Outdoor Activity Resources - free
At home pupil outdoor activity sheets.
Activity sheets that can be given to pupils to complete at home. They are designed to be completed with minimal resources that can are easily accessible. All can be done individually or with a member of their household. They allow pupils to engage in the outdoor environment that can easily be accessed from home such as garden, park or any open space. Although many activities are open ended on time, most can be satisfactorily completed in 30 minutes.
Mainly aimed at years 5 through to 8, though parents have also enjoyed trialling them too! Each activity has learning outcomes, the main ones are highlighted on each sheet. Possible learning outcomes are listed below, which can also be covered on our residentials when they are possible.
- Enjoy being outdoors
- Motivated to participate and persevere showing resilience with new challenges
- Encourage others to take part
- Describe their experiences and use them to inspire other aspects of life
- Work cooperatively with others
- Adapt and change related to situations
- Take on a lead role
- Keep fit and continue interest in outdoor activities
- Have a positive self-image
- Understand a link between physical and emotional well-being
- Identify and adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Experience a range of different environments in different conditions
- Understand the impact of human activities on the environment
- Demonstrate care for the environment through their actions
- Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment
- Experience ‘awe and wonder’
- Learn to recognise their own and others strengths and weaknesses
- Understand the impact of their actions
- Respect others and develop trust
- Identify the impact of their actions
- Develop and value friendships
- Build confidence and self esteem
- Stretch comfort zone and overcome fears
- Identify risk and push boundaries to complete goals
- Develop independence and use initiative
- Effective communication
- Respond positively in challenging situations
- Develop and acquire technical knowledge and skills
- Develop physical skills that they can adapt and apply
- Understand how to dress appropriately for the outdoors
- Unlock talent
Last updated on 08/06/20, version 1.3 and now version 2.0
Home outdoor Activity sheets
OUTDOOR COOKING →
Learn how to safely make a fire, either in a small tin in the yard or in the garden. Over which there are simple recipes to make foood such as bread or potatoes. Then a sweet desert of dandelion honey
Fire Lighting, at Home
Fire provokes great memories, wistfully watching the flames dance around. A guide to safe methods to light a fire, whether it is on tarmac or in the garden. Combine with our food cooking sheets.
Time: 40 min plus
Space: Any Outdoor Space, that belongs to you
Equipment: Twigs & Sticks, Matches. Maybe vaseline / fire lighter, tin or BBQ tray
Environmental Awareness
Understand the impact of human activities on the environment
Cooking on a Fire
Increase your enjoyment of the open fire by cooking on it too! Simple recipes, to be combined with ‘Fire Lighting, at home ’.
Time: 30 min plus fire making.
Space: Any outdoor space, that belongs to you.
Equipment: 300g self raising flour, 2 tbsp sugar, a pinch of salt, 240ml water or milk, stick & fire
Physical Skill
Develop and acquire technical knowledge & skills
Bread on a Stick
Quick and easy bread recipe without the need for yeast (unleavened). Calculate and measure to make the dough with extra learning risk assessing the fire.
Time: 40 min plus
Space: Any Outdoor Space, that belongs to you
Equipment: Twigs & Sticks, Matches. Maybe vaseline / fire lighter, tin or BBQ tray
Health and Wellbeing
Identify and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Learning outcomes range from understanding the environment around us, developing new skills and understanding risk.
Time: 40 min plus
Space: Any Outdoor Space, that belongs to you
Equipment: Twigs & Sticks, Matches. Maybe vaseline / fire lighter, tin or BBQ tray
Time: 30 min plus fire lighting
Space: Any outdoor space, that belongs to you.
Equipment: Tin Foil, Potatoes (filling/rub), Bananas – (chosen filling), Simple pancake mix , Old pan
Time: 30 min plus fire making.
Space: Any outdoor space, that belongs to you.
Equipment: 300g self raising flour, 2 tbsp sugar, a pinch of salt, 240ml water or milk, stick & fire
Dandelion Honey
Have a go at being the bee, converting the dandelion flowers into sweet goodness. Thinner consistency, but surprisingly similar in flavour to honey.
Time: 30 min prep, 4 hrs cook
Space: Garden, Park
Equipment: Dandelions, Sugar,
Lemon, Water
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment.
Nettle Goodness (new)
Learn about the many benefits of nettles. Discover recipes and forage for this abundant plant.
