Forest School Kit List: What Kids Need for Muddy Days

Forest school is one of the best bits of the week for lots of little ones: building dens, splashing in puddles and coming home happily covered in mud. The trick for parents is sending them off with the right kit, and getting it all home again without mud all over the car. Here's our simple forest school kit list, which works just as well for muddy weekend walks, plus tips from parents who've scraped a lot of wellies.

What to wear to forest school

Forest school usually goes ahead in almost all weathers, so the golden rule is layers you don't mind getting muddy. Start with a long-sleeved top and comfy trousers or leggings, add a fleece or jumper, then a waterproof layer on top. Lots of settings recommend an all-in-one puddle suit for younger children, as there are no gaps for mud and rain to get in.

Long sleeves and long trousers also help protect against scratches, nettles and insects, even in summer. Check your setting's kit list before the first session, as some have their own rules, like no hoods near fires or a particular type of boot.

Keep muddy wellies in one place

Muddy wellies are the biggest forest school headache: in the school bag, in the car boot, in the hallway. A welly bag keeps them contained, and a good one has room for the rest of the wet, muddy kit too.

Our welly boot bag is made from waterproof 600D polyester with a wipe-clean lining and a breathable mesh side, so boots can air out. At 33 x 25 x 21cm it fits short and tall wellies, plus a raincoat, gloves and a hat. The double zip and carry handle are easy for little hands, and you can add your child's name for £5.

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A backpack that can handle the rain

Your child's bag will probably end up on wet grass or hanging from a muddy branch, so a waterproof one keeps the spare clothes dry for when they're needed.

Our waterproof kids backpack is 35 x 25 x 10cm, a good size for little shoulders, with a large inside pocket, a zipped front pocket and a side mesh pocket for a water bottle. Padded straps make it comfy on longer walks, and you can personalise it so it's easy to spot on the peg.

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Spare clothes and soggy layers

Puddle jumping usually means at least one soggy layer. Pack a full change of clothes, including socks and pants, and something to bring the wet things home in.

Our wet and dry bag has a watertight, wipe-clean pocket for wet clothes and a separate zipped pocket for the dry spares, so they stay clean until they're needed. It clips onto a backpack or pushchair, and it's brilliant for swimming lessons too.

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Snacks, drinks and a warm lunch

Running around outside all morning makes children hungry. Pack a filling snack and a drink they can manage themselves. Our kids stainless steel water bottle has a leakproof straw lid, and a name band stops it going missing in the woods.

On cold days, a warm lunch makes a big difference. Our 500ml kids food flask keeps food hot for up to 6 hours, so soup, pasta or porridge is still warm at lunchtime. There's a folding spoon hidden in the lid.

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Wipes, plasters and the little bits

Muddy hands before snack time, a runny nose, an inhaler or hay fever medicine: keep the small things together so they're easy to find in a hurry.

Our grab & go pouch is 25 x 17 x 3cm, wipe clean and slips into a backpack. Use one for wipes and tissues and another for medicines, and add a name so the forest school leaders know whose it is.

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Getting home without mud everywhere

The journey home is where most of the mess happens. Before they get in the car, swap muddy boots and waterproofs into the welly bag, and use a towel to wipe off hands and faces. A microfibre kids hooded poncho towel is handy here: it packs small, dries fast and keeps them warm while you get the wet layers off. Keep a bag of spare clothes in the car for muddy weekend walks too.

Our top tips

• 🏷️ Label everythingWellies, gloves and waterproofs all look the same in a pile. Personalised bags and name bands save a lot of lost property hunting.
• 🧤 Two pairs of glovesGloves get wet fast. A spare dry pair in the backpack makes the second half of the session much happier.
• 🥾 Size up the welliesWellies that fit over thick socks keep toes warmer. Check the fit each term, as little feet grow quickly.
• 🚿 Clean up straight awayHose or rinse wellies and waterproofs when you get home, then leave the welly bag open to air before the next session.

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