How to Dress for Forest School in Winter
(Without Your Child Turning Into an Icicle)
When you look at the weather forecast for the week ahead, or you step outside, feel the wind slap your face, and think: “how can I keep the kids warm at forest school?!”
Because forest school isn’t a quick dash from the car to the classroom. At Saltdean, it’s a couple of hours of climbing, building, exploring, lighting fires, getting muddy, making stuff… and loving it.
The challenge is, cold kids don’t enjoy forest school. actually, to be fair to the kids - neither do the cold adults!
But, warm kids don’t want to leave.
So if you’re wondering how to dress for forest school in winter, here’s the simple, stress-free guide we recommend at Kids Adventurist — the same advice we give every school we work with.
The golden rule with forest school clothes: layers, layers, layers
The best clothes for forest school aren’t fancy. They’re just smart.
Because winter weather changes quickly — and your child goes from standing still to running around like a woodland superhero in seconds. Layers help them stay warm without overheating.
Base layer (closest to the skin)
This is what keeps the warmth in.
Thermal top and leggings (best option)
Or a long-sleeve vest / tight-ish top
Avoid cotton if you can — once it gets damp, it stays damp.
School uniform? No problem. Add a layer.
A lot of children arrive in school uniform and that’s absolutely fine. But in winter, it’s rarely enough as those clothes weren’t designed to be outside in the cold for hours.
So even if your child is in their usual shirt and jumper, we recommend:
an extra jumper or fleece
or a thermal layer underneath
That one extra layer makes a massive difference once they’re out in the open.
Mid layer: the warm bit
This is their insulation — the thing that traps body heat.
Great options:
fleece
hoodie
thin padded jacket under the coat (if it’s very cold)
This is where you build your warmth.
Outer layer: waterproof AND windproof
Here’s where most parents accidentally get caught out. Even if it’s not raining, wind is what steals heat fastest. And forest schools in schools, tend to be in open areas, fields, edges of woodland, all windy places.
So the recommended clothing for forest school in winter includes:
A warm, waterproof coat (windproof too)
Look for:
waterproof outer
warm lining
a hood (honestly, hoods are magic)
A “puffer” coat alone won’t cut it if it’s windy or damp and in fact, won’t work at all if it rains heavy!
Waterproof trousers: yes, even when it’s not wet
This is the BIG one. A lot of kids turn up in tracksuit bottoms and think they’re sorted. But waterproof trousers do more than stop mud:
✅ They block the wind
✅ They keep legs warm
✅ They protect school trousers / PE kit
✅ They stop the “cold seeping in” feeling
Even on a dry day, waterproof trousers are often the difference between:
“This is amazing!” and “Can I go inside now?”
So if you’re asking what are the best clothes for forest school, waterproof trousers are right near the top.
Gloves, scarf, hat; the cold-weather trio
When little hands get cold, everything goes downhill quickly.
Forest school involves:
grabbing sticks
carrying things
climbing
tying knots
Cold hands make all of that miserable.
So make sure your child has:
warm gloves (bring spares if possible)
a scarf or neck warmer - buffs are best.
a hat that covers ears
And if they’re the kind of child who loses things — label it all. 😄
Footwear: warm, waterproof, and ready for mud
If there’s one thing that ruins a forest school session instantly, it’s wet socks.
So winter footwear should be:
waterproof boots (wellies or walking boots)
warm socks
Top tip: if they’re wearing wellies, consider welly socks — they stop the cold rubber feeling. It’s why we try to encourage walking type shoes, as they’re typically warmer - it just depends how waterproof they are / wet the ground is. But Wellies, in school, are the best option as they’re easy for your teachers to get on / off, if the children need help and support in school.
Food matters more than you think
This might feel like a random one in a clothing blog… but it’s genuinely important. Your child’s body is doing two big jobs at forest school in winter:
Keeping warm
Being active
And it needs fuel.
So if you want them to stay warm and enjoy themselves:
✅ make sure they’ve had a decent breakfast
✅ and if it’s later in the day, a good lunch
A hearty meal beforehand can make the whole afternoon better.
Quick checklist: what to wear to forest school in winter
Here’s your easy checklist to stick on the fridge:
Thermal top + leggings (base layer)
School uniform or comfy clothes
Extra jumper / fleece
Warm waterproof coat
Waterproof trousers (even if it’s dry)
Hat, scarf / neck warmer
Gloves (spares if possible)
Waterproof boots
Thick socks
Full belly (breakfast/lunch)
That’s it. Simple.
Winter forest school is brilliant… if they’re dressed right
Winter forest school is one of the best times of year. There’s something about cold air, crunchy leaves, fires, mud, teamwork, and that feeling of being properly outdoors.
But it only works if children feel comfortable. So if you take one thing from this blog, let it be this: Dress them for the weather, not for the classroom.
And if in doubt… add a layer so your children have a better time at forest school or Kids Adventurist in West and East Sussex.