INSPIRED FOREST SCHOOL KIT LIST
All of the equipment here has been put to the test by the most important customers in Forest School, the children! This Forest School kit is used daily and has been selected by a team of Forest School Leaders alongside the children who take part in sessions. Any questions, just drop us an email: [email protected]
Tools – a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function.
Forest School without risk taking opportunities is just not the real thing! Here we list the tool that we use with our child, aged 3 and upwards, with varying levels of support. Once they gain our trust, the tools provide wonderful chances to grow confidence and build resilience.
Pyrography :: Wood burning tool (Gas)
Allows you to burn wood in the woods (butane gas). Alternatively you could ask them to write on their work in pencil and you burn it for them 🙂
Hold the Hand Drill
High quality hand drill with chuck and three 'jaws' to clamp. This will work with the hex drill bits listed on the site, for use with the electric model.
Precise Pin Hammer
Lightweight, in-expensive hammer to use with small nails and pins. Knock into wood, metal lids for hand eye co-ordination.
Tough Tenon Saw
Useful for smaller hands. This small, 12inch saw, can be used to cut wood. Sharp, but easier for 1:1 use than a bow saw.
DO A JOB DRILL BITS
Simple to change with no chuck for you or the students to have to tighten, these drill bits are designed for drilling. The point on the end of the bits enables them to remain stable from the beginning.
ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVER/DRILL
If hand drills aren't for you and your setting then think about an electric drill. The slow speed allows control and precision when drilling with your students and the bits that come with it allow you to double up as a screwdriver.
LOVELY LAPLANDER FOLDING SAW
A different product to the one used on training, but this is a higher spec - Sandvik blade. It also boasts anon-stick clade coating helps blade glide thorough even the most difficult materials and a Bahco XT toothing that cuts in both directions.
TERRIFIC TWO IN ONE SHARPENER
Fiskars, the trusted Swedish brand, have produced this popular axe and knife sharpening tool that is both easy to use and store.
MAGNIFICENT MASSIVE MALLET
A rubber mallet to bang in steaks, use with 'Billy Billhook' and for knocking pegs into the ground. A heavy bit of kit for the kids to use, but a necessity as a leader.
FISKARS FINE SECATEURS
Fiskars Smart Fit is a great multi-purpose pruner for pruning thicker and thinner branches. A great price for a quality product and always useful in your toolkit
SHARPENING STONE
Keep your tools nice and sharp the professional way. Use this stone to maintain tools and make them easier to use.
PROTECTIVE PADLOCK
Use a padlock to keep your tool box locked safe. These simple padlocks fit onto the box nicely and use a three digit code for quick access and locking.
TOTALLY STRONG TOOLBOX
This toolbox is strong, secure, large and waterproof. You can place a padlock on to make sure that it complies with safety standards regarding storage of tools. Please be aware that the larger sized bow saw listed on this page will not fit inside this box.
WET SANDPAPER – TO CLEAN
Use this sandpaper to keep your tools looking their best. We use this after every whittling session to keep the blades sharp
SHORT SHARP CHOPPING AXE
Just the job for splitting logs for kindling or preparing some tinder sticks for fire lighting. A quality name and a sturdy product.
EXTENDABLE LONG LOPPERS
A perfect friend to help you to clear the Forest School site, chop smaller branches into whittling lengths or prepare sticks for kindling. The children enjoy pushing an arm each and observing the power of the loppers!
BRILLIANT BAHCO BOW SAW (21″)
Pull, pull, pull. This light-weight bow saw is just the right size for two to use when sawing wood. It comes complete with a blade cover and you can replace the blade to keep it sharp and safe to use.
BLADE SHARP BILLHOOK
A billhook can be used effectively as a coppicing tool as well as for splitting wood in the traditional Forest School way. This tool does not come with a sheath, but a length of hose could be used (although we don't use one as it lives in our tool box).