Time: 30 min+
Space: Park, Woods
Equipment: Nettles, Gloves
Health and Wellbeing
Identify and adopt a healthy lifestyle
Potty about Potatoes (new)
Watch the fascinating process of root growth and stem formation of a plant, as the potato grows.
Time: 10 min+
Space: Windowsill or Sheltered Outside
Equipment: Glass or Jam Jar, Cocktail Sticks x4, Small Potato.
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment.
Toilet Paper Tuna (new)
Create your own BBQ tuna- great fun to try at home for a tasty lunch snack. It’s also perfect for your next camping adventure.
Time: 5 mins prep, 20 mins cook
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Can of Tuna in Oil, 4 sheets of Toilet Paper, Lighter/Matches
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Enjoy being outdoors
Time: 30 min prep, 4 hrs cook
Space: Garden, Park
Equipment: Dandelions, Sugar,
Lemon, Water
Time: 30 min+
Space: Park, Woods
Equipment: Nettles, Gloves
Time: 10 min+
Space: Windowsill or Sheltered Outside
Equipment: Glass or Jam Jar, Cocktail Sticks x4, Small Potato.
Time: 5 mins prep, 20 mins cook
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Can of Tuna in Oil, 4 sheets of Toilet Paper, Lighter/Matches
Garden Planters (new)
Upcycle a plastic bottle by creating a garden planter. Your imagination is the limit here!
Time: 20min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Old Plastic Containers, Art Crafts, Scissors, Soil/ Compost, Gravel, Seeds
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment.
Experience ‘awe and wonder’.
Wellbeing & Environmental →
Learn more about the world around us and appreciate its importance. From using art to study the environment, thinking about processes to looking at mathematical shapes. It also promotes well-being in pupils as they engage with the outside world.
Pattern Search
Natural patterns have been studied since Darwin proposed studying them in 1859. They have been used in science, technology and art.
Time: 20 min plus
Space: Any outdoor space
Equipment: Paper and Pen
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment.
Cool Wall
Thought provoking exercise to think about what is important to you or the environment, and why.
Time: 30 mins plus
Space: Indoors
Equipment: Pen and paper, Scissors, Glue / Tape / BluTac, Printer (optional)
Environmental Awareness
Understand the impact of human activities on the environment.
Time: 20min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Old Plastic Containers, Art Crafts, Scissors, Soil/ Compost, Gravel, Seeds
Time: 20 min plus
Space: Any outdoor space
Equipment: Paper and Pen
Time: 30 mins plus
Space: Indoors
Equipment: Pen and paper, Scissors, Glue / Tape / BluTac, Printer (optional)
Foil Rubbings
Explore texture patterns and structure through making rubbings.
Time: 15 min plus
Space: Garden or Park
Equipment: Kitchen Foil
Environmental Awareness Experience awe and wonder
On A Walk
Added interest to any walk in your local area. A series of ideas and challenges that you can try out whilst out on your walk.
Time: 1 Hour plus
Space: Park, Woodland or Countryside.
Equipment: Comfortable clothes, Shoes, Small backpack.
Environmental Awareness
Experience a range of different environments & conditions.
Spider Webs
Take a moment to appreciate the intricate detail of a spiders web and the time and skill involved in creating it. Find webs and try recreating them.
Time: 1 hour
Space: Garden, Park
Equipment: Pencil, Paper, String or Rope
Environmental Awareness
Experience a range of different environments & conditions.
Amongst the Clouds
Natural patterns have been studied since Darwin proposed studying them in 1859. They have been used in science, technology and art.
Time: 20 min plus
Space: Any outdoor space
Equipment: Paper and Pen
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment.
Time: 15 min plus
Space: Garden or Park
Equipment: Kitchen Foil
Time: 1 Hour plus
Space: Park, Woodland or Countryside.
Equipment: Comfortable clothes, Shoes, Small backpack.
Time: 1 hour
Space: Garden, Park
Equipment: Pencil, Paper, String or Rope
Time: 20 min plus
Space: Any outdoor space
Equipment: Paper and Pen
Hug a Tree
Playing in the woods for all ages. Through trusting your partner it supports emotional wellbeing and empathy to guide carefully. Family interaction.
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Park / Forest
Equipment: Improvised Blindfold
Health and Wellbeing
Understand link between physical and emotional well-being.
Barefoot
Walking barefoot is a sensory experience for all. Greater feedback helps with balance. Foot strength increases and the development of arches. Relaxation is needed as you become mindful of the new sensations.
