Outdoor Learning UK: Training, Activities, Resources & Play for Schools

Created by teacher of 18 yrs (SLT), educational consultant, 100K+ social media followers, published author with Bloomsbury, podcaster & MP Award HERo Winner Sarah Seaman PGCE/MA. Seen here receiving an award from the Houses of Parliament with MP Clive Betts.  

We upload new outdoor lesson plans & resources daily.  Browse some of our recently uploaded outdoor lesson plans and resources below.

Outdoor learning is a way of teaching and learning that takes place outside the traditional classroom. It uses natural environments—like school grounds, parks, and woodland areas—to bring lessons to life through hands-on, real-world experiences.

Rather than sitting at desks, children learn by exploring, investigating, and engaging with the world around them. This might include measuring in maths using natural materials, developing literacy through storytelling outdoors, or building problem-solving skills through play and teamwork.

At The Muddy Puddle Teacher, we take this a step further. We offer a unique, structured approach to outdoor learning, specifically designed for nurseries and primary schools. Our method supports teachers in delivering the curriculum outdoors in a way that is practical, engaging, and easy to implement—without needing extensive equipment or extra time.

Outdoor learning supports the whole child. It helps to build:

• confidence and independence
• physical health and wellbeing
• creativity and curiosity
• communication and social skills

At its heart, outdoor learning makes education active, meaningful, and memorable—helping children connect what they learn in the classroom with the real world around them.

Looking for some free outdoor activities and tips? Use the blog below to explore more ideas. 

Transform your setting with inspiring outdoor learning in EYFS that truly engages young minds. Our carefully designed resources support high-quality outdoor provision in EYFS, making it easy to create exciting, purposeful environments where children thrive. Through meaningful early years outdoor play, children build confidence, develop key physical skills, and strengthen communication and problem-solving abilities—all while learning through exploration and fun. Want to know how to make a start at teaching outdoors?  Try these 100 Outdoor Ideas for EYFS, KS1 & KS2 you can start now!

Whether you’re enhancing your current outdoor space or starting from scratch, our EYFS outdoor play resources help you deliver rich, curriculum-linked experiences every day. Designed by experts and loved by practitioners, our solutions make outdoor learning in EYFS simple, effective, and impactful—so you can focus on what matters most: helping children learn, grow, and flourish outdoors. Learn 10 easy outdoor learning activities. 

Discover all of our thousands of early years outdoors ideas using the posts below.  Find outdoor learning lesson plans, resources and award winning outdoor play lanyards.  We pride ourselves on the stripped-back outdoor play approach we use to help children reignite their imaginations and learn to play, creatively with nature. Explore the posts below now for instant ideas. 

Bring the curriculum to life with engaging outdoor learning activities designed for KS1 and KS2. Our ready-to-use lesson plans for outdoor learning take the stress out of planning, giving teachers creative, curriculum-linked outdoor lesson ideas that inspire curiosity, teamwork, and active learning. From maths trails to literacy adventures, our resources make it easy to turn any outdoor space into a dynamic classroom. Discover 100 outdoor learning ideas.

All of our resources are created by teachers and founded by MP Award winning teacher Sarah Seaman PGCE/MA. Explore her range of books with Bloomsbury. Packed with practical, high-quality outdoor learning resources, our lesson plans help you deliver meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom walls. Learn more about the key to success when you teach outside of the classroom. Whether you’re new to outdoor learning or looking to expand your provision, our expertly created materials save time, boost engagement, and support outstanding teaching across KS1 and KS2.

Explore the posts below to find teacher-created, curriculum linked outdoor activities and outdoor lesson plans on all subject areas. 

Click on the posts below to get more innovative KS1 outdoor ideas and KS2 outdoor lesson plans in all areas of the curriculum.   

