Looking for forest school cooking recipes for children? Outdoor cooking can be one of the most memorable parts of forest school, outdoor learning and nature-based education.
This resource is designed to help teachers, forest school leaders, outdoor learning practitioners and early years staff plan simple open fire and BBQ cooking activities with children.
Cooking outdoors can support teamwork, communication, confidence, independence, sensory learning, science, safety awareness and real-life skills. Are you new to Forest School? Learn more about this: Beginners Guide to Forest School.
What is forest school cooking?
Forest school cooking is a practical outdoor learning experience where children prepare, explore or cook food outside as part of a supervised session.
This might include:
- simple BBQ cooking
- open fire cooking
- campfire snacks
- outdoor food preparation
- seasonal nature-based recipes
- sensory food exploration
- group cooking activities
- cooking linked to stories, topics or forest school sessions
Outdoor cooking should always be carefully risk assessed and led by trained, confident adults following your setting’s policies and procedures.
Get more Forest School Ideas and resources in the Forest School Activities Hub.
The aim is not just to “make food”.
The learning is in the process.
Children listen, wait, take turns, follow instructions, notice changes, use their senses and work together. Are you wanting to implement Forest School in your school? We can help you with Forest Schools activities and ideas created by Forest School Level 3 Leaders, head to the Forest School Activities Hub.
Why forest school cooking is so powerful
Forest school cooking can help children build skills that are hard to develop through worksheets or indoor lessons alone.
Children may develop:
- communication skills
- turn-taking
- patience
- independence
- confidence
- fine motor skills
- sensory awareness
- vocabulary
- teamwork
- problem-solving
- understanding of risk
- connection with nature
- real-life learning
Outdoor cooking also gives children a sense of purpose.
They are not completing a task because an adult told them to.
They are working towards something meaningful.
They can smell it.
Touch it.
Watch it change.
Share it.
Talk about it.
Taste it.
That makes learning memorable. Download thousands of resources today, take a 60-day free trial.
New to forest school cooking? Start here
If open fire or BBQ cooking with children feels overwhelming, start small.
You do not need to begin with complicated recipes.
You do not need a full forest school site.
You do not need to cook every week.
Start with one simple outdoor food activity that is safe, supervised and manageable.
Try:
- a no-cook outdoor snack preparation activity
- a simple BBQ recipe with adult-led cooking
- a sensory food exploration tray
- a seasonal outdoor picnic activity
- a fire circle safety discussion before any cooking begins
Build confidence slowly.
Outdoor cooking works best when children understand the routines, boundaries and safety expectations first. Get more Forest School Ideas and resources in the Forest School Activities Hub.
Safety first: open fire and BBQ cooking with children
Forest school cooking must always be planned carefully.
Before cooking outdoors, make sure you have considered:
- risk assessments
- adult-to-child ratios
- allergies and dietary needs
- handwashing and hygiene
- fire safety
- food safety
- safe distances
- first aid
- supervision
- weather conditions
- setting policies
- parental permissions where needed
Children should be taught clear rules around fires, BBQs, hot food, tools and cooking spaces.
Outdoor cooking is a wonderful learning experience, but it must be done safely and responsibly. Download thousands of resources today, take a 60-day free trial.
Try this tomorrow
Outdoor Wrap Warming
If you are not ready for open fire cooking yet, start with a simple outdoor food preparation activity. We can help you with Forest Schools activities and ideas created by Forest School Level 3 Leaders, head to the Forest School Activities Hub.
Children can help build their own wrap using safe, pre-prepared ingredients such as cheese, vegetables or spreads suitable for your setting.
They can:
- choose ingredients
- talk about textures
- practise spreading
- fold the wrap
- describe smells and colours
- share what they made
If your setting allows BBQ or outdoor warming, an adult can warm the wraps safely as part of a supervised session.
Time: 15–20 minutes
Prep: Low to medium
Learning: Independence, communication, sensory exploration, food vocabulary and life skills
This gives children the experience of outdoor cooking without starting with anything too complex. Download thousands of resources today, take a 60-day free trial.
Get more Forest School Ideas and resources in the Forest School Activities Hub.
Outdoor cooking and the curriculum
Forest school cooking can link beautifully to many areas of learning.
It can support:
- science through heating, melting, changing materials and observing food
- maths through counting, weighing, timing and sharing
- literacy through recipes, instructions and vocabulary
- PSHE through teamwork, safety and independence
- communication and language through discussion and questioning
- physical development through mixing, spreading, holding and preparing
- understanding the world through food, seasons and nature
- SEND support through sensory exploration and real-life learning
Outdoor cooking is not “just making a snack”.
It can become a rich learning experience across the curriculum. Looking for Forest School Planning? KS1 Book Themed Forest School Planning
Forest school cooking for SEND
Outdoor cooking can be especially powerful for children with SEND.
