What activities do you do at Forest School?

Nature Observation and Exploration

We observe what's happening on the land, and teach different ways to interact with the land - this might look like active hiding/sneaking games, or games that guide children to sit and observe nature, and lead them to start a practice of ‘sit spots’, where one finds a quiet spot to sit and observe the animals, plants, insects, birds, weather, smells, rocks, etc. 

We dive into nature journaling, with unique techniques and guidance for getting the most out of this awesome practice for building natural literacy and telling the stories of our days!

We offer microscopes, dip netting, binoculars and magnifying glasses.

We support shelter building with tarps and knot work, as well as natural materials. 

We also make crafts with natural materials, and play imaginatively with loose parts outside.

We discuss useful and edible plants and those which are dangerous, and the traditional Indigenous stories and teachings of animals and plants. 

We will invite Indigenous Elders, workshop facilitators and knowledge keepers to share teachings of the land, plants and animals.

Art 

   We offer watercolour painting with Beam paints (a natural, Indigenous owned paint company) for creative/imaginative art, animal, plant and landscape painting.

We also do 'zen' painting activities using water-based Magic Draw fabric, telling the story of the day using water-painting which fades soon after.

 We offer storybooks and air-dry clay for sculpting. 

We source materials like willow for the weaving of mats, baskets, belts, etc.

We have a wood-burning tool for older kids and careful use by younger participants.

Wood-Working 

We furnish kids with tools and guidance for whittling, wood-burning (with careful guidance), and other wood-based crafting, including working with hand saws, mallets and hatchets. 

Physical Activity

In addition to going for hikes and healthy risky play on and with natural materials, we will offer slacklines and ninja obstacle course type equipment to enhance play and teach agility, balance, etc.

Resting, Dreaming, and ‘Doing Nothing’ 

We all know the creative magic that happens when we are just 'doing nothing,' especially outdoors! 
We furnish students with hammocks, picnic blankets and shelters where they can relax and decompress, daydream and even nap outdoors.

Storytelling and Reflection

At the end of the day, we always reflect on our experiences to deepen learning, by telling the 'story of the day' through a variety of mediums - this could look like spoken sharing in circle with others, painting, song, dance or poetry.