10 Outdoor Tips Using Nature to Keep Children Regulated
Looking for outdoor regulation ideas for children? Nature can be a powerful way to help children feel calmer, more settled and more ready to learn.
This resource shares simple outdoor tips using nature to support emotional regulation, sensory needs, wellbeing and behaviour in EYFS, primary and SEND settings. New to teaching outdoors? Start here: Beginners Guide to SEND Outdoors.
Outdoor learning does not need to be complicated. Sometimes a leaf, a stick, a stone, a quiet walk or a few minutes in fresh air can help a child reconnect with their body and emotions.
Why nature helps children regulate
Some children find the classroom overwhelming.
The noise.
The lights.
The expectations.
The sitting.
The transitions.
The social demands.
For some children, especially those with SEND, ADHD, autism, sensory processing needs, anxiety or SEMH needs, the outdoor environment can offer something different. For more bespoke ideas head to the Outdoor SEND Hub.
Outside, children can:
- move more freely
- breathe fresh air
- use their senses
- access calming natural materials
- release energy safely
- have more space
- notice the world around them
- feel less trapped or overwhelmed
Nature gives children a different kind of regulation support.
It does not replace adult connection, nurture or strong routines, but it can become a powerful part of your wellbeing toolkit. We provide resources to support SEND children’s focused interests – try this Outdoor Whirpool Idea Pack to make a start.
New to outdoor regulation? Start here
If using nature for regulation feels new, start small.
You do not need a woodland.
You do not need a huge outdoor area.
You do not need specialist resources.
Start with:
- a short nature walk
- a calm breathing activity
- a feelings stone
- a quiet sit spot
- a sensory nature basket
The key is to make outdoor regulation simple, predictable and easy to repeat.
You can start with a 60-day free trial and explore outdoor learning resources, SEND support, focused interest ideas and active lesson activities straight away.
Try this tomorrow
The Nature Reset
Take a child or small group outside for a 5-minute reset.
Ask them to find:
- one thing they can see
- one thing they can hear
- one thing they can touch
- one thing they can smell
- one thing that makes them feel calm
Then ask:
“What does your body feel like now?”
Time: 5 minutes
Prep: None
Learning: Regulation, mindfulness, emotional awareness and sensory grounding
This simple outdoor activity can help children move away from overwhelm and return to the present moment.
How nature can support emotional regulation
Children need regulation before they can access learning.
A child who is overwhelmed may not be able to listen, sit, write, share, speak calmly or follow instructions straight away.
They may first need:
- movement
- connection
- sensory input
- space
- rhythm
- calm
- time
- reassurance
Nature can support this because it gives children something real to connect with. For more bespoke ideas head to the Outdoor SEND Hub.
A stone to hold.
A leaf to notice.
A path to walk.
A tree to lean against.
Mud to press.
Grass to feel.
Clouds to watch.
These small moments can help children begin to feel safe and settled again.
A small taster of nature regulation ideas
The full resource includes 10 outdoor tips using nature to keep children regulated.
Here are a few gentle examples of the kind of support nature can offer.
Try this idea pack: 10 Outdoor Tips to Keep Children Regulated.
1. Breathing with leaves
Ask children to hold a leaf and breathe in slowly.
Then breathe out gently, as if they are blowing the leaf.
This simple activity helps children slow their breathing and focus on something natural and calming.
2. Feelings stones
Invite children to choose a stone to represent how they feel.
A heavy stone might be anger.
A smooth stone might be calm.
A small stone might be worry.
This gives children a practical way to talk about emotions without needing to find all the words straight away.
3. Regulation walks
A short walk outside can help children release energy, reset their bodies and feel more ready to return to learning.
You can make it purposeful by asking children to notice colours, sounds, shapes or textures as they walk.
Want all 10 outdoor regulation tips?
The full 10 Outdoor Tips Using Nature to Keep Children Regulated resource gives you simple, practical ideas you can use across the school day.
