How to make a Nature Caterpillar (Tuff Spot)

EYFS Teaching Ideas: Bringing Joy, Play and Creativity into Reception

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Aug 13, 2026 | Communication and Language (Reception), Reception, Teacher Podcast

Looking for EYFS teaching ideas that bring more joy, creativity and meaningful play into your Reception classroom? Early Years teaching can be magical. It can also be busy, messy, unpredictable and very different from the polished classrooms we sometimes see online....

Imaginative Play Ideas for Children: What Can a Stick Become?

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Aug 13, 2026 | Literacy (Reception), Literacy (Toddlers), Reception, Teacher Podcast, Toddlers

Imaginative Play Ideas for Children: What Can a Stick Become? Looking for imaginative play ideas for children that don't require expensive toys, elaborate planning or endless resources? Sometimes all a child needs is something ordinary and the freedom to decide that...

Stick Activities for Children: Simple Outdoor Play Ideas Inspired by Nature

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Aug 13, 2026 | Literacy (Toddlers), Teacher Podcast, Toddlers

Looking for stick activities for children that are simple, creative and actually get children playing outdoors? Sometimes the best outdoor resources are the ones we do not have to buy. A stick can become a wand, a character, a measuring tool, a den support, a...

Movement Activities for Early Years

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Aug 9, 2026 | Outdoor Learning Resources, Physical Development (Toddlers), Toddlers

Why Is Movement So Important in the Early Years? Young children are designed to move. They run. They jump. They spin. They climb. They copy. They dance. They move to rhythm long before anyone explains what rhythm means. Movement is not something we need to add onto...

How to Connect Children With Nature: Books, Outdoor Play and Olivia Hope’s Be Wild, Little One

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Aug 9, 2026 | English (KS1), KS1 Outdoor Learning, Outdoor Learning Resources, Teacher Podcast

How do we encourage children to notice nature, explore their surroundings and develop a genuine connection with the natural world? For many teachers and parents, the answer can feel more complicated than simply saying, “Go outside.” Children need opportunities to...

Nature Books for KS2: Teaching English Outdoors with The Map of Leaves

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Aug 6, 2026 | English (UKS2), Teacher Podcast, UKS2

Are you looking for engaging nature books for KS2 that can inspire children to read, write, investigate plants and spend more time learning outside? A strong class text can do more than support reading comprehension. It can create questions, build vocabulary, inspire...

How to Make Your School More Sustainable with Edd Moore

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Aug 5, 2026 | Outdoor Learning Resources, Teacher Podcast

Are you wondering how to make your school more sustainable without creating an overwhelming amount of extra work for teachers? Sustainability in primary schools does not need to begin with an expensive building project or a completely new curriculum. Small, purposeful...

STEM Books for Primary Schools: Teaching Science Through Stories with Pooja Pur

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Aug 3, 2026 | LKS2, Outdoor Learning Resources, Science (LKS2), Teacher Podcast

Are you looking for exciting STEM books for primary schools that can encourage children to read, investigate, invent and solve problems? Science, technology, engineering and maths do not need to be taught separately from literacy. Stories can give children a reason to...

PSHE Picture Books for Primary Schools with Molly Potter

by The Muddy Puddle Teacher | Jul 31, 2026 | Outdoor Learning Resources, Teacher Podcast

Are you looking for thoughtful and practical PSHE picture books for primary schools? Picture books can help children explore emotions, relationships and difficult situations in a way that feels accessible and safe. A child may find it difficult to explain their own...

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