The Best Forest Schools In Hong Kong

Forest schools are a wonderful way to give your child a hands-on outdoor learning experience. From Forest House Waldorf School to Hong Kong Forest Adventures, here are the best forest schools in Hong Kong.

Making flower crowns, building sandcastles, campfire cooking and more – while these activities may sound like any other play time, they carry many hidden benefits to a child’s development. Forest schools have gained popularity in Hong Kong in recent years as they enable your child to learn personal, social and technical skills in an outdoor environment through exploration and discovery. It not only benefits students’ health and fitness but also improves their concentration, problem-solving skills and communication. Whether you’re looking to enrol your child in a school that provides forest education programs or you’re searching for nature-based extracurricular activities, here is what Hong Kong has to offer.

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Schools With Forest Programs In Hong Kong
Nature-Based Extracurricular Activities 

Read More: International Pre-Nursery, Kindergartens And Preschools In Hong Kong

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Schools With Forest Programs In Hong Kong

Leapfrog Kindergarten – Hands-on learning at this forest school program

Following the UK Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, Leapfrog Montessori provides a full Forest School program with outdoor educational experiences. Children can experience hands-on learning and freely move through self-chosen and adult-initiated activities to develop new abilities and form close relationships.

Leapfrog Montessori, 11 Pak Tam Chung Village, Sai Kung Country Park, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, 2791 1540, www.leapfrogkindergarten.org

Read More: Your Guide To Montessori Education — Top Montessori Schools In Hong Kong

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Forest House Waldorf School – Forest school with Waldorf curriculum

Here, the class teacher moves with the class through several years (often from class 1 to 6) which helps them learn about each student’s strengths and needs. Lessons for class 1 to class 6 are divided into sections, focusing on different academic themes and hands-on activities such as modelling, woodwork and more.

Forest House Waldorf School, Commercial Area, Floral Villas, 18 Tso Wo Road, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2792 6055, [email protected], www.foresthouse.edu.hk

Read More: Local vs. International School — How To Choose The Right School For Your Child In Hong Kong

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Wilderness Kindergarten – Hong Kong forest school with its own outdoor area

At Wilderness, your child will learn in a nurturing and secure environment through discovery activities and enriching play in its own garden, outdoor play area, cooking area and more. Kids will learn about building a successful community, expressing ideas and feelings, plants as a life-sustaining resource and more. It has classes from K1 to K3, plus playgroups for newborns to 3-year-olds.

Wilderness Kindergarten, G/F, Po Tak Mansion, 85 Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, 2595 9066, [email protected], www.wilderness.asia

Read More: 9 Books To Help Your Child Prepare For The First Day Of Kindergarten

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Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong – Child-led forest school program

One of the first schools in Hong Kong to operate a forest-beach school program, Malvern College encourages child-led learning with a focus on all five senses. Children aged from 2 to 5 years old will learn teamwork, interpersonal skills, self-esteem, managing risks and gain a curiosity to explore and inquire.

Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (Island West), G/F and 1/F, Viking Court, 165-166 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 3898 4670, [email protected]

Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (Coronation Circle), G09-12, Coronation Circle, 1 Yau Cheung Road, West Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3898 4660, [email protected], www.malvernpreschool.hk

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Discovery Bay International School – Offers year-round forest and beach programs

Discovery Bay International School follows the Reggio Emilia approach and makes use of its outdoor play areas, a forest school, a library and more. Its forest and beach schools program complements the EYFS curriculum with sessions taking place throughout the year in safe weather conditions.

Discovery Bay International School, Discovery Bay Road, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, 2914 2142, [email protected], www.dbis.edu.hk

Read More: Montessori, Waldorf And Reggio Emilia, Which Is Right For My Child?

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More Forest School Programs In Hong Kong

• Bloom KKCA Academy – Child-centered forest adventure program with tactile play. www.bloom.edu.hk
• Mulberry House International Kindergarten – Students participate in field trips, visits to organic farms, hikes and more. www.mulberryhousekg.com
• ICHK Hong Lok Yuen – Outdoor learning program with exciting activities such as shelter building, outdoor science and more. www.ichkhly.edu.hk
• Japanese International School – Outdoor education program that is closely linked to the United Nations Global Goals for the planet. www.es.jis.edu.hk

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Nature-Based Extracurricular Activities In Hong Kong

The Backyard Gang – Forest school for kids from 3 to 9 years old

Encouraging kids to get out into nature and play, The Backyard Gang has a Backyard Explorers program for children from 3 to 4 years old to help them build curiosity and confidence. Once they turn 5 years old, they can join the Backyard Gang program where they will embark on more exciting outdoor adventures.

The Backyard Gang, [email protected], www.thebackyardgang.com

Read More: Extracurricular Activities In Hong Kong – After-School Classes For Kids

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Ark Eden – Forest school offering camps for kids

A registered Hong Kong charity, Ark Eden runs regular camps for children aged 5 to 10 in a forested valley garden on Lantau Island. It emphasises compassionate living, and imaginative play and teaches kids to solve problems through storytelling and reconnecting with nature. Plus, they will also learn important skills such as how to cook, make a fire, woodworking and more.

Ark Eden, 11 Tung Hang Mei, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, 2988 5355, [email protected], www.arkedenonlantau.org 

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Hong Kong Forest Adventures – Forest school with English and Cantonese teachers

An outdoor play-based developmental program for kids from 1.5 to 6 years old, HK Forest Adventures is fully child-led and doesn’t follow any curriculum. Class sizes are small (8 to 12 kids) with two teachers for every class – one English-speaking and one Cantonese-speaking teacher.

Hong Kong Forest Adventures, 12D Tai Shui Hang North Road, Tai Shui Hang, Hong Kong, 5238 2377, [email protected], www.hongkongforestadventures.com

Read More: Bilingual Schools And Bilingual Kindergartens In Hong Kong

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Editor’s Note: “The Best Forest Schools In Hong Kong” was most recently updated in November 2024 by Veena Raghunath, with thanks to Najuka Redkar for her contribution.