Today, I want to tell you about a really cool book that came out earlier this week. It’s called ‘A Year of Forest School’ – Outdoor Play and Skill-building Fun for Every Season‘ and was written by Jane Worroll and Peter Houghton. The couple are parents to a 7-year old son and Forest School leaders who have a combined experience of over 20 years of working in the great outdoors. After their first book, ‘Play the Forest School Way‘, they have created a new book filled with dozens of fun-packed outdoor ideas for children aged 2 to 12.
Forest school activities for kids
The book itself is divided into four big parts, one for each season, and dozens of activities which come with thorough instructions, a list of supplies and kit needed as well as an age guide and information on the help you might need to supply as an adult.
Most activities are super easy to do with items that you will find on a forest walk, in a field or around your garden or household items that you will already own, such as scissors, glue or wool.
Simply put the book in your bag when your heading out and pick a Forest school activity based on the treasures you come across or go through the book with your kids and look for an activity that they like the look of. Either way, you won’t be disappointed: With over 30 activities, games and survival skills to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find an activity that everyone will enjoy.
Forest School safety tips
What I found really useful when preparing Amy’s forest-themed birthday party and treasure hunt a couple weeks ago, was that for each season, you get so-called ‘day out pages’, e.g. pages that collect a couple of activities, based on a motto such as the first day of spring, fruit picking etc., that easily fill an entire afternoon. Super handy when you’re after ideas to occupy a bunch of 7-year-olds.
Something else that I really appreciated when making my way through the book was that ‘A Year of Forest School’ did not only highlight the educational benefits of each activity but also pointed out the importance of safe play.
It’s super easy to dive straight into an activity without giving it much thought but when you’re using tools such as knives or drills or making a fire with kids, it’s incredibly important to follow some basic rules. The book outlines some easy to follow fire safety rules, touches the subject of using a field guide when foraging or gives instructions on the safe use of tools without being preachy or patronising.
All in all, I think this book is a great addition to every parent’s and teacher’s bookshelf. It’s an incredibly informative resource for those who want to dive a little deeper into the phenomenon that is forest schools or simply do some fun nature crafts and activities with their kids.
I received a copy of ‘A Year of Forest School’ for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. Some links in this blog post are affiliate links.
Oh i juts love nature crafts..how I would have liked my kids to have gone to forest school!
I remember our first ever forest school session in Bristol a couple of years ago. Amy was 3 years old, I believe, and it was so much fun – even for us as parents!
That looks like a book we would absolutely LOVE!!
This sounds like a great book. My middle son did some Forest school in Denmark, and my youngest will go when we move. I just love everything about it… 🙂
Me too. It really gives them a sense of freedom and independence. I absolutely love it x
My son goes to a forest school but never tells me what he does, lol. I think I might get this book so he can show me what he does and maybe we can do some of it together x
That sounds like a lovely idea. I think sometimes it’s easier for them to show us than to talk through certain experiences x
All of my children take part in forest school activities at school and nursery. I love the sound of this book to continue the learning through discovery at home