1. Orienteering Treasure Hunt
Children love treasure hunts because they are exciting, full of surprises, and give a real sense of adventure. That is exactly what orienteering is, so this activity is sure to be a natural winner with your class. It combines all the fun of a treasure hunt with map-reading and problem-solving, giving pupils the chance to explore and feel a sense of freedom as they move around outdoors.
Create a simple map of your school grounds, marking five to eight checkpoints where clues are hidden. As children follow the map, they are not just having fun. They are also working their brains by practising essential skills like spatial awareness, teamwork, and decision-making.
Orienteering supports a range of lessons. While it is great for PE because it gets children moving, it also fits well with geography by helping pupils understand maps and directions. You can even link it to maths by asking children to estimate distances or calculate how long it takes to find each checkpoint. It is a very effective way to make learning active, engaging, and memorable all at once – and it's great for summer!
2. Explore mini beasts
Children are naturally curious, and summer is the perfect time to make the most of that energy. A mini beast safari is a great way to get them exploring the world around them while learning at the same time. All you need are some magnifying glasses, bug pots, and a patch of outdoor space. Then send your pupils off to look for insects and other tiny creatures hidden around the school grounds or in a nearby green area.
Encourage them to observe carefully, take notes, and draw what they find. It's a fun and engaging way to support science lessons, particularly in topics such as habitats, life cycles, and biodiversity. It gives children the chance to learn by doing and helps them understand the importance of even the smallest living things.
A mini beast safari also gives children a reason to be active and hands-on with their learning. It supports observation skills, scientific thinking, and respectful behaviour towards nature. It is simple to set up, easy to adapt for different age groups, and works well as part of a wider science or outdoor learning theme!
3. Storytelling in the shade
Every class reads together at some point during the day, whether it's storytime after lunch, a shared class novel, or quiet reading in the afternoon. So why not take that time outside? Moving reading time into the fresh air is an easy way to shake things up without needing to change your plans. Just find a shady spot, whether that's under a tree or in a quiet corner of the playground, and bring a few cushions or blankets to make it feel inviting.
Reading outside gives your students a fresh and exciting way to enjoy their stories. With all the different sounds, smells, and sights around them, it can really boost their creativity and make the story feel more alive. The fresh air also helps keep them engaged, and a new environment feels special, so they often become more interested and enthusiastic about what they're learning. You can follow up with a group discussion, or even a bit of creative writing based on the story or their surroundings. It's a simple way to support literacy while giving the whole class a chance to enjoy the sunshine!
4. Planting and growing
Planting is one of those activities that children absolutely love, and it’s a great way to get them outside and learning without it feeling too much like a lesson. Whether you use pots, seed trays, or a raised bed, growing fast-sprouting seeds like cress, radishes, or sunflowers gives them something exciting to check on each day. All you need is a bit of soil, some water, and a sunny spot.
Start by getting the children to plant their seeds and label their pots. You can help them set up a simple watering schedule so everyone takes turns looking after them. Then encourage regular observations, they can draw what they see, measure how tall things are getting, and note any changes. Keeping a little growth diary or making charts together turns it into a great cross-curricular project.
This kind of activity links really nicely with science topics like lifecycles, seasons, and what plants need to grow. It also ties in well with PSHE, especially when you talk about healthy eating and the idea of taking care of something living.
With the summer holidays nearly here, and children having worked hard all year, it's a great time to keep learning fresh and fun. You don't have to stop being educational just because the year's winding down. There are plenty of simple ways to bring the season into your lessons and keep pupils engaged right up until the end!
However you decide to take your summer learning outside, we've got the tools and supplies to make it easy and enjoyable. We've worked with many schools over the years, providing personalised exercise books and resources that fit your lesson plans, whether indoors or outdoors. If you have any questions or need advice, please don't hesitate to call us on 01254 686 500 - we're always happy to help!