Some children engage more deeply when learning is practical, sensory and purposeful.
Forest school cooking can help children who need:
- hands-on learning
- sensory experiences
- clear routines
- real-life tasks
- movement
- adult connection
- communication opportunities
- confidence-building experiences
Children who may struggle to sit for a long lesson indoors may become highly engaged when they are helping prepare food outdoors.
They might talk more.
Try more.
Notice more.
Remember more.
That is the power of meaningful outdoor learning.
Get more Forest School Ideas and resources in the Forest School Activities Hub.
A small taste of forest school cooking ideas
The full Forest School Cooking Recipes – Open Fire/BBQ resource includes a range of simple outdoor cooking ideas designed for schools, nurseries and outdoor learning settings.
The recipes are created to be practical, child-friendly and realistic for busy educators.
Inside the resource, you will find ideas for:
- open fire cooking
- BBQ cooking with children
- simple campfire snacks
- seasonal outdoor recipes
- sensory cooking activities
- group cooking experiences
- forest school food preparation
- outdoor learning linked to food and nature
The aim is to help you feel confident, prepared and inspired without having to start from scratch.
Who is this resource for?
This resource is useful for:
- forest school leaders
- outdoor learning leads
- EYFS teachers
- primary teachers
- teaching assistants
- SENDCos
- nursery practitioners
- childminders
- nurture staff
- holiday club leaders
- wraparound care teams
It can be used as part of forest school sessions, outdoor learning days, seasonal activities, enrichment, nurture provision, SEND support or curriculum-linked outdoor lessons. Download thousands of resources today, take a 60-day free trial.
Forest school cooking does not need to be complicated
Some people imagine forest school cooking has to involve lots of equipment, complicated recipes or advanced fire skills.
It does not.
You can start with:
- simple snacks
- seasonal fruit
- warm wraps
- vegetable skewers
- toast-style activities
- sensory food exploration
- picnic preparation
- safe adult-led BBQ cooking
What matters most is that the activity is safe, purposeful and meaningful for the children. We can help you with Forest Schools activities and ideas created by Forest School Level 3 Leaders, head to the Forest School Activities Hub.
Download Forest School Cooking Recipes – Open Fire/BBQ
If you would like the full activity pack, you can download Forest School Cooking Recipes – Open Fire/BBQ inside The Muddy Puddle Teacher.
Get more Forest School Ideas and resources in the Forest School Activities Hub.
Ready to try forest school cooking?
Forest school cooking can help children build confidence, independence, teamwork and real-life skills.
Start small.
Keep it safe.
Use simple recipes.
Teach routines clearly.
Let children experience the joy of learning outdoors.
Download the full Forest School Cooking Recipes – Open Fire/BBQ resource with your 60-day free trial today.
FAQs
What are forest school cooking activities?
Forest school cooking activities are outdoor food preparation or cooking experiences linked to nature, outdoor learning and practical life skills. They may include open fire cooking, BBQ recipes, campfire snacks or simple outdoor food preparation.
Can children cook on an open fire at forest school?
Children can take part in open fire cooking only when it is carefully risk assessed, supervised and led by trained, competent adults following setting policies and safety procedures.
What are easy outdoor cooking ideas for children?
Easy outdoor cooking ideas include simple wraps, vegetable skewers, seasonal fruit activities, sensory food preparation, picnic making and adult-led BBQ cooking. The full resource includes more practical recipe ideas.
Is BBQ cooking suitable for schools?
BBQ cooking can be suitable for schools when planned safely, risk assessed and supervised by adults. Settings should follow their own policies around fire, food hygiene, allergies and outdoor cooking.
How does forest school cooking support learning?
Forest school cooking supports learning by developing communication, teamwork, patience, independence, maths, science, vocabulary, sensory exploration and real-life skills.
Can outdoor cooking support SEND?
Yes. Outdoor cooking can support children with SEND because it is practical, sensory, structured and meaningful. It can help children engage, communicate and build confidence through hands-on learning.
Do I need lots of equipment for forest school cooking?
No. You can start with simple outdoor food preparation and low-resource activities. Open fire or BBQ cooking will need appropriate equipment, supervision and safety procedures. Get more Forest School Ideas and resources in the Forest School Activities Hub.
What age is forest school cooking suitable for?
Forest school cooking can be adapted for early years and primary children, as long as the activity is age-appropriate, supervised and risk assessed.
What should I consider before outdoor cooking with children?
Consider allergies, hygiene, risk assessments, fire safety, food safety, adult ratios, first aid, weather, equipment, permissions and setting policies. We can help you with Forest Schools activities and ideas created by Forest School Level 3 Leaders, head to the Forest School Activities Hub.
Where can I download forest school cooking recipes?
You can download the full Forest School Cooking Recipes – Open Fire/BBQ resource inside The Muddy Puddle Teacher with a 60-day free trial.
