It is time to get your kids back in touch with nature with the help of some of the best forest schools in Singapore that offer fun and engaging activities!
You’d be surprised with the variety of forest school programmes the little red dot offers. To help you choose where to sign your little camper up, we’ve listed down 7 forest schools that have special programmes and activities involving the great outdoors.
What is a Forest School?
Forest Schools are nature-based communities where children engage in exploration and discovery. These schools focus on child-led experiences that support holistic development. Teachers prioritise children’s well-being, tailoring guidance to meet each child’s social, emotional, and physical needs. The concept has Scandinavian roots and is becoming popular worldwide, including in Singapore.
What Age is Best for Forest School?
Forest Schools welcome children of various ages. However, the ideal age range is usually between 3 to 10 years.
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Pre-school Age (3-5 years): Younger children thrive in the forest school setting by developing motor skills and social interaction. Activities are simple, such as building dens, exploring nature, and storytelling.
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Primary School Age (6-10 years): Older children benefit from more complex tasks like using tools, problem-solving, and learning about ecosystems. These activities build confidence and critical thinking skills.
Children under 3 can also participate, but sessions are often shorter and more structured. Overall, Forest Schools provide valuable experiences for children at any age, adapting activities to suit their developmental stages.
What Happens at Forest School?
Forest Schools offer a variety of activities aimed at nurturing creativity, independence, and respect for nature. Here’s what children can expect:
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Exploration and Play: Children explore natural environments, engaging in free play that encourages creativity and decision-making. They might build shelters, climb trees, or create art from natural materials.
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Skill Development: Kids learn practical skills such as knot tying, using tools like saws and hammers, and understanding basic survival techniques. These activities build resilience and self-reliance.
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Nature Education: Sessions often include learning about local flora and fauna. Children observe wildlife, study plants, and understand ecosystems, fostering environmental awareness.
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Social Interaction: Forest Schools promote teamwork through group activities. Children collaborate on projects, share discoveries, and develop communication skills.
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Reflection: At the end of sessions, children discuss their experiences, reflecting on what they’ve learned and enjoyed. This helps consolidate their learning and builds self-awareness.
What is an FSA-recognised Forest School Provider?
An FSA-recognised Forest School provider meets specific standards set by the Forest School Association (FSA). These standards ensure high-quality Forest School experiences. Here’s what it means:
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Trained Practitioners: At least one Level 3 trained Forest School practitioner must be on staff. This ensures that activities are led by qualified professionals who understand child development and nature education.
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Safety Measures: Providers must adhere to rigorous safety policies, including regular risk assessments and first aid training. This guarantees a safe environment for all participants.
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Quality Assurance: FSA recognition involves regular evaluations to maintain high standards. Providers must demonstrate effective teaching methods, meaningful engagement with nature, and positive outcomes for children.
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Holistic Approach: FSA-recognised schools focus on holistic development, considering each child’s physical, emotional, and social needs. This approach nurtures well-rounded, confident individuals.
In summary, FSA recognition assures parents that the Forest School adheres to best practices and provides a valuable, enriching experience for their children.
19 Best Forest Schools Activities And Programmes In Singapore
1. ForestPlay
Image source: Facebook / ForestPlay SG
True to its name, ForestPlay makes nature the best playground for kids! This is one of the best forest schools in Singapore and will have your kiddo engaged in some fun outdoor activities.
They offer two types of programmes including ForestPlay and Explorers.
For ForestPlay, kids go through a journey of self-discovery while developing skills for building structures with tools from their nature playscape.
Meanwhile, the Explorers programme offers a magical experience where your little one will learn Wood-Whittling, Outdoor Cooking Tying Knots and more!
- Contact: +65 8482 8960 or email at [email protected]
- Location: 112 Tanjong Beach Walk Singapore, Singapore 098945
2. Forest Adventure Club
Image source: Instagram / forestadventureclub
Explore nature with one of the best forest schools at Forest Adventure Club. Here, they have sessions and activities for children to jumpstart their own adventures.
With the diverse natural, green spaces all over Singapore, classes are conducted to teach kids to respect nature and for long-term sustainability.
Following the Forest School ethos, Forest Adventure Club helps to stimulate physical, emotional, cognitive, social, creative and spiritual development among kids.
