Outdoor Learning Activities for EYFS, KS1 & KS2
Outdoor learning is one of the most powerful ways to engage children in meaningful, hands-on education. Whether you are working in EYFS, KS1 or beyond, taking learning outside helps children develop confidence, curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around them. On this page, you’ll find a wide range of outdoor learning ideas and resources designed to support teachers, early years practitioners and schools in delivering high-quality outdoor provision.
Outdoor learning doesn’t need to be complicated or require expensive equipment. In fact, some of the most effective outdoor activities use simple, natural materials and focus on child-led exploration. From literacy and maths to creative play and physical development, outdoor learning can support every area of the curriculum while also improving wellbeing and engagement.
One of the biggest benefits of outdoor learning is that it allows children to learn through real experiences. Instead of sitting at a table, children can explore concepts through movement, play and investigation. For example, maths can be taught through measuring sticks, counting natural objects or creating number trails. Literacy can be developed through storytelling, mark making in mud, or creating outdoor role play areas. These types of activities make learning more memorable and meaningful.
For early years settings, outdoor learning is particularly important. The EYFS framework encourages practitioners to provide rich outdoor environments where children can explore, take risks and develop independence. Outdoor learning supports all areas of development, including communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development. It also helps children build resilience and confidence as they navigate new challenges.
Seasonal outdoor learning is another effective way to keep activities fresh and engaging. Each season offers unique opportunities for exploration, from autumn scavenger hunts to winter nature investigations and spring growth activities. By adapting your outdoor provision throughout the year, you can create a dynamic learning environment that reflects the natural world.
On this page, you’ll find a wide range of outdoor learning ideas, including maths, phonics, science and forest school activities. All ideas are designed to be practical, easy to implement, and fully aligned with the primary curriculum. Explore our super-useful beginner’s guide to setting up outdoor lessons.
If you’re new to outdoor learning, this page is a great place to start. If you’re already experienced, you’ll find new ideas to enhance your practice and inspire your learners. Explore the resources below to discover practical, easy-to-use outdoor learning ideas you can implement straight away in your setting.
Outdoor Maths Activities
Outdoor maths activities are a great way to make learning practical and meaningful. By taking maths outside, children can explore numbers, problem-solving and reasoning in a real-world context. Discover some free outdoor maths ideas on our blog.
From counting and number recognition to measurement and problem-solving, outdoor maths helps bring concepts to life.
Explore recently added outdoor maths activities here:
Fireworks KS2 Symmetry
What is included in this lesson plan? 1 x Fireworks KS2 Symmetry lesson plan, including opportunities to extend, support and differentiate for maximum outdoor learning opportunities. How to use this outdoor adventure pack: Use Fireworks KS2 Symmetry lesson plan to...
Arrays Year 1 – Hooray for arrays!
Teaching Arrays Outdoors in Year 1 Teaching arrays to Year 1 students can be a dynamic and engaging experience, especially when conducted outdoors. Arrays are a fundamental concept in early mathematics, helping children understand multiplication and division. By...
Addition & subtraction problems – Calculations challenge
What does this outdoor resource include? Addition & subtraction problems - take it outdoors! How do you take this outside? Use our Addition & subtraction problems lesson plans to make maths exciting and engaging. Links to: Maths Physical development: Fine...
Outdoor English & Phonics Activities
Outdoor English activities encourage creativity, communication and engagement. Taking phonics, reading and writing outside can transform learning and inspire children who may struggle in a traditional classroom setting.
These activities are ideal for developing early reading skills, storytelling and independent writing.
Explore outdoor phonics and English activities here:
Football Phase 4 Phonics
Football Phase 4 Phonics Activity Pack An Active and Engaging Way to Learn Phonics The Football Phase 4 Phonics Activity Pack is designed to make phonics learning fun, interactive, and physically engaging. By combining football-themed activities with essential phonics...
Phase 2 Flash Cards
Phase 2 Flashcards – Fun & Interactive Learning in Nature! Take phonics learning beyond the classroom with our Phase 2 Outdoor Flashcards, designed for engaging, hands-on learning in any outdoor space! Perfect for early readers, these durable, weather-resistant...
