Superworm, by the creators of The Gruffalo, is theme for family activity trail at Jeskyns Community Woodland, Cobham

Youngsters can become superheroes of the forest in a new woodland trail based on the Superworm picturebook from the creators of The Gruffalo.

The family activity trail launched at Jeskyns Community Woodland, Cobham, today.

It follows the premiere of the animated special from Magic Light Pictures, which aired on BBC One on Christmas Day.

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

The new self-led trail has lots of fun activities to complete and will encourage children to become superheroes of the forest themselves.

Families will discover brightly illustrated panels packed with activities and questions designed to get children thinking about the minibeasts.

It should keep the young ones entertained for around an hour while the packs, which are available to buy from the on-site cafe for £3.50, come with additional activities to take home including stickers, a superhero mask, creature fact cards, an activity sheet, pencil and crayon.

The recreation ranger at Jeskyns, which is run by Forestry England, is Denise Bird. She said: “This is such a fun trail that offers children the chance to become a hero of the forest, just like the much loved and heroic creatures within the Superworm story. You’ll get to learn about our minibeasts and the important jobs they do for the nation’s forests. It’s the perfect winter’s day out.”

Alex Sanson, brand manager at Magic Light, said: “Forestry England sites are the perfect home for Superworm and all his friends.

"These trails offer a great opportunity to young explorers to learn about all the heroic feats that worms and other minibeasts achieve.”

You can find another Superworm trail at Bedgebury Forest and Pinetum.

The Superworm animated special was narrated by actress Olivia Colman with Matt Smith voicing the title role.