3. Forest School Singapore
Image source: Facebook / Forest School – Singapore
Among the forest schools in Singapore, Forest School Singapore is actually one of the first to offer such nature play activities and programmes.
With their holistic and forward-thinking programmes, kids get to develop skills in areas of Social, Physical, Intellectual, Communication, Emotional and Spiritual.
While exploring the great outdoors, kids will get to learn how to utilise resources from the natural environment. They will also learn to manage their own resources to truly appreciate what nature has to offer.
4. Nurtured Nest
Image source: Nurtured Nest website
As the first Reggio Forest School in Singapore, Nurtured Nest offers kid-friendly nature activities that bring together both the Reggio Emilia approach and Forest Schooling.
Rain or shine, children get to spend most of the time outside within the centre’s Nature Playscapes.
Your little one is sure to have a diverse range of unique experiences as the centre is specially designed by a Nature Specialist so that kids get to learn surrounded by the ever-changing landscape, weather, flora and fauna.
- Contact: +65 8779 7533 or email at [email protected]
- Location: 644, Dunearn Road Singapore, Singapore 289627
5. Outdoor School Singapore
Image source: Instagram / outdoorschoolsg
Have your little learn more about nature at Outdoor School Singapore! Much like other forest schools, this centre offers a specially curated curriculum with activities that combine outdoor adventure and outdoor learning.
Their programme highlights the 3R: Resilience, Risk-taking and Responsibility. Kids will get to develop skills in risky play and survival aspects such as Heights, Speeds, Tools and Campcraft.
6. White Lodge Pheonix Park
Image source: Facebook / White Lodge Singapore
Join the new White Lodge centre at Pheonix Park where they have fun and engaging activities for children to explore nature.
With all the green space available in its centre, your child can play within its sandpits, mudslides, tunnels and more!
There are also a variety of activities to help them develop essential skills such as cooking, gardening, building structures, making tools and outdoor exploration.
- Contact: +65 6235 5310 or email at [email protected]
- Location: 310 Tanglin Road Singapore 247975
7. Wildlings
Image source: Facebook / Wildlings
Finally, one of the best forest schools that offer programmes and activities for kids to explore the great outdoors, is Wildlings.
Get your little one to engage holistically in a learner-led environment the provides opportunities for outdoor adventure camps, forest school and workshops, nature play, events and parties as well as services for schools.
Your kiddo will enjoy being out in nature as the green spaces in the centre will encourage them to be more physically active surrounded by the sunlight, plants and dirt.
- Contact: +65 8875 5919 or email at [email protected]
- Location: 27A Loewen Road Wildlings, Nature Space, 248839
8. Canadian International School (CIS): Outdoor Discovery Centre
Image from CIS
The Canadian International School (CIS) offers a rich outdoor learning environment through its purpose-built Outdoor Discovery Centre at the Jurong West campus. Here, children explore natural habitats, participate in activities like mud kitchens and bike tracks, and develop real-world skills in a vast 2,600-square-metre space. This centre promotes a blend of play and education, enabling students to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications daily.
- Location: 7 Jurong West Street 41, Singapore 649414
- Contact: (+65) 6467 1732
9. Dulwich College (Singapore): Forest School Programme
Image from Dulwich College
Dulwich College’s Forest School Programme provides an immersive experience focused on environmental education and essential life skills. Led by an internationally accredited trainer, the programme at their Bukit Batok campus encourages students to explore their natural surroundings, develop respect for the environment, and acquire leadership qualities through hands-on activities. This approach not only enhances their understanding of nature but also equips them with critical decision-making and risk-taking abilities.
- Location: 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore 658966
- Contact: (+65) 6890 1003
10. EtonHouse International School Thomson: Forest School Programme
EtonHouse International School Thomson integrates a Reggio-inspired approach into its forest school programme. Located on Thomson Lane, the school fosters children’s confidence and resilience by engaging them in nature-based activities. With a Level 3 Forest School Leader accredited by Openawards, the programme focuses on nurturing problem-solving and creativity, allowing children to grow into capable and innovative individuals.
- Location: 8 Thomson Lane, Singapore 29774
- Contact: (+65) 6513 1155
11. Forest School Singapore (FSS)
Image from Forest School Singapore (FSS)
Forest School Singapore (FSS) offers child-led sessions that emphasize independence and environmental awareness at their Bukit Timah Forest Basin campus. The programmes are designed to empower children through minimal structure, allowing them to navigate and explore nature at their own pace. This approach helps children develop self-confidence and a deeper connection to the environment, with options for both drop-off and family-inclusive sessions.
