Inspire curiosity, problem-solving and early scientific thinking with this exciting collection of 20 Outdoor STEM Ideas for Toddlers. Designed for children aged 2–4, this resource brings Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths to life through hands-on exploration in the natural world. Perfect for nurseries, early years settings, forest school practitioners and families who love outdoor learning, these activities turn everyday nature into powerful early STEM experiences.
From floating-and-sinking investigations and nature ramp experiments to shadow play, water-flow challenges and mini-beast exploration, each idea encourages toddlers to observe, test, build, predict and discover. All activities use simple natural materials—sticks, stones, leaves, water, mud—making them accessible, sustainable and easy to set up in any outdoor space.
Early STEM skills begin long before school, and research shows that playful, sensory-rich outdoor experiences build strong foundations for cognitive development, critical thinking and problem-solving. These activities offer toddlers the freedom to explore real-world science with their whole body, supporting attention, language development and natural curiosity.
What’s Inside
20 engaging STEM activities designed specifically for toddlers
Hands-on investigations using only natural materials
Simple, open-ended tasks that spark curiosity and creativity
Ideas that support science, maths, engineering and early technology skills
Perfect for forest school, outdoor classrooms and home learning
Perfect For
Early years practitioners and nurseries
Forest school leaders
Outdoor toddler groups
Home-educating families
Anyone wanting to embed real-world STEM learning outdoors
Give toddlers the chance to explore, experiment and learn through nature.
This collection makes early STEM learning exciting, playful and beautifully simple.
50 Outdoor Learning Activities for Toddlers Using Only Natural Items
50 Outdoor Messy Play Ideas for Toddlers Using Natural Items
