Forest School Wooden Games Guide | UK Educators

A wooden peg pushed into damp earth, a hoop rolling across leaf litter, a small group crouched over a set of skittles they have just lined up themselves. Forest School is built on moments like these, where children work with real objects in a real place rather than on a screen or a worksheet.

Wooden games sit naturally within that setting. Timber weathers, warms in the hand and carries the marks of use, and a well-made set will survive term after term outdoors. When you are choosing games for regular sessions, look for FSC-certified timber and equipment that has been tested to UKCA and CE standards, so that what you hand to a five-year-old has been checked for safety before it reaches the woods.

The Forest School Association, the recognised professional body for Forest School in the UK, defines the approach as a long-term process of regular sessions rather than a one-off visit. Games are one of the simplest ways to give those repeated sessions shape and rhythm.

What Are Forest School Wooden Games and Why Do They Belong Outside

Forest School wooden games are traditional outdoor games — skittles, quoits, draughts on a large scale, boules, croquet — made in timber and played in a natural space. They are not a curriculum in themselves; they are a way to structure the free, child-led time that Forest School values.

They belong outside for practical reasons. Wooden pieces are heavy enough to stay put on uneven ground, quiet enough not to jar in a woodland, and forgiving of mud, dew and the occasional drop. Many of the games in our outdoor games were designed for exactly this kind of rough, open play.

There is a developmental case too. Rolling a boule, aiming a quoit or stacking a tower asks a child to judge distance, control force and take turns. Those skills grow through repetition, which is why the Forest School Association sets a minimum of six sessions in the same space before an experience can be called Forest School at all.

Games also lower the barrier to joining in. A child who is hesitant about climbing or tool work will often pick up a skittle, and from there the session opens up. The game becomes a shared point of focus for a mixed group.

Because these are objects children handle constantly, material matters. Sets made from FSC timber and tested to UKCA and CE standards give leaders confidence, and they connect to the wider range of our wooden toys built to the same standards. The game is the hero here; good making simply keeps it in play.

Setting Up Your Outdoor Space and Choosing the Right Wooden Games

Start with the ground. A reasonably flat, drained patch works for most games, though a gentle slope adds interest to boules or a rolling hoop. Mark a boundary with rope or fallen branches so children know where play begins and ends, and keep the throwing area clear of the group.

Match the game to the space you have. A tight woodland clearing suits skittles, quoits and table-scale our board games laid out on a log. An open field will carry a full croquet lawn or a long boules pitch. Our guide to the best wooden garden games for families is a useful starting point when you are deciding what to bring.

Think about numbers. Skittles and quoits absorb a large group taking turns; croquet and draughts suit smaller pairs or fours. Having two or three games running at once keeps everyone moving, which matters when attention spans vary across a mixed-age group.

Consider transport and storage. Lighter sets from our children toys can be carried in by the children themselves, giving them a sense of ownership over the session.

Run a risk-benefit assessment before you set up. The Health and Safety Executive provides guidance on managing risk in educational settings under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and checking sightlines, throwing distances and trip hazards takes only a few minutes.

Finally, leave room for the game to spill over. Children will invent their own rules and challenges, and a flexible layout lets that happen. Our roundup of traditional outdoor family games offers plenty of variations to keep sessions fresh.

How to Run Each Game: Rules, Turns and What You Need to Play

Skittles is the simplest to introduce. Stand nine pins in a diamond, mark a throwing line a few paces back, and let each child roll or bowl to knock down as many as they can. Reset, and pass the ball on. No score is needed at first; counting the pins that fall is enough.

Quoits works on the same turn-taking rhythm. Set a peg in the ground and let children toss rope or wooden rings towards it. Ringing the peg scores highest, a near miss less so, and the game teaches distance-judging without anyone needing to keep a formal tally.

