On 21 May, schools across the UK have the chance to take part in Outdoor Classroom Day: a special time that encourages teachers to take learning beyond the four walls of the classroom.
More than just a one-off event, it’s an opportunity to rethink how and where learning happens, helping pupils engage with their environment in meaningful and memorable ways.
Why is outdoor learning important?
Outdoor learning has been shown to support not only academic progress but also pupils’ physical health, mental wellbeing and social development.
Whether it’s a reception class exploring minibeasts in the school garden or a group of secondary students conducting fieldwork investigations, stepping outside can transform everyday lessons into dynamic, hands-on experiences.
This article is designed to support both primary and secondary teachers and other staff in making the most of Outdoor Classroom Day.
From understanding its benefits to planning practical, curriculum-linked activities, you’ll find ideas and guidance to help create enriching outdoor learning experiences for all students.
The known benefits of outdoor learning:
- Academic benefits
Improved engagement and retention: Outdoor learning captures students’ attention by placing lessons in real-world contexts that spark curiosity. This active, hands-on approach helps them remember more and develop a deeper enjoyment of learning.
Cross-curricular opportunities: Outdoor environments allow subjects to connect naturally through shared activities and investigations. For example, an activity that incorporates maths and science, such as a bug counting task, creates inter-curricular connections.
- Physical and mental wellbeing
Increased activity levels: Learning outside encourages movement, helping students feel more energised and focused. This connection between activity and learning makes lessons feel more enjoyable and dynamic.
Reduced stress and improved mood: Time outdoors can help students feel calmer and more relaxed, reducing stress. A positive mood supports greater motivation and a more open, engaged approach to learning.
- Social and personal development
Teamwork and communication: Outdoor activities often involve working together, helping students build communication and collaboration skills. These shared experiences make learning more enjoyable and socially rewarding.
Confidence and independence: Outdoor learning encourages students to explore, make decisions and take ownership of their work. This builds confidence and helps them become more independent, motivated learners.
Introductory outdoor learning resources
Here are a few resources focused on learning outside the classroom to help spark your students’ imagination and enjoyment of expanding knowledge in the fresh air:
- Outdoor Classroom Day assembly - wellbeing (primary)
- Outdoor learning pack (primary)
- National Poetry Day: you choose! (secondary, with outdoor activities)
- British Science Association - CREST award activities
- Mindfulness colouring sheets (secondary)
Outdoor learning in primary
Play-based and exploratory learning help to develop curiosity and a deeper connection with nature.
Browse these primary resources to support outdoor learning with your children:
- Forest school activity. A KS1/2 forest school or outdoor learning activity. Children work in teams to try to get five in a row or just find as many as they can. There is a mixture of objects to find, compare, smell and touch in the woods.
- Forest school activity cards. A great set of 8 fun and imaginative forest school activity cards, each with an engaging activity focusing EYFS and KS1 primary children on learning about their outdoor environment and nature.
- Five tips for outdoor learning. Five teaching tips to support your outdoor teaching and learning in KS1 and KS2. Ideas include a scavenger hunt challenge, building a bug box viewer and investigating water tension.
- Five tips for Outdoor Classroom Day. Five easy and accessible ideas to support outdoor learning. Activities include outdoor artists inspired by the work of Andy Goldsworthy, nature trail, map making, building a den and becoming gardeners.
- Barnaby Bear in the woods. A three page story about Barnaby Bear's trip to the woods and the photographs he took. Use it as a model for story writing about your own trips into the great outdoors. A super outdoor learning resource suitable for reception and KS1.
- On the ground poetry. A lovely KS1 activity to bring the outdoors into the classroom! Children collect autumnal objects from the ground and write a poem using a very simple number structure to create an effective poem.
- Data handling for twitchers. A practical resource inviting children to document the species and number of birds which live near them. Then, back in class, they gather together all the data to build a frequency or tally chart before building their own pictogram or bar graph.
Outdoor learning in secondary
Getting outside for learning purposes enables students to apply curriculum knowledge in real-world contexts. This experience also encourages students to develop their critical thinking and problem solving capabilities through activities such as field work, data collection, creative writing or outdoor debates.
Try some of these resources to expand your students’ understanding of the world and relevant linked concepts:
- Fieldwork: biodiversity study. Perfect for introducing KS3 students to fieldwork, this biodiversity study comes with a complete lesson PowerPoint plus data collection and data presentation worksheets.
- Fieldwork numeracy: traffic measurements. A clear and highly practical resource to practise numerical skills and graphical skills at GCSE. The worksheet guides students through calculating the mean and the range of two different data sets, with worked examples to help them.
- Environmental quality surveys. Introduce your KS3 and GCSE geography students to environmental quality surveys (EQS) with this complete lesson and data collection template. Suitable for all GCSE exam boards, it's a great activity to complete in preparation for urban fieldwork.
- 20 activities for World Environment Day. Packed with creative, hands-on activities to inspire environmental action, this comprehensive resource includes 20 engaging ideas to help your students make a real difference this World Environment Day.
- Pricey Park netball court: a multi-skill maths investigation. Challenge your KS3 and KS4 students with this engaging real-world maths investigation that brings together multiple mathematical concepts through the scenario of building a netball court in the fictional ‘Pricey Park’.
- Spanish: school subjects walking dictation. This set of eight Spanish sentences giving opinions of different school subjects, with reasons, is designed for a walking dictation activity. It's also great practice for reading aloud, but with an additional memory challenge!
Planning for Outdoor Classroom Day
Planning carefully and sharing a clear set of instructions with both primary and secondary students will help them get more out of the experience.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Setting clear learning objectives: have a list of 3-5 essential objectives that students know they should achieve to keep them on track.
- Risk assessment and safety considerations: always appraise the area you plan to use and consider how safe and secure the location is before using. Your school may have a risk assessment process for you to complete before an outdoor learning activity.
- Making use of school grounds and local environments: outside learning doesn’t have to happen far away! It’s always quicker and more convenient to use the space around the school to help students settle into an activity and encourage learning to take place more effectively.
- Inclusive planning for all learners: consider all your learners before embarking on an outdoor activity. Are there some students who may need extra support or preparation before they go outside to learn? Make a plan and talk to support staff to ensure you’re fully prepared.
Making the most of the experience
Preparing students beforehand is key to a successful outdoor learning experience. Make even more of the time by encouraging reflection or follow-up work afterwards, such as a class discussion, plenary, picture diary or independent learning at home.
Overcoming common challenges
It can be helpful to consider the following areas before you begin so that you have every angle covered!
- Weather concerns - check the weather forecast to make sure the weather will be appropriate for the time you have planned outside.
- Limited outdoor space - do you have enough space for everyone at the same time outside or should the activity be done in groups? If so, have an indoor activity planned for the groups waiting to take part.
- Staff confidence and training - make sure all staff supporting are fully trained and understand the plan for the day to ensure learning is facilitated.
Why your students will love Outdoor Classroom Day
Learning in the fresh air has long-term benefits beyond a single day. If you build outdoor learning into regular practice, you’ll notice that pupils love the break from routine, the freedom involved and hands-on learning that brings them closer to nature.
