Two qualified Forest School leaders wrote down what they actually run, week after week, with real children in real woods. Peter Houghton and Jane Worroll lead year round sessions in London and elsewhere; she spent twelve years as a Countryside Ranger and holds a degree in ecology and an MSc in environmental conservation, and he is trained in green woodwork and ornamental carving. This is their session plan, opened up for families.

Be a fox tracking its prey, a moth evading a bat, a rabbit fleeing a forest fire. Make a working bow and arrow, a headdress, woodland jewelry and a magic wand from what is lying on the forest floor. Then the skills that make a day outdoors feel like something: build a shelter, make fire, forage and cook wild food.

Every activity is laid out the same way, so you can pick one on the walk to the trees. A box on the page gives the Location it needs, the Age Group it suits, what the child is Learning About, and the Kit to bring. Mud Faces on page 44 wants soil, trees and a two year old. Bow and Arrow in Forest Arts wants a penknife and an older hand. The instructions are written simply enough that a child can lead the activity themselves, with variations for one child, for a play date and for a birthday party.

Trade paperback, 160 pages, 7.8 by 5.8 inches, with hand drawn line illustrations in green and black. It fits in a coat pocket, which is where a book like this belongs.

Pair it with Foraging with Kids, the other Watkins title on our nature shelf.