Primary Outdoors
Children are happier and healthier when they have regular opportunities to learn and play outdoors. Make curriculum linked outdoor learning a regular part of your practice and you will help ensure positive intellectual, emotional, and social development whilst building the foundations for a lifelong connection with nature and our planet.
We’ve created this page to support primary school educators in taking advantage of the benefits of outdoor learning and play. Find everything you need to take learning outdoors in your setting, including outdoor lesson ideas, guidance, training, and more.
For even more on outdoor learning and play at primary school, visit our YouTube channel or sign up to our newsletter. Alternatively, for resources to support outdoor learning and play at other stages, visit our early years and secondary school hubs.
Use the buttons below to jump to a section.
Resources
Below, you’ll find a wide range of resources to support your primary outdoor learning and play practice. These include outdoor activities developed by primary school educators; tips, tricks, and advice from our blog; and more in-depth guidance on outdoor learning and play at primary school.
Applying for a Local School Nature Grant? Take a closer look at the outdoor learning training on offer.
We are calling for action to improve all school grounds in Scotland. Learn how you can support the Scottish School Grounds Collective.
Ahead of British Science Week, discover the benefits of taking STEM into the school grounds, plus ideas for teaching STEM outdoors from early years to secondary school.
Training
We provide a wide range of online and in-person training courses to help you develop your primary outdoor learning and play practice. The training options below include courses for individual teachers, school staff teams, and wider organisations such as local authorities and multi-academy trusts.
If you are looking for a more consultation-based approach, our Advisory Visit service includes an audit of your school grounds, observation of how they are currently being used and consultation with staff and children to produce a set of recommendations around your ongoing practice and development. We can also provide bespoke consultation services as required – please get in touch to request this.
Projects
We work closely with international partners to develop and deliver outdoor learning and play projects that connect children and young people to the natural world. Take a look at some of the work we’re doing in primary schools.