Empower your team with high-impact outdoor learning training UK designed to transform practice and raise outcomes. Our expert-led courses deliver quality outdoor learning training that is practical, inspiring, and tailored to real classroom needs. Whether you’re developing confidence or refining your approach, our CPD outdoor learning sessions equip staff with the skills, knowledge, and ready-to-use ideas to deliver outstanding outdoor provision. Explore, What does outdoor learning training look like? 

Our accredited outdoor learning training and INSET days focus on effective outdoor play, curriculum links, and creating engaging learning environments that work for your setting. With hands-on guidance and proven strategies, you’ll leave with a clear action plan to embed outdoor learning across your school or early years provision—boosting engagement, wellbeing, and achievement. We have a glowing 4.9 stars on google reviews, we are the experts when it comes to outdoor learning and outdoor play.  

Empower your team with high-impact outdoor learning training UK designed to transform practice and raise outcomes. Our expert-led courses deliver quality outdoor learning training that is practical, inspiring, and tailored to real classroom needs. Whether you’re developing confidence or refining your approach, our CPD outdoor learning sessions equip staff with the skills, knowledge, and ready-to-use ideas to deliver outstanding outdoor provision. Explore, What does outdoor learning training look like? 

Our accredited outdoor learning training and INSET days focus on effective outdoor play, curriculum links, and creating engaging learning environments that work for your setting. With hands-on guidance and proven strategies, you’ll leave with a clear action plan to embed outdoor learning across your school or early years provision—boosting engagement, wellbeing, and achievement. We have a glowing 4.9 stars on google reviews, we are the experts when it comes to outdoor learning and outdoor play.  

Ready to explore our trademarked outdoor learning training programmes? Use the posts below to find out how our outdoor approach can impact on your school, children and staff.  

What Is Outdoor Learning? A Simple Guide

Outdoor learning is an approach to education that takes place outside the traditional classroom. Instead of sitting at desks, learners explore, discover, and engage with the natural environment—whether that’s a forest, park, beach, or even a school playground.

At its core, outdoor learning is about experiential education. It encourages people to learn by doing—observing wildlife, building shelters, solving real-world problems, and connecting with nature in a meaningful way. This hands-on approach helps deepen understanding and makes learning more memorable.

Why Outdoor Learning Matters

Outdoor learning offers a wide range of benefits for both children and adults:

• Improves physical health through movement and fresh air
• Boosts mental wellbeing by reducing stress and increasing focus
• Encourages creativity and curiosity through open-ended exploration
• Builds confidence and resilience by facing new challenges
• Enhances social skills through teamwork and communication

In a world where screen time is increasing, outdoor learning provides a valuable opportunity to reconnect with the environment and develop essential life skills.

What Does Outdoor Learning Look Like?

Outdoor learning can take many forms, including:

• Forest school sessions
• Nature walks and environmental studies
• Team-building activities and outdoor challenges
• Gardening and sustainability projects
• Outdoor classrooms and lessons across subjects such as maths and English

It can be structured or unstructured, guided by educators or led by learners themselves.

Outdoor Learning for All Ages

While often associated with schools, outdoor learning is not just for children. It is equally valuable for adults, families, and organisations looking to improve wellbeing, teamwork, and connection with nature.

• 88% of teachers say pupils are more engaged outdoors
  Source: Natural Connections Demonstration Project (2016)
• Learning outdoors can improve retention and understanding
  Source: Institute for Outdoor Learning
• Exposure to nature improves concentration and reduces attention fatigue
  Source: University of Illinois (Attention Restoration Theory studies)
• Children are more physically active during outdoor lessons
  Source: Natural England
• Outdoor learning improves behaviour and reduces classroom disruption
  Source: University of Essex
• Time in nature significantly reduces stress and improves wellbeing
  Source: University of Exeter
• Outdoor learning supports development of social and communication skills
  Source: Learning Away
• Nature-based learning boosts creativity and problem-solving skills
  Source: American Institutes for Research
• Regular outdoor learning is linked to improved academic outcomes
  Source: Education Endowment Foundation