Mud, Fire, and Fun

Gabriel recently spent the day at a forest school holiday club, and when I picked him up, it was clear he’d had the time of his life. He looked every bit the woodland warrior, his face painted with mud and carrying a big stick that he’d decorated with a feather perched proudly at the top. It was the perfect picture of outdoor fun and adventure.

Learning New Skills in the Wild

The day had been packed with activities that combined learning and play. Gabriel excitedly told me about learning to light a fire using flint and cotton—a skill that made him feel like a real survival expert. With guidance from the instructors, he’d carefully struck the flint until sparks flew, igniting the cotton and bringing the tiny flame to life. It was a moment of triumph that left him buzzing with pride.

Marshmallows by the Fire

Of course, no forest school experience is complete without toasted marshmallows. Gabriel described how they had gathered around the fire, skewering marshmallows on sticks and holding them over the flames until they were perfectly gooey. It was clear this had been a highlight of the day, and he couldn’t resist reenacting the moment for me as he talked about it, waving his feather-topped stick like a marshmallow toasting wand.

Home for a Well-Earned Bath

By the time we got home, Gabriel was tired but happy, still clutching his decorated stick as if it were a trophy. After a long, muddy day in the woods, a warm bath was definitely in order. As he soaked and scrubbed away the evidence of his woodland adventures, he recounted his day with excitement, from lighting fires to exploring the forest.

The day at forest school was a huge success—a perfect mix of outdoor learning, imaginative play, and good old-fashioned muddy fun. Gabriel’s already asking when he can go back, and I couldn’t be happier to see him so engaged with the natural world, learning skills and making memories that will stick with him for years to come.