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Getting Families Outside, One Adventure at a Time

unstructured free play

GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS
Starting A Forest Group for Kids
- November 5, 2020
Have you ever wished you had a local community of parents and kids that regularly met up to play together outside? Have you ever considered starting a playgroup, where the kids could socialize together while they run through the woods, hiked, and explored? Are you interested in meeting other like-minded parents that enjoy spending time outdoors? Well, this post is for you! Today, SarahRuth, Georgia mom of three and outdoor educator, shares everything you need for starting a forest group for kids. (Your outdoor playgroup doesn’t have to be in the forest – it can be anywhere.) She helps you come up with your vision for your forest group, a routine for your meetings and advice for how to get the word out. This is a post you’re not going to want to miss!
The idea to start a forest group
Hello, there outdoor mama! So, you’ve found your stride and you are wracking up your hours outside. You already know that time outdoors is important for your children and their development. You know how wonderful you feel after spending time outside. Your children love your forest forays and outdoor adventures together. Yet, something is missing. After several frolics under the green canopy, you realize what it is…community.
We, humans, are social creatures and when you love something (like spending time outside), it’s natural to want to share it with others. Getting outside is now a priority, so why not share the forest with a group of like-minded folks? Starting a forest playgroup for kids may have never been on your radar. Maybe it’s something you never considered or ever planned to do. And yet, it’s exactly what you know you’d love to do and you are ready to embark on this new adventure. I’m here to tell you how to do it and why it’s such a wonderful idea.
The vision for your forest group
Starting a forest group for kids can be a huge undertaking. In order to ensure the best chances of success, let’s pull together a game plan. The first step in the process of starting a forest group is to come up with a vision for your group and think about what you want it to look and feel like. Here are some questions to consider right away:
How old are your children?
Do you intend to keep the group within a similar age range or open it up to all ages?
How many kids?
Where you will meet? Is there a place you have been visiting in the woods?
Does it have any major risk factors for children?
How you will communicate with others?
Will social media play a role? (Many large forest groups use groups on social media to advertise locations, times, and dates of meet-ups. Smaller groups are most comfortable using a more personal method like texting.)
What are the leadership roles for the adults?
Will there be lessons or just open play?
What about food and snacks? Supplies and gear?
Do you want to put together a set of rules or general group guidelines?
Bringing on additional support
As you write down the answers to these questions, keep your vision in mind, and plan accordingly. When starting a forest group for kids, nothing is set in stone. You can always make changes later and adapt to the circumstances that arise. The planning part should be fun, so don’t let all the questions overwhelm you into not taking any action. It also helps to get help. Instead of pioneering a group individually, I have found having a co-director is wise and keeps me motivated and accountable. Teaming up with another like-minded adult means you will have double the ideas, as well as a fill-in when you are sick, or cannot be as engaged in the group.
Finding a base camp for your forest group
One of the primary roles of the person facilitating a forest group for kids is locating a place for the kids to meet and learn together. Groups usually take on one of two characteristics in this regard. They either choose a specific location and have their meetings there every time or they choose a new location and explore a different place at each meet-up. Both models have their benefits! Keep in mind the skill level, hiking ability, and ages of the participating children. This will help guide decisions about where to meet at events.
Stationary base camp
“Follow me!” 7-year-old Nellie shouts as she races forward on the trail.
“Wow! She is confident,” remarks a new forest group parent as they observe several children run behind Nellie and down the trail.
One idea is that remaining at the same base camp from week-to-week for months (or even years) creates a known environment. Children become comfortable, and eventually even experts in their space. They know the trails leading in, and around their base camp. Choosing the same base camp for an extended period of time can be beneficial for observing seasonal changes.
Nellie is an example of a child who is reaping the benefits of returning to the same space over and again. Her leadership skills are flourishing, and other children easily fall in step with her as a guide.
Roving location base camp
“Today we plan to use our map skills and cardinal direction knowledge to find our base camp,” instructs an adult as several children flock around them with interested faces. After a brief trail talk, the adult passes out compasses and asks the children to use a simple forestry map to head to their base camp for the day.
The other option is to decide to host your outdoor playgroup in a new location each time you meet. The above example shows how a base camp might be different at each event and how that might benefit children. Children practice using learned skills, they develop teamwork and learn how to explore new places, and adapt well to change. They figure out how to find a great base camp location at each meeting and learn how to safely explore unknown locations.
Hybrid
Some forest groups will choose to have both a stationary base camp, as well as events at new locations with spontaneous destination-based hikes and adventures.
Setting the structure of your forest group
When starting a forest group for kids, the next step after finding your base camp is to identify goals and structure for meetings. There is a school of thought that says children in the woods should be their own kingdom. Not infringed upon by the plans and ire of adults. Instead, they can create a world of their own, where they are the kings and queens and rule the land. Adults, step aside! You are the moat around their kingdom. Position yourselves as a border around the chosen base camp, spread your blankets, chat with a friend. You are a gatekeeper only.
There are many perks to having an “unstructured” forest playgroup that gives kids lots of time for free play. The many benefits of unstructured free play in nature have been documented in research again and again. Kids need time like this to be kids without adult interference. Plus, it’s easier for the adults, as there’s no need to plan activities or bring supplies. Watch, be aware, and relax while your children build friendships and explore.
