What to Wear

There’s no such thing as bad weather — just unsuitable clothing!

We value and recognise the effort it takes to ensure your child comes prepared, so that they can get the most out of Forest School sessions. In particular, this means making sure they are appropriately dressed. It can be hard to predict just how many layers a child will need, but it is always colder in the shaded woods.

Embrace the mud!

Your other crucial role is to embrace the mud! Please don’t send your child in their best clothes — they will almost certainly get gloriously dirty during the session, and that’s exactly as it should be.

A happy child with a muddy face in a yellow waterproof coat and red waterproof dungarees
Properly kitted out — and properly muddy!

Your woodland kit list

Here’s everything a happy Forest Schooler needs to stay warm, dry and ready for adventure.

Layers

  • THE best way to keep warm
  • Add one more than you think you’ll need

We can always remove a layer, but once cold it can be hard to warm up again.

Waterproof trousers

  • Essential!
  • Standard ‘thin’ pair in summer for protection
  • Ski trousers ideal in winter, or an extra layer underneath
  • All-in-ones not advised for potty/toilet users

Trousers

  • Full length for protection
  • Extra leggings, tights or thermals underneath in cold weather

Warm socks

  • Wellies get very cold!
  • An extra pair of wool, fleece or fluffy socks inside wellies

Normal socks in wellies are not warm enough for cooler weather.

Waterproof coat

  • Preferably with a hood
  • Thick and warm in winter (or add an extra fleece layer)

Warm hat

  • Preferably covering the ears

Mittens & gloves

  • Thermal and waterproof

Knitted gloves get damp and don’t keep little hands warm enough in the colder months. Don’t worry about mittens limiting finger movement — the cold is much more limiting!

Tops

  • ALWAYS long sleeves (to minimise stinging nettles and biting insects)
  • At least 3 layers under the coat in winter

e.g. top, jumper, fleece and coat, or base layer, top, warm jumper and coat.

Waterproof boots

  • Wellies are essential!

Alternatives include snow boots and walking boots.

A child in wellies and a waterproof apron making mud balls
A toddler in a red waterproof coat at the mud kitchen
A child in full waterproofs swinging across the stream
A child in waterproof dungarees holding a cork raft

In summer

Wellies are still recommended for stream splashers — or trainers — and light long sleeves (and long trousers – no shorts please) are still essential, to protect from thorns, nettles, ticks and insect bites. In hot weather please apply sunscreen to your child, and send a sunhat — particularly for the walk to and from the site.