Free & Fun
Outdoor Learning Activities, Games & Projects
Supporting students’ learning & health right in their schoolyard, backyard or in nearby nature.
GreenLearning
Free online education programs about energy, climate change and green economy.
Suggested Activities (click on links):
WildSafeBC Ranger Program
Stimulates discussion regarding wildlife and introduces students to the concept of human-wildlife conflict.
Suggested Activities (click on links below):
eLearning
Fun and easy activities to support remote teaching and learning about BC’s biodiversity.
Suggested Activities (click on links):
Earth School
Quests for students around the world to celebrate, explore and connect with nature.
The Nature of Nature:
Global Outdoor Classroom Day
Resources to help you get children learning outside.
Activity Ideas:
- Take a nature bag or basket on walks and collect natural items like pebbles, fallen leaves and feathers.
- Play a game of outdoor bingo – who will be the first to spot a black bug, a brown bird or a white flower?
- Make a nature wind chime out of twigs, pine cones, shells and anything else you can find. Hang it where it will catch the wind.
- Use old pots and pans to concoct mud pies and garden soups! If you have the space, create a little mud kitchen in the corner of your garden or yard.
- Make a nature crown out of twigs, fallen leaves and other natural materials. Check out the Outdoor Classroom Day Pinterest board for more nature dress-up ideas.
Project Learning Tree Activities for Families
Nature is a great teacher! Try these activity ideas for children ages 3 – 15.
Recommended Activities (click on links):
- Walking in the Forest – Play detective and discover how plants grow, age, decay, and more
- In Your Own Backyard – Uncover nature’s diversity – Look, listen, and meet your natural neighbours
- Around Your Home – Discover ways to green your home – and save money – with these questions and tips
- Exploring a Local Park – Get in touch with trees in your local park
- Teaching with i-Tree – learn about the many ecosystem services that trees provide
CornellLab K-12 Education
With birds flocking back to the Kootenays, these hands-on activities are designed to explore nature and science with a combination of indoor and outdoor activities. Whether you’re a teacher who needs to share easy-to-implement content with your students, or you’re a parent striving to best engage and educate your child at home, you’ll find these materials relevant and fun.
Recommended Activities:
Learning Inside Out
At-Home education resources for parents & teachers.
Recommended activities in this resource:
Wildsight Education at Home
Ideas & inspiration to get outside and learn from our wild backyards.
Click on the following links for recommended activities:
BC Get Outdoors Handbook
Activities and support materials for outdoor learning.
Recommended activities outlined in this resource:
- Sensory Wake-up: Page 42
- The Alphabet Hunt: Page 46
- The Adjectives Hunt: Page 46
- Colour Walk: Page 48
- Family Treasures & Cultural Connections: Page 56
5 Minute Field Trips
Teaching about nature in your own backyard.
Recommended activities outlined in this resource:
- Nature Scavenger Hunt: Pages 6-7
- Sound Map: Page 9
- Make-a-Park: Page 12
- Nature Words: Page 15
- Student Sundial: Page 28
Green Thumbs
Wildlife-friendly Gardening for schools or students at home.
Suggested Activities:
Science World Education Activities
A searchable directory of excellent science-based activities for all ages.
Recommended activities (click on links):
Wild Voices Online
Recordings of 1 hour online presentations for students on topics ranging from wildlife, to permaculture, to climate action, and more!
Suggested presentations:
In partnership with