- Location: Mayfair Park, Clementi Forest
12. Tanglin Trust School: Forest School Programme
Image from Tanglin Trust School
At Tanglin Trust School, the forest school programme is an integral part of the infant school curriculum, starting from nursery. Located on Portsdown Road, this not-for-profit institution blends the ‘Curiosity Approach’ pedagogy with forest school principles to foster social, physical, and learning skills. Children here are encouraged to engage with authentic materials and develop a deep appreciation for the natural world through a structured yet flexible curriculum.
- Location: 95 Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299
- Contact: (+65) 6778 0771
13. Explorers @ ForestPlay: Outdoor Programme
Explorers @ ForestPlay offers a unique weekly outdoor play programme at Tanjong Beach Walk, designed for children aged 4 to 7. Facilitated by Nature Rangers, the sessions encourage kids to immerse themselves in nature, learning essential skills such as knot tying, tree climbing, and tool use. This hands-on approach enhances children’s physical, social, and cognitive development while fostering a deep connection with their natural surroundings.
- Location: 112 Tanjong Beach Walk, Singapore 098945
14. The Grange Institution: Green Granger Initiative
The Grange Institution’s Green Granger Initiative, located on Yio Chu Kang Road, integrates sustainable practices with outdoor learning for children aged 3 to 12. The initiative includes activities like organic gardening and recycling in the Eco-Garden and Urban Farming areas. This approach not only teaches children about sustainability but also provides them with ample outdoor play opportunities, enriching their understanding of nature and environmental stewardship.
- Location: 449 Yio Chu Kang Road, Singapore 805946
- Contact: (+65) 6817 3630
15. Nature Explorers School: Forest School in Singapore
Nature Explorers School offers a comprehensive forest school programme at Mount Faber, emphasizing a holistic approach to learning. The curriculum includes studies on flora and fauna, survival skills, and the science of natural processes. Led by a Level 3 certified Forest School leader, each session is preceded by thorough safety assessments, ensuring a secure and educational experience for children.
- Location: Mount Faber, Singapore
16. Outdoor School Singapore: Outdoor Programmes
Image from Outdoor School Singapore via Facebook
Outdoor School Singapore (OSS) provides day adventures and camps that introduce children aged 4 to 9 to the wonders of Singapore’s nature parks and reserves. Located on Mountbatten Road, OSS fosters ecological awareness, empathy, and survival skills. Their programmes involve multi-sensory experiences that help children become responsible, resilient citizens through supervised activities like shelter building and climbing.
- Location: 229 Mountbatten Road, #01-14, Singapore 398007
17. Primus Schoolhouse Phoenix Park: Forest Preschool
Primus Schoolhouse Phoenix Park offers a forest preschool where children aged 18 months to 6 years engage in open-ended play and adventure at Tanglin Road. The outdoor curriculum focuses on empowering children to manage their own risks and build resilience, fostering a love for the natural environment and encouraging imaginative play.
- Location: 310 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park, Singapore 247975
18. Roots and Boots: Forest School-Inspired Programme
Roots and Boots provides a forest school-inspired programme featuring outdoor learning activities designed for children aged 3 to 8. The sessions, available at various locations in Singapore, emphasize life skills and character development through exploration and interaction with nature. This programme encourages children to discover their strengths and build resilience in a supportive and stimulating environment.
19. Shaws Preschool: Preschool with Outdoor Play
Shaws Preschool integrates extensive outdoor play into their curriculum across multiple locations in Singapore. Catering to children aged 18 months to 6 years, their centres feature butterfly gardens and vegetable patches. The Lorong Chuan Campus even includes a pool for water confidence lessons, complemented by Shaws Little League Coaches who teach age-appropriate sports, ensuring a balanced and active learning experience.
Takeaway
Forest Schools in Singapore offer a unique and enriching educational experience. They cater to children’s developmental needs through nature-based learning, providing a balance of play, skill-building, and environmental education. With FSA-recognised providers, parents can be confident in the quality and safety of these programmes. Whether your child is just starting their educational journey or looking to expand their learning outside the classroom, Forest Schools are an excellent option to consider.
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