Outdoor Learning Geography: Geography Activities for EYFS, KS1 and KS2
Geography is one of the most natural subjects to take outdoors.
Children do not need to learn about places only through maps, photographs and textbooks. Their school grounds and local area can become the starting point for real geographical enquiry.
At The Muddy Puddle Teacher®, we believe outdoor learning geography should help children observe, question, map, compare, investigate and understand the places around them.
Children can explore direction, location, weather, land use, human and physical features, mapping, fieldwork and environmental change through first-hand experiences.
The outdoors gives geography a real context.
Looking for ready-to-use outdoor learning ideas?
Explore The Muddy Puddle Teacher® outdoor learning resources, training and membership and start taking more of your curriculum outdoors. You could also make a start by signing up to our FREE outdoor learning magazine.
If you are completely new to taking learning outside, start with our Beginner’s Guide to Outdoor Learning and then return here for everything you need to develop outdoor learning across school settings.
Outdoor Geography in EYFS
In EYFS, early geography develops through children’s understanding of people, places and the world around them. For more support for early years head to the Early Years Outdoor Play Hub.
Outdoor spaces give young children opportunities to notice where things are, how places differ and how environments change.
Children can begin to explore position, direction, weather, seasons, familiar places and simple maps through play.
EYFS Outdoor Geography Idea: Map Our Playground
Take children on a walk around the outdoor area.
Talk about what they notice.
They might identify the gate, sandpit, tree, climbing frame, shed, path or garden.
Then create a simple map together.
Ask:
What should we put on our map?
What is next to the gate?
Where is the tree?
How could we show the path?
This introduces children to the idea that maps represent real places.
EYFS Outdoor Geography Idea: Weather Watch
Spend a few minutes outside each day noticing the weather.
Talk about whether it is sunny, cloudy, windy, rainy, warm or cold.
Ask:
What does the sky look like?
How does the air feel?
What is the wind doing?
Over time, children can begin to notice patterns and seasonal change.
EYFS Outdoor Geography Idea: Follow the Route
Create a simple route around the playground.
Use words such as forwards, backwards, around, beside, under and behind.
Older EYFS children can begin to follow simple directional instructions and describe routes themselves.
Outdoor Geography in KS1
In KS1, outdoor geography can help children develop mapping, fieldwork and observational skills. For more support , head to the KS1 Outdoor Learning Hub.
The school grounds provide a safe and familiar place to explore geographical concepts before children move into wider local-area fieldwork.
KS1 Outdoor Geography Idea: Human and Physical Features
Walk around the school grounds and identify features.
Children might notice buildings, fences, paths, drains, trees, grass, slopes, soil or water.
Discuss which features are human and which are physical.
Ask:
Which things have people made?
Which things are natural?
Has anything changed over time?
KS1 Outdoor Geography Idea: Compass Directions
Use the playground to practise north, south, east and west.
Children can locate features using simple directions.
For example:
Which part of the playground is north of the building?
Walk east towards the gate.
What can you see to the south?
This makes compass directions physical and memorable.
KS1 Outdoor Geography Idea: Make a Simple Map
Ask children to create a simple map of the school grounds.
They can include a key and symbols for important features.
Encourage them to think about where things are located in relation to each other.
Ask:
What information does your map need?
How will someone know what your symbols mean? Make a start and try this Outdoor Map Lesson idea.
Outdoor Geography in KS2
In KS2, outdoor geography can become more investigative.
Children can gather data, compare areas, analyse patterns and explore how people interact with environments.
Fieldwork can begin right outside the classroom.
KS2 Outdoor Geography Idea: Land Use Survey
Walk around the school grounds or local area and identify how different spaces are used.
Children might record areas used for play, parking, gardening, buildings, wildlife, sport or pathways.
Ask:
How is this land being used?
Why do you think it is used this way?
Could the space be used differently?
Older pupils can map their findings and compare different parts of the area.
KS2 Outdoor Geography Idea: Microclimate Investigation
Investigate whether different parts of the school grounds have different conditions.
Children can compare temperature, wind, shade and moisture.
Ask:
Is every part of our school grounds the same temperature?
Which places are sheltered?
Why might one area feel warmer than another?
This introduces pupils to the idea of microclimates.
KS2 Outdoor Geography Idea: Environmental Quality Survey
Ask children to evaluate different areas around school.
They could consider noise, litter, greenery, traffic, seating, shade and general appearance.
Then ask:
Which areas feel most pleasant?
Which areas could be improved?
What evidence supports your opinion?
Children can gather data, map results and suggest improvements. Make a start try: Locating the World Outdoor Learning Lesson Plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Learning Geography
What is outdoor learning geography?
Outdoor learning geography involves using outdoor environments and fieldwork to help children explore place, location, weather, maps, human and physical features, land use and environmental change.
What are some easy outdoor geography activities?
Simple ideas include map-making, weather watching, compass trails, human and physical feature hunts, route activities, land-use surveys and environmental quality investigations.
Is outdoor geography suitable for EYFS?
Yes. EYFS children can explore familiar places, weather, simple maps, routes, direction and features in their local environment.
What outdoor geography activities work well for KS1?
KS1 activities can include simple mapping, compass directions, human and physical feature hunts, weather observations and local-area walks.
What outdoor geography activities work well for KS2?
KS2 pupils can carry out land-use surveys, microclimate investigations, environmental quality surveys, mapping activities and more detailed local fieldwork.
Do you need to leave the school grounds to teach geography outdoors?
No. School grounds can provide excellent opportunities for early fieldwork, mapping, weather investigations, land-use studies and environmental surveys.
Can outdoor geography link with maths?
Yes. Children can measure distances, collect data, create graphs, use coordinates, estimate, compare and analyse results.
Can outdoor geography link with science?
Yes. Weather, habitats, soil, environmental change and microclimates can create strong links between geography and science.
What equipment do you need for outdoor geography?
Very little. Clipboards, maps, compasses, measuring tapes, thermometers, simple data sheets and cameras can support many geography activities.
How do you assess outdoor geography?
Assessment can come through observation, maps, fieldwork notes, photographs, pupil discussion, data collection and follow-up tasks.
What is the most important part of outdoor geography?
Fieldwork.
Children should have opportunities to observe real places, ask questions, gather information and use evidence to understand the world around them.
What evidence supports your opinion?
Children can gather data, map results and suggest improvements.