On Thursday, the 8th of May, it is Outdoor Classroom Day, a global movement to inspire and celebrate outdoor play and learning. The following provides activity ideas and resources that will help you celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day at your service and can be implemented into the curriculum for children.
Children around the world are spending more time indoors and in front of screens. Connecting to nature can restore our sense of well-being. For children, this connection is best made through play—whether outdoors in nature or indoors with natural elements. Outdoor Classroom Day encourages children to spend more time outdoors and connect with nature.
Ideas To Celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day
- Make a nature crown out of leaves, cardboard, or twigs.
- Use a cardboard box and paints to make beautiful butterfly wings.
- Turn yourself into your favourite animal with a simple mask.
- Outdoor symphony encourages children to listen to everything going on outside and think about different ways of recreating and recording the sounds.
- Cloud watching is a fun activity for children of all ages and a wonderful way to connect to the outdoors from inside the house.
- Paint a stone animal
- Nature Mandala
- Nature Art See Through Frames
- Nature Name Writing
- Nature Bracelets
- Nature Weaving
Further Reading
Benefits Of Outdoor Area
How Does Nature Affect A Child's Development
Outdoor Play With Babies
Nature Programs In Early Childhood Settings
Designing Engaging Outdoor Learning Spaces
Learning With Nature
Incorporating Natural Materials In The Learning Environment
Sustainability Activities For Toddlers and Preschoolers
Insect Theme Activities For Toddlers and Preschoolers
For more ideas: Resources
For more information: Outdoor Classroom Day
The Rabo Community Fund has partnered with George the Farmer on their mission to help educate children about where their food and fiber come from