A good night’s sleep? What’s that?!
If you’re anything like me, you appreciate it when it happens. And I find it’s much more likely to occur when everyone has been outside for the day inhaling plenty of fresh air.
On our honeymoon in Cornwall, my husband and I first came across the concept of Forest School. A flyer for a local session was pinned to the door of a church hall. I was fascinated by the name and did a bit of googling to learn more.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a popular and growing phenomenon in many countries around the world.
The Irish Forest School Association describes the philosophy of Forest School as follows: to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences.
Forest School emerged in the 1990s in the UK. However, it has roots further in the past, in a variety of outdoor pedagogies and philosophies.
In my experience, Forest School can look like any of the following (and more!):
- Outdoor preschool
- In-school sessions for older schoolchildren
- Weekend or school holiday sessions for children (and sometimes their whole families)
- Sessions for adults only
Although the word “Forest” is in the title, sessions can take place in pretty much any natural environment. In fact, Beach Schools have also emerged as a different way of achieving the same goals.
Participants get the most out of Forest School when they are participating on a regular basis, building up experiences and skills over time.
Sessions are learner-led and usually follow the interests of the participants. Skills are taught based on what participants need to know in order to do what they want to do.
Some activities you might find happening at a Forest School session include:
- Den/shelter building
- Foraging
- Identifying local wildlife
- Campfire cooking
- Games
- Nature Crafts
- Woodwork (such as whittling)
As you might expect, care and respect for the environment is encouraged. Participants are also helped to become familiar with the flora and fauna of their meeting place.
Taking part in Forest School is really good for children in lots of ways. Since there are no expectations to “succeed”, it is a low-pressure environment. Everyone takes part on their own level which is great for building confidence and self-esteem.
It also meets many of the needs children have for adventure, independent play and risk-taking.
Forest School at Home: Books to Help You
Since I first came across the concept in Cornwall, I have noticed it crop up more here in Ireland.
Perhaps it was always here, but I only began to notice it once I already knew about it. Or maybe it has simply grown in popularity in the years since our honeymoon. Regardless, I now aware of a number of Forest Schools in surrounding counties.
I have managed to take my son to two family Forest School sessions in different places. However, for lots of reasons, it’s not always practical to get to sessions like these.
So, about a year and a half ago, I spent a while looking into Forest School activity books. I thought I would find some aimed at Forest School leaders, with ideas for activities they would lead during sessions.
My hope was to try some of the simpler ones (suitable for younger children) in our garden and out on walks.
But I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across a selection of books aimed specifically at children and families. This is great, because it means the books don’t assume any prior knowledge or skill.
I was even more pleasantly surprised to find that a lot of these books are available in local libraries; if they’re not in your own branch, they can probably be ordered in.
So, in no particular order, here are a selection of books I found and enjoyed.
Dedicated Forest School Books
The first three books I’ll mention are rooted in the Forest School philosophy, and written by experienced practitioners.
Play The Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Crafts for Adventurous Kids
Authors: Peter Houghton and Jane Worroll
Publisher: Watkins Publishing
Play the Forest School Way describes itself as “the first book to share Forest School games, crafts and skill-building activities with families”.
If you’re interested in trying out Forest School activities with your kids, but not sure where to start, this is a good bet. Although the activities are designed for children, the text is mainly aimed at the adult accompanying them.
Also, it doesn’t just tell you “how to” do an activity. Instead, it takes you by the hand and helps you introduce it, teach/do it, and wrap it up.
Helpful questions and prompts provide opportunities for conversation with your kids. You get guidance about the target age for each activity, as well as a kit list to make sure you don’t get caught without a vital piece of equipment.
This is the rare kind of book that can grow with a family. Your three-year old could enjoy playing “Acorn Hide and Seek” tomorrow, and in eight years time be confidently cooking her tea on a campfire.
The main sections included are:
- Nature Explorers
- Forest Arts
- Survival Skills
- Wildlife Team Games
One particularly lovely feature is the line drawings throughout. They bring a sort of woodland charm, and make the book seem old-fashioned in a good way. The sketches, combined with the book’s handy size, give the feel of a dearly-loved nature journal.
However, in some cases, I can’t help feeling a photograph might have helped to illustrate a point better. But since this would have completely taken away from the overall feel of the book, I’m not complaining. Anything that needs clarified can easily be found online.
This is a gorgeous book to have on your shelf or coffee table. But don’t leave it there! Take advantage of its handy size and bring it with you every time your family heads outdoors.
Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children
Authors: Naomi Walmsley and Dan Westall
Publisher: Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd.
This one is a real eye-catcher. Casually leave it lying around, and I guarantee it will attract your children like moths to a flame.
My favourite aspect of this book is the photography. The pages are crammed with children, big smiles, nature, adventure and mud.
Just now, I flicked quickly through the pages and saw images of:
- A little boy clinging for dear life to a grass rope
- Two children lighting a fire
- A child holding a frog
- A toddler with hands covered in clay
Children love copying other children, so if you’re trying to encourage your family out into the great outdoors, this might help. I know when I was small, I loved seeing photos and videos of other children doing exciting things. It made me really want to have a go myself.
Another benefit of the photography is that it helps give clear step-by-step visuals for the skills taught.
