Forest Day with Toddlers in Autumn: Planning Safely, Playing and Learning

However, for a forest day with toddlers not to become a logistical challenge, good ideas alone are not enough. Kita management, childcare professionals and parents need to know how the route, weather decisions, clothing, group organisation and emergency communication are handled. The best forest day is not the one with the most packed programme, but the one where children can explore safely and at their own pace.

Why September Is Ideal for a Forest Day

Early autumn offers many immediate opportunities for learning. Leaves change colour and texture, fruits and seeds become visible, and the ground feels different depending on the weather. At the same time, after the start of the new Kita year, children are becoming increasingly familiar with their caregivers and daily routines. A regular morning in the forest can strengthen this group experience.

However, seasonal changes also mean unpredictable weather. Cool mornings, warm midday temperatures, rain or wind require flexible decisions. That is why checking the weather should not only happen on the morning of the trip, but should be part of a clear process with a defined decision-making time and a prepared alternative.

Planning Starts with a Clear Goal

Before creating material lists, the team should clarify what the forest day is intended to achieve. Is the focus on free movement, sensory experiences, getting to know a familiar forest area or a small nature project? A clear goal prevents too many activities from being packed into a short outing.

For children under four, for example, a suitable goal could be: “The children get to know the route and our forest area, move across different types of ground and collect three natural materials that interest them.” This goal is observable, open-ended and age-appropriate. It leaves room for spontaneous discoveries.

Check the Route and Forest Area in Advance

At least one responsible childcare professional should walk the route and visit the destination beforehand. It is not only the length of the route that matters. Check:

• Where are there safe meeting points?

• Do roads, car parks or cycle paths need to be crossed?

• Are there steep slopes, bodies of water, forestry work or damaged trees?

• Is mobile phone reception sufficient, and where is the nearest easily accessible meeting point for emergency assistance?

• Where can children eat, rest and, if necessary, wait in a sheltered place?

• Which alternative route could shorten the return journey?

The forest is not a controlled indoor environment. That is precisely why having a familiar, recurring location can be helpful. The recommendations in the “Wald-Knigge” by WaldSchweiz can also be used to establish respectful behaviour towards nature, other forest visitors and forestry work within the team.

The Safety Check the Day Before and in the Morning

A short two-stage check can reduce uncertainty. The day before, the responsible person checks the weather forecast, warnings, staffing levels and any special needs of the children. In the morning, the final decision is made based on the current conditions.

Criteria for Going Ahead, Adapting or Cancelling

Instead of defining only “good” and “bad” weather, establish three options internally:

1. Go ahead: The route and forest area are safe, the team is fully staffed and the equipment is appropriate.

2. Adapt: A shorter route, a nearby nature area or a reduced time frame makes more sense.

3. Cancel: Weather warnings, strong winds, risk of thunderstorms, unclear path conditions or insufficient staffing make the outing irresponsible.

MeteoSwiss points out that thunderstorms can occur locally and can only be predicted with limited precision. For Kitas, this leads to a simple practical approach: check current warnings, do not take a “let’s try anyway” approach when there is a risk of thunderstorms, and have an appealing indoor alternative ready.

Assign Responsibilities Within the Team

Before setting off, every adult should know their role. One possible distribution is:

• One person leads the group and knows the route and schedule.

• One person stays at the back and monitors that everyone is present and that the group is moving at an appropriate pace.

• One person carries the emergency kit, phone and relevant contact details.

• For larger groups, each childcare professional accompanies a predefined small group.

Simply counting children is not enough. Fixed small groups, clear assignments and designated counting points are useful: before departure, after each crossing, upon arrival, before the return journey and when arriving back at the Kita.

Clothing and Equipment: Less, but Right

Parents need short, specific packing instructions. Phrases such as “dress appropriately for the weather” leave too much room for interpretation. A checklist with layers, closed shoes, rain or sun protection and a labelled change of clothes kept at the Kita is more practical.

What the Kita Should Bring

• A charged mobile phone and emergency contacts;

• A first-aid kit according to the Kita’s internal procedures;

• Drinking water and age-appropriate snacks;

• Tissues, rubbish bags and spare materials;

• A sitting mat or lightweight tarp;

• An attendance list, as well as information about relevant allergies and agreed emergency procedures;

• A few educational materials, such as collection bags, magnifying containers without collecting or trapping animals, or colour cards.

Medication and health information should be handled according to the Kita’s established procedures. Before the outing, the team should know who is responsible for carrying and administering anything required. Individual medical questions should be clarified with parents and the relevant healthcare professionals, rather than decided spontaneously in the forest.

Tick Protection Is Also Important in Autumn

Ticks are not only a summer issue. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health recommends protective measures such as covering the skin, using appropriate tick protection, avoiding tall grass and undergrowth, and checking the body after spending time outdoors. A tick that is found should be removed promptly and correctly; further steps should follow the Kita’s health procedures and its communication process with parents.

