Find yourself a reasonably clear strip of land and position all those playing at one end except the nominated ‘crocodile’ who stands in the middle. This is a great introduction to team games. But a warning, once this game is introduced – you may have to play it every time you see them! Crocodile Crocodile Count as normal whilst the kids hide and then when you’re ready, call out ‘1, 2, 3 …where are you?’ and the children need to call back from their hiding places ‘1, 2, 3…here I am!’ Simply follow the sound of their voices until you find them and then let the found children join the pack of seekers, continuing the call and response until everyone is found. It’s a version of Hide & Seek that is slightly more team based and always receives a warm welcome. This is a perfect game for sessions with younger attendees, be that at a Toddler Group or Kindergarten. Last one left standing, wins! 123, Where Are You When you holler ‘FLOOR IS SAFE’ they can return to terra firmer and resume moving around the site until you shout again. How to play? The clue is in the name, simply shout ‘Floor is Lava in THREE, TWO, ONE’…at which point the floor becomes lava and they need to be off the ground – whether that’s up a tree, standing on a bench, perching precariously on a stump or balancing on a rock – they need to be not touching the ground to avoid being out. This easy game is perfect for a group of children that have more energy than they know what to do with but don’t yet feel ready to join in with team games. So if you’re looking for inspiration for what to do with a gaggle of eager children in the woods or in fact, on a campsite this summer, at the park, on the beach…etc, here are our tried and tested favourites! Floor is Lava Plus they’re a whole lot of fun! I asked my colleagues for their favourite Forest School games and they kindly assisted in helping me compile this list of our most popular games to play during Forest School sessions. Games can serve as great ice breakers, they promote teamwork, cooperation, competition, coordination, challenge and can be a useful outlet for pent up energy.

When we think about activities to do at Forest School, often our mind goes immediately to the bushcraft classics fire-lighting, den building, campfire cooking, green woodworking… But, the benefits of playing games are not to be underestimated.

Alternative the forest game