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.
Large park with canal-side patio cafe, adventure Play Areas are suitable for children between the ages of 2 and 14, picnicking and fishing opportunities.
Children must be supervised at all times. Colouring and worksheets available for children.
Colliery
This popular Glossop Park has a large children's play area and a miniature railway plus lots of sporting opportunities.
Then look no further. Whether they’ve worked hard on a project or simply just an end of term treat, your students will be spoilt for choice with plenty of adrenaline fuelled rides to let off steam away from the classroom.
This former ironstone quarry has a wonderful children's play area as well as a network of long and short trails through 83 hectares of mixed woodland. The park is home to the Quarryman's Rest Cafe, Jungle Parc UK and the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway museum.
Jungle Parc high ropes adventure course
Barnford Park is located in the heart of Oldbury, a park donated to the people of Oldbury. With beautiful parkland offering gentle walks, a maze area, children's play area, multi-use games area, community pavilion and grass sports pitches there's something on offer for all ages to see and do.
This park's vast open spaces are perfect for family fun, picnics and games as well as their regular events. Gorgeous sensory park nearby if you have younger children.
Near to the Riverside Park is Lockside Park Sensory Garden which overlooks Newark’s picturesque town lock.
Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, working in partnership with Lafarge Tarmac, are setting up an exciting new Forest School Project at Panshanger Park.
Brean Leisure Park in Somerset is the ideal destination for a great family day out. With Brean Theme Park our on site theme park, Brean Splash Waterpark, Brean Golf Club, The Tavern and Dickies entertainment venues and a wide variety of eateries and restaurants you and the family will be spoiled for choice.
The Waters Edge Country Park, provides a relaxing and stimulating day out for people of all ages. Situated to the north of Barton-Upon-Humber, on the edge of the Humber estuary, Waters Edge contains a wide diversity of plant and wildlife. Established in 1996 on a site which had previously been a series of clay quarries, Waters Edge has breathed new life into what was once a derelict area.
Brixworth Country Park is a national showpiece for accessible countryside, providing access for all irrespective of physical or mental ability with features like easy access trails, and their wheel chair accessible bird hide.
Discover the story of the last Gnomes left in England on BB's Little Grey Men Trail.
Trail leaflet and audio tour available in the Country Park shop.
An excellent adventure playground surrounded by sensory and rose gardens, an aviary and a pond, plus seasonal miniature railway and nearby soft play facility!
Brampton Park offers a fantastic adventure multi-activity adventure play area with loads of classic sturdy equipment for kids 2 to 12 to play on, plus a giant sandpit to get creative in and a water play area too!
Delivering exciting, hands-on environmental education. Opportunities to explore and compare habitats through pond dipping, woodland and grassland mini beast hunt. Look into food chains, life cycles, adaptation. Identify seasonal signs in nature. Forest School sessions available.
All creatures great and small waiting to meet you and be picked up and cuddled! Large play areas, bouncy castle, ride on toys and tractors, plus pond walks and ice cream!
Ponies and piglets, slides and bouncy castle, Hawks, and owls, goats and guinea pigs, ducks and bunnies, ride on toys and tractors, ice creams, tea gardens, flower gardens and pond walks.
Delivering exciting, hands-on environmental education. Opportunities to explore and compare habitats through pond dipping, woodland and grassland mini beast hunt. Look into food chains, life cycles, adaptation. Identify seasonal signs in nature. Forest School sessions available.
Delivering exciting, hands-on environmental education. Opportunities to explore and compare habitats through pond dipping, woodland and grassland mini beast hunt. Look into food chains, life cycles, adaptation. Identify seasonal signs in nature. Forest School sessions available. For early years through to Key Stage 2.
Sywell Country Park offers meadowland and lakeside walks, with a small arboretum of exotic trees and Edwardian buildings still surviving from its past role as a water supply reservoir with a water works heritage trail to guide you round.
Recreation
A new concept in indoor sensory & soft play activities for children aged between 0-10 years (inclusive). Dedicated sensory area for babies. Soft play structure, trampolines, dressing up costumes, playhouse and various classes for the older children. Stylish and relaxing cafe for the grown ups.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Conkers! Take it slow and explore the 120 acres of maturing woodlands, lakes, ponds and play areas - or go wild and take the 18 stage Assault course challenge.
St. Barbe Museum explores the unique history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast.
The colourful, hands-on displays provide a fascinating journey of discovery for all ages, charting Lymington’s development as a market town and port and looking at the smugglers, salt makers and boat builders who have used the Solent shore.
Knettishall Heath is a rare Breckland landscape of SSSI heath, grassland and woodland, which dips down into the Little Ouse valley. Archaeological and geological features add to the interest and the range of opportunities for discovery and learning. There are toilets, a play area and picnic area. We can also offer shared days with nearby Redgrave & Lopham Fen.
A museum of education in a unique complex of historic classrooms. Children of all ages can dress up in period costume to explore the classrooms, practice their writing in sand trays and on slates, play with Victorian toys and visit the Headmaster’s House to experience Victorian domestic life.
Visit this Leicestershire favourite with great family activities, high quality exhibitions, interactive fun and a few surprises along the way. From planes and trains, mining and engineering, fashion and toys to colliery tours, train rides and science play, there really is something for everyone.
Discovery Centres are modern, welcoming and friendly with a modern library service at the heart ... with books, information, music, DVDs and talking books for all ages and tastes.
Located at Carsington Water Visitor Centre, the Wildlife Discovery Room and Wildlife Explorer's Outdoor Classroom provide plenty of opportunities for learning.
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.