At some point, or in some groups, a group lesson is important. This can either be an educational lesson, a skills lesson, or even just reading a book to the kids. This “forest school” approach is a great way to incorporate lessons and educational activities into an outdoor setting where kids learn best. Teaching outdoor skills using great books can be useful as well as essential to raising future environmentalists and earth tenders. Moreover, foraging, Leave No Trace, map skills, fort building, nature observation, and more are lessons that are best taught in the forest.
Some groups will have multiple events every week and can host both uninhibited play meetups as well as more structured “forest school” types of lessons. You can definitely do both and adapt as your kids get older and express interest in certain things.
Bring your friends to your forest group for kids
Storytime at the library will forever go down in history as the place I left my pride. Storytime was over, but a sweet little baby riding in her mom’s carrier kept grinning at me as I walked around the room re-shelving the books my two tyrants had strewn about. I wanted badly to approach and greet the mom, but just couldn’t get up the nerve. She left.
Suddenly, I find myself in the parking lot beside this mom, baby, and toddler. Breathless, I try and explain why I followed her to her van, “Hi! I know this is strange, but your baby is beautiful and friendly and, well, I didn’t know if you would maybe like to meet with some other moms at my place sometime? I am trying to get some folks together….”.
Call me crazy, but that was exactly how my first ever moms group started. Later, this mom became my best friend. I learned she had battled postpartum depression and she shared, “I had been waiting for someone to ask me over!”
Another dear friendship was born from a chance online encounter in a large mom’s group on Facebook. We realized we were in the same area. We agreed to meet up. The rest is history in the woods because she ran forest groups with me for three years thereafter.
Here’s the deal: making new mom friends can be hard. Sometimes you just have to get out of your comfort zone. The woods are a level playing field. Invite the mom struggling to get through the grocery store with three littles in tow to your forest group. Post an invitation at the library so other nature-loving moms can find it. Drop off an invite at the local food bank. Mention your forest group each time you hang out with friends. Growing a group takes some courage, but it’s so worth it. The friendships that develop (both at the mom and kid-level) are just incredible. Starting a forest group for kids was one of the best things I could do for myself as a mom.
Finding your stride in your forest group events for kids
A glimpse into a forest playgroup meeting:
About 15 children and 6 adults encircle a forest sign marking a trail. One adult can be heard over the rest, briefly instructing the adults to silence phones and keep them put up. One caregiver agrees to be the “photographer” for the day. Then a cheerful song begins. Some children sing and clap while others listen. Brief guidelines are provided with the children listing them almost independently.
Be within sight of adults.
Leaves of three, leave them be.
Gentle hands (with each other and nature).
Sticks pointed down.
Rocks are thrown away from others.
Pack in, pack out.
And then they’re off to play!
That is the forest group way! Simple guidelines shared and then off for a grand adventure. Many groups like to have a rhythm, an expected sequence of events, not necessarily tied to any specific times. In groups I have led, we typically have a trail talk (like above), a hike in (about 15-20 minutes), time at base camp (an hour or so), shared snack, and storytime (15-20 minutes). After that, families can choose to continue to play, or leave. Having a general idea of the flow of events can help children and caregivers feel comfortable. It can also help others step into leadership roles when a director cannot be present.
What you need to know before starting a forest group
Unless you are a forest guru (and maybe you are!), chances are you won’t know tons about the forest and the surrounding area when you get started. Hence, I have become good at everything and an expert at nothing. In starting a forest group for kids, I have realized that I get to learn as I go. Right along with the kids! You don’t need to know everything to start a forest playgroup. That’s the best part!
However, if you like doing your research on projects before jumping right in, here are some suggested books for finding ideas, gaining knowledge, and just overall improving your insight on running a forest group for kids.
Play the Forest School Way: Woodland Games, Crafts, and Skills for Adventurous Kids
There is No Such Thing as Bad Weather
The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs
Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy With Your Children
Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children
If you are looking for great books to read while at your forest group events, this post is filled with amazing ideas. Including culturally diverse books is important as well.
The forest is calling
Be encouraged! So many people have started a forest group for kids before you. Many will after. This is YOUR moment, though. A group for YOUR kids. A place where you get to prioritize outdoor time and give your kids an incredible experience that will change their lives. (and maybe even yours) Work out the plan, find your courage, and then walk outside with your crew and invite your community to join in! You cannot fail, because starting is success in and of itself!
So now we need to know…
When are we meeting you in the woods?
About the author
SarahRuth is a homeschooling mother of three boys. She was raised in cities across the East coast, but now resides in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia where her husband grew up. Passionate about inspiring others to shift from the status quo of Western indoor life, she launched a local Free Forest School chapter in 2017. Her family clocked over 2k hours outdoors in 2019 and believes that outside time as a family is vital to a joy-filled life. She collects books, stray children, and as much coffee as her body will permit. When not foraging, chasing waterfalls, or camping with her crew, you can find SarahRuth crossing the globe from her laptop, teaching English full time online! She has two bachelor’s degrees in Education and is passionate about teaching children to love learning through outdoor adventures.
INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Creative Backyard Play Spaces for Kids
- June 24, 2020
We’re all spending a lot of time at home these days. And while that’s fine, we need to make sure a significant portion of that time is outdoors. Kids need outdoor playtime and the good news is that they can usually make the most of whatever outside space they have. This could be anything from a backyard, to a doorstep, a rooftop, a balcony, patio, or driveway. Today, we have the amazing Jemma of Thimble & Twig, London teacher and mom of 4, showing us how to make creative backyard play spaces for kids that encourage play and time outside!

