A Full Day Outside!

There’s always something magical about taking learning outside, I try to do it as often as I can. Last year, I schedule Outdoor Ed into our weekly schedule and we went enjoyed learning many times a week in the outdoors. It was really, truly my favourite time of the day each week and the activities we did outside were limitless – Language Art, Science, Math, Social Studies, Art!

Last year, as Earth Day approached, I decided that we would spend one entire day outside, soaking up sunshine, connecting with nature, and diving in to hands-on learning activities that, of course, blended fun with purposeful learning.

Here is a look at what we did on our full day outside. I challenge you to try a fun and refreshing day like this outside, or even just one activity at a time!

Seed Bombs

Making seed bombs was actually so fun! We got messy with mixing and the students enjoyed it! I divided my class into groups and each group followed the Seed Bomb recipe card. Each recipe makes about 10-15 seed bombs, so each student took home about 3-5 seed bombs!

I’ve got a Seed Bomb Recipe for a free download HERE in my Free Resource Library!

Playground Clean Up

I always take my class out, at least once a year, for a playground clean up. It is important to take care of the things we enjoy! Each student is outfitted with a pair of latex gloves and a garbage bag and away they go to pick up the rubbish! The students are always so proud to see a clean playground in the end – it’s also a great chance to work on teamwork and community spirit!

Outside Math Game

If you have a pair of jumbo dice, you’re set. This is always, by far, my students favourite game. We, of course, play inside on the carpet as well – but outdoors – it brings a whole new energy. I think I made this game up and I’ve never given it a name other than “The Jumbo Dice Game”.

At the beginning of the year, we play a basic game of subitizing with the dice, but by this time of the year, we are usually working on addition. You can always change it up based on the players!

Here’s how it goes: the class begins in a circle. Two students hold a jumbo dice, these students will stand when it’s “their turn”. They must wait for my count down, or outside, my whistle. When they heard my whistle they can roll. The first person to tell the sum of the two die wins and continues on while the other player sits down and passes the die to the player beside them. The winner can only play 3 rounds at most. The players sitting in the circle can no interfere with the die or blurt out the answers.

Outside Phonics Game

Let’s be real, this is absolutely a game we began playing indoors, but like I said, it’s definitely more fun to do it outdoors!

Grab your UFLI Manual (or word list of choice) and head outside with two whiteboards and dry erase markers (or, if you have, a whiteboard easel with two sides). Students will line up into two teams. You will call out a word from a lesson you’ve been working on. The first two players rom each team will race to the whiteboard to spell the word. First one to spell it correct will get a point for their team! Honestly, we played this all the time and the students loved it and likely didn’t realize all the spelling practice they were actually getting! 😉

Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger Hunts are always fun, but when you can tie them to curriculum outcomes, even better! I’ve made many Scavenger Hunts to be done on a device to take a photo of their finds! If you have access to devices (can be done in groups) I would consider adding these to your day (whether indoors or out!)

Outdoor Challenges

To be honest, I never really plan for these, but they are often a crowd favourite. It is so fun to see the creativity of students, team work, and social skills.

The challenges can be anything outside! Leave it up to your students, let them get creative. Perhaps it looks like an obstacle course or a game of sorts! You can even have different groups of students working on different things!

Spending a full day outside with our Grade 1s wasn’t just a novelty—it was a reset – and I wish I had done full days outdoors more often! It gave students space to move, breathe, and learn with their whole bodies. I saw leadership shine through in new ways, quiet students find their voices, and endless moments of curiosity and joy. And maybe the best part? The kids went home exhausted and happy—with dirt on their clothes and lots of stories in their hearts.

So here’s to more days like this one. Because sometimes the best classroom has no walls.