The Friendly Fox Forest School

What is forest school?

Forest School is a participant-led approach to learning that deepens our connection with the natural world. Through play, imagination, curiosity, and hands-on experiences, participants build: Self-confidence, self-esteem and self-regulation.

  • Children and adults sitting around a campfire in a forest during a session at The Friendly Fox Forest School in County Clare.

    Fire lighting & cooking

    With guidance, children learn the basics of safe fire lighting and enjoy simple cooking over the flames. This builds confidence, responsibility, and the joy of sharing food together outdoors.

  • Child with a pink and blue striped headband weaving with natural materials during a session at The Friendly Fox Forest School in County Clare.

    Nature Crafts

    Children use natural materials like leaves, sticks, and clay to create their own artworks and tools. This hands-on making builds creativity, fine motor skills, and a deeper connection with the woodland around them.

  • Two children sitting on a wooden bench around a campfire in a wooded area. The girl on the left has brown hair tied with a blue band and is holding a wooden disc with writing. The boy on the right has blonde curly hair and wears a colorful shirt with a dragon and other outdoor scenes.

    Creating Stories

    Through imaginative games and storytelling, children shape adventures inspired by the forest. This nurtures language, creativity, and the magic of seeing nature as a stage for play.

  • Children climbing a moss-covered rock at Lees Road Park during a session at The Friendly Fox Forest School in County Clare.

    Games & Free Play

    Children are encouraged to explore, climb, balance, and invent games in the woods. Free play develops resilience, cooperation, and a sense of wonder in the natural world.

Two children sitting outside, weaving during a session at The Friendly Fox Forest School in County Clare.
A young child in an aubergine hat, a cream sweater with lace collar, and pink boots, washing her hands during a session at The Friendly Fox Forest School in County Clare.
A small plush toy dog hanging over the edge of a camping hammock in a forest surrounded by green trees, fallen leaves, and moss during a Carer and Child Friendly Fox Forest School morning session at Lees Road Park, Ennis.
A young building a tiny den during a Friendly Fox Forest School session at Lees Road Park, Ennis.
Colourful abstract painting on a large white tarp made by children during a Friendly Fox Forest School camp at Lees Road Park, Ennis., hung in a wooded area with green trees and brown leaves on the ground.
Camping scene at Lees Road Park with a metal fire pit in the foreground, colourful matts on a wooden bench forming a circle, a hammock and a stroller on the left, children and adults in the background during a Friendly Fox Forest School session.
Young boy wearing a red cap, yellow and blue jacket, and striped shirt, leaning over a wood bench outdoors on a leaf-covered ground, holding a wooden hammer doing tataki-zomé or flower bashing at The Friendly Fox Forest School in County Clare.
Hand holding a painted slice of wood with a purple string hanging from it, depicting a beach scene with blue sky, yellow sun, and black figure; blurred children playing in the background during a Friendly Fox Forest School camp in County Clare.
A mother and a child lying on a hammock looking at the woodland floor during a carer and child Friendly Fox Forest School morning session at Lees Road Park, Ennis.
Children in outdoor clothing arranging and playing with knitting yarn and craft supplies on a black tarp amidst fallen autumn leaves during a Friendly Fox Forest School session in County Clare.
Child sitting on a wooden bench in the woods, with a tataki-zomé or flower bashing creation below. The painting appears to have purple, yellow, orange, and beige pigment splotches arranged in a pattern.
A child carving a face into a small log with paint, surrounded by jars of paint and set on a wooden surface outdoors during a Friendly Fox Forest School session in County Clare.
Child's hand resting on a wooden table near a craft creation made of clay, flowers, and berries during a Friendly Fox Forest School camp in County Clare.
A stuffed teddy bear with a gray and brown fur lies over a hammock in a dense forest during a carer and child Friendly Fox Forest School morning session.

Wednesday Mornings 0-4 year olds & Wednesday Afternoons 2-5 year olds at lees road park, Ennis, Co. Clare

  • A block of 6 forest school sessions

    Wednsdays 10am-12pm

    Wednesdays 2-4pm

  • 90 euro for the block of 6 sessions

    *if you know you are unable to attend all sessions but would still like to join. Contact us so we can arrange a special package for you.

Child in yellow raincoat drawing or writing at a wooden table with nature-themed leaf and tree information sheets and markers nearby.

Tuesday. after-school (5-10 y/o) at lees road park, Ennis, Co. Clare

  • A block of 6 forest school sessions

    Tuesdays 3:30pm-5:30pm

  • 120 euro for the block of 6 sessions

Children gathered outdoors in a circle, closely observing something on the ground in a shaded area with trees and foliage.

Nature camps (5-10 year olds) at lees road park, Ennis, Co. Clare

  • Varies depending on time of the year. Check the booking section to see what is available at the moment.

  • Varies depending on duration of camp.