June 25th Ages 5-11
- Kyle Loveridge
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
Fresh Mountain Air, New Trails, and Nature's Hidden Surprises at Utah's Forest School
After several days of smoky skies, we were grateful to wake up to clear mountain air for this week's Forest Friday. The fresh air made it feel like the perfect opportunity for a little extra adventure.
With a group made up mostly of energetic boys, we decided to challenge ourselves by taking a steeper trail than we usually hike. Right from the trailhead, we climbed up a ridge that rewarded us with beautiful views and a chance to stretch both our legs and our confidence. Every child tackled the climb with determination, encouraging one another along the way and proving that they were capable of more than they expected.
As always, the moment we reached our destination, backpacks hit the ground and lunches came out. It never seems to matter what time it is—once we stop, it's time to eat! Those quiet moments around lunch often become some of our favorite parts of the day.
One of the best surprises came when one student naturally stepped into the role of storyteller. He entertained the entire group by performing a hilarious comedic routine his dad had introduced him to years ago.
The other kids gathered around, completely captivated, laughing together.
Moments like these remind us why unstructured outdoor time is so valuable. Without screens, scheduled entertainment, or constant distractions, children create their own fun. They tell stories, invent games, share jokes, and discover talents they may not even realize they have. Watching friendships grow through simple conversation and shared laughter is one of the greatest gifts of Forest School.
The forest itself offered plenty of discoveries as well.
Along the river we found dozens of caterpillars and butterflies, giving us another chance to observe the incredible diversity of life all around us.
We also spent time learning how to identify plants by looking closely at their leaf shape, leaf margins, and overall structure. Before long, the students spotted a shrub covered with dark berries and eagerly tried to identify it.
After comparing its characteristics, we discovered it was Black Twinberry—a beautiful native plant that is not edible. While several students were disappointed they couldn't taste the berries, their curiosity quickly shifted into creativity as they experimented with crushing a few berries to see if they could make natural paint. Nature has a wonderful way of turning one question into another experiment.
One of the biggest hits of the day was learning how to make whistles from nature. First, we showed the students how to create whistles using acorns. The excitement on their faces when they heard that first loud whistle echo through the trees was priceless—even if the constant whistling became just a little bit noisy!
Then we introduced another classic wilderness trick: making a whistle from a simple blade of grass. Once they figured it out, there were smiles, surprised looks, and plenty of determined practice as they worked to master the technique.
Days like these remind us that some of the best learning happens through curiosity. A steep trail builds resilience. A storyteller builds community. A butterfly sparks questions. A handful of berries becomes a science experiment. An acorn becomes a musical instrument.
There is always something waiting to be discovered in the forest.
Continue the Learning at Home
Want to extend this week's adventures? Here are a few simple activities your family can try together:
🌿 Go on a Leaf Detective Walk
Take a neighborhood or park walk and collect a variety of fallen leaves. Compare their shapes, edges (leaf margins), and patterns. See if you can identify the trees or shrubs they came from using a field guide or plant identification app.
🎨 Experiment with Natural Pigments
Collect safe, non-toxic natural materials like mud, flower petals, spinach leaves, or fallen berries (with adult supervision and without tasting unknown plants). Crush them to see which ones make colorful natural paints, then create your own nature artwork.
🦋 Watch for Butterflies and Caterpillars
Spend time observing insects in your backyard or local park. Notice what plants they visit and practice drawing or photographing what you find. Talk about the amazing transformation from caterpillar to butterfly.
🎶 Learn a Nature Whistle
Challenge each other to master a grass whistle or discover other traditional outdoor skills that use natural materials. It's a fun reminder that entertainment doesn't always come from technology.
📚 Learn More Together
For families interested in diving deeper into this week's topics, here are a few excellent resources:
National Wildlife Federation's Ranger Rick offers activities and articles about insects, butterflies, and native wildlife.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has an extensive plant database to help identify native plants and learn about their habitats.
iNaturalist is a free app that allows families to identify plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife while contributing to real scientific observations.
Project Learning Tree provides free nature-based activities that encourage observation, exploration, and outdoor discovery.
Every week in Utah's forest reminds us that learning doesn't require four walls. Sometimes all it takes is a steep trail, curious minds, and the freedom to explore together.
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