Coulee Critters Forest & Nature School

iykyk... 🐐

The local celebrities have arrived, and naturally, the paparazzi aren't far behind 📸

Their annual visit is something we look forward to every year at forest school.

Who else gets excited when the goats come to town? 👇

Today is International Day of Play.

A reminder that play isn't a reward - it's a child's right.

A reminder that play isn't a break from childhood - it's the heart of it.

A reminder that play isn't wasted time - it's where children come alive.

A reminder that play is the most important work of childhood - it's how they discover who they are.

Protect play. Protect childhood. ✨️🌱

This is what a good childhood looks like: messy, wild, unpredictable, and full of joy.

Who's coming to the next spa day? 😂

“Be careful” has become one of the most common phrases children hear.

But what if, instead of constantly reminding children what could go wrong, we gave them more opportunities to discover what they’re capable of getting right?

Children are incredibly capable when we stop assuming they can’t handle responsibility.

At forest school, we don’t hand children tools and hope for the best. We teach them how to use them safely, respectfully, and confidently. They learn how to assess risk, control their bodies, focus their attention, and care for themselves and others.

And that learning matters far beyond a knife.

Because the goal isn’t carving sticks.
The goal is building capable humans.

Humans who trust themselves.
Who know how to problem-solve.
Who can stay calm, focused, and aware.
Who understand that confidence is earned through experience.

So much of modern childhood is built around eliminating risk entirely. But when we remove every challenge, we also remove opportunities for children to develop judgment, resilience, and independence.

Children do not become capable suddenly one day.
They become capable because they’ve been allowed to practice being capable all along ✨️🌱