Forest Schools have become increasingly popular in the UK and around the globe in recent years as more and more people have discovered this child-lead and nature-focused approach to learning and development.
Forest school sessions take place outdoors, ideally in a wooded location where there are lots of natural resources for children to engage with. While activities such as working with tools or doing crafts might be offered, children can pick and choose what they do, and can spend their time in the woods however they like.
A qualified teacher and forest school practitioner, I run regular forest school sessions as part of my day job at a community benefit organisation.
These flapping butterfly peg automata are a breeze to make, and flap their wings just like the real thing! Using a little bit of paper engineering, card, sticky tape and pegs, you can make all sorts of fantastical beasties. We’ve gone for real-life butterflies, but you could just as easily…
A campfire popcorn cage is great for showing kids exactly what is happening to popcorn as it cooks. And because they are cheap and easy to make, you can make enough for everyone to have one each. Cooking things on sticks has to be the most fun way of cooking…
Clay boggart sticks are a fun twist on the perennial Forest School favourite activity that turns the old ‘face on a tree’ task into a take-homeable craft. This is such a simple activity that it doesn’t really need a tutorial. But here are a few tips and inspiration to get…
Making stinging nettle crisps is an activity that never fails to please both adults and children alike. It’s quick and easy to do, and the results are deliciously crunchy and moreish. What’s more, you don’t need to limit your foraging to nettles, as there are plenty of other plants whose…
Made by hanging up several different ribbon curtains or ribbon backdrops (whatever you want to call them), this beautiful rainbow dell is a simple but really successful activity at my Forest School sessions in the summer. And is just as popular with the parents as the kids! In fact, while…
Cinnamon damper bread is a sweet and moreish twist on plain damper bread. Damper bread can be very bland if you use only the basic ingredients of flour, salt, and water. But add just a couple of extra ingredients, and suddenly that boring bread becomes a whole lot more exciting.
Making this easy bird seed cake with children is a great activity to get them engaged with the local wildlife Not only will they have fun making these little bird feeders, you’ll also encourage birds into your garden, where the kids will be able to watch them more easily. Bird…
This easy apple bird feeder is a great nature craft to do with children, especially in late autumn and into winter when the birds are struggling to find food. Stringing up a feeder or two is also a great way to bring birds into your garden if you want to…
Campfire Welsh cakes are a vegan spin on traditional Welsh cakes that I cook over the fire at my forest school sessions. As there are usually large groups of children in my sessions, I try to ensure that the food we cook can be eaten by everyone. That means making…
A Forest School activity you can do anywhere Cooking bread on a stick over a campfire is a great Forest School activity that’s suitable for almost any age. The recipe is both super-simple and versatile, catering for vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets, while also allowing lots of scope to adapt…