausen a learning space that brings together natural phenomena, forest history, and urban development. For the Waldforum, this is a stroke of luck: content can literally be shown on-site – from identifying tree species in the arboretum to habitat observation in the wildlife enclosure to historical references at the monastery. Independent tours are also possible: a family-friendly round could start at the forest parking lot Höseweg, lead along the arboretum, include a detour to the wildlife enclosure, and guide back to the meeting point via Ebertallee. Those with photography equipment will find striking motifs at old oaks, groups of trees with different bark, and along paths that show various blooming aspects throughout the year. Practically: Due to the proximity to the city, short, weather-dependent nature times can be flexibly integrated into everyday life – a thought that forest pedagogy actively promotes. And those who want to dive deeper after an initial insight can use the thematic events of the Waldforum, which consistently pick up and deepen the potential of the surroundings.

Sources:

• Lower Saxony State Forests – Waldforum Riddagshausen (Nature Talents Section)
• Lower Saxony State Forests – Forest Pedagogy Center Waldforum Riddagshausen
• Waldforum Riddagshausen e. V. Support Association – Waldforum Events Booking Portal
• Lower Saxony State Forests – Notes on Forest Cabin/Buchhorst, Forest Parking Lot Höseweg (PDF)
• Braunschweiger Verkehrs-GmbH – Schedule Information, Line 423 (Grüner Jäger)
• Riddagshausen Support Association – Riddagshausen Wildlife Enclosure (Address/Info)
• Wikipedia – Arboretum Riddagshausen (Location and Tree Species)
• City of Wolfenbüttel – Directory Waldforum Riddagshausen (Address/Contact)