20 Outdoor Ideas for a Child Who Loves Tree Branches, Throwing & Pulling Things Down
Looking for outdoor learning ideas for a child who loves tree branches, throwing, pulling things down or big physical movement? This resource helps teachers, SENDCos, teaching assistants and support staff turn those interests and sensory needs into safe, purposeful outdoor learning. Start here: Beginners Guide to SEND Outdoors.
For some children, throwing, pulling, dragging, carrying or knocking things down is not simply “being naughty”. It may be a sign that they need heavy work, movement, sensory input, control, strength, cause-and-effect play or a safe way to use their body outdoors.
The key is not always to stop the behaviour completely.
The key is to understand the need behind it and redirect it safely. For more bespoke ideas head to the Outdoor SEND Hub.
Why some children seek throwing, pulling and branches
Some children are naturally drawn to big outdoor actions.
They may enjoy:
- pulling
- pushing
- dragging
- carrying
- throwing
- lifting
- snapping
- balancing
- climbing
- knocking things down
- watching cause and effect
These actions can give children strong feedback through their muscles and joints. This is sometimes called heavy work.
For children with SEND, autism, ADHD, sensory processing needs, dyspraxia, anxiety or emotional regulation needs, these activities can feel calming, organising and satisfying. For more bespoke ideas head to the Outdoor SEND Hub.
Outdoor learning gives us a safer and more purposeful way to support this.
Instead of saying “stop throwing” again and again, we can create safe opportunities for throwing.
Instead of saying “don’t pull that down”, we can offer something appropriate to pull.
Instead of constantly removing sticks and branches, we can teach children how to use natural materials safely.
New to this kind of outdoor learning? Start here
If this behaviour feels difficult to manage, start small.
You do not need a huge outdoor space.
You do not need expensive sensory equipment.
You do not need to create a full intervention straight away.
Start by asking:
What is the child seeking?
Are they seeking strength?
Are they seeking control?
Are they seeking impact?
Are they seeking movement?
Are they seeking sound?
Are they seeking attention?
Are they seeking regulation?
Once we understand the need, we can offer a safer alternative.
Try starting with:
- a safe throwing zone
- a heavy-work carrying task
- a pulling rope activity
- a den-building job
- a knock-down-and-rebuild activity
The aim is to redirect the behaviour into something safe, active and meaningful. For more bespoke ideas head to the Outdoor SEND Hub.
Try this tomorrow
Safe Throwing Station
Create a clear outdoor throwing area using cones, hoops or chalk.
Give children safe items to throw, such as:
- beanbags
- soft balls
- pine cones
- rolled socks
- large leaves
- sponge balls
Set up targets such as hoops, buckets, chalk circles or tree-safe markers.
Say:
“This is where throwing is safe.”
“We throw these things.”
“We throw this way.”
“We check the space first.”
Time: 10 minutes
Prep: Low
Learning: Regulation, coordination, turn-taking, boundaries and safe movement
This gives children the sensory input they may be seeking, but within a clear and safe structure.
Why outdoor learning helps children who need big movement
Some children find indoor learning physically hard.
They may struggle with:
- sitting still
- waiting
- keeping hands to themselves
- transitions
- emotional regulation
- impulse control
- listening when overwhelmed
- managing frustration
- using their strength safely
Outdoor learning gives children more space to move and more opportunities to use their bodies in purposeful ways.
A child who is constantly pulling things down may need pulling work.
A child who keeps throwing may need a safe throwing task.
A child who carries branches may need heavy-work jobs.
A child who knocks things over may need a build-and-demolish activity.
Outdoor learning can help us move from correction to connection.
A small taste of the ideas inside the resource
The full resource includes 20 outdoor ideas for children who love tree branches, throwing and pulling things down.
Here are a few examples of the type of safe, purposeful outdoor activities that can support this need.
1. Heavy-work branch carrying
Give children a safe, supervised job carrying suitable sticks or branches from one area to another.
They could help make:
- a den
- a bug hotel
- a stick pile
- a nature boundary
- a loose-parts building area
This gives the child purposeful heavy work and helps them feel useful.
2. Pulling rope challenge
Tie a rope safely to a strong object or use a tug-of-war style activity with adult supervision.
Children can pull, lean back, use strength and feel resistance.
This can be a powerful regulating activity for children who seek pulling and strong body input.
3. Knock down and rebuild
Create a safe structure using cardboard boxes, foam blocks, cones, crates or natural loose parts.
Let children knock it down safely, then rebuild it.
This gives children cause-and-effect play without damaging the environment or hurting others.
Want the full 20 outdoor ideas?
The full 20 Outdoor Ideas for a Child Who Loves Tree Branches, Throwing & Pulling Things Down resource gives you a range of practical, safe and purposeful outdoor activities.
Inside the resource, you will find ideas to help children:
- use strength safely
- access heavy work
- throw in a controlled way
- pull safely
- build and rebuild
- regulate through movement
- develop boundaries
- explore cause and effect
- use natural materials appropriately
- return to learning more settled
The activities are designed to be realistic for busy schools, nurseries, SEND settings and outdoor learning spaces. 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.
Who is this resource for?
This resource is useful for:
- EYFS teachers
- primary teachers
- SENDCos
- teaching assistants
- nurture staff
- pastoral teams
- autism support staff
- early years practitioners
- outdoor learning leads
- behaviour support staff
- parents and carers supporting outdoor play
It can be used for individual children, small groups, outdoor learning sessions, nurture provision, sensory breaks or SEND support. For more bespoke ideas head to the Outdoor SEND Hub.
