Social Media

You can find me on the following social media platforms...

Muddy Faces

Forest School activities & ideas

Q: what do children do at Forest School? A: child-led outdoor activities for Early Years & Primary school ages.
Find out more about Forest School activities & get some inspiration and ideas here.

Outdoor Hub

Forest School activities are led by the children attending

Because projects are child-led* there is no set programme – one group may spend spend six weeks looking for insects and getting into insect identification, another group may not show an interest in this area but really want to build a shelter waterproof enough to sleep in, made only of natural materials.

It is up to the leaders to observe their groups to identify interests and support their learning.

* Read our introduction to child-led play by Jan White

Child led play

At Muddy Faces we feel it is vitally important to consider a child-led approach when making activities available to your groups.

We asked Jan White, internationally-recognised consultant and speaker for outdoor provision in the early years, to explain.

Read More about Child led play

Every activity provides a learning opportunity, even simple things like:

  • splashing in puddles
  • rolling in leaves
  • catching rain on a tarpaulin
  • building a snow slide
  • drying mud out in the sun until it cracks
  • sliding down a mud slide
  • making mud pies
  • looking for worms
  • painting on a leaf…

As you can imagine, the list of activities that can happen at Forest School is endless! Check out our Activities section (see below) for ideas and inspiration that may help you follow the interests of your participants.

Because of the high adult:child ratios and comprehensive training required of Forest School practitioners, more involved activities can also take place, built up to over a long period of time, such as tree climbing, lighting fires, outdoor cooking, low ropes challenges, using tools to make things or to help with construction.

A Childs View of Forest School p1

A CHILD'S EYE VIEW OF FOREST SCHOOL

This article is a lovely example of the levels of learning that occur during Forest School activities.

The article appeared in our Forest School Focus - issue 4 of the Outdoor Practitioner - our free online magazine.
Free download below
.

A Childs View of Forest School

pdf, 605.22 KB

Some Forest School activity ideas

Activities

A massive selection of outdoor play and learning activities and ideas! Whether you are a Forest School leader, work in the early years , a KS1/KS2 teacher or anyone interested in working in the outdoors, we hope there's something for you!

Read More about Activities

See also

Child led play

At Muddy Faces we feel it is vitally important to consider a child-led approach when making activities available to your groups.

We asked Jan White, internationally-recognised consultant and speaker for outdoor provision in the early years, to explain.

Read More about Child led play

Natural Play Principles

The Natural Play Principles* are designed to articulate a child-centred and nature-focused approach called Natural Play. Natural Play enables children’s natural ways of growing, learning and thriving with the help of the natural world.

* developed in collaboration between Jan White (Early Childhood Natural Play), Suzanne Scott (Sandfield Natural Play Centre), Ann Thompson (Naturally Creative and Sandfield Natural Play Centre) and Menna Godfrey (Quackers Playgroup & Natural Play Centre).

Read More about Natural Play Principles

Woodworking & tools

Early years woodwork expert Pete Moorhouse, introduces this section and offers tips and advice on woodworking with Early Years & Primary Schools. There are also guides to whittling and tool use, and research and articles on the future of traditional crafts.

There is a comprehensive woodworking section in our shop, that follows Pete's recommendations on tools and resources, and tool use guides & activities in our activity section.

Read More about Woodworking & tools

Forest School trainers

The Forest School training providers listed below are ones that Muddy Faces has an active relationship with, sharing resources and information.

There are many more trainers available and we recommend you do your own research and checks as mentioned in our Forest School Training section.

To get your organisation listed here and join the Muddy Faces Trainers Discount Package click here.

Training Courses are listed on our Training & Events Calendar click here.

Read More about Forest School trainers

Forest School qualifications

Forest School practitioners must be qualified to deliver Forest School opportunities for Early Years, Primary Schools and more. Progressive levels of qualification enable the practitioner to undertake roles with increasing levels of responsibility for setting up, planning and delivery of regular sessions.

This page describes the different levels, responsibilities and entry requirements.
See Forest School training for info about choosing a trainer.

To deliver a Forest School programme at least one Level 3 Forest School Leader must be present.

Read More about Forest School qualifications

The Outdoor Practitioner magazine

Our themed magazines feature articles, ideas & activities to support you to work, learn & play outdoors.

- Full of contributions from real-life Outdoor Practitioners
- Perfect for Early Years, primary schools, Forest School & outdoor settings old and new

Issue 5: Risky Play Focus: available in our shop.

Issues 1-4: access online for FREE below - download or read online with our fancy flipbook tool.

To contribute to the Outdoor Practitioner magazine or reproduce one of our articles in your newsletter or magazine, email editor@muddyfaces.co.uk

Read More about The Outdoor Practitioner magazine
Return to top

Newsletter

Keep in touch

Register to receive our free email newsletter, full of outdoor inspiration, dates, deals and competitions.