Forest youth games inspire 400 children in East Saxony!

Forest youth games inspire 400 children in East Saxony!

The 26th Forest Youth Games took place in East Saxony on June 20, 2025, an initiative organized by Sachsenforst. Around 400 school children from the Neustadt forestry district took part in this special event, which was held in various picturesque locations, including the Zittau Mountains in Olbersdorf, Graupa near Pirna, Neustadt in Sachsen and Seeligstadt in Großharthau. The aim of these events is to bring children closer to nature and to impart valuable knowledge about the forest, such as Sächsische.de reported.

With numerous stations and a lovingly designed course, the children were accompanied by foresters and forest workers. Here they were able to learn interactively: from the different plants and animals to the enormous importance of the forest for humans to the measures necessary to preserve this valuable resource. Forest district manager René Klabes emphasized the importance of children experiencing the forest with all their senses in order to develop a deeper understanding of this habitat.

A playful approach to nature

The forest youth games not only offer a special school day in the forest, but also an exciting opportunity to learn about the forest habitat in a playful way. A program is offered especially for students in the 3rd and 4th grades, which is led by foresters and forest workers. The children learn, among other things, the need to preserve the forest and the various benefits it has for us humans Forest education in Saxony highlights.

6th grade students have the opportunity to take on the role of a forest ranger themselves. Here they have to deal with the management of the forest and take into account different aspects such as useful, protective and recreational functions. At stations such as “Forest Care” and “Wood Sales”, the sustainable use of natural resources is taught in a playful way, which is more than just theory.

Forest education as a key to sustainable development

The forest youth games are not only fun for the children, they also contribute to broader education for sustainable development (ESD). With a clear focus on learning environmentally conscious values, forest education promotes social and emotional skills such as: LWF Bavaria explained. Forest education has developed over the years and now offers complex learning opportunities that go far beyond classic forest management.

In times when dialogue with society about the future design of our forests is becoming increasingly important, forest education provides a valuable stimulus. It not only motivates children to actively participate and take responsibility, but also enables them to become more deeply rooted in our natural environment. Activities such as forest youth games bring the younger generations a little closer to the forest and thus promote a generation of nature-conscious people.