Supporting children with SEND outdoors
For some children with SEND, big body movement is not optional.
It is part of how they regulate.
Children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing needs, dyspraxia, anxiety, trauma or SEMH needs may seek strong physical input because it helps them feel calmer, safer and more organised.
This does not mean we allow unsafe behaviour.
It means we teach safe alternatives.
We can say:
“You can throw here.”
“You can pull this.”
“You can carry these.”
“You can knock this down.”
“You can use sticks in this way.”
“You can have a heavy-work job.”
This gives children clear boundaries while still meeting the need behind the behaviour.
Tree branches and safety
Children are often naturally drawn to sticks and branches.
They might want to:
- drag them
- swing them
- carry them
- snap them
- build with them
- throw them
- poke them into mud
- make dens with them
Rather than banning every stick, it can be more helpful to teach safe stick rules.
For example:
- sticks stay low
- sticks are carried pointing down
- sticks are not thrown at people
- large branches are carried with an adult
- sticks are used for building, drawing, measuring or den-making
- we check the space around us before moving
Outdoor learning gives children the chance to practise safe boundaries with real materials.
Why “stop it” is not always enough
When a child repeatedly throws, pulls or knocks things down, it can be frustrating for adults.
But if the behaviour is meeting a sensory or emotional need, simply saying “stop” may not work long-term.
The child may stop for a moment, then return to the same behaviour because the need is still there.
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.
Instead, we can ask:
What is this child getting from the behaviour?
Then we can offer something safer.
If they need impact, give them a safe target.
If they need pulling, give them rope work.
If they need heavy work, give them carrying jobs.
If they need cause and effect, give them a knock-down-and-rebuild task.
If they need control, give them a structured outdoor challenge.
This is not rewarding poor behaviour.
It is teaching regulation, safety and appropriate choices.
Outdoor learning without adding to workload
This kind of outdoor support does not need to be complicated.
You can use what you already have:
- sticks
- branches
- logs
- cones
- hoops
- ropes
- chalk
- crates
- buckets
- beanbags
- balls
- cardboard boxes
- natural loose parts
A simple outdoor activity can often meet several needs at once.
Movement.
Regulation.
Communication.
Boundaries.
Physical development.
Problem-solving.
Teamwork.
Confidence.
That is the power of outdoor learning.
Download 20 Outdoor Ideas for a Child Who Loves Tree Branches, Throwing & Pulling Things Down
If you would like the full activity pack, you can download 20 Outdoor Ideas for a Child Who Loves Tree Branches, Throwing & Pulling Things Down inside 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 support big movement safely?
Children who throw, pull and knock things down are often telling us something through their bodies.
They may need movement.
They may need strength.
They may need impact.
They may need heavy work.
They may need a safe way to feel in control.
Outdoor learning gives us a way to meet those needs safely and purposefully.
Start small.
Use clear boundaries.
Offer safe alternatives.
Take it outside.
Download the full 20 Outdoor Ideas for a Child Who Loves Tree Branches, Throwing & Pulling Things Down resource with your 60-day free trial today.
FAQs
Why does a child keep throwing things?
A child may throw things because they are seeking movement, sensory feedback, attention, impact, control or emotional release. The behaviour may also happen when they are overwhelmed, frustrated or dysregulated. Outdoor learning can help by offering safe throwing activities with clear boundaries.
Why do some children love pulling things down?
Some children enjoy pulling things down because it gives strong sensory feedback and a clear cause-and-effect response. They may enjoy using strength, seeing something change or feeling in control. Safe pulling and knock-down activities can help redirect this need.
Are tree branches good for outdoor learning?
Yes, when used safely. Tree branches and sticks can support den building, mark-making, measuring, sorting, construction, storytelling, science and heavy-work activities. Children need clear rules and adult supervision.
How can I stop a child throwing sticks?
Rather than only saying “stop”, give the child a safer alternative. Teach clear stick rules and offer safe throwing objects in a marked throwing zone. For example, they may throw beanbags, pine cones or soft balls at targets instead of throwing sticks. For more bespoke ideas head to the Outdoor SEND Hub.
What is heavy work?
Heavy work means activities that use the muscles and joints, such as pushing, pulling, carrying, lifting, dragging, digging or climbing. These activities can help some children feel more regulated and ready to learn.
Can outdoor learning support children with sensory needs?
Yes. Outdoor learning can support sensory needs by giving children space, movement, natural materials and purposeful physical activities. It can be especially helpful for children with SEND, autism, ADHD, dyspraxia or sensory processing needs.
Is this suitable for EYFS?
Yes, with appropriate supervision and simple safety boundaries. Young children often benefit from carrying, building, digging, pushing, pulling and safe throwing games outdoors.
How do I keep throwing activities safe?
Create a clear throwing zone, use safe objects, set boundaries, check the space, supervise closely and teach children what they can throw, where they can throw and when they must stop.
Can these activities be used as an intervention?
Yes. The ideas can be used as individual support, a small-group intervention, sensory break, nurture activity or part of wider outdoor learning provision.
Do I need specialist equipment?
No. Many activities can be done with simple resources such as ropes, hoops, cones, chalk, crates, beanbags, balls, sticks, logs and natural loose parts.
We provide resources to support SEND children’s focused interests – try this Outdoor Whirpool Idea Pack to make a start.
