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.

You stay too

Outplay. Outlearn. is a parent/caregiver-attended programme. Parents and caregivers remain responsible for the active supervision and safety of their own children throughout the session.

This doesn't mean hovering over your child or directing their play all morning. We encourage adults to give children plenty of space to explore, make decisions, take appropriate risks and become absorbed in their own play.

You do, however, need to remain aware of where your child is and what they are doing at all times. For activities involving higher levels of risk, such as tools, cooking, water or climbing, parents and caregivers need to stay close and actively supervise and participate alongside their child.

Your role might look different from moment to moment:

• Stay aware of where your child is and what they are doing

• Stay close and actively supervise during higher-risk activities

• Give them space to explore and play independently when appropriate

• Support rather than direct their problem-solving and decision-making

• Allow room for challenge and manageable risk

Some children need a parent close by throughout the session. Others become deeply absorbed in play and need very little involvement from their caregiver. Both are completely normal.

There will be plenty of opportunities to work alongside your child in activities such as cooking, gardening, woodwork and practical projects, as well as time to step back and simply enjoy a cuppa while they play.

You don't need to direct your child's play, but you do need to know where they are and remain responsible for their safety.

Forest School is something experienced together: muddy boots, practical skills, outdoor adventure, curiosity and plenty of room for children to grow.

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.