In recent years there has been a cultural shift in our society that has reduced the access and use of outdoors for many young children.
A number of factors are blamed, including increased fear amongst adults in relation to children’s safety, anxieties about the threat of abduction, and technological advances leading to an overwhelming prominence of more sedentary indoor activities, such as television and computer games. However, the developmental needs of young children have remained constant and the outdoor environment continues to be essential to their health, development and well-being. Therefore, regular opportunities for sustained periods of play in a rich and stimulating outdoor environment offer a wide range of benefits to babies, toddlers and young children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, which covers children aged birth to the end of the Reception year, became statutory in September 2008 and places strong emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development.
Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being. It gives them contact with the natural world and offers them experiences that are unique to outdoors, such as direct contact with the weather and the seasons. Outdoor play also supports children’s problem-solving skills and nurtures their creativity, as well as providing rich opportunities for their developing imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness.
And, of course, the outdoor environment offers more space than indoors and therefore is particularly important to those children who learn best through active movement. For many children, playing outdoors at their early years setting may be the only opportunity they have to play safely and freely while they learn to assess risk and develop the skills to manage new situations.
While many of these experiences will take place on-site, outdoor learning may also take place within the local community, for example a walk to the bakery, or past the building site on the way to the park. These off-site ‘expeditions’ offer both children and adults a catalyst for play and conversations. Ultimately, play and learning that flow seamlessly between indoors and outdoors make the most efficient use of resources and build on interests and enthusiasms. Forest Schools are growing in popularity across the UK and are increasingly offered as part of the early years curriculum in schools and settings.
Finally, parental involvement in children’s learning is particularly important in the early years as parents and carers are the child’s first educators. Early years settings, including children’s centres, are increasingly involving parents in developing and using their outdoor areas and in supporting other outdoor learning opportunities.
A large Wildlife Haven and habitat creation project and steam engines in the process of restoration.
For children of all ages we have a 140-tonne Danish Pacific 996 steam engine in the process of restoration, RTV-31 the worlds first 100MPH hover train, a large garden railway, an amazing 7 track OO gauge model railway and other smaller interactive model railways to enjoy.
Built by William the Conqueror, Rockingham was a royal fortress for 450 years. Home to the Saunders Watson family. Set in a panoramic location with views over five counties, the Castle has magnificently furnished rooms of several periods, and is surrounded by 18 acres of superbly contrasting gardens including a beautiful Room Garden created by Chelsea Gold Medal Winner Robert Myers.
A unique museum in a row of extraordinary 15th century timber framed buildings. Explore the countryside with our natural history collection and come face to face with some of the country’s most secretive animals. Be inspired by the writings of John Moore, a renowned conservationist, and enjoy the seclusion of the Secret Garden.
We welcome you to The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tewkesbury with Walton Cardiff. Commonly known as Tewkesbury Abbey.
We are an inclusive, modern Anglo-Catholic parish inspiring and equipping people for their Christian lives through worship, Christian nurture, life together, celebrating the arts and serving our neighbourhood and the world.
This sandstone headland, south of Morecambe and north of Heysham port, rises majestically above the sea. See the remains of St Patrick's Chapel, built in the early Medieval period and now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The eight body-shaped, rock-cut graves here are believed to be unique.
The Centre, opened in 1999, forms the focus for activities based on the 8th Century earthwork built by Offa, the King of Mercia. The dyke follows the Welsh English border from the hills above Prestatyn to the Severn Estuary near Chepstow.
Combine an educational day out with a fun-filled trip to Gulliver’s World Theme Park!
Who says learning can’t be fun? We have put together some brilliant education packs that will show you how to create a fantastic educational experience at Gulliver's.
Take the lesson out of the classroom and onto the theme park. We have topics and ideas that will really engage your group.
In the heart of Rob Hood country, take a walk to the mighty Major Oak, pick up a fun family nature trail, try the playground or just stand and admire the weird and wonderful shapes of the ancient oak trees, twisted by age and weathered into living sculptures.
Highlights include Grotto Hill, where you can explore a pitch-dark labyrinth of ancient mines cut into the cliff; the Swiss Bridge, a rustic wooden structure perched over an unnervingly deep chasm; the Cleft, a path winding between two cliffs which narrows into a dark, creepy tunnel; and the Monument, a 100ft high column which can be climbed to enjoy panoramic views of up to 13 counties!
Boasting boating lake, miniature railway, huge adventure playground, cricket facilities and plenty of open space for traditional family games.
Lakes formed from the flooding of a disused gravel pit, surrounded by woodland, wetland and meadow that supports a wide range of wildlife, with one mile surfaced path around the lake.
Local groups include model boating and angling regularly use this site. The site is managed for recreation and conservation by East Staffordshire Borough Council.
Ride the hipper dipper waterslide 185ft long (bigger than your average flume). Plus 33m pool with diving area for 1, 3 and 5m boards. One of the many fun family places to visit if you're looking for the best things to do in Derbyshire with kids
Immerse yourself in the world famous story of Irish emigration at the museum that brings it to life. Follow the emigrant trail as you journey from the thatched cottages of Ulster, on board a full scale emigrant sailing ship leading to the log cabins of the American Frontier. Meet an array of costumed characters on your way with traditional crafts to show, tales to tell and food to share.
A land of thrilling rides and the terrific Splashland, amazing attractions and exhilarating activities are waiting to be discovered. From the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster and challenging Mini Diggers, to the indoor soft play Pirate Ship and Tropical House the fun is endless!
Loads to do including milking, lamb feeding, pony grooming, and cart rides. Huge indoor play arena with toy tractor circuit and bouncy castles. Vintage Garage and Welsh Guards Museum. Exciting extras: Junior Driving School and quad bikes. Great Tearooms and picnic areas.
The Ecos Millennium Environmental Centre is a unique project in Ireland that opened on 7th August 2000. Ecos is set in a 150-acre Country Park, which has been created from previously disused land that is the River Braid flood plain.
Carsington Water is a popular visitor attraction located a short distance from the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire.
The iconic north London venue offers everything you need for an extraordinary event or great day out with the benefit of some of the best panoramic views of London.
When in Norfolk come and spend the day, not a fortune, at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park, Reedham.
There are rides galore for young children, family entertainment, exotic and domestic animals and birds to see as well as animals to feed and pet.
Popular with families this park has plenty of space and a large play area with traditional equipment plus an enclosed sand pit area, table tennis table, crazy golf and an internet cafe
Play area and frame suited for under 8s, plus sand play, sit on toys, and it's very popular with squirrels so an excellent place to wildlife spot.
A family operated children's fair located in Sherwood Country Park with plenty for the small and mid range kids to play on from the caterpillar roller coaster and the ghost train to the classic tea cup ride and big slide.
Adventure playground plus BMX, football and cricket facilities. And a great new interactive water play area with loads of fun features now runs May through September.
Flambards theme park is the perfect family day out in Cornwall with a large selection of rides and attractions in Cornwall to suit everyone. From the thrill seekers to those who prefer a gentler pace.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.