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:
Outdoor Maths Lesson: Converting Capacity (KS2)
10 Ways to Take Capacity Outdoors (KS2) By The Muddy Puddle Teacher Capacity is one of those maths concepts that truly comes alive when children can see it, pour it, and experiment with it. Instead of imagining millilitres and litres, outdoor learning allows children...
Outdoor Maths Lesson: Converting Mass (KS2)
10 Ways to Take Converting Mass Outdoors (KS2) By The Muddy Puddle Teacher Understanding mass can be tricky for children when it’s only taught through numbers on a page. But when children can hold, compare, and build mass using real objects, it suddenly becomes...
Outdoor Maths Lesson: Converting cm to m (KS2)
Top 10 Outdoor Sustainable Ideas for Converting cm to m (KS2) By The Muddy Puddle Teacher Converting centimetres to metres can feel like a tricky concept for children—until they can see and experience it in real life. Taking this learning outdoors allows children to...
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:
8 Year Two Big Write Ideas Outdoors
Bring excitement, creativity and purpose to your Year Two Big Write writing lessons with this collection of outdoor learning Big Write activities.8 Year Two Big Write Ideas Outdoors provides teachers with innovative, ready-to-use outdoor writing prompts that blend...
8 Year One Big Write Ideas Outdoors
Transform your Year One writing lessons with this collection of imaginative outdoor learning activities designed to inspire, motivate and excite young writers. 8 Year One Big Write Ideas Outdoors provides teacher-friendly, ready-to-use outdoor writing prompts that use...
8 Early Years Big Write Ideas Outdoors
Inspire young writers with nature-rich, imagination-boosting outdoor learning activities designed specifically for the Early Years.Our 8 Early Years Big Write Ideas Outdoors pack gives teachers everything they need to take writing outside and turn it into a...
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:
Food Chains – Outdoors
Outdoor Ideas for Food Chains – A Hands-On Approach to Learning Science Teaching food chains is a vital part of the KS1 science curriculum, and now you can bring this topic to life through the power of outdoor learning. Our Outdoor Ideas for Food Chains resource is...
Environment Science Project
Inspire eco-awareness and outdoor learning with every page. Designed to complement your outdoor curriculum, the Environment Work Booklet is a ready-to-use printable pack filled with engaging, curriculum-linked activities focused on caring for our planet. Perfect for...
Bug Outdoor Learning Scavenger Sheet
Outdoor Learning Scavenger Hunt Tick SheetInspire curiosity. Explore the outdoors. Learn through play. Make outdoor time educational, exciting, and screen-free with the Outdoor Learning Scavenger Hunt Tick Sheet! Designed for children of all ages, this fun and...
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:
Outdoor Play: Let’s Play Diggers (Lanyards)
🌿 Invitation to Play Outdoors: Top 10 Ways to Inspire Meaningful Play Simple, engaging ideas for outdoor learning in primary and SEND settings Creating an invitation to play outdoors is one of the most powerful ways to engage children. It’s not about setting up...
Arctic Themed Outdoor Continuous Provision Planning
Create a calm, engaging, and curiosity-led outdoor environment with our Arctic-Themed Outdoor Continuous Provision Planning, designed specifically for Early Years and EYFS settings. This carefully structured planning pack supports child-led learning outdoors, helping...
EYFS Christmas Activities for Continuous Provision
Bring festive magic into your outdoor environment with this essential collection of 50 EYFS Christmas activities for continuous provision designed specifically for continuous provision. Perfect for nurseries, reception classes, childminders and forest school settings,...
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:
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...
KS1 Outdoor Art Activities
Child-Led, Messy Creativity for Learning Outdoors KS1 Outdoor Art Activities is a practical and inspiring resource designed to help teachers take art learning outside in a way that truly suits young children. This pack is full of open-ended KS1 outdoor art activities...
Computing Outdoors – Algorithms with Hoops
Active, Hands-On Computing for KS2 Bring computing to life beyond the classroom with Computing Outdoors – Algorithms with Hoops, an engaging lesson ideas pack designed to help pupils understand algorithms through movement, teamwork, and problem-solving. This resource...
