How Does Taking an Early Years Under the Sea Topic Outdoors Support Children’s Learning?

The Under the Sea topic is one of the most exciting and imaginative themes in Early Years education. Children are naturally curious about oceans, sea creatures and underwater worlds. While this topic is often explored indoors through books, small world play and art activities, taking the theme outdoors can transform children’s learning experiences.

Outdoor learning allows children to explore ideas in a larger, more physical and sensory way, helping them develop skills across many areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Below we explore why taking an Under the Sea topic outdoors is important for children’s learning and how it can extend Early Learning Goals beyond what indoor environments can offer.

How does Under the Sea Outdoors Supports Learning?

Outdoor environments give children space to explore themes in a more active and imaginative way. When children take part in Under the Sea learning outdoors, they can build, investigate and move within their learning rather than simply observing it.

For example, instead of looking at pictures of sea creatures in a book, children can create large underwater worlds using sand, water, loose parts and natural materials. They may build coral reefs, create ocean habitats or search for hidden treasure in sand trays.

These experiences encourage children to become active explorers, which is a key principle of Early Years learning.

Outdoor learning also supports curiosity and discovery. Children are more likely to ask questions, experiment with materials and develop ideas through play when they have space and freedom to explore.

How does Outdoor Learning Expands Early Learning Goals?

The Early Years Foundation Stage focuses on developing the whole child, including communication, physical development, understanding of the world and creativity. Outdoor learning can strengthen all of these areas.

Physical Development

Outdoor Under the Sea activities encourage children to move in imaginative ways.

Children may:

• crawl like crabs
• swim like dolphins
• jump between “islands”
• balance along “coral reefs”

These activities help develop coordination, balance and strength, which are essential for physical development.

Indoor spaces often limit large-scale movement, while outdoor areas provide the freedom children need to practise these important skills. Our outdoor bike resources are a fantastic way to explore this area.

Communication and Language

Outdoor role play encourages children to talk about their ideas and discoveries.

When children pretend to be ocean explorers or divers, they naturally use language to describe what they see and what they are doing. Adults can extend this learning by introducing vocabulary such as:

• ocean
• waves
• coral
• reef
• sea creature
• underwater

Outdoor play environments often inspire more conversation and storytelling, helping children develop communication skills.

Understanding the World

The Under the Sea theme introduces children to ideas about habitats, animals and environments.

Outdoor learning allows children to explore these ideas through hands-on investigation. Water play areas, sand trays and loose parts allow children to experiment with concepts such as:

• floating and sinking
• water movement and waves
• where animals live

These experiences help children develop a deeper understanding of the natural world.

Mathematics Through Play

Outdoor environments offer many opportunities for early mathematical learning.

Children can:

• count shells and stones
• sort sea creatures by size or colour
• create patterns using natural materials
• measure sandcastle structures

When maths is embedded in imaginative play, children develop number skills naturally and confidently. Check out our Mud Kitchen Bunting to help make your area filled with number activities.

Expressive Arts and Design

Outdoor spaces allow children to create larger and more imaginative artwork.

Children might build coral reefs from natural materials, create giant sea creatures on the ground using leaves and sticks or sculpt sea animals from clay.

This type of creative exploration supports imagination, problem-solving and artistic expression. Our big art projects can help embed this area.

Why Outdoor Learning Offers Experiences Indoors Cannot

Indoor classrooms are important learning environments, but they often limit children’s opportunities for large-scale exploration and sensory play.

Outdoor learning provides experiences that indoor spaces cannot easily offer.

Children can:

• move freely and energetically

• explore natural materials

• build large imaginative environments

• engage with sand, water and weather

• collaborate with others in open spaces

These experiences help children develop confidence, resilience and independence.

Outdoor environments also provide rich sensory experiences. The feeling of sand, the sound of water and the movement of air all help children engage with their learning in deeper ways.

Supporting the Whole Child Through Outdoor Learning

Taking the Under the Sea theme outdoors supports more than just topic learning. It helps children develop:

• curiosity

• creativity

• communication

• physical confidence

• problem-solving skills

When children are given space to explore and imagine, they become more engaged in their learning.