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Beginners Guide to Forest School
Forest School is a wonderful way to help children connect with nature, build confidence, develop resilience and learn through hands-on outdoor experiences. But for many teachers and school staff, the idea of running Forest School sessions can feel overwhelming.
You may be wondering where to start, what resources you need, how to manage safety, how to link sessions to learning or how to make Forest School work in a busy school timetable.
At The Muddy Puddle Teacher®, we support schools with a practical, school-friendly approach to Forest School and nature-based learning. Our Forest School course and resources are designed for educators who want to bring more outdoor exploration, woodland-inspired activities and child-led discovery into school settings, without feeling that everything has to be “pure” Forest School.
This guide will help you understand how to get started, how to plan simple sessions and how to use our Muddy Puddle Teacher® resources to make Forest School-style learning manageable, purposeful and inspiring.
- Read more Beginners Guides:
– Beginners Guide to Early Years Outdoors
This guide will explore:
- What Is Forest School?
- Forest School in a School Setting
- The Muddy Puddle Teacher® Approach to Forest School
- Benefits of Forest School for Children
- What Do You Need to Get Started?
- How to Set Up a Forest School Area
- Simple Forest School Session Structure
- Forest School Activities for Beginners
- Forest School and the Curriculum
- Forest School for EYFS, KS1 and KS2
- Safety, Risk and Routines
- Common Barriers to Forest School in Schools
- How Our Forest School Course Can Help
- Forest School Resources for Schools
- Top Tips for Beginners
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions About Forest School
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What is Forest School
Forest School is more than just being outdoors—it is a structured, evidence-based approach to education built around key principles:
- Regular sessions over time (not one-off visits)
- Learner-led activities and exploration
- Supported risk-taking to build resilience
- A focus on holistic development
- Strong relationships between learners and practitioners
Activities might include den building, fire lighting (with supervision), tool use, nature crafts, and environmental exploration. Explore our teacher and TA-created ideas to help you explore more.
Forest School in a School Setting
Forest School in schools often looks slightly different from traditional Forest School. You may not have a woodland. You may have limited time, a small outdoor space, a busy timetable or mixed staff confidence.
That does not mean you cannot offer meaningful Forest School-style learning.
In a school setting, Forest School may include nature walks, den building, mud kitchen challenges, woodland games, loose parts play, seasonal investigations, nature crafts, storytelling outdoors, teamwork challenges, minibeast hunts, sensory trails, outdoor art, shelter building, simple fire-circle routines where appropriate, risk awareness activities and child-led exploration.
The key is to create regular opportunities for children to connect with nature, move freely, make choices, solve problems and develop confidence outdoors.
The Muddy Puddle Teacher® Forest School course and resources are created with schools in mind. They are ideal for teachers, teaching assistants, outdoor learning leads and practitioners who want structured, ready-to-use ideas that still keep the magic of nature-based learning.
Browse our History Forest Schools resources like this one: Vikings Forest School
The Muddy Puddle Teacher® Approach to Forest School
At The Muddy Puddle Teacher®, our Forest School-style approach is practical, accessible and school-friendly.
We understand that many schools want the benefits of Forest School but need sessions that fit into real school routines. Our approach is less about being a “pure Forest School” model and more about helping educators confidently deliver safe, meaningful, nature-based sessions that support children’s wellbeing, confidence and learning.
Our approach focuses on using natural and upcycled resources, making outdoor sessions easy to organise, supporting EYFS, KS1 and KS2, helping staff feel confident outdoors, encouraging child-led exploration, building routines and expectations, supporting wellbeing and resilience, offering curriculum-linked opportunities, making nature-based learning possible in school grounds, and providing ready-to-use Forest School resources and training.
This means you can start small, use the space you already have and build your Forest School-style provision over time. Looking for seasonal forest school activities? Try Spring Activities at Forest School.
Benefits of Forest School for Children
Forest School and nature-based learning can have a powerful impact on children’s development.
