Forest schools are fast becoming a popular option for parents and their children who are in their early years. In contrast to traditional, examination-based schools, forest schools offer a child-led approach to learning through play and exploring the outdoors. They use nature, plants and animals to teach topics such as communication, teamwork and maths.
Forest House Waldorf School
In 2011, Forest House Waldorf School was founded with the dream of establishing the first government-registered Waldorf primary school in Hong Kong. Located in Sai Kung, Forest House is known for its energetic learning environment with a community filled with cultural diversity. It strives to develop each child into an inquisitive, creative, compassionate, independent and responsible individual.
Wilderness International Kindergarten
With a mission to ”encourage children in sustaining their natural curiosity, their love of learning, their well-being and their environment”, Wilderness International Kindergarten is a Reggio Emilia inspired school offering a unique and high-quality education that every child deserves. Pupils are encouraged to connect to nature through a balanced approach to structured learning, discovery activities and play in the school’s nature garden and outdoor play space.
Leapfrog Kindergarten
Located just outside Sai Kung Country Park, Leapfrog Kindergarten aims to build on each child’s strengths, interests and curiosities. Founded in 1992, it’s all about the space at Leapfrog with gardens, forest and woodlands to explore, as well as outdoor sandpits, mud kitchens and water play. The non-profit school is run by the School Director and supported by the parent committee board.
The Backyard Gang
The Backyard Gang, for kids five to nine years old, thrives on the concept where “kids can be kids”. A year-round programme where pupils meet every week after school, activities include hiking in the trails, building a fire to cook s’mores or making a rope swing at the beach. The teachers, who come from a range of backgrounds, keep their ratios low to make sure every kid gets adequate attention whilst exploring nature in the Southside neighbourhood.
Hong Kong Forest Adventures
Founded in 2016, HK Forest Adventures specialises in child-led play focused activities that are not programme or curriculum-driven. It is an “all-weather” company, which means that it encourages children to play outside regardless of the elements. Classes are capped at a maximum of eight to 12 kids and there are at least two teachers leading the play – one English speaker and one Cantonese speaker. It also hosts camps (during Chinese New Year, Easter and the like) and runs regular programmes for the whole family, including Family Night Walk and Family Forest Play.
