FREE FOREST SCHOOL
Outdoor Play. Child Led Exploration. Community.
Free Forest School groups are volunteer-led, free, and open to families with young children.
What is Free Forest School?
Foundations of Free Forest School
Child-led
Children's interests and discoveries guide their experience.
Free play
Every gathering includes at least 60 minutes of uninterrupted free play.
Nature immersion
Groups meet regularly in natural areas—not playgrounds or structured recreational spaces.
Community
Families return week after week, building relationships with each other and with the places they visit.
What to Expect from a Gathering
Every group is a little different, but you can expect time outdoors, child-led exploration, free play, and opportunities to connect with other families.
Groups meet weekly in the same natural area, creating a familiar place where children can build relationships with the landscape and community over time.
Free Forest School is a global network of local groups where families gather regularly in natural spaces for child-led outdoor play.
There isn't a lesson plan or a set of activities to complete. Children explore, play, take appropriate risks, and follow their curiosity while caregivers provide support and connection.
Who is Free Forest School For?
Anyone who cares for a young child and wants to spend more time outdoors.
Parents. Grandparents. Foster parents. Babysitters. Teachers. Childcare providers. Neighbors. Friends.
You don't need to be an outdoor expert. You just need to show up.
Everyone in Welcome
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to play in nature and every family should feel welcome in our community.
Free Forest School welcomes families and leaders of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and abilities. We are committed to building communities where people feel included, valued, respected, and empowered.
OUR VISION
A world where every child grows up playing outdoors.
OUR MISSION
Nurturing kids and empowering adults by connecting to nature, culture and each other through outdoor play.
Ready to Get Outside?
Find a Group
Connect with families in your community.
Start a Group
Bring Free Forest School to your community.
Want to Go Deeper?
Explore the ideas and practices behind Free Forest School.
Emergent Learning
How children's interests and the natural environment shape learning.
Outdoor Play
Why unstructured outdoor play matters for children and adults.
Raising Outdoor Kids
Ideas and resources for making outdoor time part of everyday family life.