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:
Upper KS2 Outdoor Art: Environmental Sculptures
Encourage deeper thinking and meaningful creativity with this inspiring Upper KS2 Environmental Sculpture Projects Pack, designed for engaging outdoor learning with children aged 9–11. This resource helps pupils explore how art can respond to a space, influence an...
KS2 Outdoor Art Ideas Pack : Using Waste and Reclaimed Materials
Encourage creativity with purpose through this inspiring Upper KS2 Art Using Waste and Reclaimed Materials Pack, designed for meaningful outdoor learning with children aged 9–11. This resource supports pupils in exploring identity, impact and critical thinking through...
KS2 Eco Art
Empower pupils to use creativity as a voice with this inspiring Upper KS2 Eco Art and Activism Pack, designed for meaningful outdoor learning with children aged 9–11. This resource helps pupils explore how art can communicate environmental messages, raise awareness...
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 KS2 : Biomes and Habitats
Outdoor Nature-Based Learning for Primary Schools Discover the diversity of our planet through hands-on, nature-based learning with Forest School: KS2 Biomes & Habitats. This inspiring activity pack from The Muddy Puddle Teacher® helps teachers and Forest School...
Forest School Ancient Greeks
Outdoor Learning Activities for KS2 History Step back in time and bring Ancient Greece to life outdoors with this engaging Forest School activity pack. Forest School: Ancient Greeks is a practical collection of nature-based learning ideas designed to help primary...
Forest School: Seas & Oceans Pack
Outdoor Learning & Nature-Based Activities for Primary Schools Dive into the wonders of the ocean through hands-on Forest School learning. Forest School: Seas & Oceans is a practical, ready-to-use pack of outdoor learning ideas designed to help primary school...
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 Learning Training for SEND, Specialist Schools & Alternative Provisions
Outdoor Learning Programme: Let’s Learn (SEND & Specialist Schools) Our Outdoor Learning Programme: Let’s Learn is a carefully designed, inclusive programme created specifically for SEND and specialist schools. At The Muddy Puddle Teacher, we use outdoor learning...
Outdoor Learning Training : Behaviour and SEMH
This specialised outdoor learning training course focuses on how natural environments can positively impact behaviour and support children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. You’ll learn how to use outdoor spaces to: Reduce dysregulation and stress...
Outdoor Play Training for SEND
Outdoor Learning Training: A Gentle Approach with The Muddy Puddle Teacher Step into a more natural way of teaching with our outdoor learning training, inspired by the calm, child-led philosophy of the Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach. This training invites you to slow...
Outdoor Play Training for Early Years
Outdoor Learning Training using Play: The Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach Transform your teaching practice with our hands-on outdoor learning training, designed to help educators confidently deliver rich, engaging experiences beyond the classroom. The Muddy Puddle...
Outdoor Learning Training for Primary Schools (Levels 1-4)
Let’s Learn Outdoors Outdoor Learning Training Programme for Primary Schools The Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach Outdoor learning isn’t just a break from the classroom—it’s a powerful, research-backed way to deepen children’s understanding, improve wellbeing, and bring...
10 Outdoor Maths Activities for EYFS, KS1 & KS2
Outdoor learning and maths are a powerful combination—and with the Muddy Puddle Teacher® approach, it’s easier than ever to take your lessons outside without adding extra planning stress. This guide shares 10 simple, engaging outdoor maths activities for EYFS, KS1,...
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:
Post Training Staff Meeting (Powerpoint)
Post Training Staff Meeting (Powerpoint) to help support reflection and sustainability of the approach post training.
MPT Status Final Assessment (TA Pathway)
The Final Assessment Form for the Muddy Puddle TA Training Five Reasons Going Outdoors Helps with Children's Mental Health Remember, you need a silver account to gain access to resources and train with us; go for Gold. Why not review us on Trustpilot?...
MPT Status Final Assessment (Teacher Pathway)
To be used as the final submission for as part of the MPT Training Five Reasons Going Outdoors Helps with Children's Mental Health Remember, you need a silver account to gain access to resources and train with us; go for Gold. Why not review us...