A collection of Forest School films & podcasts 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
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).
Are you wondering why the Forest School principles matter? I’ve had many practitioners contact me saying that ‘my school doesn’t understand Forest School, how do I get their support?’ These are some of my thoughts on the barriers to delivering Forest School according to the 6 principles. Forest School Lou, Feb 2024. (16 min 18)
Are you setting up a Forest School area in your School Grounds? We hope our 5 tips for using school grounds for Forest School programmes can help you plan what you will need. Forest School Lou, January 2024. (14 mins 59)
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)
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)
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)
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)
‘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)
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)
‘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)
“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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Forest School principles
Six key principles to ensure quality Forest School for children from Early Years to Primary & Secondary schools and more.
The principles lay out the ethos and working practices of Forest School practitioners. They were agreed by the UK Forest School community in 2011.
Read More about Forest School principles
Risk videos & podcasts
Videos and podcasts discussing the importance of risky play.
Read More about Risk videos & podcasts
Nature Connection videos & podcasts
Podcasts & videos from nature experts and outdoor practitioners, discussing the impact of nature deficit and the importance and benefits of nature connection.
Read More about Nature Connection videos & podcasts
Mud Day, mud play & mud kitchens videos
An international array of Mud Day celebrations, mud kitchens & mud play ideas.
Has your Forest School, outdoor setting, school or nursery made a film celebrating mud? Send us a link & we'll add it here. share@muddyfaces.co.uk
Read More about Mud Day, mud play & mud kitchens videos
Learning outdoors videos
A collection of videos on learning outside the classroom to inspire you.
If you know of any other great outdoor learning videos please let us know via share@muddyfaces.co.uk
Read More about Learning outdoors videos
Health & wellbeing videos
A collection of videos about the health & wellbeing benefits of being outdoors.
If you know of any other great videos on this theme please let us know via share@muddyfaces.co.uk
