Growing Minds Outdoors: Taking Preschool Learning Outside

Updated: Jul 22

In an age where screens are ever-present and structured learning dominates even early education, the value of outdoor play and learning are more vital than ever. Summer is the perfect time to take learning outdoors and offer fun and innovative ways to practice skills through play. Let's grab some sidewalk chalk and get out in the sunshine for some summertime skills practice.

Why the Outdoors is the place to be?

Outdoor environments offer a rich, sensory-filled classroom without walls. Outdoor play is an immersive and natural way for preschoolers to explore the world. Outdoor environments help reduce mental fatigue and improve concentration. Nature is calming, reducing anxiety and supporting emotional regulation unlike extended screen time. Being outdoors inspires imaginative play, creative exploration, and fosters a sense of wonder, inquiry, experimentation, and problem-solving. All of these benefits make outdoor environments the perfect place for learning and fun.

Learning through Movement

Preschoolers are built to move. Climbing, running, digging, and jumping are not just fun—they’re educational. Gross motor play strengthens physical development and coordination. When you combine learning with gross motor and movement you enhance and connect with young learners more effectively.

Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a perfect way to get kids outside, excited, and exploring. Using scavenger hunt activities adds fun and curiosity to outdoor time and gives purpose and direction to the activity. Through these activities, a child can practice language skills and learn how to describe what they are seeing and experiencing. Going on a scavenger hunt encourages careful observation and attention to detail. In additon, scavenger hunts can be a great way to review colors and shapes and give structure to outside time.

little boy holding clipboard and pencil completing a scavenger hunt — Our Lil' Sprouts love to get out of the classroom on a scavenger hunt. He is looking for a stick shaped like the letter Y!

We have created several printable scavenger hunts that you can purchase by clicking the link below!

title page for outdoor activities link to teachers pay teachers product

Examples of our scavenger hunts

Sidewalk Chalk Fun!

Sidewalk chalk is the perfect tool to help you get outside and practice skills in a non-traditional way! Bonus it also helps build fine motor strength! Here are a few simple ways to use sidewalk chalk to making outdoor learning fun.

Trace your name - Write your child's name all over the sidewalk and have them trace it. You can make it more fun by making it a rainbow. Write it in each color of the rainbow, starting with red and building from there.
Trace with water - Grab a basic foam paintbrush and a small cup of water. Draw letters, shapes and numbers all over the sidewalk. Have your child trace and paint over the chalk with the wet paintbrush.
Find and shoot - Write letters, shapes, and numbers on the sidewalk. Give your child a small water squirter or water gun and as you call out letters, shapes, and numbers have your child spray or squirt the correct one.
Create a chalk board game - Get creative. Draw connected sqaures to create a path. Each space can contain a letter, number, or shape to review. Grab a dice or small cards with numbers 1-6 to help you know how many spaces to move when it's your turn. When your child lands on a space, have them identify the letter, number, or shape. Continue until someone makes it to the end.
Tracing with toy cars - Gather some toy cars or monster trucks. Draw shapes on your sidewalk and have your child trace the shapes with the car. Drive the car on the lines like it is a road.
Grab some sidewalk chalk and other supplies for these outdoor activites at our Amazon affiliate link below.

Amazon Idea List

Go Fishing!

One last fun outdoor activity - All you need is a small pool or tub of water, foam letters, shapes or numbers and some kind of fishing net or scoop. Drop the foam letters, shapes, and numbers into the pool and call out item for your child to find, fish out, and bring to you. This makes review so much fun and it's a perfect activity for a hot summer day!

Other ideas: Throw in some different colored balls and practice sorting and identifying colors. Throw some little fish in and go fishing! This activity can be modified to be new and different many times.