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Outdoor Adventures in the Early Years


The great outdoors is the ultimate playground for children!

As an educator you have the power of enhancing learning beyond the four walls of the classroom by providing children with opportunities to play, explore, and learn in the great outdoors. By incorporating outdoor play into your curriculum, you can tap into the wonders of nature, engage children in sensory experiences, and help them develop important skills, all while having fun in their natural learning environment. One of the most powerful ways to do this is by creating opportunities to be outdoors to play and learn.

This can be a daunting thought as challenges of weather, safety, resources, and even perception of others pop up. In this guide, you will take the steps to secure your outdoor space, get prepared for all eventualities, and make connections to learning. From mud kitchens to bug hunts, this guide is packed full of ideas that will ignite children’s imaginations and foster a love of nature. Get ready to explore, create and have fun in the great outdoors!

In this resource you will get

  • Beautifully illustrated poster on the benefits of outdoor play
  • Site risk assessment form
  • Flora and fauna identification sheets
  • Outdoor kitbag checklist
  • Risk-benefit activity documents
  • Story-based activity guide for outdoor play

Who is this resource for?

  • Early Years coordinators or administrators looking to develop their outdoor provision
  • Educators leading outdoor play and learning
  • Educators wondering how to get started with outdoor play
Disclaimer: This guide has been produced independently of and not endorsed by the IB. Toddle’s resources seek to encourage sharing of perspectives and innovative ideas for classroom teaching & learning. They are not intended to be replacements for official IB guides and publications. Views and opinions expressed by the authors of these resources are personal and should not be construed as official guidance by the IB. Please seek assistance from your school’s IB coordinator and/or refer to official IB documents before implementing ideas and strategies shared within these resources in your classroom.