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20 Outdoor Ideas for a Child Who Loves Tree Branches, Throwing & Pulling Things Down

20 Outdoor Ideas for a Child Who Loves Tree Branches, Throwing & Pulling Things Down

A Practical, SEND-Friendly Outdoor Play Pack

Does your child love sticks, branches, throwing, pulling things down or heavy-work play?
These behaviours can be natural sensory needs — and with the right activities, they can become safe, purposeful and calming outdoor experiences.

This downloadable pack of 20 outdoor ideas has been specially designed for autistic children, sensory seekers and any child who gains joy and regulation from nature materials and physical play.

Instead of trying to stop these behaviours, this pack teaches you how to redirect them safely, offering structured activities that support wellbeing, confidence, coordination and emotional regulation.

Created by The Muddy Puddle Teacher®, this pack is perfect for schools, nurseries, SEND rooms, Forest School, home educators and families.


💛 Perfect For Children Who:

  • Love sticks, branches, twigs or nature materials

  • Enjoy throwing, dropping or pulling objects down

  • Seek heavy-work or deep-pressure input

  • Need support regulating emotions

  • Respond well to outdoor sensory play

  • Thrive with repetitive, rhythmic actions


🌳 What’s Inside:

You’ll receive 20 simple, ready-to-use outdoor activities, including:

  • Safe stick-throwing games with targets

  • Pull-down ribbon trees & nature hangings

  • Heavy-work branch-carrying and log-rolling trails

  • Build-and-knock-down stick structures

  • Stick water play and sensory drop activities

  • Branch drumming, sweeping, sorting and balancing tasks

  • Structured “destructive play” that is safe and purposeful

Each idea takes minutes to set up and uses natural or low-cost materials.


Why Practitioners Love This Pack:

  • Supports sensory regulation

  • Redirects unsafe behaviours into safe routines

  • Helps children stay calm, engaged and focused

  • Strengthens motor skills and coordination

  • Works in small outdoor spaces

  • Suitable for EYFS to KS2

  • Ideal for SEND, nurture groups, SEMH, and 1:1 work


🖨️ Instant Digital Download

Receive a beautifully designed PDF you can print or save to any device — perfect for quick outdoor use.

Using Running Jumping Throwing (PE) KS2

 

Leaf Love (Wellbeing)

Outdoor Safety

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