KS1 Welly Walks: Outdoor Learning Ideas for Year 1 and Year 2
Looking for simple KS1 welly walk activities you can use with Year 1 and Year 2? Welly walks are one of the easiest ways to take learning outside because they help children explore nature, weather, seasons, local spaces, science, maths, literacy, geography and wellbeing through real outdoor experiences. Are you new to outdoor learning explore this article to learn more : What is Outdoor Learning?
A welly walk does not need to be complicated. It can happen around the school grounds, across the playground, through a field, in a woodland area, around a local park or even along a safe path near school. With a clear focus and a few simple prompts, a short walk can become a meaningful outdoor learning lesson.
At The Muddy Puddle Teacher®, we believe outdoor learning should be simple, purposeful and easy to manage. You do not need expensive resources or a perfect outdoor space. Wellies, coats, clipboards, chalk, pencils, collection pots, magnifying glasses, nature cards and curious children are enough to begin. Download this resource and 1000’s more – take a 60-day free trial.
New to Welly Walks? Start Here
If taking a whole class on a welly walk feels overwhelming, start small.
Choose one short route, one clear learning focus and one simple question for children to explore. You might ask, what signs of the season can we find, where do puddles form, what plants can we spot, what sounds can we hear, what shapes can we see or how has the weather changed our outdoor area?
A welly walk does not need to last a long time. Ten or fifteen minutes of focused outdoor observation can be very powerful in KS1.
Before you go, set clear expectations. Talk about where children can walk, what they can touch, how they will stay safe and what they are looking for. The clearer the purpose, the calmer and more successful the walk will be.
Outdoor learning does not have to be a big event. Sometimes, a simple welly walk is the best place to start.
Try This Tomorrow
If you only do one thing, try this simple KS1 welly walk activity.
Seasonal Signs Welly Walk
Take children outside for a short walk around your school grounds or local outdoor space. Ask them to look carefully for signs of the current season.
They might notice leaves, flowers, buds, seeds, mud, puddles, frost, dry grass, insects, birds, shadows, clouds or changes in temperature.
Time: 15–25 minutes
Prep: Low
Resources: Wellies, coats, clipboards, pencils, simple recording sheet or camera
Learning: Observation, seasonal change, vocabulary, science, geography, speaking and listening
As children walk, adults can ask, what has changed since last time, what can you see that shows the season, what can you hear, what can you feel, where is the ground wet or dry, what do you think might change next week?
This gives children a quick outdoor learning success and helps them begin to observe the natural world more closely.
Why Welly Walks Work Well in KS1
Welly walks work beautifully in KS1 because children are still learning through movement, talk and first-hand experience. A short walk can support curiosity, confidence, vocabulary, observation and connection to place.
Welly walks help children notice things they might otherwise miss. They begin to see how the weather changes the ground, how plants grow, where water collects, how shadows move, where birds gather and how the same place can look different across the year.
They also support wellbeing. Walking outdoors can help children regulate, talk more freely, feel calmer and experience learning in a less pressured way.
For Year 1 and Year 2, welly walks can link to science, geography, English, maths, art, PSHE and outdoor play.
KS1 Welly Walks for Science
Science is one of the easiest subjects to explore through welly walks.
Children can look for plants, trees, animals, minibeasts, weather changes, seasonal signs, materials, habitats, water, shadows and natural patterns.
A science welly walk might focus on identifying plants, comparing leaves, spotting signs of animals, noticing where minibeasts live, observing puddles, looking at clouds or finding materials in the outdoor environment.
You might ask questions such as, what living things can we find, where are the plants growing, what has changed after the rain, where might a worm like to live, which surfaces are wet, which leaves are the biggest, what do you notice about the trees?
This helps children understand that science is not just in books. It is happening all around them.
KS1 Welly Walks for Geography
Welly walks are excellent for early geography because children learn about place by moving through it.
Children can explore routes, maps, human and physical features, weather, land use, signs, paths, buildings, trees, slopes, puddles and local landmarks.
A geography welly walk might involve following a simple route, drawing a map, noticing where water flows, identifying natural and built features or comparing two outdoor areas.
Children might describe what they pass using positional language such as near, far, next to, behind, beside, between, over, under and around.
You could ask, what route did we take, what did we pass first, where is the playground, where are the trees, what is natural, what has been built by people, how could we draw this on a map?
This makes geography real and meaningful. Download this resource and 1000’s more – take a 60-day free trial.
KS1 Welly Walks for Literacy
Welly walks are brilliant for outdoor literacy because children gather real vocabulary and experiences before writing.
Children can collect words on a walk, describe what they notice, retell the route, write weather reports, create poems, make journey stories, write instructions, label a map or create a class nature word bank.
A rainy welly walk might inspire words such as dripping, splashing, muddy, shining, cold, wet, cloudy and slippery. A sunny welly walk might inspire golden, warm, bright, shadowy, calm, glowing and breezy.
After the walk, children can write sentences such as, we walked past the tall tree, the puddle was shining, the leaves crunched under my boots, the wind pushed the clouds across the sky.
This helps children write from real experience rather than imagination alone.
KS1 Welly Walks for Maths
Maths can be woven into welly walks in simple and practical ways.
Children can count steps, compare puddle sizes, measure sticks, sort leaves, look for shapes, tally birds, count trees, estimate distances, order natural objects by length or create patterns using leaves and stones.
You might ask, how many steps to the gate, which puddle is wider, can you find three circles, which stick is longest, how many birds did we see, can you make a pattern from what you found?
Outdoor maths on a welly walk feels purposeful because children are using real objects and real spaces.
KS1 Welly Walks for Art and Creativity
Welly walks can also inspire art and creative work.