The importance of time outside

Time outside is so beneficial for little ones, as is unstructured free play. Combining playtime and outdoor space means that kids can learn as they play. Outdoor play can help kids to become inventive, explore, and learn about the world around them. While they’re inventing and playing games with siblings or friends, they are improving their communication skills, learning about compromise, and how to negotiate. There are so many amazing benefits to unstructured free play outdoors.

However, not everyone has an outdoor space that encourages unstructured free play. Your outdoor space may not feel inviting to kids or inspire their imaginations. But, it doesn’t take much to change that! With a few simple changes or updates to your outdoor play area, you can create a space that encourages open-ended unstructured playtime and sparks your child’s imagination.

Creating outdoor backyard play spaces

Below, we’ve listed a few creative backyard play spaces and areas that you can incorporate into your backyard, patio, deck, balcony or any outdoor area. These can be interpreted and reinvented in a number of ways, based on your space, budget and age/interests of your kids. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on your outside space to make it more kid-friendly. A lot of the ideas below can be created cheaply or at no cost at all.

Climbing space

A climbing space is a great activity and form of exercise which uses every muscle in the body, and many, many parts of the brain! Climbing is awesome for children’s minds, bodies, and coordination. Kids love climbing, so it’s a good idea to include some sort of climbing space in your outdoor play area.

A climbing frame is amazing, but you could equally create a great climbing space out of old tree trunks, wood pallets or old chairs. If you have a strong wall in your garden or a fence, let your kids climb on it. Allow tree climbing or set up a rope climber. You could also use these climbing holds to create a climbing wall along a fence or the side of your house!

Digging space

Digging helps kids get immersed in imaginary worlds – they can pretend to dig to Australia or make sandcastles and fairy houses. The physical act of digging can strengthen hand muscles (needed for holding a pencil and handwriting) and improve hand-eye coordination.

Try to include a simple digging area in your outdoor play space to make your garden fun for kids. You could include a sandbox with buckets and shovels or a muddy digging area with toy cars. Set up a garden area where the kids can plant veggies and help dig up the weeds. Give them an area to dig for worms or look for rolly-pollies.