Boules brings a little more structure. A small target ball, the jack, is thrown first; players then take turns to land their boules as close to it as possible. The official game has formal rules from the FIPJP, whose regulation boule measures between 70.5 mm and 80 mm across and weighs between 650 g and 800 g — worth knowing, though a wooden set sized for children is the sensible choice in the woods.

Croquet suits older or more settled groups. Players strike a ball through a sequence of hoops in order. The rules were standardised and popularised by Jaques of London, and the game is still governed by the Croquet Association, founded in 1897.

For quieter moments, a large draughts set laid on a stump gives two children a slower, thoughtful game. Our list of the best outdoor games for kids pairs well with these when you are planning a varied session.

Winning, Strategy and Keeping Every Age Group Engaged

Winning matters less at Forest School than the playing, but a clear way to win gives a game its shape. Keep scoring visible and simple: pins down, rings on the peg, boules nearest the jack. Children who cannot yet count large numbers can still see who is closest.

Strategy grows naturally once the basic rules are secure. In boules, a child learns to knock an opponent's boule away rather than simply aim for the jack. In croquet, they discover they can send another ball off course. These small tactical leaps keep older players interested when younger ones are still mastering the throw.

Mixed ages are the usual reality in a Forest School group, so lean on handicaps. Move the throwing line closer for the youngest, or let them use both hands. A ten-year-old and a four-year-old can share the same skittles game if the distances flex. Our guide to outdoor games for ten-year-olds has ideas for stretching the older end.

Rotate roles as well as turns. Let one child keep score, another set up the pins, another judge the nearest boule. Responsibility keeps a child engaged even when they are not throwing.

Team play widens the circle further. Splitting into pairs means a confident child and a hesitant one can work together, which often does more for engagement than any prize. For sessions that carry over into family time at home, outdoor games gift ideas show how the same games travel from woodland to garden.

Caring for Wooden Outdoor Games in a UK Climate

Wooden games earn their place through repeated use, and in a UK climate that means damp, frost and long spells of wet grass. A little care keeps a set in play for years rather than seasons.

Wipe pieces down at the end of a session before they go into storage. Mud left to dry holds moisture against the timber, and a quick clean with a dry cloth removes most of it. Boules, skittles and quoit rings all benefit from this simple habit.

Dry the set properly before it is boxed. Timber put away damp can bloom with mould or swell at the joints, so leave pieces to air somewhere sheltered if a session has ended in rain. A ventilated bag or crate is better than a sealed plastic tub.

Store off the ground and out of standing damp. A shed shelf or a covered store keeps sets away from the worst of the winter wet. If a wooden surface begins to feel rough, a light sand and a wipe of a suitable oil will refresh it.

Inspect before each use as part of your routine risk check. Look for splinters, cracks or loose fittings, and retire any piece that has worn past safe use. Well-made sets from our outdoor games are built to take this treatment, and looking after them models the same care you hope children will show the woodland itself.

Frequently Asked Questions About Forest School Wooden Games

How do you play giant Jenga outside with a group of children?

Giant Jenga is played by stacking large wooden blocks in layers of three, each layer placed at right angles to the one below. Players take turns removing one block at a time from anywhere below the top two layers and placing it on top. The aim is to keep the tower standing; the player who causes it to topple loses. For outdoor group sessions, designate a flat, level surface and establish a clear boundary around the tower so children stand safely back during each turn.

What are the rules of Kubb for kids?

Kubb is a Swedish lawn game for two teams. Set up five wooden kubbs along each baseline, with the king (tall central block) placed in the middle of the pitch. Teams take turns throwing batons to knock over the opposing kubbs, then the king last. If a team knocks the king before all opponent kubbs are down, they lose immediately. Knocked kubbs are thrown into the opponent's half and must be toppled before the baseline kubbs. The team that topples all opponent kubbs and then the king wins.

How many players do you need for a game of Skittles?

