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Outdoor Learning Made Easy

Summer Forest School Activities: Inspiring Ideas for Early Years Practitioners

by | Nov 29, 2025 | Blog | 0 comments

Outdoor Learning and forest school

Summer is a magical time for Forest School. With long days, warm sunshine, and abundant natural resources, children have endless opportunities to learn through exploration and play. Forest School in summer is vibrant, sensory, and full of discovery—from buzzing insects to blooming wildflowers, shady woodland spaces, and warm-weather adventures.

This blog shares Summer Forest School activities that support Early Years children, strengthen the EYFS curriculum outdoors, and help you create meaningful, nature-connected learning experiences.

For ready-made outdoor lesson plans and training, visit:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/outdoor-learning-resources/
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/outdoor-learning-training/

☀️ Why Summer is Perfect for Forest School

Summer supports the core Forest School principles beautifully:

  • Weather allows longer outdoor sessions

  • Children can explore barefoot sensory play where appropriate

  • Nature is at its most active: insects, birds, flowers, leaves, seeds

  • Extended daylight offers calmer, slower-paced sessions

  • Warm temperatures allow more water play, shelter-building, and nature art

Summer provides a rich seasonal context for children to connect with nature and deepen their outdoor learning experiences.

Top Summer Forest School Activities

☀️ 1. Shadow Play & Sun Printing

Summer sunlight offers wonderful opportunities for shadow exploration.

Ideas:

  • Have children trace their shadows with chalk or sticks

  • Create shadow puppets using leaves and sticks

  • Explore how shadows change throughout the day

Try related outdoor science resources:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=light

💧 2. Natural Water Play

Cool water activities help keep children comfortable and engaged on hot days.

Ideas:

  • Create a natural water channel using sticks, bark, and stones

  • Make floating nature boats with leaves and twigs

  • Explore sinking and floating with natural items

Find water-themed outdoor activities:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=water

🦋 3. Butterfly & Pollinator Hunt

Summer is peak season for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

Try:

  • Spotting different colours and patterns on butterfly wings

  • Creating butterfly landing pads with sugar water (teacher-led)

  • Planting pollinator-friendly flowers

Mini beast summer activities:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=insect

🌼 4. Flower Sorting, Petal Art & Nature Mandalas

Wildflowers are abundant in summer—perfect for creative and maths-based activities.

Ideas:

  • Make petal collages

  • Sort flowers by shape, colour, or size

  • Create seasonal mandalas using petals, grass, and stones

Summer nature craft activities:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=flower

🪵 5. Den Building in the Shade

Summer heat makes shady areas perfect for construction play.

Provide: logs, sticks, rope, fabric, natural materials.

Skills developed: teamwork, problem-solving, gross motor skills.

Related outdoor teamwork challenges:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=teamwork

🍃 6. Tree Study & Leaf Investigation

Summer leaves are thick, green, and full of life.

Ideas:

  • Compare textures and shapes of leaves

  • Try leaf rubbings

  • Encourage children to create nature bookmarks

  • Count and categorise leaves for simple maths tasks

Tree and leaf resources:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=leaf

🔥 7. Campfire Safety & Summer Outdoor Cooking

If your Forest School allows fire sessions, summer is an excellent time due to stable weather.

Ideas:

  • Toast fruit slices

  • Brew herbal tea from mint

  • Cook simple bannock bread

Always follow strict risk assessments and Forest School fire rules.

🧘‍♀️ 8. Mindful Nature Meditation

Summer brings warmth, birdsong, and calming breezes—the perfect sensory setting for mindfulness.

Try:

  • Lying on the grass to watch clouds

  • Listening meditation

  • Nature breathing using scents from herbs and flowers

Explore wellbeing outdoors:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=wellbeing

🪶 9. Bird Behaviour Observation

Summer is a lively time for birds feeding fledglings.

Ideas:

  • Watch birds collecting food

  • Identify bird calls

  • Create simple binoculars from cardboard tubes

Bird-themed EYFS activities:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=bird

🍉 10. Summer Sensory Picnic

Combine food, nature, and sensory exploration.

Try:

  • Herb-infused water tasting

  • Fruit smelling and shape recognition

  • Picnic blanket storytelling in the shade

Picnic-themed activities:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=picnic

🔆 Summer Forest School Safety Tips

  • Provide plenty of shade and rest breaks

  • Apply sun protection with parent permission

  • Monitor hydration closely

  • Check for wasp activity around food

  • Remind children to respect living plants and wildlife

  • Keep a close eye on water play safety

  • Avoid midday heat where possible

📚 Helpful Muddy Puddle Teacher® Summer Resources

Save planning time with summer-focused packs:

☀️ Final Thoughts: Summer Makes Forest School Shine

Summer brings colour, activity, warmth, and energy into your Forest School sessions. With long, sun-filled days and a landscape bursting with life, it’s a wonderful opportunity to offer children rich, hands-on seasonal learning.

Whether you use shadow play, water exploration, flower art, or mindfulness activities, these Summer Forest School experiences help build confident, curious, nature-connected learners.

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