Preparing for Winter Outdoor Adventures and glimpse into our own Forest School

Here I share five simple ways to ensure you & your wildlings enjoy winter in the outdoors.

Hello! I'm Elizabeth, a mother of three, married to Justin, residing in beautiful South Wiltshire, UK. Join me as I explore the joys of slow, seasonal living and share my personal motherhood journey, unschooling lifestyle and insights into building a forest school and self directed learning community.

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Our very own root children!

Hi friends,

As we get ready for the colder and wetter months ahead in England, I'm turning my attention to keeping cosy and warm, especially for our outdoor adventures and our regular gatherings at Forest School. A few weeks ago, I shared thoughts on The Cosy Charm Of Winter, this week, I'd like to delve further into how we get all set for our winter escapades and days at Forest School. We adore being in nature throughout the year, which means it's super important for us to stay warm, dry, and snug to fully enjoy our winter explorations.

Let me share a bit of our back story: almost twelve years back, Justin, my brother Ben, and I chose to forge a different path, one we hoped would shape a beautiful future for ourselves and our own children. Justin and Ben bravely left their jobs, we pooled our shared knowledge, expertise, and love for nature-cantered, self-guided learning. That's when we launched our very first forest preschool—a place entirely outdoors for little ones aged two to five, which was pretty much unheard of back then. Starting with just four children, we've grown and evolved naturally since then. Now, after twelve years, all our kids have journeyed through our forest nursery, preschool, and on to our Outdoor Adventurers Home Ed forest school and Embers Learning Community. Imagine, twelve years spent in our magical woodland, every week, in every season. It's truly something special, isn't it?

Here’s a little video from our early years building The Outdoor Learning Company… Keep an eye out for a very pregnant me and a teeny Agnes in her happy place (The original woodland swing).

You see, during winter, being a forest school practitioner becomes quite the task. Our team would agree that we're constantly ensuring the children are snug, dry, and cosy; juggling their warmth, fixing soggy socks, on and off with hats and gloves. But amidst this, there's the beauty of misty, frosty mornings together, the delight of cracking ice in our mud kitchen bowls, and the pure magic of witnessing those first experiences with those little souls. We cook on campfires, embark on lengthy hikes with the older kids, witness friendships bloom and sometimes wane, only to flourish once more. We splash in the mud, whittle sticks, warm hands, and fill cups with hot tea straight from the fire. Then comes the task of bundling up bags of muddy, damp clothes—ready for parents to wash and dry for the umpteenth time that week. Yet, we're greeted with rosy cheeks, wide smiles, and sheer excitement to reunite each week in our enchanting woodland.

Frosty forest school

Having spent years prepping for our outdoor adventures and forest school days, I've learned what truly makes winter outdoor fun a success for everyone involved. Let me pass on five simple tips for preparing your family for these chilly yet wonderful experiences:

• Bundle Up in Layers: Help the kids get cosy by layering up their clothing. Start with a snug base layer, add some warmth with insulating layers, and then cover up with waterproof outerwear. This way, they can adjust easily if they feel too warm or chilly.

• Gear Check, All Set: Make sure they're geared up for the season. Waterproof boots, gloves, hats, and scarves or snuggly neck warmers are must-haves. Don't forget spare socks—a lifesaver to keep those little feet toasty. I like to keep a bag of extra clothes and boots in the car and bin bags for wet and muddy clothes. Another thing that’s useful is a a little outdoor travel mat to sit on when it’s damp and cold out, they just fold up to pop in your backpack.

• Keep Energised and Hydrated: Remind the kids to drink water regularly, even when it's cold. Warm beverages like hot chocolate or herbal teas in insulated containers can be both comforting and hydrating. I also love to fill thermos pots with soups, noodles or curries for a hot lunch. Pack this along with some yummy snacks to keep everyone’s energy levels high.

• Prioritise Safety: Safety comes first! Teach them about staying safe in winter—watching out for icy patches, wearing layers to avoid getting too cold, and recognising signs of feeling too chilly; it’s very hard to get warm again after you’ve got cold. I always carry a small first aid kit in my backpack just in case and a large one in my car as you never know when you might need it.

• Celebrate Winter's Charm: Embrace the magic of the season. Encourage them to explore the wintry wonderland, play in the snow, spot animal footprints, or get creative with nature-inspired winter crafts. This time of year we love to make bird feeders, ice ornaments and take advantage of the early dark evenings and go star gazing.

Making sure the kids are dressed just right, keeping safety in mind, and jumping into all the fun winter activities will guarantee they have a fantastic time during their outdoor adventures in the chilly months.

When our wild ones were little

Remember, winter holds its own unique charm for outdoor exploration and nature appreciation. I'd love to hear about your experiences and tips for relishing the great outdoors during these colder months. Share your favourite winter adventures, creative ways to connect with nature, or any tips you swear by for making the most of this magical season. Let's inspire each other to embrace the beauty of winter and keep the spirit of exploration alive all year round! Feel free to drop your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.

Here's to a season filled with wonder, warmth, and the joy of nature's wintry embrace!

Warmest wishes,

P.S

Here’s some extra muddy forest school magic for you…