Ideas Page:
Outdoor Investigations
Looking for ideas on how to use your new 'Outdoor Investigations' equipment? You're in the right place!
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Please note that these are all links to external websites and organisations. While we endeavour to keep the information here up-to-date and relevant, the Edina Trust is not responsible for the content, reliability, or accessibility of other websites and services.
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If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us.
Early Years
The PSTT offers a selection of activity examples for early years (age 3-5). Use the filters to find topics such as seasonal change, animals, and habitats, and select the activity type "outdoor learning".
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We recommend:
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Winter Snow and Ice
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Autumn Leaves
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Supertato!
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Spring Farms
UK Wildlife
Resources to develop children's observational skills and encourage thinking and talking about wildlife in the UK. There are also activities linked to plants, fungi, and teeth.
Seashore Science
For teachers lucky enough to have a beach nearby, this resource offers a wealth of ideas.
Learning Through Landscapes
This organisation looks to link outdoor learning across the curriculum and for all stages of primary education.
School Gardening
A wide range of resources suitable for all age groups. It is particularly good for activities linked to the different seasons. You can also order free trees to plant in the school grounds.
Woodland Trust | Tree Tools for Schools
Grow to School supports schools to take their pupils outside for learning and exploration. Their website shares useful lesson plans, gardening and nature-based activities, plus videos and guidance to support even the most cautious teacher to take their class outside. ​
Grow To School
Big Schools Birdwatch
Make use of your binoculars by taking part in the Big Schools' Birdwatch in January. There are also lots of activities on their website that can be used throughout the year.
Muddy Faces
The Muddy Faces website has a wide selection of ideas for outdoor play and learning activities! Whether you are a Forest School leader, work in early years, or with primary age groups, you are sure to find something that sparks your imagination.
Where to find more ideas?
Explorify is a free digital resource designed for primary school teachers to enhance science education. It provides over 650 activities that are engaging and require minimal preparation, making it easy for teachers to speak curiosity and discussion among students. You can search for different topics and activitiy types for all key stages.
Ready-made resources for running extra-curricular clubs for children, with Children's University accreditation available. PSTT offers a range of ready-to-go club packs that will keep pupils engaged in practical investigations.
PSTT also shares lesson plans and ideas developed by teachers, for teachers, via their TAPS database. Refine your search to the Forces topic and select the appropriate age group to find what you need.
Explore wide-ranging ideas for creative science activities that tie in with common primary topics. Medium-term, cross-curricula planning tools can help you to embed science in lessons on space, the Romans, World War II and even the Stone Age. They also provide a variety of biology, chemistry, and physics links for you to choose from.