The Forest School Association Conference 2026

Forest School Association (FSA) conference, 25-27 September

Walesby Forest, Nottinghamshire

Forest School Association Conference 2026

The Forest School Association Conference is one of the key gatherings in the Forest School calendar, bringing practitioners together to share ideas, explore practice and connect with others from across the sector. This year's conference theme is "Embers: The Power of Play", encouraging delegates to reflect on the vital role play has in children's learning, development and wellbeing.

Across the weekend, delegates can choose three workshops from a programme of up to 50 practical, creative and thought-provoking sessions, alongside keynote speakers and panel discussions bringing together leading voices from the worlds of play, Forest School and outdoor learning to explore Why Play Matters and The Future Landscape of Play. The conference also offers connection and community, with dedicated meet-ups, the new Ember Hive community hub, a Wild Tea Community Café, quiet and sensory-friendly spaces, research and project sharing, and plenty of informal opportunities to connect. Beyond the daytime programme, delegates can enjoy opening and closing ceremonies, stories by fire and moonlight, Share Your Talent, the legendary conference quiz, the Metre Market, a Saturday night ceilidh and so much more - creating a weekend of learning, play, conversation, celebration and Forest School community.

Visit the PlayScape

Muddy Faces is delighted to be collaborating with Outdoors Thinking to create the FSA Conference PlayScape; a dedicated play space for conference delegates.

The PlayScape theme is:

Exploring the Why, What and How of Play

Designed to encourage participants to slow down, play and reflect, the PlayScape invites visitors to consider what truly engages children during outdoor experiences and how play can be supported in meaningful ways.

The area will be built around a large central hub shelter, with active boundaries creating a series of distinct but connected play spaces. At the heart of the PlayScape, visitors will find information and provocations linked to the Natural Play Principles, providing opportunities for discussion, exploration and reflection.

The PlayScape will also be the base for three workshops led by Menna and Liz, offering delegates practical experiences and fresh perspectives on play-centred practice.

Alongside the activities, Muddy Faces will be part of a raffle with prizes donated by ourselves and a number of other fantastic companies, giving visitors even more reason to stop by and get involved.

Whether you're attending the conference, visiting the show, or both, we'd love you to come and explore the PlayScape, join the conversation and celebrate the power of play with us.

Conference tickets and information can be found via the Forest School Association website.