💕 Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links at no cost to you. It means I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my links. Thank you for your support. Stock Images supplied by Canva
In this post, I share learning activities children can do outdoors in nature. I explain what to bring and write about practical ways you can implement learning in nature. Learning outdoors undoubtedly has many benefits. There are plenty of instances of deep hands-on exploration that take place outdoors when children simultaneously can engage in practical experiences gaining broader knowledge and enjoy their playtime. Children and their supervisors get to spend time in the fresh air, move around more, enjoy different scenery, and do not have to worry about creating or cleaning a mess.
It is well-known fact now that children (and adults) learn better and more effectively if their bodies are set in motion. “Researchers believe it’s because the main region of the brain responsible for motor skills—the cerebellum—is also connected to our visual processing, spatial perception, and cognitive abilities”. Source
Also due to the fact that our ancestor’s survival depended upon their ability to move from place to place, we can say that necessity to move is a part of our natural development. The human brain benefits greatly from gross and motor movement. So when we take our classroom outdoors and even to a museum, we help the children to initiate processes in their bodies that trigger a whole chain of internal events that boost their cognitive functions and make learning that much more exciting and special.
Planning your next outdoor experience
It can be daunting to think and plan your outdoor learning activities. But based on my experience, you can’t go wrong when you make preparation time as practical as possible. Our goal is to help them refine their skills, such as concentration, fine and gross motor, learn to appreciate nature and living creatures, gain an understanding of academic knowledge in the context of the natural world.
Keeping these concepts in mind, you can have a successful outing without it being a stressful experience for the guides, parents, and supervisors.
We live in a warm climate. So it makes it easier for us to venture outdoors during school terms. And if you have a shorter season when children can do learning activities outdoors, I hope you get to take advantage of it fully.
I will share how I make it work for me and my children. I make a list of all materials and tools I need to have with me on every occasion. If we go outdoors as an alternative to learning at home, I do a bit more preparation than usual. Those trips only generally last 3- 4 hours at a time. Here is what goes into our backpacks every outdoor learning trip we make:
Self-care:
- A water bottle is usually sufficient for us. Children generally carry their own water bottles and snacks in their backpacks. If we go on longer trips like hikes and day trips, they take their hydration packs. Also, every child has a whistle to let others know if there is danger and they need immediate help. It is important to note that I don’t let children wear anything around their necks as a precaution. So they have their hands and necks free of hazards and distractions. It is either in their backpacks or I carry it.
- Simple snacks
- Mosquito repellent. We prefer a natural one.
- First Aid kit (bandaids, hand sanitizer, disinfectant, cotton tips, tweezers)
The exploration pack for children includes all the tools we use on regular basis:
- Magnifying glass
- Flashlight
- Outdoor microscope
- Compass
- Whistle
- Binoculars for observations
I always have something to keep little ones busy if I have older children doing their work and the younger children get restless. For example, I pack a ball or a foam airplane if it is safe to use and won’t harm wildlife around us.
Learning materials:
- At least one clipboard is always a must for us. We use it for children’s observational drawings or if I take nature journals and nature hunt lists with us. Sometimes older children do drawings of flowers, mushrooms, or other natural peculiar objects we find along the way. I also have my phone on me in case we need to identify any plants the children find especially intriguing. Although I try to keep them away from all the devices as much as possible.
- A pencil case with colored pens, glue stick, eraser, writing pencil, sharpener, and a measuring tape.
- Children safe scissors
- A notebook. Aside from nature journals, children like to have their personal notepads to make notes of things, events, and thoughts. I make sure to allow them the time to do it freely whenever they feel prompted. It could be something new they learned or a drawing of a flower or anything really their heart desires.
- Sandtimer. We use it generally for silence games which I aim to initiate every single trip. We find a perfect spot, we practice deep breathing and then they close their eyes for a couple of minutes listening carefully to all the surrounding sounds. Then they share their impressions. The silence game is also a great starting point for doing a couple of quiet activities, like reading and writing.
- I always take tracing activities for the young children. These can be extended easily outdoors. Instead of tracing with a pen, they use loose parts from nature – small rocks, seeds, sticks and leaves to build shapes.
- I gather a couple of children’s books that make a lot of sense to read outdoors. The oldest child does daily reading at her own pace while I do activities with the youngest.
Here are some of the activities I plan for outdoor learning.
I always have a plan that contains very specific learning activities I would like to do with the children. For example, counting quantities, identifying first, ending, and middle sounds in names of objects we find outdoors. I also plan for all the different questions I ask children and invite them to explain certain ideas or processes that take place in nature in their own words.
