Step Into Nature: Forest School Footwear and Development
When children explore the great outdoors, they’re not just having fun—they’re developing important physical skills that support their growth and well-being.
Nature play offers a unique sensory experience that engages their proprioceptive and vestibular systems, helping them learn how to balance, coordinate their movements, and understand where their body is in space.
Uneven terrains like forests, creek beds, and rockpools challenge their bodies in ways that smooth, indoor surfaces simply can’t, making nature play essential for their development.
While choosing the right shoes can help keep children safe and comfortable during outdoor play, it’s the diverse and ever-changing landscapes that really do the work of strengthening their growing bodies.
How Different Terrains Build Balance and Coordination
The proprioceptive system is responsible for understanding where our limbs are and how they move without having to look at them.
This sense is strengthened when kids interact with a variety of surfaces, from the soft squish of mud to the firmness of tree roots.
Navigating these surfaces requires the brain to constantly communicate with muscles and joints, enhancing a child’s coordination and motor skills.
Similarly, the vestibular system controls balance and spatial orientation.
When children walk across uneven surfaces like rocky creek beds, balance beams in the forest, or sloping hills, they’re naturally fine-tuning this system.
The gentle instability of natural terrains—like a log or sandy beach—pushes their balance and reflexes to adapt, which directly supports their ability to manage more structured environments later on, like school sports or everyday tasks.
In short, nature is an irreplaceable playground for the body, offering rich stimuli that concrete playgrounds or flat lawns simply can’t match.
Choosing the Right Shoes for Different Terrains
While the benefits of nature play are the star of the show, the right shoes can help kids make the most of their outdoor adventures by providing the protection and comfort they need to explore safely.
Barefoot-Style Shoes
For kids who are used to being barefoot, a lightweight, flexible shoe is the closest thing to no shoes at all. These types of shoes allow children to feel the ground beneath their feet, promoting better sensory input and movement control. They are perfect for running through forests, climbing on rocks, or playing in grassy areas.
Old Sneakers
A pair of worn-in sneakers can be a great all-purpose option for nature play. They provide protection for toes and enough grip to navigate dirt tracks, fields, or even shallow creeks. Plus, old sneakers can handle some wear and tear, so it’s no big deal if they get muddy or wet.
River Shoes or Water-Friendly Footwear
For activities that involve creeks, rivers, or the beach, water shoes are an excellent option. They offer a firm grip on slippery surfaces like rocks and can handle both wet and dry conditions. Water shoes also protect little feet from sharp objects like shells or stones, making them ideal for splash-filled adventures.
Lightweight Boots
Boots with a little more sturdiness, like ankle boots, are great for adventures in bushland or rougher terrains. They protect against sharp rocks, uneven ground, and prickly plants, while offering enough ankle support for children navigating hilly or rocky areas. Sturdy boots are perfect for long hikes, exploring creeks, or any outdoor area where the ground is unpredictable.
Open Shoes (like sandals or clogs)
For quick trips to sandy or grassy areas, easy slip-on shoes like clogs or open-toe sandals can be an easy and breathable option. While they don’t offer as much foot protection, they’re ideal for casual, low-risk environments like beach walks or grassy fields.
Encouraging Children to Explore a Variety of Terrains
Shoes aside, the most important thing is to encourage children to explore a wide variety of natural environments.
Running barefoot through sand, climbing over tree roots, jumping between rocks, and balancing on fallen logs are all activities that engage both the body and mind.
These natural “obstacles” teach children to adapt, develop resilience, and refine their motor skills in real-world settings.
Each time a child steps onto uneven terrain, their body is learning.
The tiny adjustments their muscles and joints make help build strength, coordination, and self-awareness, while their brain works to process the sensory feedback.
These experiences lay the groundwork for physical confidence and dexterity that will benefit them for years to come.
By encouraging outdoor play on different surfaces, parents can help children develop stronger proprioceptive and vestibular systems, providing them with a physical foundation that supports all aspects of their growth.
So, while shoes are important, what really matters is getting kids outside, allowing them to experience the richness of the natural world under their feet.
We’re here to help your kids connect with nature:
Make the Most of School Holidays: Book Your Spot in Our Adventure-Packed Holiday Program Today!
Celebrate in the Wild: Reserve Your Child's Unforgettable Birthday Party with Us!
Bring the Classroom Outdoors: Schedule an Inspiring School Excursion or Incursion with Wildlings Forest School!
Written by Ellen Nesbitt. Ellen is a nature play advocate and creative writer with a passion for helping families connect with the outdoors. She is dedicated to exploring ways to nurture children's creativity, independence, wellbeing and love for nature.