2025 Holiday Deals: Free Kids Places

Forest School Near Me

a group of kids on the forest floor having a good time
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Have you ever wanted your kids to be more in touch with the outdoor world? Be more in touch with nature? Building forest dens, knowing how to make a fire (if they ever need it) and setting up their tent? Well, have you ever heard of FS? They teach all this and more! So, read on to find out where there are ‘Forest School near me

Forest School in Scotland

boy in outdoor school uniform

Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow

Kelvinside Academy has weekly sessions that help school children connect deeper with the world and develop an understanding of how a learner fits into that world. Tasked with solving real-world issues, building confidence, resilience, and knowledge of the outside, as well as developing social, emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectually.

With a partnership with the University of Glasgow, these weekly Forest School sessions help build a connection with nature and encourage life-learning skills with a range of activities, alongside two fully qualified Forest School staff! All are part of their school year programme.

Do you think your kids would like to be one with nature?

Shape Location Get directions

Kelvinside Academy,
33 Kirklee Road,
Glasgow,
G12 0SW

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muddy wellies in the woods

Outdoor & Woodland Learning, Scotland

To learn more about forest schools, how to set up one and how to be trained, then this is fabulous material that can help you.

Their forest schools offer long-term development programmes that occur once a week. The minimum amount of sessions is 6 but they can last longer!

Did you know forest schools originated in Scandinavia? And it grew incredibly in Scotland! Participants would walk to a local woodland environment to take part in outdoor activities, and develop motor skills and outdoor skills like campfire cooking – all in a natural setting.

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Forest Schools in Northern Ireland

boy building a den with branches

The Jungle, Magherafelt

Bring your kids along for a unique classroom experience that is totally different from their school classes, and one that they’ll remember for life!

With the Forest School teachers, your kids will explore the outdoors to develop their connection with nature. Learn about nature, and develop their physical skills through craft activities, nature walks and bushcraft skills. They can engage with story-time, build dens and huts, learn about campfire cooking and so much more!

An outdoor classroom that is both super fun and involves adventurous activities, all in natural and beautiful settings.

Shape Location Get directions

60 Desertmartin Road,
Moneymore,
Magherafelt,
BT45 7RB

Pricing

£15.00 per person (minimum group of 10 people) 2-hour session

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a boy holding up a big orange leaf

Northern Ireland Forest School Association, nationwide

Did you know your family can apply to be a part of the NISFA Forest School Family?! That means you and the entire family can enjoy 6 feel-good outdoor adventures and earn a certification after!

Explore ancient woodlands, engage in craft activities using Mother Nature’s materials and help your kids improve their cognitive development! Encourage the involvement of children with nature, whether it’s on beautiful nature reserves or along nature walks!

Shape Location

Nationwide!

Pricing

Free!

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Forest Schools in the North East

two kids looking at an acorn

Footprints on the Moon, Northumberland

Fancy a taster of what a Forest School can offer? Footprints on the Moon offers ‘Forest Friends‘ where you and the kids can attend a family-based playgroup twice a week with regular sessions. To experience the benefits of the naturalistic approach.

You’ll all be able to interact and lose yourself within the nature around you. Engage in seasonally-based outdoor activities perfect for families to enjoy. From nature walks, storytelling and foraging to campfire snacks and more!

If you love the environment and wish for your kids to get stuck in with learning how to engage with the outdoor world – this is the perfect experience!

Shape Location Get directions

Plessey Woods Country Park,
Shields Road,
Hartford Bridge,
Northumberland,
NE22 6AN

Opening Times

Monday to Friday 08:00 — 18:00
Saturday to Sunday 10:00 — 16:00

Pricing

£6.00 per session

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kids gathered around a cooking fire

Stomping Grounds Forest School, throughout North East England

Across the many incredible woodlands across the North East, Stomping Grounds hold regular sessions aged for children 0-18 years old. They also work with schools to integrate their activities into the curriculum. As well as one-off sessions and full programmes that can last a term, year or multiple years.

So, what are they? An organisation that puts the participants as leaders, to build connections with each other, the environment and with themselves. From undergoing outdoor activities in woodlands to encouraging communities to get together and engage with nature. From making spears out of thick branches to building dens and bushcraft activities that would help you in a woodland environment.

An inspirational and interactive activity that can help your child in many ways.

Opening Times

Monday to Friday
08:30 - 17:00 or 09:30 - 14:30 sessions

Pricing

From £35.00 per ticket

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Forest Schools in the North West

little girl looking through a magnifying glass in the woods

Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside

Forest School is an incredible opportunity for kids to get their hands muddy and learn at the same time! Watch them harness the power of nature as they explore, investigate, learn and play. All in an environment that is both safe and full of all things naturalistic!

Perfect to introduce to primary schools and add to the young children’s weekly school activities. If you work at a school that thinks it would be an incredible opportunity – applications to apply for a Forest School end 11th November 2022.

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kids using natural materials in arts

Middlewood House Forest School, Cheshire

For kids aged 0-8 years old, they can learn how to interact and explore nature in a small woodland setting. There are numerous sessions throughout the week and parents/carers are encouraged to join in too!

