Rooted in Nature
Nature Den is an outdoor learning space where children grow through play, exploration, and time in nature.
Climbing, building, observing, and creating—children learn by doing. Through these experiences, they develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self. Each child is supported to follow their interests and grow at their own pace.
Founded in 2018, our approach is rooted in the forest school philosophy, where learning happens through hands-on, nature-based experiences. With autonomy, choice, and reflection, children develop responsibility, empathy, and self-awareness—grounded in meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging
A Social Enterprise
Every child deserves the care and support to reach their full potential.
Nature Den is built with the wider community in mind. We extend our approach beyond the child—to families, communities, and the environment we are part of.
We offer Forest School scholarships for families who need support, with Blue CHAS card holders automatically eligible.
We also share our knowledge with those who wish to start their own forest schools, helping grow a network of nature-based learning spaces across Singapore and the region.
As the first approved therapeutic forest school in Asia, we are committed to inclusivity. Our team is trained to support both neurotypical and neurodiverse learners, ensuring every child feels seen, supported, and able to thrive.
How Children Grow at Nature Den
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Spiritual (Nature-Connectedness)
Children develop a sense of connection to nature through repeated, meaningful experiences—fostering calm, belonging, and overall well-being.
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Physical
Active outdoor play builds strength, coordination, and confidence, supporting healthy and capable bodies.
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Intellectual
When children’s sensory and movement needs are met, they are ready to learn. Through play and exploration, they develop curiosity and problem-solving skills.
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Communication (and Language)
Through conversation, storytelling, and play, children learn to express themselves, listen to others, and communicate with confidence.
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Emotional
Children learn to recognise and manage their emotions, building resilience, self-awareness, and empathy.
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Social
Through shared experiences, children develop cooperation, respect, and the ability to form meaningful relationships.
The Origins of the Den
A place to belong and explore from
We saw many children spending much of their time indoors and with their noses in books, with fewer opportunities to simply be outdoors, move and spend time in nature. We felt children needed more balance in their lives, and more space to simply be themselves.
Dens are places to shelter, rest, raise young and grow. They are also places where young animals learn through being with their siblings, other young animals and the world around them.
Nature Den began in 2018 with Forest School at Lower Peirce (FSLP), building on our founder’s experience as a Forest School Singapore coach, where she led Forest School sessions in 2017. Her experience as a parent and educator, including homeschooling her own children, also shaped Nature Den’s vision and approach that is still evolving today.
We remember our first batch of Middle Schoolers in 2022, grown into their early teens, creating a secret den. They kept building it, returning to it and making it their own.
We saw what the Den can mean to a child: a sense of belonging and ownership of place.
In Singapore, children often have to start over within their schools every one or two years: new classmates, new teachers, new group dynamics, new rules and new friendships.
At the Den, they don't have to start over.
They can join us young and grow through Kinder, Juniors, Seniors, Middle School and College. The forest stays familiar. Friends grow alongside them. Adults remember who they were when they first arrived. The same Middle Schoolers are now in our FS College, and beginning to contribute back to the Den as they apprentice alongside the adults.
The Den continues to evolve, but at its heart, it remains a place to know you belong.
A place to belong, explore and become.
“A great opportunity for kids to be themselves, learn, relax and be with friends.”