A practical guide to enriching KS1 learning through Forest School
Forest School offers KS1 children powerful opportunities to explore, create, problem-solve and develop independence in a natural environment. By taking the curriculum outdoors, children in Year 1 and Year 2 experience hands-on learning that strengthens wellbeing, resilience and creativity.
If you’re wondering how to weave nature, maths, and literacy into your KS1 Forest School sessions, this guide is packed with ideas you can use right away.
For downloadable outdoor learning resources, visit:
https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/category/outdoor-learning-resources/
What Is Forest School? (Quick Refresher)
Forest School is a long-term, learner-centred approach that develops the whole child through regular sessions in a natural environment. KS1 children particularly benefit from:
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Holistic development
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Child-led exploration
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Increased confidence and independence
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Play-based learning through nature
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Real-life, hands-on experiences
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Emotional resilience
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Stronger communication and problem-solving skills
Forest School is not the same as general outdoor learning—it follows specific principles and supports deeper emotional, social and physical growth.
KS1 Forest School Activities: Nature, Maths & Literacy
Below are 15 rich activities that align with KS1 curriculum goals while embracing the Forest School ethos.
NATURE ACTIVITIES FOR KS1
1. Nature Treasure Hunt
Children collect natural items based on categories: something soft, something rough, something tiny, something the wind could move.
Great for observation and vocabulary building.
2. Journey Sticks
Children attach found objects to a stick using elastic bands or string as they walk. Afterwards, they recount their journey in sequence. Ideal for KS1 sequencing and language development.
3. Mini-Beast Hotel Builders
Create bug shelters using sticks, leaves and stones. Helps develop teamwork, ecological understanding and fine motor skills.
4. Bark and Leaf Rubbing Books
Children create a rubbing booklet to compare textures and patterns, leading into classification work.
5. Nature Art Portraits
Using loose natural materials, children create faces or self-portraits. Encourages creativity plus PSHE and identity work.
OUTDOOR MATHS ACTIVITIES FOR KS1
6. Stick Measuring
Children collect sticks and measure them using standard or non-standard units.
Follow-up: order them from shortest to longest.
7. Shape Hunt
Find shapes in nature—circles (logs), triangles (leaf tips), spheres (berries).
Children draw or photograph their finds.
8. Nature Number Bonds
Use cones, stones or sticks to show number bonds to 10 or 20.
Example: 7 cones + 3 cones = 10.
9. Symmetry in Nature
Children create symmetrical patterns with leaves, stones or feathers.
Follow-up: identify symmetry in natural objects.
10. Patterns & Repeating Sequences
Create A-B, A-B-C, or more complex repeating patterns using natural materials.
OUTDOOR LITERACY ACTIVITIES FOR KS1
11. Nature Alphabet Challenge
Children search for objects shaped like letters or use sticks/leaves to build letters.
12. Woodland Story Starters
Place prompts around the site—“a magic leaf”, “a whispering tree”, “a hidden key”.
Children create or act out stories inspired by their discoveries.
13. Sound Collectors
Walk quietly to listen for natural sounds. Children list or act out what they heard.
Great for phonics and phonological awareness.
14. Stick Characters & Role Play
Create stick puppets and use them to retell familiar stories or invent new ones. Encourages oral storytelling and vocabulary development.
15. Forest Word Hunt
Hide KS1 phonics words around the site. Children find them, read them, and use them in sentences.
Great for tricky words, common exception words, or phonics groups.
Why Forest School Works So Well for KS1
Forest School supports KS1 children by strengthening:
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Emotional regulation
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Concentration and attention
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Fine and gross motor skills
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Social communication
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Resilience and confidence
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Imagination and creative thinking
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Problem-solving
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Language development
Outdoor, active learning also helps children who may struggle in a traditional classroom setting.
Get More KS1 Forest School Resources
For ready-to-use KS1 activity cards, outdoor maths games, literacy ideas, and nature tasks, explore our full resource library:
https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/category/outdoor-learning-resources/
You can also browse our Forest School & Outdoor Learning training options here:
https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/outdoor-learning-training-packages/
Final Thoughts
Forest School gives KS1 learners a rich, hands-on experience where nature becomes both the classroom and the teacher. Whether you’re running full Forest School sessions or blending outdoor learning into your weekly planning, these activities will help you nurture confidence, creativity and curiosity in your Year 1 and Year 2 children.