Light fires with what you can find, learn how to cook on a campfire and engage in woodland activities using natural materials. All are welcome to develop their thinking, ideas and skills. Use creative thinking to suggest new ideas for Forest School activities and then finish off their session with songs and a story!

Shape Location Get directions

Middlewood House,
Prince Road,
Off Carleton Road,
Higher Poynton ,
SK12 1TW

Opening Times

Monday, Thursday and Friday 09:30 - 11:30

Pricing

6 block sessions are £40.00
Individual sessions are £8.00 (1 adult and children under 5)
Additional adult and children 5+ £5.00 per person

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Forest Schools in the Midlands

a girl making crafts in the woods

Nettle Hill, Coventry

Take part in group sessions where your kids will be encouraged to have free play outside, and explore the environment around them. Get arts and crafty with nature crafts and listen to cool stories. Then roast marshmallows on a fiery campfire and learn holistic development approaches to independence outside!

Here your kids will be encouraged to take supported risks appropriate to the environment – instead of being afraid of them!

It’s the best way to get away from the screens, get fresh air and relish under the sunlight. To have the experience to explore more about the world outside of their tablets.

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a forest school talk in birmingham

Forest Schools Birmingham, Birmingham

Founded in 2004, a small group of experienced professionals believed all kids should have access to the outdoors. They’ve even planted 80,000+ trees!

Forest Schools are a brilliant addition to the school curriculum, that can see kids develop their confidence in the outdoors as well as in themselves. They work with a selected group of pupils who might be having trouble at school, or elsewhere. And the Forest School helps them embark on a journey of self-discovery and appreciation of themselves and the surrounding world.

From fun and challenging activities to creating craft instruments, understanding the delicate ecosystem and using their imagination! With so many more positive aspects of a forest school, you’ll see your kids hopefully open up and become much more confident!

Shape Location Get directions

Forest Schools Birmingham,
Kingstanding Wellbeing Centre,
Dulwich Road,
Birmingham,
B44 0EW

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Forest Schools in the South East

a natural playscapes playground

Natural Playscapes, Sussex

Inspired by Scandinavian outdoor education, they’ve created a safe space for your kids to explore the outdoors. As well as improve their creative and social skills with hands-on experiences within the surrounding environment. You can build a natural playscape near you!

Think den building, tree houses, forest theme play areas, woodland learning and so much more. Making a campfire and encouraging team building and problem-solving!

It’s a no-brainer when you want to combine less screen time, more sunshine experiences, outdoor adventures and confidence building!

Shape Location Get directions

Natural Playscapes,
Unit 8, New Place Farm,
Pump Lane,
Uckfield,
East Sussex,
TN22 5RH

Opening Times

Call them to see how you can transform your playspace:
Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:30

01435 812484

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a den made out of big branches and sticks

The Forest School Way, London

Do you want your kids to experience a productive school holiday? With holiday clubs at the Forest School, your little monkeys can have fun outside, make new friends, learning new life skills in the natural world! Bug hunting, mud painting and a whole wide range of outdoor activities that your kids will love to get stuck into!

You can rest assured they’ll be taken care of by highly qualified staff that have worked with kids of all ages and abilities. So, everyone will have a fab time!

Shape Location Get directions

Fellows Rd,
Belsize Park,
London,
NW3 3LN

Opening Times

Please check the website for upcoming holiday dates

Pricing

Prices start from £55.00 for a day ticket

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Forest Schools in the South West

kids chilling in a forest in daylight

Outdoors Group, Devon

This forest school not only offers sessions for schools and toddler clubs, but also home education, birthday parties and holiday clubs!

Join an outdoor woodland adventure during the school holidays, engage in fantastic family fun with this alternative education and watch how your kids grow. With home education, kids are encouraged to use their practical skills and decision-making when working together as a group outside. In a relaxed environment, you can see how they thrive!

Shape Location Get directions

Western Lodge,
Crediton,
EX17 3NH

Mulitple locations across Devon

Pricing

From £8.00

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3 kids sitting on a long wearing muddy shoes in a forest

Orchard Forest School, Churston Ferrers

Come along for a unique activity and day out! Surrounded by ancient stone and natural hedgerows you’ll have a safe space to take part in outdoor activities that are super fun!

They run sessions for local families and communities, with the opportunity to experience a wide range of new skills. They are designed to build self-confidence, esteem and resilience – but not forgetting the fun!

You can explore the fairy garden, hide in the willow dome and hobbit house, build dens, make mud pies, bug hotels and so much more!

Please check their Facebook page for upcoming sessions.

Shape Location Get directions

Lupton House,
Brixham Road,
Churston Ferrers,
TQ5 0LD

Opening Times

Please check their facebook page for upcoming sessions

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So, now you know all the best places to explore the big world, learn new survival skills and gain a deeper understanding of the world outside. All are provided by one of these many ‘forest schools near me’. Your kids will become confident in the outside world and themselves, and isn’t that what we all want?

In the mood for some more adventurous activities? We’ve got lots for you – shoot some targets with laser tag, climb high with rock climbing, let go of your inner stress with axe throwing or visit a rage room near you!