Water space

The best parenting advice I ever received was to “just add water” whenever kids were getting antsy or grumpy! If ever my son is feeling restless, I give him a squirty bottle of water and send him water the flowers! This simple task turns into a game and unstructured free play, which can occupy him for hours!

It makes sense that kids would love any kind of water space in a garden or backyard. You can start with a bucket of water and some pots and pans for mixing and stirring. Give them a hose and let them wash their toy cars (or your car!). Set up a water table or fill up a plastic sandbox with water. Add a kiddie pool or a sprinkler. Make an easy water wall out of plastic recycling – kids will love the pouring action! Add some funnels and this would be great for the hot summer months ahead! If you need more inspiration, see our favorite water games here!

Growing space

Another great element of a kid-friendly backyard is a space where kids can experiment with growing their own flowers, fruits and/or vegetables. Give them some compost (or let them help with the composting process), a few pots, dirt and seeds and let them loose planting. Talk out your plan, but let them decide where to plant and position their pots.

If your kids plant the seeds themselves, they’ll be much more likely to care for the plants. Give them a hose or a child-sized watering can and they’ll be prepped to love on their garden! If you’re feeling more adventurous you could add a vegetable or fruit garden. You can check out our post for ideas for the easiest and best kid-friendly vegetables!

Small world space

Kids love a space to have imaginary made up adventures with their toys. Tiny things fascinate kids, so a “small world” space it’s a great thing to add to an outdoor area. Depending on what your kids’ likes and interests are, there are countless ways to tailor a small world space just for them. There are some brilliant ideas in this Fairy Garden post and we have a great post on creating a dinosaur garden for kids.

If your child is into cars, trucks or trains, you could create a small space with roads where they can play. Using simple masking tapes or washi tapes – you could create a whole town for them to play with their cars! If your kids are into tractors, create a space where they can dig and create with their toy diggers, which will help develop their imaginations. Or using water and sand you could create a small world beach area with toy fish and sharks. The possibilities are endless!

Creative space

Incorporating art into the outdoors makes so much sense. It’s less messy and much easier to clean up for a start! Spread out a sheet and let your kids go wild with paints. Put the paints in a spray bottle and let them squirt or turn mud into paint (just add food coloring to mud) and let them play! Set up an outdoor chalkboard or an easel for them to draw to their heart’s content. Another easy way to let kids get creative outdoors is to give them a cardboard box to paint on! If you have a fence, try using washable chalk or chalk paint and when they’re finished with their masterpiece, they can wash it away with a paintbrush or the hose. No fence, just use the chalk on the sidewalk or the driveway! It’s a classic and well-loved kid-friendly activity for a reason!

Muddy space

Kids love nothing more than getting muddy and playing with mud is a great textural sensory activity. If possible, give your kids a little patch in the yard to dig in. No dirt? Get some potting soil and fill up a kiddie pool with it! Add some simple shovels, pans and bowls with mud in to mix and stir. You can create a mud kitchen with pallets if you want a more permanent place for kids to be able to mix, create and make potions. Or there are plenty of mud kitchens available on the market. My kids love making concoctions and creations in their mud kitchen! Check out our mud kitchen post for tons of ideas of mud kitchen recipes and potions. Or this post has 7 awesome & fun ways to play in mud.

Amazing backyard play spaces for kids

These are the basic elements for creating some super fun backyard play spaces for kids in your own yard that will encourage outdoor unstructured free play. Adding elements like these to your space will provide a safe and secure outdoor play and learning area for kids close to home and keep them entertained. Hopefully, this has given lots of creative play ideas for garden and backyard spaces to make them truly exciting for kids. Try adding a few of these and they’ll want to play outside all day long!

About the author

Jemma lives in London, England with her husband and kids. Her all-time favorite thing to do is take photos and capture memories of her family. She’s on a mission to ensure parenthood doesn’t rush by so quickly by creating mini family outdoor adventures and hopefully some big adventures too, one day! She’s a mum to four and an English teacher to many. She loves sharing her passion for storytelling, adventures, and nature crafts on her blog and here.

Find more from Jemma in the following locations:
Instagram: @thimbleandtwig
Blog: http://www.thimbleandtwig.com
Facebook: @thimbleandtwig
Etsy shop: ThimbleandTwig
RWMC posts: Jemma