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:
Halving Facts to 20 Hedgehog EBook
Consolidating halving facts to 20 can get stale. Make this more fun and use our outdoor board game. A device & a dice is all you need.
Pizza Shop Adding Money 1p & 2p
Help your class learn about adding 1p and 2p together by playing this fun Muddy board game. All you need is a device and a dice!
Maths continuous provision ideas
Maths is one of the easiest subjects to take outside in KS2, you just need the know-how and we have the approach and the ideas to give you that know-how. Take that muddy step and start to make maths practical, visual and engaging.
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:
Chase me Chase me Phonics Game (Ph2 Set1)
Chase Me, Chase Me: A Phonic Game by The Muddy Puddle Teacher Phonics is a crucial component of early literacy, helping children understand the relationships between letters and sounds. At The Muddy Puddle Teacher, we have developed an engaging and fun phonic...
Poetry Alliteration and Similes (Home Learning)
Home Learning Activity Poetry Alliteration and Similes Use this pack to help your children flourish at home with this home learning activity. Teachers: Try not to print this off, download and email to parents or take a screen shot and text. Here are some...
Personification
Personification KS2 ⇒This lesson is best achieved outdoors. ⇒ Do it in all weathers ⇒ Uses natural resources ⇒Single Lesson Plan Use this action-packed lesson to help teach personification through active and nature-based ideas. Active learning can be a great way to...
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:
Forest School Cooking Recipes – Open Fire/BBQ
Use Forest School Cooking Recipes - Open Fire/BBQ to get a list of our favourite recipes separated into outdoor cooking for EYFS/KS1 and outdoor cooking for KS2. Use in Forest School Sessions or in Muddy Sessions with a BBQ/. Vegetarian options are available as well...
Outdoor Science Experiments (KS2) Ideas Pack
Outdoor Science Experiment (KS2) is a fun and active pack that will embed nature and have the children working together on fun practical science experiments.
Sunflower Day Certificate
Use this Sunflower Day Certificate to award the child that grows the largest sunflower. Do not forget to also apply for The Muddy Puddle Teacher Sunflower competition. Submit your tallest sunflower in your class and get yourself a subscription and your child some book...
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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
Big Body Art Babies
Rolling, Crawling & Smearing — Art Through Movement Big Body Art Babies is a gentle, outdoor-first resource designed to support babies’ earliest creative experiences through movement. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach, this pack recognises that for babies,...
Sound & Texture Art Babies
Gentle Listening, Touching & Sensory Discovery Outdoors Babies (0–18 Months): Sound & Texture Art is a calm, outdoor-first resource designed to support babies’ earliest sensory and creative experiences through natural sound and texture. Using the Muddy Puddle...
Light & Shadow Play Babies (Art)
Calm Visual Exploration Through Nature Babies (0–18 Months): Light & Shadow Play Babies is a gentle, outdoor-first resource designed to support babies’ early visual development through natural light, shadow, and movement. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach,...
Messy Mark Making Outdoors – Art
First Marks, Big Movement & Sensory Discovery Babies (0–18 Months): Messy Mark Making Outdoors is a gentle, outdoor-first resource designed to support babies’ earliest mark-making experiences through movement, touch, and sensory exploration. Using the Muddy Puddle...
Sensory Nature Art Babies
Gentle, Outdoor Sensory Exploration From the Very Start Babies (0–18 Months): Sensory Nature Art is a calm, outdoor-first resource designed to support babies’ earliest creative and sensory experiences through nature. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach, this pack...
Early Years Sensory Bottle Ideas
Calm, Curious & Connected to the Natural World Outdoor Early Years Sensory Bottle Ideas is a gentle, nature-based resource designed to support sensory exploration, emotional regulation, and curiosity through outdoor play. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach,...
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:
Out all Weather Class/Assembly Presentation
Use ‘Out all Weather Class/Assembly Presentation’ to help children get a more positive attitude towards going out all weathers.
Great Muddy Plan
Use the Great Muddy Plan to help you set up a more natural outdoor space.
Outdoor Learning Risk Assessing (Risk-benefit form)
Use the Muddy Risk assessment as a sample and starting point.