New Year, New Skills: Forest School Activities to Boost Confidence & Curiosity

A Fresh Start in the Forest

January is the season of fresh starts, new goals, and big hopes, not just for grown-ups, but for little ones too. At A Touch of the Wild, we believe every child deserves the chance to build confidence, curiosity and resilience in the best classroom of all, the great outdoors.

This New Year, we’re focusing on the power of skills-based learning through forest school, the kind that sticks with children for life.

Why Forest School Is the Perfect Setting for Personal Growth

Outdoors, there are no wrong answers, just exploration, discovery and the freedom to try again. That’s why forest school is a brilliant way to nurture:

• Self-confidence: Children learn to assess risks, make choices and trust their instincts.
• Problem-solving skills: From building dens to untying knots, nature is full of challenges.
• Teamwork and communication: Group tasks like shelter building or fire-making foster cooperation and kindness.
• Curiosity: New bugs, textures, sounds and smells spark questions and wonder.

Skill-Building Forest School Activities for January

Here are just a few ways we’re helping children grow into bold explorers and creative thinkers this month:

1. 🔧 Tool Time

Using child-safe tools under close supervision teaches focus, responsibility, and dexterity. Whether whittling sticks or using a bow saw, it’s always done with safety and pride.

2. 🔥 Campfire Cooking

Cracking kindling, lighting a fire with a flint, and cooking something simple like popcorn or damper bread, all brilliant for boosting independence and teamwork.

3. 🏕️ Den Building

Using teamwork and imagination, children build shelters from natural materials, learning about structure, balance, and collaboration.

4. 🎨 Nature Art

Encouraging children to express themselves through leaf printing, clay faces on trees, or stick sculptures strengthens creative thinking and emotional expression.

Try These at Home: Simple Nature Challenges

Looking for easy ways to bring forest school magic to your back garden or local park?

• Nature journal: Encourage kids to draw or write about what they spot on a winter walk.
• Bug hunt: Gently lift logs and leaves to see who’s hiding underneath.
• Stick engineering: Can you build a mini bridge or animal shelter with twigs and string?

What’s Coming Up at A Touch of the Wild?

✨ Wild Tots is back in full swing a wonderful weekly chance for toddlers and parents to connect through woodland play.
🌱 Wildlings Forest Kindergarten spaces are filling fast, so enquire early!
🌳 Holiday Clubs will return in February half term, perfect for wild adventures in the woods.

Ready to Grow Wild With Us?

This year, give your child the space, freedom and guidance to thrive in nature. Join our community of curious little learners and supportive families and let’s make 2026 a year of wild growth.

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