Gear checklist

In Gem of the Forest, we truly believe that “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”

To put this into practice, we’ve created a gear checklist—a guide to what helps forest children thrive in every season. Some items are absolute must-haves, while others are simply recommendations gathered from years of experience (and plenty of trial and error).
Take what’s helpful!

Daily Essentials

  • With breast-buckle if possible

    With a side pocket to hold water bottle

  • Choose a simple, durable, easy-to-use bottle.

    • We suggest stainless steel. Avoid plastic bottles (may leach in the heat)

    • Avoid straws, complex lids, or hinge parts (hard to clean, break easily)

    • Avoid tapered or wide bases (don’t fit well in side pockets)

    • Avoid too tall bottles (that may slip out easily)

    • Insulated lunch boxes or bags help keep food hot or cold throughout the day

    • Choose stainless steel containers – safe, durable, and easy to clean

    • Avoid plastic and multi-piece sets (parts get lost easily)

    • Each child needs:

      • 1 container for lunch

      • 1 container for snack (usually fruit)

    • Containers should seal tightly with leak-proof lids

    • Bento-style boxes work well for dry, separate items — not great for saucy foods

  • Sun hat for summer, warm hat for winter

Footwear

  • Ideally, children would run barefoot, feeling the earth beneath them. But in Texas Hill Country, we have sharp rocks, fire ants, chiggers, and thorny & itchy plants, we must prioritize safety.

    • Closed-toe shoes only
      No sandals (unless with socks). No flip-flops.

    • Minimalist shoe design
      Following Katy Bowman’s foot-health principles:

      • Wide toe box (toes can move freely)

      • Thin, flexible sole (barefoot-like feel)

      • Secure fit (no loose or floppy shoes)

      • Flat heel (no elevation)

    • Easy on/off
      Children want to be able to take off and put on shoes themselves.

    • Hiking boots: Too bulky and stiff for young kids

    • Flip-flops, Crocs, or open sandals: Not safe for hiking or forest play

    • Shoes hard for the child to manage on their own

Clothing Guidelines

  • Long pants every day – protection from sun, bugs, and scrapes

  • Simple, natural colors preferred (Waldorf values)

    • Shoelaces - if the child is not able to tie their shoes. 

    • Tight trousers or any clothes that hinder movement

    • Jumpsuit or anything hard to take off when going to the bathroom

    • Dresses and skirts

    • Shorts

  • Cotton, wool, or breathable fabrics preferred

  • Wool undergarments are highly recommended for cold weather

Rain Gear

  • We tried and liked Reima

  • We tried and liked Reima

  • We tried and liked GIGIDIDI Kid Rain Boot

  • items must be “waterproof”

Extra Clothing

  • Pants, shirt, underwear, socks for when main cloths get wet/dirty

  • Please send in a ziplock labeled with child’s name

  • After use or seasonally

Nap Time Essentials

  • One fitted sheet, blanket, and pillow, or a custom nap roll, to be kept at school