Creating Outdoor Learning Spaces for Preschool and Kindergarten
Why Outdoor Learning Spaces Matter
Outdoor learning spaces aren’t just playgrounds—they are extensions of the classroom where children can learn through movement, exploration, and imaginative play. For young learners in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade, outdoor environments help build:
- Physical development through climbing, balancing, and digging
- Social skills through cooperative play and problem-solving
- Curiosity and creativity through open-ended, nature-based exploration
As the Council of Outdoor Learning highlights, outdoor environments give children the freedom to explore, experiment, and learn in ways that traditional classrooms cannot (Council of Outdoor Learning, n.d.).
Creating intentional outdoor spaces doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With a few thoughtful additions, you can transform any schoolyard, childcare center, or backyard into a meaningful learning environment.or backyard into a meaningful learning environment.
Designing for Preschool: Safe and Sensory Spaces
Preschoolers thrive in spaces that encourage discovery with all their senses. When planning for preschool outdoor learning spaces, focus on:
- Sensory play areas – Sandboxes, water tables, or mud kitchens
- Exploration paths – Logs, stepping stones, or soft grass to walk barefoot
- Cozy nooks – Small tents, playhouses, or shaded spots for quiet time
- Loose Parts – Rocks, sticks, pine cones, etc. for open ended play
Keep materials low to the ground, simple, and open-ended so children can use them in multiple ways. For more ideas, see our guide to taking play outside.
Outdoor Learning in Kindergarten: Building Independence
Kindergarteners are ready for more challenge and responsibility. Outdoor spaces for this age should encourage problem-solving and collaboration. Ideas include:
- Gardens – Raised beds where students can plant, water, and harvest
- Loose parts play – Buckets, sticks, ropes, and crates for building and inventing
- Art outdoors – Chalkboards, easels, or a wall for painting and drawing
- Movement challenges – Balance beams, tires, or climbing structures
These spaces build confidence and give students opportunities to practice classroom expectations—like being kind, listening, and being safe—in new settings. According to NAEYC, play-based outdoor learning helps strengthen executive function and self-regulation skills essential for kindergarten success (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2017).
First Grade: Extending Learning Outdoors
By first grade, children are beginning to connect concepts across subject areas. Outdoor spaces can act as living classrooms:
- Math and literacy corners – Number lines on fences, letter hunts, outdoor word walls
- Science exploration areas – Bug hotels, weather stations, magnifying tools
- Outdoor reading spots – Benches or beanbags under a tree for story time
- STEM building areas – Blocks, planks, or natural materials for engineering challenges
Outdoor learning at this stage deepens understanding by linking abstract ideas to real-world experiences. The Forest School approach also shows how outdoor education can support problem-solving and resilience in young learners (Wikipedia contributors, 2025).
Tips for Creating Low-Cost Outdoor Learning Spaces
You don’t need a big budget to make outdoor learning a reality. Try these strategies:
- Repurpose household items like buckets, old kitchen utensils, or crates
- Collect natural materials—rocks, pinecones, leaves—for loose parts play
- Ask families to donate items such as garden tools, tarps, or paint
- Start small: one sandbox or a few planters can grow into a bigger learning space over time
Final Thoughts
Outdoor learning spaces for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade don’t have to be elaborate to be effective. By focusing on sensory experiences, independence, and hands-on exploration, you create an environment where children can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.
With a little creativity, you can transform any outdoor area into a rich extension of your classroom.
Keep Reading:
Get Started With Outdoor Learning Right Away
This free getting-started checklist will help you get started with outdoor learning right away!
Reference List
Council of Outdoor Learning. (n.d.). Council of Outdoor Learning. Learning through Landscapes. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.ltl.org.uk/outdoor-learning/council-of-outdoor-learning/
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2017, May). The importance of play in early childhood. NAEYC. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2017/importance-play
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, September 1). Forest school (learning style). In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_school_(learning_style)
