Taking Dramatic Play Outdoors

Cover image Outdoor Dramatic Play- children playing outside under a blanket

Dramatic play is a powerful tool in any early years classroom. It sparks imagination, supports social-emotional development, and gives children a chance to make sense of the world around them. But what if we took that creativity outside?

As a teacher who strives to get my students outdoors every day, I’ve seen firsthand how the natural world inspires richer, more imaginative play. Taking dramatic play outdoors invites children to move freely, use natural materials, and immerse themselves in creative worlds with fewer boundaries—and the results are incredible.

In this post, I’ll share the benefits of outdoor dramatic play, simple setup tips, theme ideas that kids love, and how to connect it all back to curriculum outcomes. Whether you’re new to outdoor learning or a seasoned forest school educator, you’ll find something here to spark your next adventure.

Two boys wearing super hero costumes playing outdoors

Why Take Dramatic Play Outdoors?

✨ Educational Benefits

When children engage in dramatic play outside, the possibilities grow. Wide open spaces allow for large-scale scenarios—like setting up a full “campground” or pretending the forest is a jungle. It’s also a fantastic way to nurture collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills. Children naturally take on roles, negotiate scenarios, and create storylines together.

✨ Developmental Advantages

Outdoor environments promote whole-body movement, which is key for developing gross motor skills. Whether kids are lifting logs to build a fort or racing to deliver “mail,” they’re moving with purpose. Plus, being outdoors reduces stress, increases focus, and supports overall well-being—benefits we could all use more of in the classroom.

Tips for Setting Up Outdoor Dramatic Play

✔️ Start Small

You don’t need elaborate costumes or a full storage shed of props to begin. Start with a simple basket of scarves, hats, or clipboards. Observe how students interact, then build from there based on their interests.

✔️ Use Natural Materials

Encourage students to incorporate sticks, leaves, pinecones, and rocks into their play. These “loose parts” spark imagination and allow children to decide what each object represents—boosting creativity and flexible thinking.

✔️ Designate a Play Zone

Choose a consistent space in your outdoor area for dramatic play—under a tree, beside the school garden, or near a sandbox. Use visual markers like logs, cones, or even string to outline the area and help children recognize it as a space for pretend play.

Outdoor Dramatic Play Theme Ideas

Need a spark to get started? Try one of these easy-to-set-up themes:

🏕️ Camping Adventure

Pitch a small tent or create one with sticks and a tarp. Add a pretend fire pit made from stones and red/yellow fabric, binoculars, and animal role cards. Students love pretending to hike, spot wildlife, and roast marshmallows.

🧺 Farmer’s Market

Set out baskets, toy fruits and vegetables (or real ones from the school garden), and signs. Add play money and encourage children to take on roles as shoppers, sellers, or delivery drivers.

🐾 Animal Rescue Centre

Bring out stuffed animals, bandages (use strips of cloth), water bowls, and clipboards. Students can examine animals, fill out forms, and take care of their furry patients.

🛠️ Construction Site

Use toy tools, safety vests, and small logs or bricks. Provide a wheelbarrow, buckets, and measuring tape for a play experience that integrates math and physical play.

🦸 Superhero Headquarters

Bring out capes, masks, and chalk for drawing “mission control” or superhero emblems on the pavement. Kids can create their own hero identities and save the day!

An outdoor mud kitchen set up in an early years outdoor classroom

How Outdoor Dramatic Play Can Support Learning Outcomes

Dramatic play isn’t just fun—it’s rich with learning potential.

✔️ Link to the Curriculum

Language Arts: Students develop oral language, storytelling skills, and new vocabulary through role play.
Math: They measure, count, sort, and use play money.
Science/Social Studies: They explore animal habitats, community roles, lifecycles, and seasonal changes.

✔️ Observe and Assess

Outdoor play is a goldmine for authentic assessment. As children play, listen for new vocabulary, observe cooperation and turn-taking, and take notes on how students express their ideas. These observations can feed into report card comments or guide future instruction.

Overcoming Common Challenges

🌧️ Weather Woes

Be prepared with a bin of weather-resistant props and consider adding tarps, umbrellas, or a simple canopy for shelter. Kids are surprisingly resilient—if you’re prepared, a bit of rain won’t stop the fun.

🧹 Clean-Up and Management

Establish clear routines. Use bins or totes for props and assign student jobs to help with tidy-up. Label everything clearly and store it near the outdoor play area if possible.

🧒 Inclusive Play

Make sure your dramatic play setups include roles for different interests, energy levels, and abilities. Rotate themes regularly so all students can find something that excites them.

A group of children playing outdoors under a blanket

Let’s Take Dramatic Play Outdoors…

Taking dramatic play outdoors invites children into a world where imagination runs wild and learning comes naturally. With a few props and a little creativity, your students will begin crafting their own rich, meaningful experiences—ones that support curriculum goals and make lasting memories.

Start small. Pick one theme. Head outside. And watch as your students bring the magic of dramatic play to life under the open sky.

Unlocking Imagination: Taking Dramatic Play Outdoors in Primary Classrooms