Teaching outdoors is a great way to inspire children to learn in a different environment. By setting activities in the backdrop of nature, you can boost STEM learning whilst also delivering fun lessons that motivate primary school children.
In this blog, we provide fun and engaging outdoor science activity ideas to support primary school children.
The Importance of Outdoor Learning
There’s something about being outside that naturally sparks curiosity. The moment children step out of the classroom, they start noticing things. This could be insects crawling across the ground, patterns on leaves, puddles forming after the rain. All of these moments can become powerful learning opportunities.
Outdoor learning isn’t just good for wellbeing, although that’s a big bonus. It also creates meaningful contexts for us to teach subjects such as science. Instead of us explaining scientific concepts such as forces or the natural world, pupils can investigate them directly.
For many children, especially those who learn best through doing, teaching science outdoors can bring scientific concepts to life and help children to make sense of them. They can observe, handle a range of materials, test ideas and see what happens, all whilst getting the benefits of being outdoors too.
It’s also a great way to get pupils collaborating. When children work together to solve problems or explore ideas outside, the discussion and reasoning that takes place can be just as valuable as the investigation itself.
Fun Science Activities
Outdoor spaces are ideal for practical science. You don’t need lots of equipment as some of the materials and items needed can be found in the environment itself.
Hands-on Science Experiments
Why not try setting up simple investigations that encourage pupils to predict, test and discuss.
For example, you could explore forces by building slopes using planks and crates. Children can roll different objects down the ramps and observe what happens. Ask questions such as:
- Which object travels the furthest?
- What happens if the ramp is steeper?
- What can we do to change the surface of the ramp?
- Does the type of surface change the result?
Children can see the results immediately, so these kinds of activities naturally lead to discussions and reasoning.
Simple Chemistry with Nature
Some experiments can be quite messy, so taking them outdoors offers the perfect solution.
One simple activity is exploring reactions using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Children can build small volcanoes for this experiment using sand or soil, alternatively, they may want to create bubbling potions. Pour the mixture into the volcanic structure or into the colourful potion bottles before waiting to observe the reaction.
You might also explore dissolving by mixing different natural materials with water. What happens if we add sand, soil or salt? Do they dissolve or settle?
Doing science outdoors makes it easy to experiment freely without worrying about the spills.
Simple Interactive Physics Activities
In primary schools, we start to explore concepts around physics such as gravity, light and air resistance. These are much more engaging when pupils can move, experiment, and experience for themselves.
Try exploring gravity and air resistance by dropping different materials from different heights. Offer the children a range of objects such as leaves, stones, paper and feathers as they all behave differently when dropped.
Children can start by making predictions, then test out their ideas. You might ask:
- Which object falls the fastest?
- Why do some objects fall more slowly?
- What might happen if we change the shape of the object?
Garden Science Experiments
If your school has a garden area or space, it can offer a range of science opportunities.
Children can plant and grow seeds in different places, for example, in the outdoor garden, in the shade under a tree, on a windowsill in the classroom or in a dark cupboard. They can monitor their growth over several weeks and measure the plants regularly so that they can observe the changes and investigate the impact the different environments have on them. You could ask questions such as:
- Do plants grow better indoors or outdoors? In the sun or shade?
- How do different plants grow? Vertically up a trellis etc.
- How much water do plants need?
- What happens if we change the soil?
Simple investigations like this are not only great fun but also help children understand how living things grow and survive.
Plant Growth Observations
Encouraging children to take a closer look at different plants that can be found in the school garden or in planters around the playground can reveal just how much detail there is to discover in the natural world. Simple tools can help children notice things that they might otherwise miss. For example, a handheld recordable magnifying glass allows pupils to look closer at plants while verbally recording what they see and notice.
For an even closer look, tools such as the Easi-Scope with Screen allows pupils to focus in on tiny details like leaf veins, textures and plant structures. Viewing these images together on the screen or taking pictures from the Easi-Scope enables them to use the images in the classroom. This can spark great discussions as children compare what they observe.
You might ask children to explore questions such as:
- What patterns can you see?
- Is there anything that you can see under the microscope/magnifying glass that surprises you?
- Can you sketch your observations?
- Can you identify the object from the close-up image taken on the Easi-Scope?
Children can return to the same plants to notice changes over time, measure growth and record their findings. Do different plants grow at different rates? Do they grow differently if planted in different soil types?
Keeping a simple observation diary helps children to pay attention to detail and develop scientific reasoning.
If you would like more information on how to create a school nature garden which can be used as part of your outdoor science lessons, then take a look at our blog on Ideas for Creating a School Nature Garden.
Insect Habitat Exploration
Minibeasts are often one of the highlights of outdoor learning. Children are naturally curious about what they might find hiding in the environment, and exploring small habitats and minibeasts can lead to some fantastic science discussions.
