Play The Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Crafts for Adventurous Kids

by Peter Houghton

Woodland games, crafts, and other outdoor adventures from the Forest School—for parents and their children

The rise of the grassroots Forest School movement in recent years is part of a groundswell of concern about the wellbeing of our children, with many media scare stories about child obesity, "nature deficit disorder" (as described in  Last Child in the Woods ), and lack of exposure to risk.

This outdoor adventure manual is the antidote! Packed full of ideas, from making nature jewelry and whittling a bow and arrow, to building a shelter and foraging for food, it also celebrates the Forest School philosophy of encouraging self-esteem, confidence, and social skills through engagement with nature. The activities contain variations for varied age groups, small groups like play dates or birthday parties, as well as things to do with just one or two children. Parents are encouraged to guide the play but the activity instructions are written in a simple style with fun illustrations so that kids can take the lead as well.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Nature, Education, Childrens, Outdoors, Environment

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 24, 2016

About the author

Peter Houghton is a qualified Level 3 Forest School leader, running, with Jane Worroll, year-round Forest School sessions for children in London and elsewhere. At a charity supporting vulnerable inner-city children and young people, he works as an artist (in woodwork and other media) and as a key worker, as well as leading Forest School sessions. He is qualified and experienced in historical and ornamental woodcarving and in green woodwork.

Reviews

[Dez the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential for any homeschool family who wants to get more tuned into nature via play.

We homeschool/unschool/forest school and refer to this book often. It has activities and nature information, as well as instructions on how to build or create things in nature. The book does a really good job specifying what age group certain activities are geared towards.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting this to be bigger, it was paper back size. I didn't find any activities I haven't seen in other books. Some photos would have brought this up to a 3 star. There were some line drawings.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Play the Forest School Way! I think that it is a sensational resource for the family. I appreciated the book's concept and philosophy, the adventure game suggestions, the attention to details related to nature and the environment, and the skill acquisition listings. I really liked how this book did much to encourage, foster and empower young minds toward a greater sense of creativity, toward a richer path of communication, and toward a more meaningful quality of learning. I wish I could get my hands on a hard copy so that I can refer to it over and over again. It's definitely a treasure.

If I could, I would gift this book to all of my students. It is a keeper that will have a lasting benefit.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: All
Status: Educational, Non-fiction, Nature/Environment
Keeper: Yes

Source: NetGalley

[Bloodorange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars, rounded up; a charming book, with fittingly "vintage", but detailed illustrations, written with _a lot of respect for children_, providing very specific tips on how to establish what activities will be good for your child (or the group), as well as great safety tips and suggestions of follow-up discussions for each activity.

What I think this book needed more of, and which perhaps is remedied in the second book, was more activities for single children, although I do understand this was to be, primarily, a resource for people who conduct group activities.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have loved to have had this book when my now grown children were young. This is chock full of things they would have loved to have done (and some they did do).

The book is divided into four sections: "Nature Explorers", "Forest Arts", "Survival Skills", and "Wildlife Team Games".

Under "Nature Explorers" you'll find
*journey stick *woodland mapping *acorn hide-and-seek *scavenger hunt *my tree *photographic memory

Under "Forest Arts" you'll find
*magic wands *mud faces *nature's headdresses *ice art *bow and arrow *woodland jewelery *stick frames

Under "Survival Skills" you'll find
*essential knots *building shelters *making fire *chimney kettle *wild food

Under "Wildlife Team Games" you'll find
*what's my animal
*forest fire
*predators track prey
*web of life
*bat and moth
*hungry birds
*ant trail
*sleeping bear

Sounds like fun! Can't wait to get started!!

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent for teachers that organise forest school lessons. It may give them inspiration on a variety of crafts and games to carry out in the forest using nature. The book also has a survival skills section which could be used to teach children useful and basic skills.

[Lori Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book full of ideas, activities, lessons, talking points, and enthusiasm about learning outdoors with kids (mostly for ages 4-10 or so)!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has great ideas for ways to get outside and connect with nature through games, crafts and survival skills. Honestly though, you could find the same and more ideas on Pinterest. Warning: it refers to old earth several times.

[Liz Strawser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas for outdoor play!

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Handy primer for folks developing ideas for purposeful outdoor play—I think it’s better suited to families than teachers. Some sweet ideas I’ll certainly try with my class this year!

