The Muddy Puddle Teacher® Early Years Outdoor Play Programme and Toolkit
Are your children struggling to come up with their own play ideas? Do you find yourself constantly having to lead or role-play just to keep them engaged? Many modern-day children spend less time outdoors and have fewer opportunities for the rich, imaginative play we enjoyed growing up. But that magic can be brought back.
The Muddy Puddle Teacher® Early Years Outdoor Play Programme & Toolkit brings back the old magic—because children need it now more than ever.
One Course. One Toolkit. 100% Success.
One Course. One Toolkit. 100 % Success.
Because it works — every single time.
The Muddy Puddle Teacher® Early Years Outdoor Play Programme and Toolkit gives you and your staff everything you need to rediscover the power of simple, stripped-back Muddy Play! We show you how to guide and structure play using open-ended, upcycled, and natural materials—resources that spark imagination without doing the thinking for children.
Our play programme includes seven toolkits, each one modelled in your setting by our team. We help reignite staff enthusiasm for outdoor learning, reconnect them with the purpose of child-led exploration, and revive that sense of wonder we all remember from our own childhoods.
Today’s children are surrounded by ready-made entertainment and other people’s imaginations—yet have so little time to imagine for themselves. A simple stick, once a sword, a wand, or a fishing rod, is often overlooked. But this kind of open-ended play is vital for creativity, problem-solving, and cognitive growth.
Dates are limited — book a chat with one of our teachers today.
All of our trainers are in-class teachers and members of the SLT, ready to demonstrate exactly how this can work for your school/setting.
What Our Early Years Teams Say
★★★★★
BEST INSET EVER!
A day unlocking new potentials of rainy day learning in the woods!
Some comments from our team:
“The day was active, inspiring and fun”
“Fun-filled day of on the job training”
“I came away with some great ideas to try in my setting and a greater understanding of the main principles of outdoor learning”
“In the pouring rain our work family were a dream team, working together and using our creative skills and talents to have a fun training day in the woods.
Loved it , thank you”
Ruthie, Headteacher, Little Oaks (High Wycombe)
★★★★★
Muddy Puddle Teacher Training – A Truly Transformative Experience
This week, our school had the privilege of taking part in Muddy Puddle Teacher Training—and what an inspiring and energising experience it was! From the moment Sarah, our fantastic trainer, began, we knew we were in for something special. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and expertise had us all thinking outside the box and embracing the power of outdoor learning.
The impact has been immediate and incredibly positive. Teachers and TAs have been confidently taking learning outdoors, reimagining lessons and using natural spaces to spark curiosity, conversation, and collaboration. The benefits for both children and staff are already evident—more movement, improved mental health, and a genuine sense of enjoyment and connection.
We’ve seen our pupils developing resilience, working together more naturally, and asking deeper questions—all because of a change in environment and mindset. It’s been a joy to see and be part of.
We are now eagerly awaiting the additional resources to support us further on our journey. Integrating the Muddy Puddle approach into our curriculum will make our already wonderful schools even more unique and vibrant.
A heartfelt thank you to Sarah and the Muddy Puddle team. This training hasn’t just enriched our practice—it’s ignited a spark that we know will continue to grow.
Maria, Headteacher, Wrestlingworth Primary (Cambridge)
★★★★★
Fantastic INSET Training session.
Would highly recommend to anyone interested in improving their outdoor learning provision. Lots of ideas and inspiration, easily adapted for EYFS to Year 6. Cannot wait to start my Muddy Puddle journey with my class and become a Muddy Puddle School. Thank you for bringing Muddy Puddle to Mundford!
Teacher, Heeler, Munford Primary (Thetford)