However, whenever we find something especially eye-catching, we make sure we learn its name, we take the time to examine it and take a closer look.
Learning activities with cards always attract the attention of young children. I generally initiate the work by placing a couple of examples on the table when we find a quiet spot to do some work outdoors. Once the child shows interest, he or she can work on the task. But it all happens on his or her accord. With 3,4-year-old children, I do not have any kind of requirements to do any work unless they show interest. I gently assist but only if prompted by them.
Map drawing. The older children – 4 – 6-year-olds and beyond generally enjoy an activity like drawing a map. I prepare snippets of paper and they draw landmarks they observed in their surroundings on the day.
After that, they glue them onto their map and create a pathway. It is a great fine motor activity for preschool age. It also encourages them to be more attentive and mindful of their environment.
Clay modeling. Sometimes I plan a clay modeling activity. It is very much child-driven. Children design and make clay prints, little bowls, and other objects that we research together. They generally are encouraged to use the medium they find in nature that day. It does get messy and it is handy to have a place for washing hands and tools nearby.
Games on logical thinking. Outdoors is a perfect place for those. We enjoy playing games like tic tac toe with materials we find around.
Nature crafts. I always have rubber bands with me. Boys especially enjoy making their versions of bow and arrows. We also make nature crafts with materials and natural objects we find on our walks.
Every outdoor learning experience runs differently based on children’s mood, weather, and many other factors. At times we meet other children and it turns into a social event. But it is great to transition their learning and work time we do indoors in the outdoor settings like gardens and parks. We do it at least once a week. The difference is that it is less structured and I am much more flexible with my planning. The children look forward to it every week and it is such a great way to build those important personal connections with them when distructions like electronics are practically nonexistent.
You might enjoy
YOu Might Also Enjoy These Resources On Nature-Based Learning and Living
- The Many Benefits Of Learning In Nature
- Hands-On Learning About Plants In Our Montessori Classroom
- Sensory Explorations Outdoors – Touch With Nature Hunt Printable
- Learning About Land And Water Formations – Montessori Outdoor Explorations
- The Silence Game In Nature – Empowering Children With Mindfulness
- Montessori Inspired Explorations At The Beach
- Quotes On Nature – Steering Away From Nature – Deficit Disorder
- Colour Hunt In Nature – Montessori Outdoor Explorations
- 20 Ways To Celebrate Earth Day And Every Day With Kids.
- 30 Amazing Books For Children On Nature
- Art With Nature – Creative Nature Hunt For Kids
- Outdoor Learning Activities With Free Printables
- Painting With Natural Loose Parts
- 3 Easy Steps To Get Your Kids Crafting With Natural Materials
- How To Make An Easter Garden – Natural Small World For Play
- Hands-On Learning About Plants In Our Montessori Classroom
- Calming Mindfulness Activities For Kids Using The Colors Of Nature
- Outdoor And Nature-Based Learning Activities For Children
- Introduction To Forest School – A Practical Approach To Outdoor Learning (Free Printable)
- Nature Journal – Free Printable
- Nature Display In Homeschool Setting
- Montessori Flower Arranging Lessons For Children. Activities, Materials. Tips For Toddlers & Preschoolers
- Outdoor Activities For Children With Free Seven-Day Planner
- Risk-Taking In Play And Everyday Life For Children
- The Importance And Benefits Of Teaching Gardening To Children Toddlers To Preschoolers
- Indoor Garden Craft Ideas For Kids – Plants That Stimulate The Senses
- How To Make A Vegetable Garden For Kids
- What Happens If Every Child Picks A Flower?
Must-Read Books About Nature Learning and Living
Exploring Nature - Children's Books and Learning Resources
Nature Journal Children's Activity Book with Prompts I see I wonder I create
Visual Storytelling Prompts with Nature | Drawing, Creative Writing
Animals of the Seven Continents - Nomenclature and Information Cards
Nature Curriculum in Cards Ever Growing Bundle
Insects and Crawling Creatures Preschool Pack
Biomes of the World - Nature Curriculum in Cards - Montessori
Major Biomes of the World is a set of 3-part cards, information posters, and worksheets for students to learn about the major biomes of the world. It includes a map, 3-part card activities, descriptions, follow-up coloring, handwriting, and sorting activities.
Three Types of Rocks Sort: Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic
Three-part cards and sorting activity with three major groups of rocks – Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic. Rocks are often a great point of interest for lower elementary students. It is easily translated into a hands-on experience for children who enjoy looking up various types of rocks and learning their origin and proper name pronunciation.
