Welcome to our Forest School Taster Day example programme!

Below is a suggested plan for your taster day. Timings are of course flexible and we welcome discussion regarding appropriate activities. Please also read our case study of a taster day run for Lord Street Nursery (Derby City) in 2012 to give you a better idea of a taster day.

Timing 9.45-2.45

9.45: walk to site following arrows and making woodland bracelets

10am  Introductions and ice breakers

10.10: Play a Forest school game and make a den for a woodland animal

10.40 Break and review

11am Forest School information activity and blind fold game

11.40am using tools to make a woodland medallion

12.30 LUNCH and marshmallows around the camp fire. Stick whittling and discussions.

1.15 pm: Forest School game

1.30 pm:  Forest School and outdoor play: taking it forward in your setting: action plan and craft activity

2.15pm: Time to reflect

2.30pm put out fire and evaluate

Lord Street Nursery Forest School Taster Day: a case study

The day began with a walk through the bracken and pine trees to the Forest School site, where we left an offering at the magic tree which marked the entrance to the log sitting circle. We then had a chnce to introduce each other and find out why we had all come to the woods that day. It felt really calming already and we had only been there 10 minutes!

We all had to go and find an animal card hidden in the woodland and a 'stick friend'. then we were allowed to play! We built dens for our animals and stick friends. One person made a badger and lots of friends for badger who were bringing him gifts for his woodland feast. Another person made a den she could lay in and peep out at the rest of the woods from.

After a break, we were all given woodland names and used a bowsaw and several types of hand drills to make our woodland medallions which we decorated and hung woodland beads from, we then looked at making a fire and boiling water for a cup of tea! It was brilliant to be shown how and then to have a go.

After toasting marshmallows (using sticks we had whittled) and having lunch, we played a game and made willow crowns to wear whilst we found a special place to sie in in the woods and make a woodland promise to ourselves after refelcting on the day. We were informed about Forest Schools during the day and worked as a group to explore how we could take Forest Schools further. There was lots of opportunity for discussion and to ask an experienced forest school leader and trainer lots of questions. We left with new ideas to use with our groups and inspired to develop our knowledge of Forest School further- what a wonderful day!