Building Resilience Through the Seasons: How Forest School Kids Embrace the Outdoors

One of the most beautiful parts of forest school is watching children adapt to the natural rhythm of the seasons. Because our students spend time outside every single day—rain or shine—they experience the weather changing gradually. This steady exposure allows them to adjust naturally to cooler mornings, brisk autumn winds, and even the frosty air of winter. Instead of resisting these changes, they come to expect them, and even welcome them.

This process builds resilience. Children learn to see a chilly breeze not as a barrier, but as part of the adventure. They understand that with the right gear, they can be comfortable in almost any conditions. Just as importantly, they begin to view the outdoor world as a giant playscape full of possibility.

At first, some children arrive with hesitations. They may be uneasy around bugs, unsure about mud, or hesitant to get dirty. But over time, those reservations fade. Within a year, most of our students transform—discovering that the outdoors, especially when shared with friends, is an extraordinary place to explore, create, and play.

At Hidden Valley Forest School, the request we hear most often is: “Can we go outside?” Instead of needing encouragement to head outdoors, our kids are the ones leading the charge. They climb, build, imagine, and cooperate, developing not only resilience but also creativity and strong social skills.

Forest schools provide an amazing space for children to grow. By embracing the elements, they learn that the natural world isn’t something to avoid—it’s something to celebrate. And in the process, they discover a confidence and joy that carries far beyond the classroom.