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:
KS2 10 and 100 more
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 Learning Multiplication
Make multiplications a part of your day the kids love! No longer will multiplications be something your class struggles with. Children embed learning better when they enjoy it and we know how to make it fun. Let us save you time so you can do the teaching.
Counting in Powers of 10 Through Outdoor Learning
Looking for a meaningful way to teach counting in powers of 10 while embracing outdoor learning? At The Muddy Puddle Teacher, we bring maths to life by taking it beyond the classroom and into the natural world. Our Muddy Maths: Counting in Powers of 10 resource is...
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:
Phase Two Phonics Nature Posters
Use these phase two phonics nature posters to get more authentic and in context pictures for children to relate their phonics to. Often children have lots of colourful pictures, which may be hard to translate for some children. Using nature to guide us, we give each...
Sunflower Day: How to Plant a Sunflower Seed (Instructions)
Join in with Sunflower Day and use Plant a Sunflower Seed (Instructions) to make life easier for you and to embed some key literacy links. Use these as instructions for you to display or use as literacy tools for children to follow and independently find what they...
eBook Phase 3 – Book 1 (jvwx)
Use the eBook Phase 3 - Book 1 to practice these sounds jvwx. This is an interactive book that the children will take outdoors on a device. It will encourage the children to work in pairs, co-read, and then act out their sentences to show they have understood...
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.
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Diagram of a Sunflower
Exploring Sunflowers: Teaching with Outdoor Activities Sunflowers are not only vibrant and beautiful but also offer a wealth of learning opportunities for children. By taking lessons outside, educators can engage students in hands-on activities that enhance their...
Sunflower Day Growth Chart KS2
Enjoy using this KS2 Growth Chart resource on Sunflower Day so that the children can record the height and observe their plant as it grows and reflect and look for changes if they were to do this KS2 Experiment again. It is such a great experience to teach children...
Sunflower Day Growth Chart – EYFS/KS1
EYFS/KS1 - Enjoy using this resource on Sunflower Day so that the children can record the height and observe their plant as it grows. It is such a great experience to teach children how to plant, nurture, and watch a plant grow due to their hard skills. Sunflower Day...
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.
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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.
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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:
Weather and Seasons KS1 Outdoor Learning Ideas
Exploring Change, Nature and the World Through Play Weather and Seasons KS1: Outdoor Learning Ideas is a practical, outdoor-first resource designed to help teachers explore weather and seasonal change through hands-on, child-led learning. Using the Muddy Puddle...
Light and Dark KS1 Outdoor Learning Ideas
Exploring Light, Shadow and Darkness Through Play Light and Dark KS1: Outdoor Learning Ideas is a practical, outdoor-first resource designed to help teachers explore the theme of light and dark through hands-on, child-led learning. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher...
Castles KS1: Outdoor Learning Ideas
Cross-Curricular Learning Through Play, Movement & Imagination Castles KS1: Outdoor Learning Ideas is a practical, outdoor-first resource designed to help teachers deliver a rich castles topic through hands-on, child-led learning. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher...
Minibeasts KS1 Outdoor Learning Ideas
Learning Through Exploration, Movement & Wonder Minibeasts KS1: Outdoor Learning Ideas is a practical, outdoor-first resource designed to help teachers deliver a rich minibeasts topic through hands-on, child-led learning. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach,...
Farm KS1 Outdoor Learning Ideas
Cross-Curricular Learning Through Play, Movement and Nature KS1 Farm: Outdoor Learning Ideas is a practical, outdoor-first resource designed to help teachers deliver a whole farm topic through hands-on, child-led learning. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach, this...
KS1 Pirates: Outdoor Learning Pack
Cross-Curricular Learning Through Play, Movement & Imagination KS1 Pirates: Outdoor Learning Pack is a practical, outdoor-first resource designed to help teachers teach a full pirate topic through hands-on, child-led learning. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher...
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.
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Ditch the Plastic Day School Pack
Do you want to put a focus on plastic pollution at your school? Use this very popular whole school pack to Ditch the Plastic at your setting.