Children can look closely at colours, textures, shapes, patterns, lines and natural materials. They might collect fallen leaves for printing, sketch trees, create colour charts, make nature palettes or photograph interesting textures.
A simple art welly walk might ask children to find as many shades of green as possible, notice patterns on bark, compare leaf shapes or choose one natural object to draw carefully.
This encourages children to slow down and look like artists.
Welly Walks and Wellbeing
Welly walks can be a gentle way to support children’s wellbeing.
Walking outside gives children a chance to move, breathe, talk, notice and regulate. Some children find it easier to talk while walking than when sitting face-to-face indoors.
You can create a calm welly walk by asking children to listen for three sounds, find something that makes them smile, notice something tiny, breathe slowly under a tree or choose a natural object that matches how they feel.
This links outdoor learning with emotional literacy, mindfulness and self-regulation.
Welly Walks in Different Weather
Welly walks can happen in many types of weather, as long as it is safe.
In rain, children can explore puddles, water flow, wet surfaces and rain sounds. In sunshine, they can notice shadows, warmth, light and dry ground. In wind, they can watch leaves move, feel the breeze and observe clouds. In autumn, they can collect leaves and seeds. In winter, they can notice frost, bare trees and mud. In spring and summer, they can look for flowers, insects and new growth.
This helps children understand that outdoor learning is not only for perfect weather.
The key is to dress appropriately, keep walks short when needed and choose safe routes.
How to Plan a KS1 Welly Walk
A good KS1 welly walk should have a clear purpose, safe boundaries and simple expectations.
Decide where you are going, what children will look for, how long the walk will last and how they will record or share what they notice.
You might use clipboards, cameras, chalk, simple checklists, collection pots, magnifying glasses or talk partners. However, you do not need much. Sometimes children only need a question and time to observe.
Before setting off, remind children to walk safely, stay with the group, respect plants and wildlife and listen for instructions.
After the walk, bring the learning back together. Children might share one thing they noticed, draw a map, write a sentence, sort collected objects or talk about what changed.
Welly Walks for Children Who Need More Support
Some children may need extra support during welly walks because of sensory needs, mobility needs, anxiety, attention, language or confidence.
Keep the route predictable, show visuals, explain what will happen, offer a partner, use short instructions and allow children to participate in different ways.
A child might collect one object, take photographs, point to things they notice, use a visual checklist, walk with an adult or observe from a quieter place.
Welly walks can be very inclusive when they are flexible. The aim is not for every child to record in the same way. The aim is for every child to notice, experience and connect with the outdoor environment.
Welly Walks for Greater Challenge
For children who are ready for more challenge, turn the welly walk into a focused enquiry.
They could compare two routes, create a map with symbols, record seasonal changes over time, measure distances, collect data, write a fieldwork report, create questions for another group or explain why certain plants or animals are found in particular places.
You might ask, how has this area changed since last month, where do we find the most signs of wildlife, which route is shortest, why does water collect here, what would improve this outdoor space?
This helps children move from simply noticing to thinking more deeply about place, science and the environment. Download this resource and 1000’s more – take a 60-day free trial.
Want Ready-to-Use KS1 Welly Walk Resources?
The Muddy Puddle Teacher® helps busy teachers save planning time with simple, curriculum-linked outdoor learning resources.
Inside the Muddy Puddle Teacher® membership, you will find ready-to-use KS1 welly walk ideas, outdoor science activities, geography fieldwork prompts, literacy tasks, maths links, SEND support, forest school activities, seasonal resources and simple planning to help you take learning outside.
Our resources are designed to help you use your school grounds, reduce planning stress and make outdoor learning feel manageable, purposeful and fun. Get 100 FREE outdoor leanring ideas now.
Ready for More KS1 Outdoor Learning Ideas?
If you enjoyed these KS1 welly walk activities, you can access hundreds more outdoor learning resources inside The Muddy Puddle Teacher®.
Download this resource and 1000’s more – take a 60-day free trial. and explore outdoor learning resources for KS1, EYFS, KS2, SEND, forest school, outdoor play, science, geography, literacy and maths.
Start with one short route, one clear question and one simple focus, then build from there.
Outdoor learning does not have to be complicated. Sometimes, it just needs wellies, curiosity and a walk outside.
KS1 Welly Walks FAQs
What is a KS1 welly walk?
A KS1 welly walk is a short outdoor walk used for learning, observation and exploration. It can support science, geography, literacy, maths, wellbeing and seasonal learning. Find more ideas in the KS1 Outdoor Learning Hub.
What can children learn on a welly walk?
Children can learn about plants, weather, seasons, maps, routes, habitats, materials, puddles, local spaces, vocabulary, counting, measuring and observation.
How do I plan a welly walk for Year 1 or Year 2?
Choose a safe route, decide on one clear learning focus, set boundaries, check clothing and footwear, give children a simple task and bring the learning together afterwards through talk, drawing, writing or sorting.
Can welly walks support outdoor science?
Yes. Welly walks are excellent for outdoor science because children can observe plants, animals, habitats, weather, materials, puddles, shadows and seasonal change in real life.
Can welly walks support geography?
Yes. Welly walks support geography by helping children explore routes, maps, human and physical features, local spaces, weather, direction and place.
Do welly walks need lots of resources?
No. Wellies, coats and a safe route are enough to begin. Clipboards, chalk, pencils, magnifying glasses, cameras or simple checklists can be useful but are not essential.
Can welly walks support SEND learners?
Yes. Welly walks can support SEND learners when routes are predictable, instructions are clear, visuals are used and children can participate through looking, pointing, collecting, photographing, drawing or talking.