Children benefit from increased confidence, better teamwork, stronger communication skills, improved physical development, more resilience, greater independence, opportunities to take safe risks, more creativity and imagination, stronger problem-solving skills, better connection with nature, improved emotional wellbeing and richer sensory experiences.
For some children, the outdoors can feel calmer and more accessible than the classroom. It gives them space to move, talk, think, build, experiment and show strengths that may not always be visible indoors.
Forest School-style sessions are especially valuable for children who need hands-on learning, movement, sensory input, confidence-building or opportunities to work collaboratively. Find more bespoke ideas for Forest School for Early Years.
How to Set up a Forest School Area
A Forest School area does not need to be large or perfect. It needs to feel safe, inviting and flexible.
You may use a woodland area, school field, quiet corner of the playground, garden area, group of trees, wild patch, courtyard with natural resources, local park or a temporary outdoor setup using crates, tarps and loose parts.
Try to include the following areas:
- A gathering space
This is where children meet at the beginning and end of each session. It could be a circle of logs, a mat, a rope circle or a familiar meeting point. - A nature investigation area
This could include magnifying glasses, bug pots, identification sheets, clipboards, natural objects and seasonal finds. - A creative area
Children can create nature art, leaf pictures, stick sculptures, mud faces, natural patterns and seasonal crafts. - A building area
Loose parts, sticks, crates, ropes and fabric can support den building, shelter making, teamwork and problem-solving. - A quiet space
Some children need a calm area where they can sit, observe, read, reflect or regulate. - A challenge area
This could include balancing, carrying, sorting, building, knot practice, trail making or team challenges.
The Muddy Puddle Teacher® resources can help you plan activities for each area so that your sessions feel organised without becoming too rigid.
What do you Need to get Started?
You do not need a perfect woodland to begin Forest School-style learning in school.
You can start with a safe outdoor space, clear routines, a small collection of natural resources, weather-appropriate clothing, simple activity ideas, basic risk awareness, adult confidence, time for children to explore and a willingness to start small.
Useful resources include sticks, logs, leaves, stones, pinecones, shells, rope, tarpaulins, pegs, buckets, bowls, clipboards, magnifying glasses, chalk, natural loose parts, story props, recycled containers, a first aid kit and handwashing or hygiene supplies.
Our Muddy Puddle Teacher® Forest School resources are designed to help schools get started without needing to buy lots of expensive kit. Many activities use natural, free or low-cost materials.
Make a Start Today! Teacher-created, fun lessons!
What Does a Forest School Session Look Like?
A Forest School session follows a flexible structure, designed to balance freedom with safety and routine.
While no two sessions are exactly the same, most include:
1. Welcome and Check-In
Children gather together to discuss the session, revisit boundaries, and share ideas.
2. Exploration and Child-Led Play
This is the core of Forest School. Children choose activities based on their interests—building dens, climbing, creating art, or exploring the environment.
3. Adult Support and Skill Development
Practitioners observe, support, and extend learning where appropriate. This might include introducing tools, fire lighting, or nature-based crafts.
4. Snack or Fire Circle Time
Many sessions include a shared moment for food, stories, or reflection, often around a fire circle.
5. Reflection and Closing
Children come back together to reflect on their experiences, share achievements, and prepare to leave the site safely.
This consistent rhythm helps children feel secure while still allowing for creativity, independence, and discovery. Are you thinking about setting up your own Forest School? Learn more here.
What Do You Need for Forest School?
One of the strengths of Forest School is that it doesn’t require expensive equipment—but preparation is key.
Clothing (Essential for All Weather Learning)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Wellies or sturdy outdoor shoes
- Warm layers (hat, gloves in colder months)
Basic Equipment
- Tarpaulin or shelter
- Ropes and pegs
- First aid kit
- Handwashing supplies
Optional Resources
- Tools (e.g. peelers, saws – used under supervision)
- Fire lighting equipment
- Natural materials collected on-site
The most important “resource” in Forest School is the environment itself. Sticks, leaves, mud, and open space provide endless opportunities for outdoor learning and creativity.
