Forest School Games for Kids

Forest school games not only provide a fun experience for children but also serve as a powerful tool for their overall development. From enhancing physical and mental skills to promoting environmental awareness, forest school games offer a unique and holistic learning experience that traditional classroom settings cannot match.

This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.

Forest School Games for Kids

When deciding on games for the kids, pick ones that are age- and skill-level appropriate. There are lots of fun forest school activities to choose from, but you want to make sure that they are age-appropriate.

Older kids are going to be poor with some of the things that younger children love. But you also might be surprised at just what older kids enjoy, I don’t know what age hide and seek stops being fun, but the 15-year-olds at our homeschool group seem to love it still.

Before introducing any games, make sure the environment is safe and free of any hazards such as sharp objects, poisonous plants, or deep water.

Clearly explain the rules of the game to the children, and demonstrate how it is played. It’s important to also establish boundaries for the game area.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Divide kids into teams and give them a list of natural items to find in the forest (e.g. a certain type of leaf, a pinecone, a feather).

The first team to find all the items on the list wins!

Blindfolded Nature Walk

Have kids pair up and blindfold one person in each pair.

The non-blindfolded person leads the blindfolded person through the forest, describing the sounds, smells, and textures they encounter.

Camouflage

This game is perfect for teaching children about animal behavior and survival in the forest. Have the children pair up and take turns hiding while their partner tries to find them.

The person who is hiding has to try to blend in with their surroundings and remain as still and quiet as possible. This game is a fun and interactive way to teach children about animal adaptations and camouflage.

Stick Forts

This game is great for encouraging teamwork and creativity. Give each child a few sticks and challenge them to build a fort using only the materials they find in the forest.

This game can be adapted for different age groups, with older children building more complex structures. It’s a fun way to get children to work together and use their problem-solving skills.

Storytelling

This game is great for encouraging children to use their imaginations and develop their language skills. Have the children sit in a circle and take turns adding to a story about a magical forest adventure.

Each child adds a sentence or two to the story, building on what the previous child said. This game can be adapted for different age groups, with older children telling more complex stories.

It’s a fun and creative way to encourage children to work together and use their language skills.

Throughout the games, emphasize the learning opportunities that can be found in nature, such as exploring the natural environment, observing wildlife, and learning about the different plants and trees.

After the games, take time to reflect with the children about what they learned, how they felt, and any new discoveries they made in the natural environment.

Forest school games are a fantastic way to get kids excited about outdoor exploration, and learning. With engaging activities, children can have a blast while also developing vital skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.

Join our free Resource Library!

With nature study printables, unit studies, and more, you’ll be able to easily add this important subject to your homeschooling day.

Sign Up Now

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Built with ConvertKit

Want More?

The Benefits of Risk-Taking and Outdoor Play in Forest School

The Ultimate Guide to Clothing Layering in Forest School All Year Long

Forest School Learning Opportunities