Looking for Forest School KS1 dinosaur activities? This pack helps children explore dinosaurs, fossils, habitats, footprints, bones, volcanoes and prehistoric worlds through outdoor learning. It is perfect for KS1 teachers who want fun, practical and curriculum-linked Forest School ideas that get children moving, imagining, building and talking outdoors. If you are new to this area, discover our Beginners Guide to Forest School.
New to Forest School? Start here
If Forest School feels overwhelming, start small.
You do not need a woodland, specialist equipment or lots of preparation to teach dinosaurs outdoors. You can use your playground, school field, garden area, outdoor classroom or any small outdoor space.
Try:
- One dinosaur footprint trail
- One fossil hunt
- One simple question, such as: “What would a dinosaur need to survive?”
Forest School-inspired learning works best when children can move, explore, pretend, collect, build and talk about their ideas.
Ready to make a start? Download now and take the 60-day free trial.
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Dinosaur Footprint Trail
Create a simple dinosaur footprint trail outdoors using chalk, paper footprints, hoops or natural markers.
Ask children to follow the trail and imagine which dinosaur made the prints.
They can think about:
- Was it big or small?
- Did it walk on two legs or four legs?
- Was it fast or slow?
- Was it a herbivore or carnivore?
- Where might it be going?
Time: 15–25 minutes
Prep: Low
You need: Chalk, paper footprints, cones, hoops or natural markers
Learning: Science, movement, speaking and listening, vocabulary, observation
Children can then create their own dinosaur footprints using sticks, stones, leaves or chalk.
This gives children a simple, exciting way to explore dinosaurs, movement and outdoor storytelling.
Forest School KS1 Dinosaur Ideas
Here are a few simple ways to link dinosaurs to outdoor learning and Forest School.
1. Fossil Hunter Dig
Set up a pretend fossil hunt using stones, shells, sticks, clay imprints or laminated fossil pictures.
Children can search for “fossils” in:
- sand
- soil
- leaves
- gravel
- trays
- under logs or around trees
Ask children to become palaeontologists and describe what they have found.
They could explain:
- What do you think this fossil belonged to?
- Was it from a plant or animal?
- How old might it be?
- What clues can you see?
This links beautifully to science, history, observation, vocabulary and enquiry.
To view the full catalogue of Forest School Activities, head to the Forest School Hub.
2. Build a Dinosaur Habitat
Ask children to work in small groups to build a dinosaur habitat using natural loose parts.
They could use:
- leaves for forests
- sticks for trees
- stones for mountains
- mud or soil for land
- blue fabric, chalk or hoops for water
- cones or pebbles for dinosaur eggs
Encourage children to think about what their dinosaur needs.
Ask:
- Where will it sleep?
- Where will it find food?
- Where is the water?
- How will it hide from danger?
- Is it a herbivore or a carnivore?
This supports science, habitats, teamwork, imagination and problem-solving.
3. Dinosaur Egg Rescue
Hide pretend dinosaur eggs outdoors using stones, balls, cones or wrapped natural objects.
Children must rescue the eggs and return them safely to the nest.
Add simple challenges such as:
- move quietly past the sleeping dinosaur
- balance along the lava path
- count the eggs
- sort them by size
- build a nest to keep them safe
- describe what might hatch from each egg
This activity supports maths, physical development, storytelling, teamwork and imaginative play.
Want ready-to-teach Forest School resources?
The Muddy Puddle Teacher Club helps busy teachers save planning time with:
✅ ready-to-use Forest School activity packs
✅ curriculum-linked KS1 outdoor learning ideas
✅ dinosaur, fossil and habitat activities
✅ outdoor science, literacy, maths and SEND resources
✅ seasonal and topic-linked planning
Ready to make a start? Download now and take the 60-day free trial.
Why use Forest School for dinosaurs?
Forest School-inspired learning helps children explore dinosaurs through movement, imagination and hands-on discovery.
Instead of only learning about dinosaurs through books or worksheets, children can:
- follow footprint trails
- dig for fossils
- build prehistoric habitats
- create dinosaur nests
- move like different dinosaurs
- compare herbivores and carnivores
- use rich vocabulary outdoors
- work together to solve problems
This makes the dinosaur topic exciting, memorable and especially helpful for children who learn best through active play.
Explore the Higher Level Skills Forest School Ideas Packs
Who is this resource for?
This Forest School KS1 dinosaurs pack is ideal for:
- Year 1 teachers
- Year 2 teachers
- KS1 classes
- Forest School leaders
- outdoor learning coordinators
- childminders
- homeschoolers
- nurture groups
- SEND groups
- after-school clubs
- dinosaur topic days
It can be used as part of a dinosaur topic, fossil lesson, science activity, outdoor learning day, Forest School session, creative curriculum week or enrichment afternoon.
Curriculum links
This pack can support learning in:
- science
- history
- geography
- English
- maths
- art and design
- PE and physical development
- speaking and listening
- teamwork and problem-solving
- SEND provision
Children can explore animals, habitats, fossils, observation, sorting, counting, movement, storytelling, vocabulary and imaginative play.
To view the full catalogue of Forest School Activities, head to the Forest School Hub.
FAQs
How can I teach dinosaurs outdoors in KS1?
You can teach dinosaurs outdoors by using footprint trails, fossil hunts, habitat building, dinosaur egg rescues, movement games and outdoor storytelling. Children can use natural materials to explore dinosaur size, diet, movement and habitats.
What are good Forest School dinosaur activities?
Good Forest School dinosaur activities include making dinosaur footprints, digging for fossils, building dinosaur habitats, creating nests, sorting dinosaur eggs, moving like dinosaurs and creating prehistoric worlds using natural loose parts.
Do I need a woodland for dinosaur Forest School activities?
No. You can do dinosaur outdoor learning in a playground, school field, garden, outdoor classroom or small outdoor area. Chalk, hoops, stones, sticks, leaves and loose parts are enough to get started.
Can dinosaur activities link to KS1 science?
Yes. Dinosaur activities can support KS1 science through learning about animals, habitats, food, movement, classification, observation and comparing living things.
Can dinosaur activities support literacy?
Yes. Children can describe dinosaur footprints, retell dinosaur stories, follow clue trails, invent a dinosaur, label habitats, write outdoor facts and use exciting vocabulary such as fossil, extinct, herbivore, carnivore and palaeontologist.
Is this suitable for SEND learners?
Yes. Forest School dinosaur activities can be very supportive for SEND learners because they are practical, visual, sensory and active. Children can show understanding through movement, collecting, sorting, building, pointing, choosing, drawing or working with adult support.
What age group is this dinosaur Forest School pack for?
This pack is designed for KS1, especially Year 1 and Year 2. Activities can be simplified for EYFS or extended with more scientific vocabulary and writing tasks for older children.
Do I need lots of resources?
No. You can use simple resources such as chalk, hoops, stones, sticks, leaves, cones, shells, trays, sand, soil and natural loose parts. The activities are designed to be low-prep and easy to adapt.
Ready for more KS1 Forest School ideas?
Get ready-to-use Forest School planning, dinosaur activities and curriculum-linked outdoor learning resources inside The Muddy Puddle Teacher Club.
Start your 60-day free trial today and bring more creative, active and memorable learning outdoors. Ready to make a start? Download now and take the 60-day free trial.