In practice, this means:

• Explicitly mention long trousers and closed shoes in the information sent to parents.

• Do not allow children to walk through dense undergrowth.

• After the forest day, recommend that parents check their children for ticks and clearly explain which checks are carried out by the Kita itself.

• Agree in advance within the team on procedures, documentation and communication in the event of a tick being found.

Questions about TBE vaccination should be discussed with a doctor. The Kita can provide factual information about exposure and protection, but should not give individual vaccination recommendations.

Forest Rules Toddlers Can Understand

Long lists of rules are of little help when you are on the move. Three to five short, positively worded rules that are practised beforehand are more effective:

• We stay where we can see our caregiver.

• We wait when we hear the agreed signal.

• We only eat what comes from our backpack.

• We leave animals, mushrooms and unfamiliar plants alone.

• We take our rubbish back with us.

An agreed sound or gathering signal should be introduced at the Kita before it is needed in the forest. Let the children practise: hear the signal, stop, look at their caregiver and come to the meeting point. This turns a safety rule into a familiar part of the routine.

Educational Ideas Without a Mountain of Materials

The forest already provides more stimulation than a prepared activity programme ever could. Good activities simply direct attention without taking away from free play.

Find the Colours

Each small group receives two or three colour cards. The children look for natural materials with similar colours without picking plants. Together, they compare: Is the leaf yellow, brown or both? This activity combines language, perception and careful observation.

Collect Sounds

The group sits quietly for a short minute. Afterwards, the children show or name what they heard: wind, a bird, footsteps, a vehicle or a cracking branch. Younger children can also imitate sounds. This creates a calm counterbalance to physical activity.

Build Paths for Pinecones

Using branches and leaves, the children create a track along which pinecones can roll or be pushed. They change the slope and surface. The childcare professional supports them with open-ended questions: “What happens when the path gets steeper?” There does not need to be a correct result — what matters is exploring together.

A Forest Mandala That Stays in the Forest

Leaves, stones and pinecones are arranged into a circle. At the end, the creation remains where it was made. This allows children to experience creativity while also learning that natural materials do not always need to be taken home.

Observe Without Losing the Moment

Agree on one observation focus for the forest day, such as risk competence or cooperative play. Afterwards, record two or three specific situations rather than taking photographs continuously. “Mila tested each branch with her foot and then called Noah” demonstrates planning and cooperation much more clearly than the general statement “Mila was skilled.”

Communication with Parents Before and After the Forest Day

Parents want to know where their child is going, how the outing is organised and what they need to contribute. A clear message should include:

• Date, time frame and destination area;

• Purpose of the forest day;

• Clothing and personal equipment;

• Procedure in case of a change in weather or cancellation;

• Contact method during the outing;

• Information about tick checks and wet or dirty clothing;

• Any required consent according to the Kita’s regulations.

After the forest day, a few concrete insights are enough: a short observation from the group, a follow-up idea for home and — where the appropriate consent has been given — selected photos. Avoid turning the update into a simple photo gallery. Parents gain more confidence when they understand what the children experienced and learned.

Example of a Short Message to Parents

“On Thursday, the Rainbow Group will spend the morning at our forest area. The children will explore autumn colours and move across different types of ground. Please bring your child to the Kita by 8:15 a.m. wearing long trousers, closed shoes and a weatherproof jacket. We will decide in the morning whether the outing can go ahead or whether we will have an alternative programme, based on the current weather conditions, and will inform you via the Kita communication channel by 7:30 a.m. After the outing, we recommend checking your child for ticks at home.”

Visibility: Show the Forest Day Authentically

A regular forest day makes a Kita’s educational profile tangible. Do not simply mention “nature education”; describe the routine, age groups, safety organisation and the educational approach behind it.

On the Kita profile of Kinderkrippe.ch, such insights help families compare different Kitas. At the same time, childcare professionals can see whether the approach matches their skills and expectations. Good visibility supports both parent acquisition and employer positioning.

Conclusion: A Good Forest Day Is Prepared but Still Open-Ended

A forest day at the Kita works best when planning and educational freedom come together. The route, roles, weather decision, tick protection and communication with parents need to be organised reliably. Within this framework, children can determine their own pace, questions and play.

Starting in September with a familiar forest area and a simple routine creates a practice that can continue to develop throughout the autumn. Do not document only beautiful moments; also document your educational approach and organisation. This helps parents understand what quality means in your Kita in practical terms — and allows childcare professionals to recognise a workplace where education is intentionally designed.

Make your concept visible where families and childcare professionals are looking for Swiss Kitas: create or update your Kita profile on Kinderkrippe.ch and use concrete insights to show what your childcare stands for.