Outdoor Activities
Children within Key Stage 2 stage will investigate, explore and learn about the environment
by utilising and working in a Forest School setting. This may be within their grounds or
forest area nearby. They will meet the objectives of the Northern Ireland Curriculum whilst
also developing the aims and values of NIFSA.
The children will use the forest to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills across
a range of learning areas. The theme allows the teacher a wide variety of opportunities
to connect the learning from the Forest School setting to other opportunities within the
classroom and to make relevant connections across the curriculum
How many moths can you identify? Look out for different types of moth fluttering through the twilight and use this sheet to ID them. Some moths like the poplar hawk-moth have a wing span of up to 9cm! Lots of moths come to light, while you’ll find others sipping nectar from flowers Make your own sugar solution and tempt moths to visit your garden
Head into the twilight and hunt for nocturnal animals. Grab your torch and head outside at night to see how many different animals you can spot. Listen carefully can you hear anything snuffling through the undergrowth? How many different creatures can you see? Don’t forget to look out for minibeasts! Lots of animals come out at night, so keep your eyes peeled!
Early years maths
Setting up an outdoor programme
Outdoor policy for early years relating to Covid
Grab your favourite colours and create this owl. Is your owl a barn owl or tawny owl? Make his wings using feathers, and use sequins for his bright eyes and beak Create a glittering night sky from dark blue and black tissue paper, and silvery sequins Did you know? A group of owls is called a parliament
Create a pretty butterfly using your favourite colouring pencils and crayons. Use reds, browns and blues to make it bright and beautiful Add lots of detail to the butterfly’s wings Can you make both wings look the same? Did you know peacock butterflies hibernate in winter? They wake up in spring, so look out for them fluttering about in the sunshine. Can you flap your arms like a butterfly?
Be a woodland poet and create pebble poems. Choose lots of flat, smooth pebbles and write one word on each to make your poem. Your poem doesn’t have to make sense nonsense is so much fun! Try creating a poem with your friends write it together Who can write the silliest poem? Write a woodland poem or story when you get home.
Too cold to play outside? Colour in instead! Create a prickly pine cone using pencils, crayons and paint. Draw a bird or red squirrel nibbling at the pine cone Line the edges of the scales with a silver pen they’ll look like they re covered in sparkly frost Go hunting for real pine cones how many different types can you find?
Use pine cones to create an arty masterpiece! Who says you can only paint with a brush? Add pine cones to paint and ta-da! you’ve got an amazing picture! Use seasonal colours like orange and red for autumn, and blue and silver for winter Don’t throw the used pine cones away they make super decorations This is messy fun how many different pictures can you create?
Can ye find these pirate treasures hidden in the woods? Keep your eyes peeled look on the forest floor and among the bushes Can you find any other pirate treasure? Think up a pirate name like Peg Legged Pete, or Scallywag Susan Remember X marks the spot
Grab your net and bucket, and pull on your wellies it’s time to go pond dipping! Check out our handy tips and checklists so you’re fully prepared search through the watery depths… To be a successful pond dipper, you’ll need the right equipment follow our handy guide Be a real scientist and predict then record your finds did you spot everything you were looking for? Follow our top tips and get dipping! What creatures did you find lurking in the deep? Use our super spotter sheet to help you identify them and see what else you can discover.
Products and uses for trees
Products from forests
Colour recognition in nurseries
Help little bird lovers create a friendly robin. Use paints, crayons, fingers or brushes Make a collage with fluffy feathers Stick twigs on your picture and build your robin a new nest Have a look at our other bird colouring sheets and create a whole bunch of feathered friends!
Collect leaves and sticks and make your own musical rattle! This is a super simple activity that’s a whole lot of fun! Only choose the crunchiest, driest sticks! Do big leaves or small leaves work best? Make other natural instruments and set up your own woodland orchestra!
Scavenger hunt for early years
Gather sweet- or rich-smelling items and create a woodland perfume. Take a deeeeeeeep breath next time you’re in the woods. What can you smell? Collect your favourite scents and pop them into an empty yoghurt pot Do they smell strong, sweet, earthy? Smells can come from all sorts of places sticks, flowers, leaves Does early spring have a different smell to late spring?
Plants to go in your school grounds
Can you crack these bird anagrams? Many wild birds nest and lay eggs in spring. Can you unscramble the bird names and discover who the eggs belong to? Solve the anagrams to identify the bird eggs Keep your eyes peeled for broken eggshells in the wild they often fall from nests after baby birds hatch Use your puzzle answers to identify the real eggs you find! Did you know? Bird nests and eggs have special protection. It’s illegal to take them from the wild, thanks to the Wild Bird Act 1954.
Follow these simple steps and find out how to plant seeds. Growing anything from a seed is exciting, but it can be tricky. Just follow our top tips and watch your seeds flourish! Gather seeds during autumn look for acorns, conkers and helicopters beneath trees Once you have your seed, all you need is a bit of compost and a yoghurt pot You can grow all sorts from seeds have a go at wildflowers too!
Collect different textures and create a sensory box for your mini Nature Detective. Babies and toddlers are fascinated by textures and smells. What will you add to your box? Make a memento of your woodland journey Add items that your little one makes a beeline for leaves, feathers and sticks are great! Remember to choose lots of textures
Hunt for shapes in your outdoor space