Encourage pupils to carefully search areas such as under logs, stones, leaves or in long grass to see what creatures they can discover. Magnifying glasses or insect viewing pots can help children observe tiny details such as legs, wings and patterns, helping them to notice the difference between insects.
You might ask children to record things such as:
- Where the minibeasts were found
- How they move
- What the habitat is like
- How many different creatures did they spot
Having a few resources to hand can make investigations easier. For example, exploration kits such as the TTS Discovery Bags (minibeasts, birds or mammals) or the Minibeasts Experiments Grab and Go Kit provide useful tools for observing, collecting and identifying creatures while learning outdoors.
Children might also enjoy creating their own habitats for creatures using sticks, leaves and other natural materials, or observe insects that move into purpose-built homes such as Minibeast Bug Hotels, which can attract a variety of small creatures over time.
Activities like this help pupils begin to understand habitats, food chains and why different creatures live in different environments.
Nature Exploration Activities
Sometimes the best science learning comes from the children being outdoors and exploring the environment. Here are some ideas that you might want to try.
Scavenger Hunts
A science scavenger hunt can be a great way to start an outdoor lesson, recap on previously taught learning or to encourage children to use their explorative and observation skills.
Children could search for:
- Something rough
- A natural material/object that is smooth
- Something that is living
- A non-living object
- Something with an interesting pattern
Pupils can record their findings by drawing, photographing, or describing what they have discovered to a friend or into a recordable device such as a Talking Clipboard.
Weather Science Experiments
The weather changes constantly, making it a brilliant focus for outdoor science. It also helps children understand that science isn’t something separate from everyday life, it is happening all around them.
You might begin by encouraging children to observe the weather over time. What do they notice about the clouds today? Is the wind stronger than yesterday? How does the temperature change during the day? Are there any shadows and if so, what do they tell us about the weather?
Children could record simple observations such as:
• Cloud types
• Temperature
• Wind strength
• Rainfall
Using tools such TTS Log – Box Data Logger can help pupils to gather and analyse more accurate information. Pupils can record environmental data such as sound, temperature and light levels on data loggers. This allows them to compare the results over time. Having this data opens up lots of useful discussions:
• When during the day was it warmest?
• Did light levels change when clouds appeared?
• Which is the noisiest area in the school?
• How does the temperature change across the week?
• Where is the best place to plant something that prefers shade?
Children can then present their findings using charts or graphs back in the classroom. Over time, they will begin to notice patterns in the weather, helping them to understand concepts such as seasonal change and climate.
Rain Gauge Construction
Making a rain gauge is a simple but effective investigation. Using a plastic bottle, pupils can create a basic measuring container to collect rainfall. Once placed outside, children can record how much rain falls each day.
This works particularly well alongside weather monitoring activities, where pupils can compare rainfall with other observations such as cloud cover or temperature.
Anemometer Creation
Some children might enjoy building a simple anemometer (a wind measuring device.)
Using cups, straws and a pencil, children can create an anemometer that spins in the wind. This activity works well alongside discussions about weather and forecasting.
If you would like to know more about how to make an anemometer, take a look at this video on how to make an anemometer.
Incorporating STEM Activities Outdoors
Outdoor environments are also great for engineering and design challenges. Here are some ideas to incorporate STEM outdoors.
Creative Engineering Challenges
Why not set children a practical challenge using natural materials. Not only will they start to experiment with different scientific concepts but will also collaborate while having fun.
Some examples could include:
- Build a bridge using sticks
- Create a shelter for a toy animal
- Construct the tallest tower possible using natural materials
Children will not only have a great time with their peers but will begin experimenting with structure, balance and design.
Environmental Science Projects for Kids
One of the many advantages of outdoor science is that it helps children understand the world around them.
Some examples of what the children can do to learn about the world and different environments include:
- Investigate areas where insects live
- Observe how plants attract pollinators and research which plants and flowers attract bees etc.
- Investigate the amount of litter in the area and explore how litter affects the environment
- Find out how to plant different fruits and vegetables and which months they grow and need to be harvested in
- Collect rainwater to be used instead of using fresh water from the tap all the time to water plants etc.
- Plan, design and create different structures to attract wildlife, for example, a pond, bird and bat boxes and bug hotels.
These kinds of projects help children develop a stronger connection with nature and also support them in understanding the different ways in which we can protect the planet.
Conclusion – Get Outdoors to Learn Science
What we are trying to say in this blog is that science doesn’t always need to take place inside a classroom.
The outdoor environment provides endless opportunities for exploration, investigation, and discovery. From observing insects to measuring rainfall, children can experience science in real and meaningful ways. Even short outdoor science activities can make a big difference to engagement and understanding.
So, next time you’re planning a primary school science lesson, remember that the best science lab is waiting for you outside. Why not step out and see what the children discover and learn?
