Forest School is a globally recognised, long-term, child-led approach to learning held outdoors. It’s built on the understanding that children thrive when they have time, freedom, movement, challenge, and connection with the natural world.

• children spend long stretches of time outdoors in all weather

• nature is viewed as an everyday environment rather than a special excursion

• play is child-led, with active participation from adults when invited by children only, or required for safety

• adults trusting children to take appropriate risks

• resilience, confidence, creativity, and wellbeing developing naturally through experience

• seasons and weather being embraced rather than avoided

Our sessions are about giving children space to become deeply engaged in play, practical skills, discovery, and relationship-building - with nature, with others, and with themselves.

Unlike traditional forest schools that operate from a single site, Outplay. Outlearn. is a mobile forest school. Each week we meet in a different natural space - parks, reserves, bush areas, river edges, and green spaces across community. This allows children to build familiarity with many different kinds of environments, landscapes, ecosystems, and seasonal changes. Children begin to understand that nature is not something separate from everyday life - it exists all around us, everywhere.

At Outplay. Outlearn., nothing is compulsory.

Each session includes optional invitations which may include things such as:

• tool use

• woodwork

• outdoor cooking

• food preparation

• weaving

• gardening

• shelter building

• nature crafts

• loose parts construction

• bushcraft skills

• seasonal projects

Children are free to engage deeply, briefly, or not at all. Some children spend an entire morning in the mud kitchen. Others build dams, climb trees, observe insects, create imaginary worlds, or work carefully on practical projects. We believe this freedom is where genuine learning happens. Adults are present for support, safety, mentoring, and relationships - but children direct much of their own play and learning.

We operate in most weather conditions throughout the year.

Children are remarkably capable outdoors when dressed appropriately, and regular outdoor experiences across the seasons help children develop resilience, adaptability, confidence, and a genuine connection to the natural world.

Rain, wind, mud, frost, puddles, changing leaves, bird calls, cold hands, warm sunshine — these are all part of the experience.

There is no such thing as “perfect” weather for nature play.

Only different opportunities.

Outplay. Outlearn. is a parent/caregiver-attended programme - you stay too.

But this isn’t about hovering over your child or directing their play all morning.

In a rich natural environment, children often settle into deep engagement surprisingly quickly. Parents regularly tell us they find sessions restorative for themselves as well.

There is space to:

• slow down

• observe your child differently

• connect with like-minded families

• enjoy being outdoors together

• step away from the rush of everyday life

Some children need a parent close by to feel secure. Others disappear happily into play for long stretches and return only when hungry.

A parent’s role shifts depending on the needs of the child, but at its heart our philosophy encourages adults to:

• observe more

• intervene less

• trust children’s capabilities

• support rather than control

• allow room for challenge, struggle, problem-solving, and growth

At times adults may work alongside children in collaborative experiences such as cooking, gardening, crafting, or practical projects. At other times, your role may simply be to sit quietly with a warm drink while your child becomes immersed in the world around them.

Forest School is something experienced together - muddy boots, birdsong, rain jackets, curiosity, and all.

We strongly believe mixed-age environments are incredibly valuable for children.
In modern life, children are often separated by age almost constantly. In nature-based spaces, however, children naturally learn from one another in powerful ways.

Older children develop:

• leadership

• patience

• empathy

• responsibility

• communication skills

Younger children gain:

• confidence

• inspiration

• language development

• practical skills through observation

• opportunities for collaborative play

Mixed-age play also creates a stronger sense of community and belonging. Children learn to navigate real social dynamics, care for one another, and work together.

Part of our role as adults is coaching children in how to interact respectfully with tamariki of all ages - noticing smaller bodies, adapting play when needed, helping rather than overpowering, and becoming caring members of a shared community space.

We do this through modelling, guidance, and relationship-building rather than constant control or intervention.