Types of Clouds Printable - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Types of Clouds – 3-part card activity and handwriting sheets.
Seasons in Nature Printable - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Seasons in Nature Printable contains:
4 work mats for sorting
24 picture cards for sorting (6 for each of the seasons)
Sun and Earth rotation poster to place in the middle
British and American versions
Natural Wonders of the Continents Montessori Sorting Cards
Montessori Nature Printable with 49 sorting cards featuring real photos of the wonders of nature.
Fascinating and most incredible places on earth categorized by location – the seven continents.
2D Shapes in Nature Printable - Nature Curriculum in Cards - Montessori
2D Shapes in Nature matching activity and handwriting sheets.
Montessori Printable for Preschool Children Colours in Nature
Montessori-inspired printable for preschool children to learn visual discrimination of the colors using gorgeous photographs of nature. Photographs of the natural world – 11 different colors;
Montessori Nature Printables
Patterns in Nature cards for sorting out 10 different categories of patterns found in nature: clouds, water, plants, animals, reflections, landscapes, corals, ice and snow, rocks, and trees.
Birds and Their Eggs Three-Part Nomenclature Cards
The printable features photos of birds and eggs. Each card set comes with a photo of a bird + a label, a label card, and a photo card of eggs including a picture of the bird that laid them. This makes it easier for children to connect the right picture of eggs to the right bird without assistance.
Plant Life Cycle - Montessori Nature Printables
This printable is perfect to include in your Spring and Summer unit and present to the students before they start planting seeds in the garden.
Honey Bee Life Cycle - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Two sets of Honey Bee Life Cycle activities with student worksheets and Honey Bee 3-part Cards
Nature Themed Phonics - Nature Curriculum in Cards Series
The Deciduous Forest Biome - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Five Classes of Vertebrates Sorting Cards - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Leaf Shapes Printable - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Nature's Treasures
From a fragile and beautiful bird egg to a glittering meteorite from space, discover more than 100 intriguing natural objects with fascinating tales to tell in this beautifully illustrated wildlife book for children.
This unique nature reference book has a fun, new approach that teaches children about nature through objects. It includes:
• More than 100 amazing objects that you can find in nature made by geological processes, or by plants and animals.
• Four chapters: Animals; Plants, Fungi and Algae; Minerals and Rocks; and Made by Nature.
• Illustrated diagrams that support understanding.
• Large, detailed photographs of truly fascinating objects.
• Eye-catching jacket finishes: gold foil, holographic foil and metallic gold edges.
Kids Nature Journal Drawing Sketchbook
NATURE JOURNAL: Exploring nature with children through fun journaling. These activity books were created by parents who found a way to guide kids to discover and observe the outdoors with simple drawing and sketching. When given a purpose and excitement for finding plants, animals, and landmarks, your kids will enjoy learning to draw on this illustrative workbook in their own backyard.
Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find?
Jump-start curiosity with this take-along field guide for children ages 4 to 8. From worms, birds, and spiders to trees, flowers, and clouds, young explorers learn what to look and listen for wherever they are — whether in a nature preserve, an urban park, or a suburban backyard. Seek-and-find lists, on-the-trail art projects, and discovery games get kids engaged in hands-on learning about nature, and a real pull-out magnifying glass helps them get a close-up glimpse of leaf veins, seed pods, and tiny insects. Filled with activities, checklists, and stickers, this interactive nature guide belongs in every kid’s backpack.
Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
My First Nature Book: All About the Natural World for Kids
From the smallest speck of sand to the stars that blanket the sky, nature is full of incredible things to explore. Inspire little ones to learn about the world they live in with this colorful and imaginative choice in nature books for kids. It’s packed with fascinating info and full-page photos that teach children about the weather, seasons, plants, animals, and more.
Awesome Outdoor Science Experiments for Kids
Kids are full of big questions like “What makes plants grow?” or “Why does the moon change shape in the sky?”. Awesome Outdoor Experiments for Kids can help them find the answers! It’s a treasure trove of outdoor adventures, with more than 50 fun experiments that show kids science in action as they play outside.
National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry
When words in verse are paired with the awesomeness of nature, something magical happens! Beloved former U.S. Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis curates an exuberant poetic celebration of the natural world in this stellar collection of nature poems. From trickling streams to deafening thrunderstorms to soaring mountains, discover majestic photography perfectly paired with contemporary (such as Billy Collins), classics (such as Robert Frost), and never-before-published works.
