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, this pack supports meaningful learning across the KS1 curriculum through exploration, movement, talk, and curiosity — without worksheets, tables, or pressure to produce perfect outcomes.
All activities are designed to take place outdoors and use simple, reusable resources such as hoops, bamboo, chalk and chalk pens, cones, ropes, clay, and natural materials including sticks, leaves, soil, stones, and water. Children learn by noticing, investigating, building, moving, and asking questions about the natural world.
What’s Included
Outdoor minibeasts activities organised by KS1 curriculum subject areas
Detailed ideas for:
Maths
Science
English
Art & Design
Computing (unplugged)
Design & Technology
Geography
History
Music
PE
RE
PSHE / RSE
Languages (KS2 extension)
Clear guidance to support child-led exploration and talk
Activities suitable for Year 1 and Year 2, with flexibility for mixed abilities
Why This Pack Works
Fully aligned with KS1 curriculum expectations, taught outdoors
Encourages curiosity, observation, movement, and collaboration
Inclusive and suitable for SEN-friendly practice
Low-prep and low-cost, using resources schools already have
Ideal for outdoor learning, forest school, and nature-based provision
Learning Through Minibeasts
This resource supports children’s development in:
Scientific enquiry and observation
Spoken language and vocabulary
Early maths and problem-solving
Creativity, design, and imagination
Physical development and coordination
Emotional wellbeing, confidence, and teamwork
Perfect For
KS1 classrooms
Minibeasts topics and science units
Outdoor learning and forest school sessions
Inclusive and SEND-friendly settings
Teachers seeking meaningful, pressure-free learning outdoors
Minibeasts KS1: Outdoor Learning Ideas gives teachers permission to step back and gives children the space to explore, move, investigate, and wonder — turning outdoor play into powerful, curriculum-linked learning.
