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Step Up Your Outdoor Game with These Amazing Activities for Kids

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There are huge benefits to learning outdoors. This post is filled with outdoor activities for kids and outdoor classroom resources.

The natural curiosity of children combined with fresh air and hands-on experiences makes the outdoor classroom the most ideal learning environment.

Learn how to create an outdoor classroom, how to tackles the obstacles that come with learning outdoors, equip yourself with hundreds of activities for inspiration and execution, and create an amazing foundation with ample, well-vetted books lists I have curated for the outdoor environment.

Outdoor Learning Activities & Outdoor Classroom Resources

Enjoy these outdoor activities & resources!

Benefits of Outdoor Classrooms

As Dr. Montessori asserted, a child discovers the world through the senses. The child’s brain sees, smells, hears, feels, and tastes more poignantly, thus helping the brain develop in ways not available to indoor learning.

Other examples of the benefits of outdoor learning include:

  • more balance
  • less anxiety
  • more joy
  • better focus
  • communication skills
  • stronger immuse systems
  • problem solving skills
  • more connection with families
  • better sense of duty & purpose

According to School A to Z out of Australia, “Studies have found that children who don’t necessarily thrive in a traditional classroom (including students with ADHD) are more engaged and successful when they’re learning in a curriculum-based, outdoor environment.”

Additionally, according to a study conducted by students at the University of Wisconsin at Steven’s Point, “Children greatly benefit developmentally from being outdoors. Outdoor education and play support emotional, behavioral and intellectual development. Studies have shown that students who learn outdoors develop: a sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline and initiative.”

I highly recomennd this well researched article from The Greater Good in Berkeley. It sites various scientific studies indicating ths positive impact nature has on children and adults.

How to Create an Outdoor Classroom

Check out these ideas and resources on how to create your outdoor learning environment. Keep in mind a lot of creating an outdoor classroom is about cultivating a positive and excited mindset for you and the kids!

“Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.”
– David Polis

How to Guides for Outdoor Education

Learning outdoors sounds romantic. Then there are the tears and the whining. Not to mention the “bad weather”.  Here are a few ideas to tackles the obstacles of outdoor learning activities. My hope is that these ideas will help you reach success in your outdoor learning environment.

Outdoor Learning Activities & Outdoor Classroom Resources

Outdoor Activities for Kids

Peruse hundreds of outdoor learning activities for a wide range of ages and development.

Outdoor Education Book Lists

Books should be an integral piece of any learning environment. Below are several lists to inspire you and to make learning loads of fun. These books can all be applied to the outdoor classroom.

Enjoy!

Marnie

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