We love forest school activities and crafts over here. This post is filled with fun forest school activities to do at home or in the forest with your family. They make great outdoor activities for children. These nature-based crafts and activities are great for connecting children with nature.
Ad – This post contains affiliate links. These are marked with *. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Below you’ll find great ideas for nature crafts and other forest school style activities that you might like to try.
I’ve taken my kids to loads of forest school playgroups and classes over the years but now more than ever we need ideas we can enjoy at home, in our garden or if we are lucky, on a woodland walk with our own family.
Fun forest school activities to do at home
No trip to the forest is complete without collecting a few sticks. There are many things you can do with these sticks both in the forest or if you take a few a home. In this blog post on fun things to do with sticks, I share over 30 ideas for things to do with them.
Learning doesn't need to be confined to the classroom. Why not teach young children numbers by hiding them around and asking them to find them and put them in the correct order.
My children love scavenger hunts and this free winter scavenger hunt printable is proving very popular with my readers too. Get yours free here.
Go find it cards are perfect for keeping in your pocket for all woodland walks. You can even use them in your garden. They help create a unique and different scavenger hunt each time based on sensory elements in nature. Click through for my full review.
Creating art with nature is such a fun and simple way to spend an afternoon with kids.
Hapa Zome is the Japanese art pounding natural pigments in to cloth and can be done with a variety of leaves and flowers.
This idea is very similar to my nature art above but I love the addition of frames.
Another craft that uses just sticks and wool. Aren't these teepees cute?
Learn too simple ways to make
We absolutely love painting with nature. You can use pine cones, leaves, sticks and near enough any item you can find in nature.
These bird feeders are quick and easy to make and they'll be a welcome addition to your garden.
Another really easy bird feeder that your kids will love to make. This time using toilet rolls, peanut butter and bird seeds.
These frozen sun catchers are fun to make and they'll look so pretty in your winter garden.
We love nature weaving. It's something that you can do in your own garden or even on a walk.
This makes a lovely water activity in the spring and summer when your garden is in bloom and you can spare a few flowers. Herbs would be a great addition too if you grow any.
This is another beautiful floral activity that your kids will love.
Making god's eyes is a creative activity that we have enjoyed at home and at a forest school group. Find out how to make them here.
Aren't these just the cutest nature craft? They're so simple to make too.
If you thought the hedgehog was cute, you're going to love these pine cone owls.
Find ideas for Easy nature art activities here.
Are you looking for ideas specifically for EYFS-aged (toddler and preschool) ideas? Then you need this post – Forest school activities for 2 year olds.
Why not find more ideas for bird feeders for children to make here?
If you want even more forest school activity ideas then try these fantastic outdoor activity books for kids.
More fun ways to get kids outdoors
If you want more ideas for forest school activities, then you’ll love my extract from the book Wild days, Richard Irvine – find it here – how to build a den with sticks.
Find 100 ideas for things to do outside with kids here.
I’ve written a post with lots more great ideas for fun things to do on a walk with kids.
The woodland is a great place to visit in autumn. Find loads more ideas for Autumn activities for kids here.
Find 50+ inspiring outdoor play quotes to inspire you to get outside more.
Find lots of Nature walk games here
Pin for later
