June 26th Ages 5-11: Creativity, Knots, and Creek Adventures; Utah's Forest School

Fort making at Forest School; practicing our knot tying skills we learned today in a fun way!

There’s something special about giving kids a few simple tools, a patch of forest, and the freedom to create.

This week at Forest Friday, the day naturally unfolded into one adventure after another as the kids built forts, learned new outdoor skills, explored the creek, and filled the forest with imaginative stories and laughter.

We kicked off the morning with a quick game of soccer before making a last-minute decision to hike a little farther up the trail than we had originally planned. With the summer temperatures climbing, we wanted to spend the day somewhere the kids could cool off whenever they needed. Our destination had the perfect little creek running through it—and as an added bonus, we already knew there was a partially built stick fort waiting for some creative builders.

Learning Knots Through Real Adventure at SkyRiver Outdoor school; Utah's Forest School.

Our featured wilderness skill this week was learning knots.

Instead of simply practicing on a rope and moving on, we immediately put those skills to work.

The kids learned both the figure eight knot and the square knot, then grabbed tarps, sheets, and paracord to begin designing shelters of their own.

Many different types of forts and knots today to provide shade and a creative playscape for child led learning.

It never ceases to amaze us how differently children approach the same challenge.

One team expanded the existing stick frame into a shaded lean-to. Another group stretched a tarp tightly between trees with one corner anchored to the ground. Others tied two sheets together to build a cozy little hideout tucked close to the forest floor.

There wasn't a "right" answer.

Each shelter reflected creativity, teamwork, experimentation, and problem-solving—the kinds of skills that are difficult to teach from a worksheet but come naturally through hands-on experience.

The Forest Creates Its Own Curriculum

One of our favorite parts of Forest Friday is watching the day evolve.

After fort building, the children naturally drifted toward whatever interested them most.

Some gathered around to practice whittling.

The kids worked hard to set up hammocks by themselves today. An exciting skill to master!

Others found quiet places in the shade to read.

Several kids began crafting "fishing poles" from sticks they discovered nearby.

But perhaps our favorite observation was the return of imaginative play.

Reading stories in the Forest is always more fun! These students continued reading long after read aloud time was over.

The forest transformed into a world of invisible monsters, woodland creatures, secret hideouts, and adventures that only children could invent. Without screens, scheduled entertainment, or adult direction, the kids built entire worlds together using nothing more than sticks, leaves, rocks, and their imaginations.

Those moments remind us just how valuable unstructured outdoor play can be.

Creek Engineering

The creek quickly became the center of attention throughout the afternoon.

Working together, the kids built a small dam across the flowing water.

Once it was complete, they experimented with poking holes through it to create tiny channels that acted like miniature pipes.

Without realizing it, they were exploring concepts of water flow, engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Nature also surprised us with a few discoveries along the way.

Students observed different types of mushrooms at class today.

We learned about mushroom anatomy and got to feel the smooth texture of these mushroom gills!

We found a mushroom growing beside the trail and spent time observing an interesting spider that several of the kids were fascinated by. Every outing reminds us that curiosity is one of the greatest teachers.

Learning New Skills (and Laughing Along the Way)

Another highlight was introducing hammock setup.

Several of the kids worked together to figure out how to hang it correctly between two trees. Once it was finally up, there was a steady line of smiling kids waiting for their turn to relax.

We also introduced something completely new: grass whistles and acorn whistles.

Let's just say...we're still practicing.

There were plenty of determined attempts, lots of funny noises, and even more laughter. Outdoor skills often take patience, and that's part of what makes finally mastering them so rewarding.

One Last Splash

As we hiked back down the trail, the creek offered one final opportunity for fun.

The kids challenged one another to create the biggest splash—and then the smallest splash—they possibly could while crossing the water. Many dipped their hats into the creek before putting them back on to stay cool during the walk.

Partway back, we met up with our older Forest Friday group and decided to finish the hike together.

For the first time, we wrapped up the day with one large combined closing circle.

It was a little louder than usual, a little more chaotic, and a lot of fun.

Days like these remind us that some of the best learning happens when children are simply given time, space, and encouragement to explore the world around them.

This week's adventures were filled with creativity, outdoor skills, teamwork, problem-solving, curiosity, and the simple joy of spending an entire day outside.

And honestly, we can't wait to see where next Friday takes us.

End of day circle with combined classes for the last day of the term of forest school. We discussed highlights and cool things we learned and saw! It was a great group and amazing energy!

🌲 Parent Resources: Continue the Adventure at Home

If your child came home excited about forts, knots, or creek exploration, here are a few ways to continue learning together.

Learn Basic Outdoor Knots

Practice the same knots we learned at Forest Friday using a short piece of rope or paracord.

• Animated Knots — Excellent step-by-step tutorials for beginners, including the square knot and figure eight knot.

  
  

www.animatedknots.com

Home

Build a Backyard Shelter Challenge

Grab a tarp, a blanket, or an old bedsheet and challenge your child to build a shelter using only rope and items found around the yard (without damaging trees). Ask questions like:

• How could you make it stronger?

• How would you keep rain out?

• Where would you sleep?

• How can you make more shade?

Here is a shelter tutorial of one of our favorite survival shelters!

Become Creek Engineers

The next time you're near a shallow stream (where permitted), encourage your child to safely experiment with water flow.

Try building:

• Small dams

• Mini channels

• Water wheels made from sticks

• Pebble bridges

Discuss what happens when water speeds up, slows down, or changes direction.

Learn More About Mushrooms

Found a mushroom? Take a picture instead of picking it.

Use these resources to identify fungi and learn about their role in healthy forests.

• Mushroom Expert

  
  

https://www.mushroomexpert.com

• iNaturalist

  
  

https://www.inatuhttps://www.mushroomexpert.com

Explore Local Wildlife

Help your child identify plants, insects, spiders, birds, and fungi from your own hikes.

• Merlin Bird ID (free app)

• Seek by iNaturalist (great for kids)

Both apps encourage observation and curiosity while helping children learn about the living things around them.

Try a Nature Challenge

See if your family can find:

• A tree with three different kinds of moss

• Five different leaf shapes

• An animal track

• A feather

• A mushroom

• A spider web

• A stick that's taller than you

• A naturally formed "fort"

Sometimes the best adventures begin with a simple scavenger hunt.

Thank you for sharing in part of Utah's Forest school; SkyRiver Outdoor Schools where our hearts and mind are in the forest!