Adventure Girls!: Crafts and Activities for Curious, Creative, Courageous Girls
Girls can do anything, and Adventure Girls! proves it! Packed with exciting activities and crafts for girls (ages 6 to 12), this book inspires young adventurers to be curious, innovative, and bold. From stargazing and animal tracking to making a pinhole camera and building a shadow theater, Adventure Girls! is not one of your typical craft books.
The Backyard Bug Book for Kids
Crawl into the wonderful world of bugs—a fun photographic adventure for kids ages 3 to 5
Take your child on an educational adventure bursting with the kinds of colorful photographs you need in bug books for kids.
The Backyard Bug Book for Kids has everything you’d want in bug books for kids: a story, pictures, and activities combined. Introduce your little one to the types of bugs they’re likely to see during their day, then help them remember what they’ve learned with fun, on-the-page challenges.
Curious Kids Nature Guide: Explore the Amazing Outdoors of the Pacific Northwest
Filled with fun facts and 100 full-color, beautiful, and scientifically accurate illustrations, this nature guide will inspire kids to go outdoors and discover the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest.
Did you know that baby raccoons are smaller than a bar of soap? Or that salmon smell using little pits in the front of their eyes? Curious Kids Nature Guide is filled with full-color illustrations and fun facts about the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest, encouraging kids to discover and explore nature in their own backyards and beyond.
The Organic Artist for Kids: A DIY Guide to Making Your Own Eco-Friendly Art Supplies from Nature
Immersed in the natural world, The Organic Artist for Kids inspires creativity by connecting kids and their adults to our wilderness roots.
In addition to offering a wide variety of fun, collaborative projects using nature as a source for art supplies and inspiration, this book also introduces the concepts of awareness and perception that are fundamental to the creative process.
Outdoor Kids in an Inside World
In the era of screens and devices, the average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors, and children are no exception. Not only does this phenomenon have consequences for kids’ physical and mental health, it jeopardizes their ability to understand and engage with anything beyond the built environment.
Exploring Nature Journal for Kids
Wild creatures, cloud formations, plant habitats, and more―nature is full of wonders to behold and explore! In this nature journal, young naturalists will get all of the guidance they need to study and record their experiences of the natural world.
The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms
Clare Walker Leslie shows kids how to experience nature with all five senses, whether they live in the countryside, a major city, or somewhere in between. Guiding children through inspiring activities like sketching wildlife, observing constellations, collecting leaves, keeping a weather journal, and watching bird migrations, The Nature Connection encourages kids to engage with the world outside and promotes a lifelong love of nature.
50 Things To See With A Telescope - Kids: A Constellation Focused Approach
From the author of the bestselling book 50 Things to See with a Small Telescope, this colorful edition explores the constellations with young readers, guiding them to dozens of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Every page features a helpful “telescope view”, showing exactly how objects appear through a small telescope or binoculars.
Nature Anatomy Activities for Kids: Fun, Hands-On Learning
Get ready to explore the sky above, the ground below, and all the plants and creatures in between! Made just for kids, this nature anatomy book teaches you about the incredible forces and living things that exist in nature.
Nature All Around: Plants
Balancing child-friendly facts with colorful illustrations, this perfect introduction to plants is sure to inspire the budding naturalist in every child. From crowded cities to open prairies, deserts to wetlands, plants grow everywhere!
This comprehensive introduction will open children's eyes to the plants that surround them every day and how important they are to life on our planet. It covers the basics of plants, such as their parts, life cycles and growing zones.
The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups
The birds, the bees, the flowers and the…TREES! How do trees grow? Why do leaves change? What kind of tree is that? The acclaimed Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s guide answers all kids’ (and their parents’) tree-related questions in an easy-to-understand way. It features 33 different trees that grow in North America, from rural Georgia to the streets of New York City to the California suburbs.
Survivor Kid: A Practical Guide to Wilderness Survival
Anyone can get lost while camping or on a hike and Survivor Kid teaches young adventurers the survival skills they need if they ever find themselves lost or in a dangerous situation in the wild. Written by a search and rescue professional and lifelong camper, it’s filled with safe and practical advice on building shelters and fires, signaling for help, finding water and food, dealing with dangerous animals, learning how to navigate, and avoiding injuries in the wilderness.
Mrs. Peanuckle's Hiking Alphabet
With playful text, bright illustrations, and sturdy pages, Mrs. Peanuckle's alphabet books will engage toddlers, and take them on an alphabet adventure through the natural world!
Explore the wondrous world of hiking while learning the ABCs with Mrs. Peanuckle!
Mrs. Peanuckle takes on the outdoors and shares all her favorite animals, plants, and more in her latest tour of the ABCs!