The simple joy of playing outside is more important than ever. Outdoor learning and nature-based play offer rich, hands-on experiences that nurture a child’s development in ways screens and structured learning simply cannot.
Whether it’s exploring a muddy puddle, building a den from sticks, or counting pebbles in the garden, outdoor educational activities fuel children’s curiosity, resilience, and imagination. At Edx Education, we believe that happy children play, and some of the happiest moments happen outside.
Why Outdoor Learning Matters
Outdoor play is not just about “letting off steam.” It’s a vital part of a child’s education—especially in the early years. Nature-based play supports all areas of learning, including gross and fine motor development, communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
As the forest school movement continues to grow in the UK, more parents and educators are realising the benefits of child-led, exploratory learning in natural environments. Children learn best when they are actively engaged—and nature offers the perfect playground for that.
Key Benefits of Outdoor Learning
1. Builds Resilience and Confidence
Nature is unpredictable. It challenges children to take safe risks, adapt, and bounce back from failure. Climbing a tree, balancing on logs, or building with natural materials all require persistence and problem-solving—skills essential for school and life.
2. Enhances Physical and Sensory Development
Running, jumping, digging, splashing—these are not just fun, they’re essential for building strong bodies. Outdoor play also stimulates the senses in ways indoor toys cannot: the feel of grass, the sound of birds, the smell of fresh air.
3. Sparks Creativity and Critical Thinking
A stick can become a wand, a bridge, or a fishing rod. Nature’s “loose parts” inspire open-ended play and creative thinking in early years, helping children imagine, explore, and invent their own games.
4. Supports Emotional Wellbeing
As I share in my book Happy Children Play, spending time in nature helps reduce anxiety, increase focus, and boost mood. Outdoor play is one of the most effective—and natural—ways to support children’s emotional health.
Outdoor Learning Toys to Take Learning Outside
You don’t need a forest to benefit from outdoor play. A garden, balcony, or park will do! At Edx Education, we’ve created a range of outdoor learning toys that encourage discovery, movement, and creative thinking.
Top Toy Picks for Outdoor Educational Activities:
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Rainbow Pebbles® Perfect for sorting, counting, and creating natural mandalas
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Sand and Water Play Sets Encourage sensory exploration, measurement, and early science concepts
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Maths Cubes & Number Rods Use them outdoors for counting flowers, measuring twigs, or building number trails
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Joey Jump Boost gross motor skills while having fun with active play
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Nature Scavenger Hunt Kits to inspire forest school adventures at home
All of our toys are designed to promote hands-on, screen-free learning and are ideal for forest school toys UK settings or at-home nature play.
Easy Nature Play Ideas for Busy Parents
Nature play doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Here are a few quick and easy ideas:
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Collect leaves and make rubbings with crayons
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Create a mud kitchen using old pots and spoons
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Go on a colour hunt: how many shades of green can you find?
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Build a fairy garden or dinosaur world using natural materials
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Practice counting or simple addition with pebbles or sticks
Simple outdoor moments can lead to big learning breakthroughs—especially when you join in and play alongside your child.
Play, Learn & Create, Naturally
At Edx Education, we believe that outdoor play is one of the best tools for school readiness, emotional resilience, and independent learning. As we look ahead to 2025, more families are choosing to simplify, reconnect with nature, and prioritise play as a foundation for lifelong learning.
Our mission is to support you on that journey with quality, open-ended toys and play-based parenting tips. Explore our collection of outdoor toys, screen-free activities, and eco-friendly learning kits on shopedx.co.uk.
For more inspiration, listen to the Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education podcast, or download our free activites to get started.