[Nicoletta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una lettura abbastanza interessante, alcune attività più di altre. Non imperdibile.

[Heather Pehnec · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some lovely ideas especially for groups. It has kid appeal, for sure. Adrian thought I brought it home for him (which I guess, technically speaking, I did). He read through the entire thing on his own too.

[Mark Schleier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid reference guide of creating learning moments with kids (or even people who aren't outdoorsy people). While I was reading it, I actually took several lessons and created some learning moments with my kids, and we had a great time. I'll definitely be referencing this book in the future, and I'll probably bring it with me on all future family camping trips, to have some fun learning with my kids.

Book rating criteria; to help objectify my ratings.
1. Will I read it again?
Half star, but I'll definitely be referencing it for years to come as I try to incorporate learning moments with my kiddos.

2. Would I recommend this to others?
Half star, definitely some great ideas on educating kids outside. I view this book as more of a field manual/reference guide in actually facilitating learning moments. The book is made of paper though... I would have loved to have seen this book printed in something that's more outside ready (waterproofing/durable materials). Also, a lot of these games and activities you could find online by doing some quick searches.

3. Am I smarter, better or wiser as a result of this book?
Yes, and I really enjoyed some of the international twists on classic games.

4. Was I entertained while reading this/it kept my attention?
Yes, lots of really neat stuff.

5. This book was just the right length?
Yes.

[MrsMJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The authors seemed well-intentioned, but it feels a little like they’re trying too hard. It makes sense that being outdoors in nature feels better than staying enclosed indoors or spending our days in a concrete jungle, but talking about how being outdoors is “inclusive”, and how we need to feel “one with nature” is a bit overdoing it… I did give it 2 stars instead of just 1 because even though many of the activities were cheesy (or things people could come up with on their own), it does include instructions for tying various types of knots, and how to start a fire from scratch with a flint. Those were informative sections, so I gave it an extra star… It wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, but I feel like parents and caregivers could easily just let the kids play outside and the kids would get just as much out of nature, on their own, as they would have with these activities.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine, but my kids are not quite ready for the activities in the book. I also think that one of the huge benefits of outdoor play is the unstructured time where the kids can be creative. There's nothing wrong with guided activities, but it's not a huge priority for me when it comes to outdoor play.

[Katie Rybakova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how this book is set up. It allows for both an in-depth read as well as an opportunity to pick and choose appropriate child-led activities. Highly recommend, especially for elementary school teachers and homeschooling families.

[Morrigan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Definitely helps you foster a love of the forest and nature for you and your kids, and teaches them ways to be curious, inquisitive, observant, and confident in the world around them through play.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource for groups of younger kids. There's a small number of ideas for 6 years and older, but most seem appropriate for ages 5 and younger. A number of the team game ideas are especially clever.

[J. Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good basic games here and small enough to keep with you in knapsack, inner jacket pocket, etc.
Author Remy C. Garner also has articles and games like this. See https://medium.com/@rightrich2/guest-...

[Miranda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredibly basic. If you’ve ever done a search on Pinterest, you’ve probably heard 80% of this book before. There are harmful themes such as headdresses and other activities we would never do in our forest school. Check it at the library before purchasing.

[Greg Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the perfect book for when you're out and about with the family. It is jam packed full of ideas and of games that we used to play outside. This is one to have fun with.

[Whitney Boecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff- very inspiring. I will use this as a reference tool when I have kids eventually, it's hard to read this and not want to tramp around the woods being inspired.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am I so indoorsy that I bought a book to get ideas for what to do outside with my child? Yes. Yes I am. And I’ll buy the sequel, too.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun ideas

[Calsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple activities to kickstart a love of nature and exploration. Excited to have some ideas to encourage imagination and wonder in my kids as we explore our forest.

[Jessica Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s got a lot of great activities for the kids.

[Hannah Birkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

cannae wait to try out some of these on the wee bairns

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book, it felt like I was holding a piece of art.

[Lauren Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely liked all the games and activities from this book, I was impressed. Will be using these ideas for a nature study for my preschooler. Four stars because the writing was basic.

[Reading]

《带孩子去森林：来自“森林学校”的游戏与成长指南》（英）彼特·洪顿、珍妮·沃伦。

有一些地方很有意思，是没想到的。有一些可能比较难以执行。相信有参与这样体验的孩子和大人，一定会和之前的生活方式和看大自然的角度和眼光不同。大自然确实可以治愈我们。