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Garden / Yard
Equipment: Different Outdoor Surfaces – stones, grass etc, Improvised blindfold
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Enjoy being outdoors.
Japanese Hapa Zone (new)
Try this simple, fun and creative activity. Calming and relaxing method to create art from any natural objects that are all around you.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space.
Equipment: Flowers, Leaves, Berries, Old T-Shirt / Bed Sheets, Hammer / Smooth Rock / Rolling Pin
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment
Scavenger Hunt (new)
Challenge somebody to pick up natural items of your choosing. Make it harder by asking for a certain colour, shape or size.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Garden, Park
Equipment: A partner, Any loose natural materials
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Park / Forest
Equipment: Improvised Blindfold
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Garden / Yard
Equipment: Different Outdoor Surfaces – stones, grass etc, Improvised blindfold
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space.
Equipment: Flowers, Leaves, Berries, Old T-Shirt / Bed Sheets, Hammer / Smooth Rock / Rolling Pin
Time: 20 min+
Space: Garden, Park
Equipment: A partner, Any loose natural materials
Quiet Time (new)
Learn lots by doing nothing! Spend time in nature, relax and realise what is around you.
Time: 30 min+
Space: Park, Woods
Equipment: None
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Enjoy being outdoors.
Who is Framed? (new)
Create a portrait picture from natural objects to resemble someone else’s face.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Garden, Park
Equipment: Any loose natural materials
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment
Charcoal Paint (new)
Become an artist, but with natural paint, paint brush and and the great outdoors as the canvas.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Charcoal, Veg Oil, Small Rock. Paint brush or Stick, Natural Product & Elastic Band
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment
Worm Charming (new)
Vibrations cause worms to rise to the surface. How many can you collect in 5 minutes?
Time: 5 min+
Space: Grass
Equipment: For Collection: Pot, Soil
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Motivated to participate and persevere showing resilience.
Time: 30 min+
Space: Park, Woods
Equipment: None
Time: 20 min+
Space: Garden, Park
Equipment: Any loose natural materials
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Charcoal, Veg Oil, Small Rock. Paint brush or Stick, Natural Product & Elastic Band
Time: 5 min+
Space: Grass
Equipment: For Collection: Pot, Soil
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Motivated to participate and persevere showing resilience.
Build a Dam (new)
Become an artist, but with natural paint, paint brush and and the great outdoors as the canvas.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Charcoal, Veg Oil, Small Rock. Paint brush or Stick, Natural Product & Elastic Band
Physical Skill
Develop physical skills that they can adapt and apply
Everything is Useful (new)
Can you see the possibilities in everyday objects? Test your resourcefulness in this eye opening activity.
Time: 20 min plus
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Recycling / Natural Materials
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment
Physical Skills →
Practical activities that involve developing new skills and real life learning through play in the outdoors.
Build a Bridge
Use your ingenuity and lateral thinking to cross the gap. Build a bridge strong enough for a person.
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Any outdoor space
Equipment: Cardboard, Sticks, Newspaper, or Other household items
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment.
Time: 5 min+
Space: Grass
Equipment: For Collection: Pot, Soil
Time: 20 min plus
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Recycling / Natural Materials
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Any outdoor space
Equipment: Cardboard, Sticks, Newspaper, or Other household items
Things with String
String – useful for tying, binding, hanging other objects or weaving to make textiles. 10 examples of activities with string to start you off.
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Any
Equipment: String 1m or longer
Physical Skill
Develop physical skills to adapt and apply / acquire technical knowledge.
Peeler Whittling
Use your kitchen peeler for a safe and simple method to whittle your own imaginative figures. Fun way to develop fine motor skills and hand eye coordination while being creative and an appreciation of managing risk.
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Garden / Trees
Equipment: Potato Peeler, Sticks
Physical Skill
Develop physical skills to adapt and apply / acquire technical knowledge.
Shelter Building 1
Everyone loves building a den or hideaway. Part 1 uses simple household items to shelter from sun or rain or just hideaway.
Time: 30 min
Space: Garden or Park
Equipment: Bedsheet or tarpaulin, 2m string x2, 1m string x2, 4 stones, 2 pegs
Physical Skill
Develop physical skills to adapt and apply / acquire technical knowledge.
Shelter Building 2
Take your shelter building to the next stage. Part 2 uses natural materials with a simple lean to design. Promotes problem solving combined with fun and play.
