No such thing as bad weather: 5 Forest School activities for the winter

When it's cold, dark and drizzly outside, it's tempting to stay tucked up indoors until Spring. But there's a well-loved Scandinavian saying worth remembering this winter: there's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.

At N, our children head outside every day, come rain or shine. And Winter brings a magic all of its own. Frosty grass crunches underfoot, puddles are just begging to be jumped in, and bare branches make it easier than ever to spot the birds.

In this guide, we look at where Forest School comes from, why it's so good for children's learning and wellbeing, and five simple Forest School activities your family can enjoy together this winter. You don't need a forest, either. A garden, local park or any patch of green space will do.

Where does Forest School come from?

Forest School might feel like a modern idea, but its roots go back a long way, to a way of life that sees time outdoors as something to enjoy all year round.

Scandinavian roots and friluftsliv

In Scandinavia, there's a word for the love of outdoor living: friluftsliv, which roughly means open-air life. It's seen as a way of life there, and it shapes how young children are cared for and educated. Children spend long stretches of time outdoors in every season, learning through play, exploration and a deep connection with nature.

That same spirit is behind our own approach. At N, we describe Forest School as having Scandinavian roots, and the idea that weather is part of the adventure, not a reason to stay in, runs right through it.

How Forest School came to the UK

Forest School arrived in the UK in 1993, when a group of nursery nurses from Bridgwater College in Somerset visited Denmark to see how its preschools worked. Inspired by the outdoor, play-based approach they saw, they started their own Forest School for the children at their college creche.

From there, the idea spread through nurseries and schools across the country. Today, Forest School is a familiar part of early years education, and the Forest School Association, founded in 2012, champions it across the UK.

Forest School at N today

At N, nature is at the heart of our children's discovery. Every day, they head outdoors to explore, whether that's making dens with foraged sticks, finding bugs under logs, planting herbs or splashing in water troughs. You can find out more about our approach on our outdoor learning page.

The principles and benefits of Forest School

Forest School is about much more than simply being outside. It's a thoughtful approach that supports children's learning, health and wellbeing all at once.

The six principles of Forest School

The Forest School Association sets out six principles that shape good Forest School practice:

• Long-term: sessions happen regularly over time, rather than as one-off visits.
• Nature: sessions take place in woodland or natural spaces, building children's connection with the natural world.
• Risk: children are given supported chances to take risks that suit them and their surroundings.
• Holistic learning: it supports children's physical, social, emotional and thinking skills together.
• Leadership: sessions are led by qualified practitioners.
• Community: children learn together as part of a supportive group.

At N, this looks like children exploring freely, taking measured risks and building independence, all in a safe and supportive setting.

Learning and development benefits

Time in nature gives children endless chances to wonder, question and try things out. Forest School helps children grow in confidence, curiosity and self-esteem, and it builds problem-solving skills as they work out how to cross a muddy patch or balance a stick. It's wonderful for language too, as children find new words for textures, weather and wildlife. Along the way, they learn to care for the planet and the creatures they share it with.

Health and wellbeing benefits

Outdoor play gets children moving in all sorts of ways. Walking on uneven ground, climbing, squatting and balancing build strong gross motor skills, while picking up sticks, threading and pouring help develop fine motor skills.

UK guidance recommends that children under five are physically active for at least 180 minutes a day, spread throughout the day, and outdoor play is a great way to get there. Time outdoors also offers a calm change of pace from busy indoor days, giving children space to run, explore and simply be.

Why winter is a great time for Forest School

Winter offers things no other season can. There's frost to crunch, ice to explore, mud to squelch and bare trees that make birds much easier to spot. With the right layers on, it's one of the most exciting times of year to head outdoors.

5 Forest School activities to try this winter

These activities use everyday materials and work in any garden, park or green space. Pick one for a frosty weekend morning and see where it takes you.

1. Ice painting

On a cold evening, fill a few plastic tubs or a baking tray with water and leave them outside or in the freezer overnight. In the morning, tip out the ice blocks and set your child loose with watercolours or water mixed with a little food colouring. They'll love watching the colours spread across the surface, seep into cracks and slowly melt away.

Ice painting is a brilliant sensory experience, and it's a gentle introduction to colour mixing and cause and effect. Find more ideas in our ice painting guide.

2. Frozen dinosaur egg rescue

Pop small toy dinosaurs inside balloons, fill them with water and freeze overnight. Peel away the balloons to reveal icy dinosaur eggs, then challenge your child to rescue the dinosaurs inside.

Offer a few tools, like warm water in a jug, a pinch of salt and some spoons, and let them experiment with what works best. It's a fantastic way to practise problem-solving and patience, and all that pouring and chipping is great for fine motor skills. See our frozen dinosaur eggs activity for step-by-step instructions.

3. Puddle science and mud play

Rainy days are the perfect excuse to pull on wellies and head outside. Before you start jumping, turn puddles into a mini science lab. Use a stick to measure how deep each puddle is, or test which natural objects float and which sink: leaves, twigs, pebbles or acorns.

If there's a muddy corner nearby, a few old pots and spoons are all you need for mud pies, potions and muddy cakes. Messy play like splashing, stomping and stirring is great for gross motor development. It's also the best possible proof that there's no such thing as bad weather.

4. Winter bird feeders

Winter can be a tough time for garden birds, and making feeders is a lovely way to help them while learning about nature. Tie a piece of string around a pine cone, then help your child spread it with lard or vegetable suet and roll it in birdseed. Hang your feeders from a branch or fence where you can see them from a window.

Keep a simple picture chart of the birds that visit, and count how many come each day. It's a wonderful way to encourage patience, observation and care for wildlife. If anyone in your family has allergies, choose a nut-free birdseed mix.

5. Wind streamers

Blustery winter days are perfect for wind streamers. Tie ribbons, strips of fabric or crepe paper to the end of a stick, then head outside to see what the wind can do. Children can run, twirl and leap to make their streamers dance, and spot which way the wind is blowing and how strong it is.

It's simple early science, and all that running and spinning makes it a great gross motor activity too. Take a look at our wind streamers guide for more ideas.

Staying warm, dry and safe outdoors

The right kit makes all the difference to winter adventures. A few simple tips:

• Layer up. A base layer, a warm middle layer and a waterproof outer layer keep children cosy and dry.
• Cover hands, heads and feet. Hats, gloves and warm socks with wellies are essential. Pack spare gloves, as they're usually the first thing to get wet.
• Waterproof trousers or a puddle suit mean children can kneel, sit and splash without getting soaked.
• Bring a warm drink and a snack. A cosy break keeps energy up and makes the outing feel extra special.
• Keep it short for younger children. Head home before anyone gets too cold, and finish on a high.
• Stay safe. Wash hands after mud and nature play, make sure nothing foraged goes in mouths, and keep well away from frozen ponds and lakes.

Closing thoughts

Winter doesn't have to mean staying indoors. With warm layers and a sense of adventure, every frosty morning and rainy afternoon is a chance to explore, play and learn together. Why not pick one of these activities to try this weekend?

Find out more about outdoor learning at N, or explore more ideas to try at home on The Family Hub.