Inside the resource, you will find outdoor tips to help children:
- calm big feelings
- release energy safely
- reconnect with their senses
- build emotional awareness
- develop regulation strategies
- feel more ready to learn
- use nature as a calming tool
The ideas are designed to be low-prep, realistic and easy to use in busy schools, nurseries and SEND settings.
Who is this resource for?
This resource is useful for:
- EYFS teachers
- primary teachers
- SENDCos
- teaching assistants
- nurture staff
- pastoral teams
- early years practitioners
- outdoor learning leads
- parents and carers
- wellbeing leads
It can be used for whole-class wellbeing, small-group nurture, individual regulation support, sensory breaks, transitions or outdoor learning sessions.
Outdoor regulation and SEND
Nature-based regulation can be especially helpful for children with SEND.
Some children may find indoor regulation strategies difficult because they still feel overwhelmed by the classroom environment. For more bespoke ideas head to the Outdoor SEND Hub.
Taking regulation outdoors can offer:
- more space
- fewer demands
- natural sensory input
- movement opportunities
- calming repetition
- a softer environment
- a gentle way to reconnect with adults
For some children, a few minutes outside can be the difference between escalation and reconnection.
Keep nature regulation simple
Outdoor regulation does not need to look like a big intervention.
It can be:
- holding a stone
- watching clouds
- walking slowly
- listening to birds
- pressing hands into mud
- noticing leaf patterns
- collecting calming colours
- sitting by a tree
- breathing with nature
The simpler it is, the easier it is to use every day.
Download 10 Outdoor Tips Using Nature to Keep Children Regulated
If you would like the full activity pack, you can download 10 Outdoor Tips Using Nature to Keep Children Regulatedinside The Muddy Puddle Teacher.
You can start with a 60-day free trial and explore outdoor learning resources, SEND support, focused interest ideas and active lesson activities straight away.
Ready to help children regulate outdoors?
Children do not always need more instructions.
Sometimes they need space.
Sometimes they need movement.
Sometimes they need nature.
Sometimes they need a calm adult and a simple way back.
Start small.
Step outside.
Use what nature gives you.
Download the full 10 Outdoor Tips Using Nature to Keep Children Regulated resource with your 60-day free trial today.
FAQs
How can nature help children regulate?
Nature can help children regulate by offering fresh air, movement, sensory input and calming natural materials. Outdoor spaces can help children feel less overwhelmed and more able to reconnect with their bodies and emotions.
What are outdoor regulation activities?
Outdoor regulation activities are simple activities that help children feel calm, settled or ready to learn outside. These might include breathing with leaves, holding feelings stones, going on a regulation walk, cloud watching or using natural materials for sensory grounding.
Can outdoor learning support children with SEND?
Yes. Outdoor learning can support children with SEND by providing space, movement, sensory experiences and practical ways to access learning and regulation. You can start with a 60-day free trial and explore outdoor learning resources, SEND support, focused interest ideas and active lesson activities straight away.
What can I do when a child is dysregulated?
Stay calm, reduce demands, offer space and connection, and use simple regulation tools. A short outdoor reset, breathing activity, sensory walk or nature-based calming activity may help the child begin to settle.
Do I need special equipment for outdoor regulation?
No. You can use simple natural materials such as leaves, sticks, stones, mud, grass, trees, flowers and clouds. Nature-based regulation does not need to be expensive.
Are nature regulation activities suitable for EYFS?
Yes. Nature regulation activities are ideal for EYFS when they are short, playful, sensory and supported by a calm adult.
How often should children use outdoor regulation activities?
Little and often is best. A short daily nature reset, regulation walk or outdoor breathing activity can help children build familiar strategies they can return to when needed.
Can these activities be used with the whole class?
Yes. Many outdoor regulation ideas can be used as whole-class wellbeing activities, small-group nurture sessions or individual regulation tools.
