Spring is the perfect season to take learning outdoors in Key Stage 1. With flowers blooming, weather warming, and nature coming to life, it’s an ideal time to explore, investigate, and play. These activities support a range of skills including science, literacy, maths, creativity, and teamwork.
Here are 50 fun and practical spring outdoor ideas you can use right away.
Explore more outdoor ideas in our Outdoor Learning Activities Hub
🌸 Nature & Science Exploration
- Go on a spring scavenger hunt (flowers, buds, insects)
- Observe and draw different types of flowers
- Plant seeds and track their growth
- Look for signs of new life (nests, insects, leaves)
- Study minibeasts in their habitats
- Compare different leaves
- Make a simple weather chart
- Watch clouds and describe shapes
- Explore how plants need water and sunlight
- Create a bug hotel
We have some amazing outdoor STEM ideas – try these fun outdoor egg experiments.
🏃 Physical & Active Play
- Set up a spring-themed obstacle course
- Play running games like tag or stuck in the mud
- Practice skipping with ropes
- Balance on logs or lines
- Throw and catch balls in pairs
- Play relay races
- Try hopscotch with chalk
- Dance outdoors to music
- Follow a movement trail
- Act out animal movements (hop like a frog, buzz like a bee)
Movement & PE go hand in hand, download this KS1 PE Games Pack now.
🎨 Creative Activities
- Paint flowers using natural materials
- Create blossom-inspired artwork
- Make nature crowns
- Draw with chalk on the playground
- Build sculptures from sticks and leaves
- Make a spring collage
- Create leaf prints
- Design a fairy or bug garden
- Use mud for creative play
- Make wind chimes from found objects
🧠 Maths & Problem-Solving
- Count petals on flowers
- Measure plant growth over time
- Sort natural objects by size or colour
- Create repeating patterns with leaves and sticks
- Estimate how many objects are in a pile
- Build the tallest tower using natural materials
- Use positional language in outdoor games
- Follow simple maps or treasure trails
- Compare lengths of sticks
- Practice addition using collected items
Maths is a great area to start your outdoor learning journey try this one more and one less lesson.
📚 Literacy & Communication
- Write spring poems inspired by nature
- Tell stories based on what they see outdoors
- Label parts of a plant
- Create a nature diary
- Act out stories outside
- Play word games using nature objects
- Describe textures, colours, and sounds
- Create signs for a garden or outdoor area
- Work together to build and explain ideas
- Share observations with a partner or group
Looking for your next school trip? We have some incredible RE resoiurces, like these Outdoor Trips to the Synagogue for KS1
🌼 Final Thoughts
Spring offers endless opportunities for hands-on, meaningful learning in KS1. Outdoor play not only supports the curriculum but also boosts wellbeing, curiosity, and creativity.
Use these ideas flexibly, follow children’s interests, and enjoy making the most of the season.