Forest School in All Weathers
-A key principle of Forest School is that it takes place in almost all weather conditions.
Learning outdoors across the seasons allows children to experience change first-hand—feeling the crunch of frost, noticing new growth in spring, or exploring muddy, wet environments.
Why this matters:
- Builds resilience and adaptability
- Encourages problem-solving
- Deepens understanding of the natural world
Sessions may be adapted in extreme conditions (such as high winds or storms), but light rain, cold weather, and seasonal changes are all considered valuable learning opportunities.
With the right clothing and preparation, children can remain safe, comfortable, and fully engaged throughout the year. For some free, ready-to use ideas try our Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter handbooks.
Who Is Forest School For?
Forest School is for everyone.
It can be adapted to suit a wide range of ages, abilities, and settings, including:
- Early years children
- Primary and secondary pupils
- Children with SEND
- Home education groups
- Alternative provision settings
Because Forest School is child-led and flexible, it meets learners where they are. Some children thrive on physical challenge, while others benefit from quiet exploration or creative activities.
It is particularly powerful for children who may struggle in traditional classroom environments, offering a different way to engage, succeed, and feel valued.
Evidence and Research Behind Forest School
Forest School is supported by a growing body of research highlighting the benefits of outdoor learning.
Studies have shown that regular time in natural environments can:
- Improve mental health and wellbeing
- Increase confidence and self-esteem
- Support communication and social skills
- Enhance engagement in learning
- Develop problem-solving and resilience
Outdoor learning has also been linked to improved physical health, including increased activity levels and better coordination.
In the UK and beyond, schools are increasingly recognising the value of integrating outdoor learning approaches like Forest School into their curriculum—not as an “extra,” but as an essential part of child development.
Forest School FAQ’s
Frequently Asked Questions About Forest School
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a nature-based approach that gives children regular opportunities to explore, play, learn and take safe risks outdoors. It often includes child-led learning, practical skills, teamwork, creativity and connection with nature.
Do schools need a forest to run Forest School?
No. While woodland is ideal, schools can still run Forest School-style or nature-based sessions in a school field, playground, garden, courtyard, local park or small outdoor area.
Is The Muddy Puddle Teacher® Forest School course a traditional Forest School qualification?
Our course is designed to support educators with practical, school-friendly Forest School-style learning and nature-based outdoor sessions. It is ideal for staff who want confidence, ideas and resources for school settings.
Can teachers run Forest School-style sessions?
Teachers and school staff can run outdoor nature-based sessions using safe, appropriate activities. For specialist elements such as tool use or fire, schools should follow their policies and ensure staff have suitable training.
What age is Forest School suitable for?
Forest School-style learning can be adapted for EYFS, KS1 and KS2. Younger children may focus on sensory play and discovery, while older children can take part in more complex challenges, teamwork and environmental learning.
What resources do I need?
You can begin with natural and low-cost resources such as sticks, leaves, stones, logs, ropes, tarps, chalk, buckets, clipboards, magnifying glasses and recycled containers.
How often should children do Forest School?
Regular sessions work best, but schools can start small. This might be weekly, fortnightly, monthly or linked to specific topics, wellbeing sessions or outdoor learning days.
Can Forest School link to the curriculum?
Yes. Forest School-style activities can support science, English, maths, geography, art, PSHE, PE and wellbeing, especially when planned thoughtfully for school settings.
How can The Muddy Puddle Teacher® resources help?
Our resources provide ready-to-use activity ideas, structure and inspiration for busy school staff. They help make Forest School-style learning easier to plan, deliver and adapt across EYFS, KS1 and KS2.
How do I get started?
Begin with a simple outdoor space, clear routines and a few nature-based activities. Our Forest School course and resources can then help you build confidence, plan sessions and develop your provision over time.
Make a Start Today! Teacher-created, fun lessons!
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The Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach was created in 2018 by Teacher Sarah Seaman. Our incredible outdoor learning methods use only natural and upcycled resources while linking to all areas of the EYFS and NC.
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