Football Phonics Games (Phase 3)
Football Phonics Games – Phase 3 Make Phonics Active, Engaging, and Fun! Football Phonics Games – Phase 3 is designed to take phonics learning beyond the classroom, combining literacy with movement for a truly immersive experience. Using The Muddy Puddle Teacher...
Outdoor Science Activities
Outdoor environments provide the perfect setting for hands-on science learning. Children can explore nature, investigate changes and develop curiosity through real-life experiences.
From seasonal changes to habitats and simple experiments, outdoor science helps children understand the world around them.
Explore outdoor science activities here:
Year 6 Living things & their habitats
Year 6 Living things & their habitats What does this resource include? 1 x PPT Presentation 6 lesson planning (full unit of work) Worksheets and supporting documents included How can I use this resource? Use it as a daily challenge for your class, or use it as...
Scheme of Work Everyday Materials (Year 2)
What does this resource include? Use Scheme of Work Everyday Materials (Year 2) to teach a whole unit of Science Outdoors. How can I use this resource? Use this whole scheme of work for Everyday Materials. Take your Science lessons outdoors using natural and...
Habitable Habitats – Year 2 Materials
What does this resource include? 1 x Recording sheet to go alongside Year 2 Using everyday materials Scheme of Work How can I use this resource? Use it as a daily challenge for your class, or use it as and when. How can a more active curriculum support the...
EYFS Outdoor Learning Activities
Outdoor learning is a key part of the EYFS framework, supporting play-based, exploratory learning. These activities help develop communication, physical development and understanding of the world.
Our EYFS outdoor learning ideas are simple, engaging and easy to set up. Looking for rainy day ideas? Use this low-prep rainy day ideas pack to help.
Explore EYFS outdoor learning activities here:
Tree Swatch Book
What does this resource include? 12 x Tree swatch cards of typical trees found in the UK How can I use this resource? Cut them up, laminate and hang them on pegs for the children to independently refer to on walks or within your grounds. What are the curriculum...
EYFS&KS1: Autumn Outdoor Continuous Provision
What does this pack include? 1 Vlog giving you tips on how you can use leaves in autumn for outdoor continuous provision How can I use this resource? Use this to aid your planning and thinking How can a more active curriculum support the Neurodiverse? Read this...
KS1 Outdoor Learning Activities
Outdoor learning in KS1 helps children build confidence, independence and key skills across the curriculum. Activities are designed to support maths, English and topic work in a fun and engaging way.
Explore KS1 outdoor learning activities here:
Outdoor Art Frames A3
What does this resource include? Instruction into how to use your muddy frame A3 1 x Outdoor Art Frame How can I use this resource? Cut the A3 outdoor art frame out, laminate and use. Save for lessons there after this. For large groups, print many out, laminate and...
Outdoor Art Frames
What does this resource include? Instruction into how to use your muddy frame 1 x Outdoor Art Frame How can I use this resource? Cut the outdoor art frame out, laminate and use. Save for lessons there after this. For large groups, print many out, laminate and...
Outdoor Frames for Art
What does this resource include? Instruction in how to use 1 x Outdoor Frame How can I use this resource? Cut the frame out, laminate and use. Save for lessons there after this. What are the curriculum links? Natural World Reading Working independently Why do...
KS2 Outdoor Learning Activities
Outdoor learning for KS2 provides opportunities for deeper thinking, problem-solving and teamwork. These activities help bring learning to life and make lessons more memorable.
Explore KS2 outdoor learning activities here:
Stone Age Recipes
Stone Age Recipes for Open Fires – A Guide for Forest School Leaders Bring the ancient art of outdoor cooking to your forest school sessions with Stone Age Recipes for Open Fires! This comprehensive guide offers a collection of authentic, hands-on recipes inspired by...
Life in the Stone Age Lesson Ideas
Bring history to life with our comprehensive Life in the Stone Age Lesson Ideas! This engaging resource is packed with creative, hands-on activities designed to immerse students in the world of early humans and help them understand the challenges, innovations, and...
Stone Age Foraging Worksheet
Engage children in a hands-on, immersive learning experience with the Stone Age Foraging Worksheet! Designed for outdoor lessons, this activity sheet helps children explore the world of hunter-gatherers by identifying edible plants and berries, just as Stone Age...
