If you’re looking for ways to take your homeschool outside, I’ve curated a list of 29 different outdoor learning activities for Spring that are chock full of fun! And there’s never been a better time to try getting outside more often.
It’s no secret that in today’s world, children have WAY too much screen time! Now, I’m not one of those moms who never lets my kids have a screen. I let them watch TV and play with their tablets much more than I would like to.
It’s a habit that’s hard to break, especially if you’re trying very hard to accomplish some household task while your kids are on your heels. It’s easy to turn on a quick show for their entertainment while you get things done.
However, I think we should all be doing our best to lessen the frequency with which we fall into this trap. One of the best ways to break a bad habit is to cultivate good habits. In my opinion, going outside is absolutely the best fix!
Outdoor Learning Activities – Nature Study (Charlotte Mason)
And, if you’re interested in or following the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling, Nature Study is super important! We want our children to spend time outside, observing nature, writing about nature, and even sketching or painting nature.
Charlotte Mason Resources:
Everyone loves getting back outside during the spring season. Spring is also seen as a time for new beginnings, starting fresh, or starting over. What a great time to begin homeschooling outside more often!
Milder weather also makes it a great time to get outside. Depending on where you live, it’s usually not too hot or cold to get outside for some fun. Not to mention, all the new plant growth and baby animals make it exciting and beautiful.
I know sometimes it can be hard to take your schooling outside, especially if you’re just trying to get through your lessons. I struggle with this too because I’m such a bookworm and love my reading and worksheets.
In this post, I’m going to list out 29 activities that will allow you to take your homeschool outside. If you’re like me and struggle to come up with ideas, I’ve done the hard work for you and I hope this list is helpful.
Listed below are 29 Outdoor Homeschool Activities for the Spring Season.
Exploring and Observing Nature
1 – Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of items for your children to find in nature. This could include specific types of flowers, insects, or natural objects.
2- Bird Watching
Get some binoculars and a book or guide about birds. Observe the various bird species in your area. Keep a journal of the birds you spot. You can sketch them and write notes next to the sketch.
3 – Cloud Watching
Bring a blanket outside to lie down on and spend time watching the clouds drift by. Discuss the different shapes and patterns you see. This can also lead into a lesson about the weather or the different types of clouds.
Hands-on Learning and Creativity Outdoors
4 – Outdoor Art Class
Bring an easel or use large sheets of paper outdoors for painting or drawing. Let your children draw inspiration from their natural surroundings, whether it’s a river, trees, or bugs walking along the grass.
5- Plant a Garden
Have your children help you plant a garden of flowers, herbs, or vegetables. Teach them about seeds, plants, gardening techniques, etc. It’s a hands-on way for them to learn about plants and responsibility. Plus, children almost never pass up an opportunity to get their hands dirty!
6 – Outdoor Science Experiments
Try out some simple science experiments outdoors, such as studying the life cycle of butterflies or observing the growth of plants.
Cultural and Historical Exploration for Outdoor Learning
7 – Visit a Botanical Garden
Take a trip to a local botanical garden to explore different plant species. Some of these gardens even offer educational programs for children.
8 – Outdoor History Lesson
Do you have any local historical sites or landmarks near you? If you do, that’s a great excuse for a field trip! Visit one and incorporate history lessons into your outdoor excursions.
9 – Spring Equinox Celebration
Learn about the spring equinox and its significance in different cultures. Hold a celebration with activities like planting seeds, making flower crowns, or creating sun catchers.
Physical Outdoor Learning Activities and Adventures
10 – Nature Hikes and Bike Rides
Incorporate physical activities into your outdoor time, such as nature hikes, bike rides, or rollerblading in the park.
11 – Stargazing Campout
Go stargazing and learn about constellations. Consider camping in your backyard for a more immersive experience. However, if you have a lot of city lights where you live, you may want to venture out to the forest or mountains for this trip so you can actually see the stars.
12 – Geocaching Adventure
Use GPS coordinates to go on a treasure hunt and find hidden geocaches in your area. Practice your navigation skills and have fun while you’re doing it!
Connection and Community Engagement
13 – Community Service Project
Plan a spring cleanup in your neighborhood or local park. Teach your children how important it is to take care of the environment and their own community.