The main sections included are:
- Nature Awareness (including crafts, skills and learning)
- Bushcraft (including knots, shelters and dens, wilderness survival and more)
- Wild Food (including foraged foods and cooking)
- Games (including warm up games, team games and energizers)
As well as teaching activities and skills, the authors give us an insight into their own lives and experiences. Stories about their time living in the wilderness are scattered throughout the book and are perfect for reading aloud to children.
This book can be enjoyed by every member of the family. Tinies can flick through it like a magazine, getting ideas as they go. Parents can dive deep and learn detailed skills to try with their children.
A go-to adventure guide for energetic families.
Forest Craft: A Child’s Guide to Whittling in the Woodland
Author: Richard Irvine
Publisher: Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd.
Do your children seem to thrive on danger?
Both of mine do, and one is only nine months old!
As parents, we’re always thinking of safety, and sharp objects are something we try to keep our children away from.
However, teaching children the safe and correct use of tools such as knives and saws improves their confidence and independence. Many Forest School settings include such work at a level appropriate to the age and abilities of the participants.
Forest Craft sets out to teach families the skills and techniques they will need to enjoy the craft of whittling. It’s quite an unusual skill to have now, but in the past, young boys would have taken pride in carving small items with their pocket knives.
The Oxford Dictionary describes the verb “Whittle” as to “Carve wood into an object by repeatedly cutting small slices from it”.
But what object to make?
Forest Craft presents a beautiful selection of projects, increasing in difficulty as the book goes on.
The finished items themselves are great fun, exactly the kind of things a child would want to make. Spud guns and elder wands anyone? Or perhaps a whimmy diddle? I’ll leave you to find out what that one is.
Don’t feel intimidated if you’ve never tried anything like this before. The first section of the book provides extensive information about how to get started properly and safely.
If you’re looking for an unusual new skill to learn as a family, give this book a try.
General Outdoor Adventure Books
My final books don’t specifically mention Forest School, but include ideas and activities that tie in with it nicely.
National Trust: Go Wild in the Woods
Author: Goldie Hawk
Illustrator: Rachael Saunders
Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd.
The National Trust is well known for its dedication to helping children enjoy the Great Outdoors.
If you haven’t already, check out my post about outdoor family challenges. It includes information about the National Trust’s exciting initiative 50 Things to do Before You’re 11 ¾. All 50 things are activities and adventures to enjoy in the fresh air.
Go Wild in the Woods also encourages children to make the most of the outdoors, specifically the forest.
The main topics covered in the book include:
- What you will need in the woods
- Setting up camp in the woods
- Finding your way in the woods
- What to see in the woods
- How to eat and drink in the woods
- Getting injured in the woods
- Getting lost in the woods
This book is very much aimed at the reading level of a middle/upper primary child. This is really great, because it inspires children to feel empowered, take the initiative and plan their own adventures.
However, as a result, it isn’t as detailed as the previous ones, which seem to speak to adults as well as children. So, if your family are eager to learn the ins and outs of specific skills, I recommend reading this alongside either Play the Forest School Way or Forest School Adventure.
The Stick Book/The Beach Book/The Wild Weather Book
Authors: Fiona Dank and Jo Schofield
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd.
Lists.
Do they fill you with satisfaction, or fill you with fear?
Whatever your answer, I think you’ll enjoy these books.
Each of them is a glorified (very glorified) list of fun ideas for things to do with a stick/on the beach/during wild weather.
I recommend starting with The Stick Book, as you’ll probably get the most use out of it (although in Ireland, wild weather is pretty plentiful, to be fair!).
It’s filled with 70 stick related projects to enjoy together outside. Bring this book with you on your adventures, and you could find yourself making wild storyboards, playing capture the flag, measuring the depth of a stream or taking part in a mini raft challenge.
The Beach Book is probably my personal favourite of the three. Since we live in a coastal county, we like to go to the beach as often as we can, in all weathers.
The ideas included in The Beach Book go well beyond the usual sandcastle and swimming combination. How do you like the sound of
- Stone Jenga?
- Driftwood Monsters?
- Floating lanterns?
- Water bombs?
- Beach kitchen and café?
Don’t worry if don’t live near the coast; the authors include ideas for fun at rivers and lakes too.
Finally, The Wild Weather Book does exactly what it says on the cover, providing “loads of things to do outdoors in rain, wind and snow.”
It’s so tempting not to bother going outside when the weather’s miserable. I’d much rather curl up by the fire. But this book reminds us of the fun the elements can provide.
Two motivational chapters (Rain Doesn’t Stop Play and Tips for Playing Outside in Cold Weather) set the tone and encourage us to get up and out.
So, the next time it rains, build an umbrella den and a mud castle. The next blustery day, make streamers for wind dancing. And the next time it snows and freezes, create snow mazes and toffee ice sculptures.
You might even stop bothering to check the weather forecast!
Forest School at Home: Outdoor Adventure Books for Families
Still dreaming of that good night’s sleep?
If you haven’t already nodded off reading my reviews, trying out the activities in these books is sure to tire everybody out.
So, get stuck in and make memories in the great outdoors.
And if you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up to our newsletter and be the first to hear what’s new.