Seasonal Outdoor Learning Activities
Seasonal outdoor learning allows children to connect with nature and experience changes throughout the year.
Winter Outdoor Learning Activities
Explore ideas for colder months, including nature exploration, problem-solving and creative outdoor play.
Explore more Winter Outdoor Education Resources
Summer Outdoor Learning Activities
Take advantage of warmer weather with active, engaging and hands-on outdoor learning ideas.
Discover Summer Active Resources Outside
Forest School Activities
Forest school activities focus on child-led learning, exploration and developing independence in a natural environment. These activities encourage curiosity, resilience and confidence.
Explore forest school activities here:
Forest School Planning (KS1) Book Theme
What does this resource include? 3 x Forest School Lesson Plans themed around books 1 x Witch Theme 1 x Woodland Animals 1 x Stick theme How can I use this resource? Use the Forest School Planning (KS1) Book Theme to teach your regular forest school session with a...
Forest School Session Plan – Brilliant Bugs
Forest School the Muddy Way! Use some of our Forest School resources to help us do the work so you get to play! Use Forest School Session Plan - Brilliant Bugs to bring a magical event to your school.
Set Up a Nature Club
Always wanted to set up an afterschool nature club? Well, this pack will help you! It gives you all the tips you need, created by teachers that have done this! Tried and tested the ideas and show you a path to success. Outdoor learning has never been so popular!...
Ready-to-Use Outdoor Learning Resources
Looking for ready-made lesson plans and activities?
We provide a wide range of outdoor learning resources designed to save you time and make planning easier. Our resources are fully curriculum-linked and ready to use with EYFS, KS1 and KS2. Ready to make a start use our 100 Outdoor Learning Activities you can do today!
Browse whats new outdoor learning resources and lesson plans here:
Outdoor Maths Lesson: Measuring Angles & Solving Angle Problems (KS2)
20 Top Ways to Take Angles Outdoors (KS2) By The Muddy Puddle Teacher Angles are everywhere—yet in the classroom, they can often feel flat and abstract. Step outside, and suddenly angles become real, physical, and easy to explore. Using simple, sustainable resources...
Angles (LKS2) Outdoors
🌿 10 Amazing Outdoor Sustainable Lessons on Angles (LKS2) By The Muddy Puddle Teacher Angles can often feel abstract when taught on paper—but take them outdoors, and suddenly they become visible, physical, and exciting. Using simple, sustainable resources like ropes,...
Equivalent Fractions KS2 Outdoors
Top 10 Ways to Take Equivalent Fractions Outdoors (KS2) By The Muddy Puddle Teacher Spring is the perfect time to take maths beyond the classroom walls. When children can see, build, and move through maths concepts, understanding deepens—and equivalent fractions are...
10 Egg Themed STEM Ideas for Primary
Outdoor learning activities to inspire curious minds Outdoor learning in primary schools is one of the most powerful ways to bring STEM to life. Taking lessons beyond the classroom helps children explore, question, and experiment in real-world environments—and what...
Teaching Assistant Pay Offer Expected ‘Next Month’: What It Means for Schools
The conversation around teaching assistant pay is gaining momentum once again, with reports suggesting that a new pay offer is expected next month. For thousands of support staff across the UK, this update could signal an important step in ongoing efforts to address...
Teaching Assistants Ask to End Pro-Rata Pay
Teaching Assistants Ask to End Pro-Rata Pay The issue of teaching assistants’ pay has come into sharper focus in recent years, with growing calls to end pro-rata pay arrangements. Across the UK, many teaching assistants (TAs) are raising concerns about fairness,...
Ready to Grow with Us?
If you’re looking to confidently deliver outdoor learning in your setting, explore our training courses designed for teachers across the UK.
View outdoor learning training here:
Outdoor SEND Care Plan
Use Outdoor SEND Care Plan to help children with individual needs access Outdoor Learning safely. Muddy Puddles has the complete package to support any needs you may have when learning outside. As well as our Outdoor SEND care plan check out our dedicated SEND area.
Upskill on Natural Resources
Use Upskill on Natural Resources as part of your stage two training process. A great CD top up and refresher on its own.
Horrible Halloween Lesson Ideas Pack
Use our Horrible Halloween Ideas Pack to get lots of ideas and ways to make Halloween special in your class.