Autumn Forest School Activities for KS1 Outdoor Learning
Looking for a simple Autumn Forest School Session Plan for KS1? This outdoor learning resource helps teachers, teaching assistants, forest school leaders and outdoor learning leads explore autumn, seasonal change, nature and curiosity through a ready-to-use KS1 session plan. Head to the Beginners Guide to Forest School for more clarity on how this approach is used in school and nursery settings.
This resource is ideal for:
- autumn forest school activities
- KS1 forest school planning
- outdoor learning
- seasonal outdoor learning
- autumn nature activities
- KS1 science outdoors
- forest school lesson plans
- woodland learning
- outdoor continuous provision
- SEND-friendly outdoor learning
It gives you a clear, engaging way to take children outside and explore the signs of autumn through nature-based learning. Ready to download this resource? Sign up for a free 60-day trial.
What is an Autumn Forest School Session Plan?
An Autumn Forest School Session Plan is a structured outdoor learning session that helps KS1 children explore seasonal change through hands-on experiences.
Children might notice:
- autumn leaves
- changing colours
- seeds and berries
- weather changes
- animal habitats
- textures, sounds and smells
- how nature prepares for winter
The full downloadable session plan gives you a ready-to-follow structure so you can run an autumn outdoor learning session with confidence, without spending hours planning from scratch.
New to Forest School Planning? Start Here
If forest school planning feels overwhelming, start simple.
You do not need a huge woodland, specialist tools or a full afternoon outside. An autumn forest school session can begin in a playground, school garden, field, park, courtyard or small nature area.
Try:
- Choose one outdoor space
- Look for three signs of autumn
- Talk about what is changing in nature
The aim is not to cover every autumn topic at once.
The aim is to help children slow down, notice seasonal change and build a relationship with the natural world.
Try This Tomorrow
If you only do one thing, try an autumn noticing walk.
Take children outside and ask them to find one sign that autumn is here. It might be a leaf, colour, seed, sound, smell, texture or change in the weather.
Time: 10–15 minutes
Prep: Low
Best for: observation, science, vocabulary, seasonal change and outdoor learning
This is a simple starting point. The full Autumn Forest School Session Plan (KS1) gives you a clearer session structure, adult prompts and ways to extend the learning.
Why Autumn is Brilliant for Forest School
Autumn is one of the best seasons for forest school because children can see change happening all around them.
Leaves change colour.
Seeds fall.
Weather shifts.
Animals prepare for colder months.
The ground becomes full of textures, colours and natural treasures.
Autumn forest school activities can support:
- science learning
- observation skills
- vocabulary development
- sensory exploration
- curiosity
- emotional regulation
- creativity
- teamwork
- respect for nature
- confidence outdoors
It is a beautiful way to help children experience the curriculum through the real world.
KS1 Outdoor Learning and Seasonal Change
Autumn outdoor learning links naturally to KS1 science and geography.
Children can explore:
- seasonal changes
- weather
- plants
- trees
- animals
- habitats
- materials
- patterns in nature
- caring for the environment
For Year 1 and Year 2, this gives children a practical way to understand autumn rather than only looking at pictures or worksheets indoors.
Forest School Learning Without Lots of Equipment
An autumn forest school session does not need to be expensive or complicated.
You can begin with:
- leaves
- sticks
- seeds
- bark
- cones
- natural loose parts
- magnifying glasses
- clipboards
- simple picture prompts
- a safe outdoor space
The most important part is giving children time to look closely, ask questions and notice what is changing.
Who is the Autumn Forest School Session Plan For?
This resource is ideal for:
- KS1 teachers
- Year 1 teachers
- Year 2 teachers
- forest school leaders
- teaching assistants
- outdoor learning leads
- science leads
- nursery or reception staff adapting upwards
- childminders
- home educators
- SEND settings
- wraparound care providers
It can be used in schools, gardens, playgrounds, woodland areas, parks, courtyards and outdoor learning spaces.
Autumn Forest School Activities for SEND
Autumn activities can work beautifully for children with SEND because they are sensory, visual and hands-on.
Some children may enjoy:
- feeling crunchy leaves
- matching autumn colours
- listening to outdoor sounds
- collecting natural objects
- noticing weather changes
- working with a trusted adult
- responding through pointing, choosing, looking or movement
Outdoor autumn sessions can support communication, sensory regulation, confidence, vocabulary and emotional wellbeing.
Autumn Learning That Feels Calm and Meaningful
Autumn forest school sessions do not need to be busy or complicated.
Sometimes the most powerful learning happens when children are given time to slow down and notice.
They might watch a leaf fall, compare colours, feel bark, listen to wind, spot seeds or talk about how the season is changing.
The Autumn Forest School Session Plan (KS1) helps you turn those small outdoor moments into purposeful learning.
Want Ready-to-Use Forest School Resources?
The Muddy Puddle Teacher Club helps busy teachers, early years teams and outdoor learning leads save planning time with:
✅ ready-to-use outdoor learning resources
✅ forest school session plans
✅ KS1 seasonal outdoor learning ideas
✅ SEND-friendly outdoor resources
✅ autumn nature activities
✅ simple resources you can use straight away
Ready to download this resource? Sign up for a free 60-day trial.
Download the Autumn Forest School Session Plan (KS1)
If you want a simple, ready-to-use way to explore autumn outdoors, the Autumn Forest School Session Plan (KS1) is a brilliant place to start.
It helps children investigate seasonal change, leaves, weather, nature and autumn through outdoor learning, curiosity and play.
Ready to download this resource? Sign up for a free 60-day trial.
There are plenty of resources on our site that support topic work at Forest School sessions. Try our Stone Age Forest School Lesson Idea Pack.
FAQs
What is an autumn forest school session?
An autumn forest school session is an outdoor learning session where children explore seasonal change, leaves, weather, seeds, trees, habitats and nature through hands-on activities.
What are good autumn forest school activities for KS1?
Good autumn forest school activities for KS1 include autumn walks, leaf collecting, colour matching, seed spotting, weather noticing, habitat exploring and using natural materials for simple outdoor learning tasks.
How does autumn outdoor learning support KS1 science?
Autumn outdoor learning supports KS1 science by helping children observe seasonal change, weather, plants, trees, animals and habitats in real life.
Can this session plan be used with Year 1 and Year 2?
Yes. The Autumn Forest School Session Plan is suitable for KS1 and can be used with Year 1, Year 2 or mixed-age groups.
Do I need a woodland area?
No. You can use a school garden, playground, field, courtyard, park, outdoor shelter or small nature area. The focus is on noticing autumn and seasonal change.
Is autumn forest school suitable for SEND children?
Yes. Autumn forest school activities can be adapted for children with SEND through sensory exploration, visual prompts, adult support, simple choices and calm outdoor routines.
Do I need lots of equipment?
No. You can start with natural materials such as leaves, sticks, seeds, bark and cones. The full resource helps you structure the session simply and effectively.