14 – Outdoor Theater Performance
Let your kids have a play or puppet show in your backyard or a local park. Join in on the fun and invite friends and family to watch the performance. You can prepare a picnic or snack bar for the audience.
15 – Outdoor Literature Circles
Sit in a circle outdoors and choose a nature-themed book to read with your children. Encourage them to share their thoughts and insights about the book.
Related Resources:
- 6 Ways to Homeschool for Free ~ or Almost Free!
- How to Create a Weekly Homeschool Schedule!
- How To Start Homeschooling When You Feel Clueless
- How to Create Your Own Lesson Plan: Unit Studies
- Homeschool Socialization: Why You Don’t Need to Worry About it
Life Skills and Practical Learning Outdoors
16 – Outdoor Cooking Class
Try out some simple outdoor recipes, such as making s’mores by the campfire or grilling all kinds of yummy treats. This allows you to teach your kids basic cooking skills while also having a good time outside.
17 – Nature-based Crafts
Gather natural materials like leaves, twigs, and flowers to create crafts such as nature collages or pressed flower art.
18 – Survival Skills Workshop
Teach your children basic survival skills, such as building a shelter, identifying edible plants, or starting a fire safely. Practice these skills in a controlled outdoor setting.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Outdoors
19 – Picnic and Read-Aloud
Have a picnic in a local park or maybe even a mountain trail. Bring along a favorite book to read aloud. Enjoying literature in an outdoor setting can be a delightful experience.
20 – Outdoor Music Session
Go outside and listen to the sounds of nature and bring along musical instruments for an outdoor music session. See if you can mimic the sounds you hear around you, such as birds chirping or rivers gurgling.
21 – Outdoor Relaxation and Mindfulness
Take time to simply relax and appreciate the beauty of nature. Practice mindfulness activities like breathing exercises or yoga poses. You can even take a moment to pray.
Other Misc. Outdoor Activities
22 – Nature Journaling
Have your children keep a nature journal where they can document their observations, drawings, and thoughts about the natural world.
23 – Butterfly Release
Raise caterpillars at home and release them as butterflies. It’s a hands-on way for children to learn about metamorphosis. You can have your children document their observations in their Nature Journals.
24 – Nature Photography Expedition
Equip your children with cameras or smartphones and encourage them to capture the beauty of nature through photography. Later, you can review and discuss their photos.
25 – Rainy Day and Puddle Jumping
Enjoy rainy days by putting on rain boots and jumping in puddles. Learn about the water cycle and how rain can affect the environment.
26 – Outdoor Science Olympics
Organize a series of science-themed outdoor games and challenges, such as egg drop contests or water balloon catapults.
27 – Outdoor Math Games
Create math-related activities using materials found in nature, such as counting flowers, measuring tree heights, or calculating the area of a garden bed. Have your children create a blueprint for a garden bed or other areas of your yard.
28 -Nature Storytelling Circle
Sit with your kids in a circle outdoors. Take turns telling stories inspired by the natural world. Encourage creativity and imagination as your children share their tales.
29 – Outdoor Ecosystem Studies
Take a field trip, and visit a local ecosystem, such as ponds, forests, or meadows. Study the ecosystem. Observe the plants and animals that inhabit these environments. Have your children note their observations in their nature journals.
Your Next Outdoor Learning Adventure Awaits!
The benefits of spending more time outdoors are limitless. By adding in more outdoor learning activities, you will inadvertently reduce screen time, increase exercise, and possibly even increase your vitamin D levels. Just be sure to wear and reapply sunscreen as necessary: bring bug repellent, and above all, stay SAFE!
I hope this list will encourage you to spend more time participating in outdoor learning activities. My family’s spring season is definitely going to be busy!
If you’ve tried any of the activities mentioned, please let us know how it went in the comments. Feel free to share any other favorite springtime activities as well!
I’m challenging you this spring to try out at least ONE of these activities! Tell me in the comments which ones you tried and how they went.
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With the summer holidays coming up, this was much needed. Thanks again
You’re welcome! 🙂
Oh i love these activities for spring. We really like to bird watch as well!
My daughter loves bird watching!