Learning Outside the Classroom – Early Years Ideas

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Learning Outside the Classroom – Early Years Ideas

The outdoors provides a rich, engaging environment where young children can learn, explore, and grow. From building confidence to developing problem-solving skills, outdoor learning offers countless benefits, especially in Early Years settings. Encouraged by Ofsted’s support of “free-flow” environments, many nurseries and preschools are now turning to canopy solutions to ensure outdoor access all year round.

At Able Canopies, we understand the importance of enabling outdoor learning, no matter the weather. Our range of commercial canopies, including wall-mounted and freestanding options, makes it easy for early years providers to offer outdoor learning activities in a safe, sheltered space. To help you make the most of your outdoor area, we’ve compiled a variety of fun and educational ideas that support the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Literacy

Mark Making in Nature

Encourage creativity with sand, soil, snow, or even a simple chalkboard surface under your school canopy. Children can experiment with early writing using sticks, stones, or chalk. Try drawing letters on a paved surface and letting children trace over them with water squirters; it’s a great mix of learning and play.

Story Time Outdoors

Bring stories to life outside. Choose books that feature animals, weather, or plants, and let nature enhance the narrative. You can also create your own tales using found objects such as leaves, feathers, or insects as inspiration.

Mathematics

Sorting and Grouping

Use natural materials like leaves, stones, or pinecones to help children group by colour, size, or shape. They can count, compare, and even use them in simple addition or subtraction activities.

Outdoor Number Games

Play games like hopscotch or “What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?” to practice numbers in a fun, physical way. These games promote number recognition, sequencing, and movement at the same time.

Rhyming and Counting Songs

Classic rhymes such as “Five Little Ducks” or “Ten Green Bottles” are perfect for the outdoors and help children engage in active counting.

Understanding the World

Sensory Discovery

Sensory gardens or nature walks allow children to explore different textures, smells, and sounds. Encourage them to listen for birds, touch tree bark, and observe insects, helping them to connect with nature and build observational skills.

Mini Builds and Dens

With supervision, children can use outdoor space to build mini dens using natural materials or loose parts. These small structures support creative thinking and teamwork.

Weather Exploration

Outdoor time helps children understand different weather conditions and what to wear. You can even incorporate weather charts or simple experiments to deepen their knowledge.

Expressive Arts & Design

Nature Art

Use leaves, petals, and twigs to create outdoor floor art or collages. This encourages fine motor skills and artistic expression.

Natural Shakers and Sounds

Create simple instruments by filling containers with items like pebbles, conkers, or rice. Children can explore rhythm and make music inspired by their environment.

Bark Rubbings and Texture Printing

Provide crayons and paper so children can do bark rubbings or leaf prints. These activities spark creativity and help children notice patterns and textures.

Year-Round Outdoor Learning with a Canopy

We know that weather can be unpredictable, which is why our canopies are a practical investment for Early Years settings. Products such as our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy or our Timber Freestanding Canopies offer excellent protection from rain or sun, helping you maximise the use of your outdoor space all year round.

Whether it’s literacy through leaf letters or math with muddy measurements, outdoor learning under a school canopy can enhance development across all seven EYFS areas.

Download our brochure to learn more about how our canopies can support your outdoor learning goals:

Able Canopies Ltd. design, manufacture and install canopies and shade structures at schools, nurseries and educational settings to enable year-round Free Flow Outdoor Play and Outdoor Learning.
For more information please contact us

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