Looking for Forest School KS2 sustainability and climate change activities? This pack helps children explore climate change, biodiversity, recycling, habitats, carbon footprints, weather, trees and caring for the planet through practical outdoor learning. It is perfect for KS2 teachers who want meaningful, age-appropriate Forest School ideas that help children feel hopeful, active and empowered. 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, pond or specialist equipment to teach sustainability and climate change outdoors. You can use your playground, school field, garden, eco-area, planters or even a small outdoor space.
Try:
- One simple nature observation
- One outdoor discussion about how we care for the planet
- One small action children can take straight away
Forest School-inspired sustainability learning works best when children feel connected to nature first. When children care about the natural world, they are more likely to want to protect it.
Ready to make a start? Download now and take the 60-day free trial.
Try this tomorrow
Climate Action Nature Walk
Take children outside for a short walk around your school grounds.
Ask them to look for:
- trees
- plants
- insects
- birds
- shaded areas
- sunny areas
- litter
- recycling points
- spaces that could be improved for wildlife
Time: 20–30 minutes
Prep: Low
You need: Clipboards, paper, pencils or tablets if available
Learning: Sustainability, climate change, biodiversity, geography, science, speaking and listening
Ask children to complete three simple prompts:
- We noticed…
- We are worried about…
- One thing we could improve is…
This gives children an immediate, practical way to understand that climate action can begin in their own school grounds.
Forest School KS2 Sustainability & Climate Change Ideas
Here are a few simple ways to link sustainability and climate change to Forest School and outdoor learning.
1. Build a Biodiversity Boost
Ask children to choose one small area of the school grounds and design a way to improve it for wildlife.
They might create:
- a bug hotel
- a leaf pile
- a log pile
- a mini wildflower area
- a bird feeding station
- a water dish for wildlife
- a quiet nature corner
Children can think about:
- Which animals might use this space?
- What do they need to survive?
- How will this help biodiversity?
- How can we look after it over time?
This links beautifully to science, habitats, sustainability, teamwork and responsibility.
2. Carbon Footprint Trail
Create an outdoor trail showing everyday choices and their impact on the planet.
Set up stations such as:
- walking to school
- driving to school
- wasting food
- recycling
- planting trees
- saving water
- reusing materials
- turning off lights
Children move between the stations and discuss which choices help reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.
This makes the idea of a carbon footprint more practical and easier for KS2 children to understand.
3. Weather and Climate Detectives
Take children outside to observe the weather and compare it with long-term climate patterns.
Children can record:
- temperature
- wind direction
- cloud cover
- rainfall
- shade
- signs of drought or flooding
- how plants and animals are responding
Then discuss the difference between weather and climate.
This supports geography, science, observation skills and climate vocabulary.
Explore the Higher Level Skills Forest School Ideas Packs
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 KS2 outdoor learning ideas
✅ sustainability and climate change resources
✅ outdoor science, geography and eco-learning planning
✅ SEND-friendly nature-based activities
Ready to make a start? Download now and take the 60-day free trial.
Why use Forest School for sustainability and climate change?
Forest School-inspired learning helps children explore climate change in a way that feels practical, hopeful and connected to real life.
Instead of only learning about climate change through screens or worksheets, children can:
- observe nature directly
- care for habitats
- notice seasonal changes
- discuss human impact
- plant, build, sort and improve
- take small positive actions
- understand their role as caretakers of the planet
This helps children move from worry to action.
Supporting children with climate anxiety
Climate change can feel big and frightening for children.
Outdoor learning can help by keeping the focus on:
- hope
- action
- teamwork
- nature connection
- small changes
- local impact
- solutions
Rather than overwhelming children with fear, Forest School gives them practical ways to make a difference.
Children begin to understand:
“I can help.”
“We can make changes.”
“Our school grounds matter.”
“Nature is worth protecting.”
To view the full catalogue of Forest School Activities, head to the Forest School Hub.
Who is this resource for?
This Forest School KS2 sustainability and climate change pack is ideal for:
- KS2 teachers
- Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 classes
- Forest School leaders
- outdoor learning coordinators
- geography subject leaders
- science subject leaders
- eco-school leads
- nurture groups
- SEND groups
- homeschoolers
- after-school clubs
- eco-clubs
It can be used as part of a climate change topic, sustainability week, Earth Day, science lesson, geography unit, eco-school project, outdoor learning day or Forest School session.
Curriculum links
This pack can support learning in:
- geography
- science
- design and technology
- PSHE
- speaking and listening
- environmental education
- sustainability
- citizenship
- teamwork and problem-solving
Children can explore climate change, habitats, biodiversity, human impact, natural resources, recycling, weather, climate and practical action.
To view the full catalogue of Forest School Activities, head to the Forest School Hub.
FAQs
How can I teach climate change outdoors in KS2?
You can teach climate change outdoors by helping children observe nature, investigate school grounds, explore weather patterns, discuss human impact and complete practical climate action projects such as planting, recycling, habitat building or reducing waste.
What are good Forest School activities for sustainability?
Good Forest School sustainability activities include biodiversity hunts, bug hotel building, litter surveys, carbon footprint trails, compost investigations, wildlife areas, water-saving challenges and nature-based action plans.
Can Forest School link to climate change?
Yes. Forest School links brilliantly to climate change because children can explore the natural world directly, notice environmental changes, understand human impact and take practical action to care for their school grounds and local area.
How do I teach sustainability without frightening children?
Keep the focus on hope, action and solutions. Talk about what children can do, such as planting, recycling, saving water, protecting habitats and caring for wildlife. Outdoor learning helps children feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Can sustainability link to KS2 geography?
Yes. Sustainability links strongly to KS2 geography through climate, biomes, natural resources, land use, human impact, weather patterns and environmental change.
Can sustainability link to KS2 science?
Yes. Sustainability links to KS2 science through habitats, living things, plants, animals, food chains, materials, recycling, water, biodiversity and environmental change.
Do I need special resources to teach sustainability outdoors?
No. You can begin with your school grounds, natural materials, recycled items, clipboards, chalk, hoops, buckets or simple loose parts. The most important resource is giving children time to observe, discuss and take action.
Is this suitable for SEND learners?
Yes. Forest School sustainability and climate change activities can be very supportive for SEND learners because they are practical, visual, sensory and active. Children can show understanding through collecting, sorting, building, pointing, moving, drawing or working with adult support.
What age group is this pack for?
This pack is designed for KS2, especially Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. Activities can be simplified for younger children or extended with deeper discussion, data collection and climate vocabulary for older pupils.
Ready for more KS2 Forest School ideas?
Get ready-to-use Forest School planning, sustainability activities and curriculum-linked outdoor learning resources inside The Muddy Puddle Teacher Club.
Start your 60-day free trial today and bring more hopeful, active and meaningful climate learning outdoors. Ready to make a start? Download now and take the 60-day free trial.
