The science and the stories
What is Forest School — and is it right for my child?
From mud kitchens to campfires, forest school is having a moment. But what does it actually mean, and what can it offer your child?
Forest school is an approach to learning, not a place; though most times it takes place in the woods. It's built on the belief that children learn best through direct experience, and that the natural environment is one of the richest classrooms there is.
Originally developed in Scandinavia and now well-established across Ireland, forest school means regular, repeated visits to a natural outdoor space where children are free to explore at their own pace.
Is it safe?
Yes, and the manageable risk is intentional. Children who navigate real challenges outdoors develop better judgement and confidence than those protected from every bump and stumble. All fire and tool activities at Friendly Fox Forest School are age-appropriate and carefully supervised. Sessions run in most weather because being comfortable outdoors in Ireland is itself a skill worth having.
Who is it for?
Younger than most people expect. At The Feeding Tree we work with children from birth to ten across four programmes:
Carer and Child Mornings for babies and toddlers aged 0-4 with their grown-ups
Preschool Afternoons for children aged 2-5 with a their carer
After-School Sessions for children aged 5-10
Summer Camps for children aged 5-10
No prior experience needed for any of them. Just a willingness to step outside and see what happens.
Clare fm interview
The Feeding Tree Forest School is hosting free Forest School sessions for children, teenagers, adults and older members of the community, alongside the Ennis Arboreal Art Project — an initiative exploring wellbeing, storytelling, environmental stewardship and shared community legacy through nature and art.
To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by the , Co-founders of the Feeding Tree Forest School, Eoin Tynan O’Mahon and Naya O’Connor.
the woods in may
At The Feeding Tree, we’re always excited to see mainstream recognition of the power of nature-based learning. A recent Guardian piece, “How a Radical Experiment to Bring a Forest into a Preschool Transformed Children’s Health,” highlights something we witness every week in our sessions here in County Clare: children thrive when they are given time, space, and freedom outdoors. The article explores how simple, natural environments can support wellbeing, boost immunity, and nurture confidence—ideas that lie at the heart of both Friendly Fox Forest School and Dreoilín Forest School, both currently offering sessions at Lees Road Park, Ennis.
As more research emerges linking outdoor play with stronger physical health, emotional resilience, and deeper connection to the world around us, we’re proud to be part of a growing movement in Ireland that supports children, carers, and adults in reconnecting with nature. Articles like this one affirm what our community already knows—nature is a powerful teacher, and forest school experiences in Clare are helping to nurture happier, healthier children and adults.
-Click on the image to read the article.
