Description
Book SynopsisForest School Handbook is lively collection of activities, crafts, bushcraft skills and nature-based play which will inspire kids to thrive outside.
Whether just popping out for a walk, going camping or exploring in the woods, this handy-sized book will be your essential guide for connecting with the natural world. Packed with ideas and activities for children of all ages, there are bushcraft basics, survival skills, nature crafts and ideas for both energising and peaceful outdoor play. Encouraging controlled risk taking, boosting social skills, wellbeing and a healthy resilience, this is the ultimate way to avoid battles over screen time and classroom-induced fatigue.
Build a shelter from what you find around you, design a natural collage, tie useful knots, get to know a tree, light a fire, filter dirty water, make charcoal, go on a night walk, make a bug hotel, create a mini village, whittle a stick and much more.
- Aimed at parents, outdoor teachers or anyone passionate about getting back to basics
- Grab-and-go size makes it easy to pack in your outdoor kit bag
- Written by award-winning outdoor specialists, with detailed knowledge of Forest School practices and who are experienced leading school groups either as a thrilling woodland class outing or online
- Includes traditional Forest School activities and beyond. Catering for older children who are ready to explore more involved primitive skills and bushcraft
- Playing and learning outside in nature has been shown to benefit children in many ways, such as improved moods, concentration, confidence and self-esteem
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Forest School Adventure has sold c.35,000 copies and been translated into French, German, Czech and Italian
Trade Review5 STAR REVIEW
Forest School Handbook is a fantastic forest school guide written by two absolute experts in bringing practical learning, fun activities and survival skills to children in the great outdoors. The book is packed with information, ideas and explanations that cover a huge range of bush craft skills.
Outdoor play and experiences are at the forefront of ensuring the wellbeing and positive mental health of our children and this book is an excellent resource to use. It helps adults and children safely and confidently immerse themselves in nature themed learning and fun.
It is a glossy, useful and delightful book - with obvious expertise and enthusiasm behind it.
-- Jennifer Caddick, teacher * Reading Zone *
This handy-sized book, easy to fit in your jacket pocket or rucksack, is perfect for taking on adventures outdoors with the kids! It includes over 75 activities for children ages 5 to 11 on how to build simple but effective shelters and dens, how to tie an array of useful knots, how to collect and filter water, how to forage safely and a multitude of other outdoor crafts that will give them confidence and a life-long love and appreciation for nature and enjoying it responsibly.
* Right Start Online *
Altogether a smashing little book that deserves to be in every family and class collection.
-- Jill Bennett * Red Reading Hub *
This little book is super handy to take outdoors and to get inspired in the nature classroom… It’s packed with exciting collection of activities, crafts, bushcraft skills and nature based play to inspire children to thrive outside.
* @the_treasure_outdoors *
From beginner to expert, there's ideas here for everyone: nature awareness activities using the senses, crafts, den building and knots as well as skill building and survival ideas, such as fire lighting, water filters, first aid, foraging, cooking and primitive skills (perfect for a Stone Age topic). I can't wait to start using this brilliant book at home and school. I'd recommend a bit of planning before trying some of these activities, but it's the perfect size to pop in the rucksack so you're always prepared for an outdoor adventure!
* @mrsbrownsbookbox *
This is a wonderful book, I love the size of it too, fits nicely into my bag to take out and about! It’s full of lots of interesting activities to do with nature in particular forest school!
* @the_little_adventurer_ *
If you’re wondering what Forest School looks like, for activity inspiration or basic knots, this Forest School Handbook may be useful to you! It’s full of fantastic outdoor and nature activity ideas and inspiration, wild food knowledge, fire safety and tips, camp craft, primitive skills and more. From two highly knowledgeable practitioners, who specialise in bush craft and Stone Age skills, it’s rather valuable!
* @homeplayexplore *
BRILLIANT and full of activities, crafts, bushcraft skills and nature based play which will inspire kids to thrive outdoors!
* @growingthroughplay *
Do you enjoy being outdoors? Or are you looking for a book to inspire your kiddos to step away from screens and embrace nature? If so, The Forest School Handbook is the perfect summer read. It is packed with activities, crafts, and nature-based play.
* @picturebookrecommendations *
A remarkable compendium of fun, safe, and educational DIY outdoor activities, the "Forest School Handbook" will be an enduringly valued and appreciated resource for parents and teachers wanting to offer children attractive alternatives to their computer, phone, and television screens. "Forest School Handbook" is a critically important and valued addition to family, preschool, elementary school, middle school, and community library Nature Crafting & Activities collections.
* Mid-West Book Review *
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Playing in nature
Nature Awareness
Mini beast hunting
Night vision
Muddy tracks
Sit spot
Stalking walks
Flour trail tracker
Observation stations
Get to know a tree
Camouflage hands
Outdoor games
Outdoor crafts
Bird feeder
Bug hotel
Playing with clay
Leaf and flower plaques
Natural collage and sculptures
Goblin villages and mini dens
Nest building
Storytelling stones
Leaf printing
Nature weaving
Shadow painting
Leaf watercolour
Nature journal
Leaf bunting
Stick boats
Things to do with conkers
Useful knots
Knot terminology
Clove hitch
Double half hitch
Sheet bend
Siberian hitch
Timber hitch
Prusik
Square lashing
Slippery guy line
Canadian jam knot
Sledge knot
Hanking cord
Shelters and dens
Lean-to shelter
A-frame shelter
Baker’s tarp
Tarp bender
Fire
Safety
Sources of tinder
Firewood
Lighting a fire with a fire steel
Fire lays
Making charcoal
Making char cloth
Carrying fire
Group bow drill
Water
Collecting water
Birch tapping
Bottle filter
Camp craft
Cordage
Giant grass rope
Knife safety
Sharpening a knife
Carving a butter knife
Leather tinder pouch
Wilderness survival
Making stretchers
Signal fire
Plants for first aid
Primitive skills
Slate arrow
Pine pitch glue
Atl atl and spear
Fat lamps
Nut lamps
Grass mat
Natural clay
Cave art and natural paints