Skittles can be played with as few as two players, making it flexible for small or large Forest School groups. Typically, two or more players or teams take turns rolling a ball to knock down a set of nine wooden pins arranged in a diamond or square formation. Each player bowls a set number of balls per turn, scoring points for pins knocked down. Because it scales easily, Skittles suits groups of varying sizes and requires minimal space, making it a practical choice for outdoor sessions.

What do you need to play Croquet in a forest school session?

To play croquet outdoors you need mallets, coloured balls, hoops (also called wickets), and a centre peg. Jaques of London, established in 1795, commercially standardised croquet equipment and rules, which are now governed formally by the Croquet Association (founded 1897). For a Forest School session, choose a reasonably flat grassy area and push hoops firmly into the ground in the prescribed layout. Players use mallets to strike their ball through hoops in the correct order and direction. Ensure the ground is clear of trip hazards before play begins.

How do you win at Connect 4 outdoors?

Connect 4 is won by being the first player to line up four of your own coloured discs consecutively — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — within the grid frame. Players alternate dropping one disc at a time into any column from the top; discs fall to the lowest available slot. Outdoors, ensure the freestanding frame is placed on stable, level ground to prevent toppling. If all slots are filled and no player has achieved four in a row, the game is a draw. Giant outdoor versions follow the same rules as the standard edition.

What wooden games are suitable for forest school with under 5s?

For under 5s in Forest School sessions, choose wooden games with large, easy-to-handle pieces and simple objectives. Good options include giant skittles (rolling a ball to knock pins), oversized dominoes matched by colour or picture rather than number, ring toss, and large-piece wooden puzzles. The Forest School Association defines Forest School as a long-term process of regular sessions, so revisiting familiar games across multiple visits builds confidence and fine motor skills. Always ensure pieces are too large to pose a choking risk and that surfaces are splinter-free and well maintained.

How do you keep outdoor wooden games from going mouldy in wet weather?

To protect outdoor wooden games from mould in wet UK conditions, apply a suitable outdoor wood treatment or food-safe linseed oil to all surfaces and reapply regularly throughout the year. Store games in a dry, ventilated container or shed between sessions rather than leaving them outside. After play in rain, dry pieces thoroughly before packing away. Inspect sets regularly for cracks where moisture can collect. Hardwoods such as beech or oak resist weathering better than softwoods. Prompt drying and correct storage are the most effective ways to extend the life of wooden outdoor games.

Can you play giant dominoes outside in winter?

Yes, giant dominoes can be played outside in winter with a few sensible precautions. Choose a covered or sheltered spot if possible to keep pieces dry, as prolonged wet conditions can cause warping. Wear gloves when handling large wooden pieces in cold weather to maintain grip and comfort. Wipe pieces dry before each session and store them indoors between uses. The rules remain the same in any season: players match pip values end to end, and the first to place all their dominoes wins. Giant dominoes are particularly good for Forest School winter sessions as pieces are easy to handle with cold hands.

What are the rules of Quoits and how do you set it up?

Quoits is played by throwing rings — traditionally rubber or rope — over a central pin or hob. Set up by hammering a stake or peg into the ground; players stand at an agreed throwing distance, typically 2–3 metres for children. Each player throws an equal number of quoits per round, scoring a point for each ring that lands over the peg (a 'ringer') and, in some versions, for the ring closest to the peg. The player or team with the most points after an agreed number of rounds wins. Mark the throwing line clearly and ensure bystanders stand well to the side.

How do you adapt outdoor wooden games for children with different abilities?

Adapt outdoor wooden games by adjusting throwing distances, reducing the number of pieces, simplifying scoring, or providing physical support as needed. For children with limited mobility, position games at an accessible height and allow seated play. Pair children so that teammates can assist without taking over. Giant versions of games such as skittles, dominoes, or Connect 4 naturally suit a wider ability range because larger pieces are easier to grasp and manipulate. The Forest School Association's principles emphasise inclusive, learner-led experiences across a minimum of six regular sessions, giving children repeated opportunities to build skills at their own pace.