Forest School videos
A collection of Forest School films to inspire you. From Early Years to Primary school and beyond, these are exciting examples of outdoor play and learning in action.
If you know of any other great Forest School-related videos please let us know via share@muddyfaces.co.uk
Arranged, as much as possible, in chronological order
Outdoor Hub
Safe Tool Use at Forest School - A 12 point system for using tools at Forest School
Safe tool use at Forest School can be a key part of the learner-led process – extending children’s play opportunities and developing skills. In this video Forest School Lou shares her 12 point system for using tools at Forest School using an acronym ‘A.C.A.D.E.M.I.C.S S.U.C.’ June 2024 (36mins 38 secs).
Forest School from a child’s point of view
A child wears a Gopro camera during FS afterschool club at Dare Valley Community Woodland. "We wanted to showcase how much fun children have and how much they learn in a stress free, slow pace child-led environment where they are free from the demands of adults and able to explore their interests!" 9 July 2023. (2 mins 31)
Forest School can develop early learning skills
Researchers from Loughborough University discuss the benefits of Forest School, with input from a FS practitioner and footage of an on-site Forest School. 19 October 2017. (2 mins 22)
An Introduction to Forest School
Jemma Robinson from Robinson’s Discovery Tree speaks passionately and articulately about the Forest School approach and the benefits it brings children and the whole family. Filmed at Tortworth Arboretum. 28 November 2017. (5 mins 44)
Kids Gone Wild: Denmark’s Forest Kindergartens
Children are running wild in the mud, climbing high into trees and playing with knives, but no one is telling them off. This is kindergarten… Danish-style. 2016. (11 mins 33)
Nature Kindergarten – Frances Krusekopf – TEDx talk, Victoria
‘Inspired by her child’s experience in a forest preschool in Germany, Frances Krusekopf has developed a pilot project for kindergarten children to take their learning outdoors. The Nature Kindergarten pilot project is held in the Sooke School District (of British Colombia, Canada).’ 2015. (17 mins 03)
What is Forest School?
This short video answers the question “what is forest school” and gives an introduction to the subject, by forest school leaders and also the children who attend and why they love it. It is a useful resource for teachers, or parents looking for ideas for children’s activities outdoors. From Woodland Classroom, 2015. (5 mins 08)
Why Kids LOVE Forest School & Outdoor Play
‘Children tell us in their own words why they love playing outside in nature at their Forest School club.’ From Woodland Classroom, 2015. (5 mins 57)
Early Years Forest School
“A lovely little video showing off what we’ve been up to this year so far at our Forest Schools in Cornwall.” From Naturally Learning, 2014. (3 mins 40)
Growing & Forest School: Redlands Primary School, Tower Hamlets
The school has a wild garden that is used by nursery pupils as part of Forest Schools to encourage them to discover different parts to the garden — the pond, plants, birds, creatures. The garden is also used regularly by different classes to bring the curriculum to life. Redlands Primary School, 2014. (4 mins 04)
Reflections Nursery: Movement & Stillness in the Forest
Beautiful short film which demonstrates the thinking and learning that happens in a Forest School session, by documenting moments of stillness and movement, thinking and play at Reflections nursery in Worthing, 2014. (7 mins 46)
School’s Out: Lessons from a Forest Kindergarten
This short documentary film takes us to a forest kindergarten in Switzerland where children age 4 to 7 spend every day outside in the forest. 2013. (6 mins 22)
Arctic Outdoor Preschool
Why not give a 5 year old a sharp knife? Or a box of matches? Or let them climb a tree? The benefits of outdoor preschool education, even in the Arctic north of Norway. 2012. (21 min 31)
Ten things you should know about Forest School
Brooklyn Forest School offers outdoor classes for parents and their toddlers in Prospect Park. The children play in the dirt, search for wildlife and run across the park’s wide open meadows. 2012. (2 mins 16)