Time: 40 mins plus
Space: Local Park or Woods
Equipment: Branches with green leaves, Sticks from wrist diameter, Supporting logs / arm diameter sticks
Physical Skill
Develop physical skills to adapt and apply / acquire technical knowledge.
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Any
Equipment: String 1m or longer
Time: 30 min plus
Space: Garden / Trees
Equipment: Potato Peeler, Sticks
Time: 30 min
Space: Garden or Park
Equipment: Bedsheet or tarpaulin, 2m string x2, 1m string x2, 4 stones, 2 pegs
Time: 40 mins plus
Space: Local Park or Woods
Equipment: Branches with green leaves, Sticks from wrist diameter, Supporting logs / arm diameter sticks
Make a Map
Detailed maps require time and skill to produce. In this challenge you will have a go at creating a small map of somewhere like your house, garden or a local park.
Time: 30 mins plus
Space: House, Garden or Local area.
Equipment: Pencils and Paper
Physical Skill
Develop and acquire technical knowledge and skills.
Map Eye-Spy
Draw a route on a map, marking on features along the route. Get another household member to follow your map and spot the features.
Time: 30 mins plus
Space: House, Garden or Local area.
Equipment: Pencils and Paper
Physical Skill
Develop and acquire technical knowledge and skills.
Geocaching (new)
Join the world’s largest treasure hunt. Use a smartphone and free geocaching app to search for real hidden boxes, all over the UK.
Time: 30 min+
Space: Local Area
Equipment: Phone, Geocaching App
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Motivated to participate and persevere showing resilience.
Contour Models (new)
Understand what map contours are. Make your own 3D model and then transcribe it into a 2D contour map.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Table Top, inside or out
Equipment: Cardboard, Paper, Pens, Scissors
Physical Skill
Develop and acquire technical knowledge and skills.
Time: 30 mins plus
Space: House, Garden or Local area.
Equipment: Pencils and Paper
Time: 30 mins plus
Space: House, Garden or Local area.
Equipment: Pencils and Paper
Time: 30 min+
Space: Local Area
Equipment: Phone, Geocaching App
Time: 20 min+
Space: Table Top, inside or out
Equipment: Cardboard, Paper, Pens, Scissors
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Motivated to participate and persevere showing resilience.
Magic Number Square (new)
Create a 3×3 grid and use each number from 1 to 9 just once to fill each grid space, so each line adds to 15. It is all created with natural objects that can be moved around.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Sticks, Small Natural Items totaling between 1-9.
Personal Qualities and Skills
Respond positively in challenging situations
Knots for All (new)
Knots are useful in all aspects of life, here are a few for you to try.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Anywhere
Equipment: Rope or string
Physical Skill
Develop and acquire technical knowledge and skills.
Stargazing (new)
Start a fascination with Space. Use the opportunity of a clear night sky to view and even identify what is beyond the Earth.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Paper, Pencil, Warm Clothes
Environmental Awareness
Appreciate and draw inspiration from the environment
Rocket Launch 1 (new)
Launch your own hand built rocket, through the force of a big stomp and using everyday items. Watch and record its flight.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: 2l empty Plastic Bottle, Duct Tape, Bike Inner Tube & Cardboard Tube or Garden Hose / Pipe
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Motivated to participate and persevere showing resilience.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Sticks, Small Natural Items totaling between 1-9.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Anywhere
Equipment: Rope or string
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: Paper, Pencil, Warm Clothes
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: 2l empty Plastic Bottle, Duct Tape, Bike Inner Tube & Cardboard Tube or Garden Hose / Pipe
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Motivated to participate and persevere showing resilience.
Rocket Launch 2 (new)
Launch your own hand built rocket again, but make it go further in version 2. With pressure from a pump and a ‘reaction force’ dumping the heavy water. Watch and record its flight.
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: 2l empty Plastic Bottle, Bike Tube Valve or Ball Pump Needle, Bike Pump
Enjoyment and Appetite for Learning
Adapt and change related to situations
Homemade Catapult (new)
Design and build a fully functioning catapult from items around your home.
Time: 30+ minutes
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: A variety of household ‘bits and bobs’, String and tape, Tennis Ball
Physical Skill
Develop and acquire technical
knowledge and skills
More to follow …
We are producing more activity sheets and will look into version 3.0
Time: 20 min+
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: 2l empty Plastic Bottle, Bike Tube Valve or Ball Pump Needle, Bike Pump
Time: 30+ minutes
Space: Any Outdoor Space
Equipment: A variety of household ‘bits and bobs’, String and tape, Tennis Ball
