Outdoor Maths
Times Table or Number Bond Practise: Gather stones, leaves or any
other natural resources. How many different ways can you organise
them in a rectangle ie/ if I have 12 rocks, I could make three rows of
four (3x4) or 2 rows of 6 (6x2). You can do this for number bonds to
10 and 20 too!
Stick Maths Investigation: “It is impossible to find a stick which is half
the length of another stick.” Prove it!
Rules: Do not break sticks to change their size. How will you begin your
investigation? How will you know which sticks you have already tried?
Mini Beast Graphs: Go on a short minibeast hunt. Create a graph to
show the types of minibeasts that you found.
Questions: Which type of graph will you use? What will you put in the
X-Axis? What will you put in the Y-Axis? Create questions about your
graph to test someone else in your family.
Leaf Investigation: “The length of a leaf is double its width.” Prove it!
Questions: How will you plan your investigation? How will you
measure it? How will you record your results?
Grass Investigation: “The longest blades of grass are always close to
trees.” Prove it!
Questions: How will you measure the grass? How will you record your
investigation? How many times will you test it?
Tree Height Investigation: “The tallest trees have the largest leaves.”
Prove it!
Questions: How will you estimate the height of the tree to see which
are ‘tallest’? How will you compare the size of the leaves? How will
you record your results?
Outdoor Science
Cloud Watching: What different types of clouds can you see? Can you
keep a record of the number of clouds you see and what type they are
while you are outside? How do you think the clouds got there? Can
you make a film or take photos of the clouds and make it into a story?
Tree Survey: Identify the different trees that you see when you are
out and about using the tree cards (attached Sheet 1). Can you map
out where they are? Are some trees more popular than others?
Five Senses Scavenger Hunt: Use the Scavenger Hunt sheet (attached
Sheet 2) to find things while you are in your garden or out on a walk.
Make a Wormery: Discover where the best place to find worms is in
your outside space. What is the habitat like? Why is it suitable for
worms? How is the worm adapted to living there? Have a go at
building a wormery by following the instructions (attached Sheet 3)
Helicopter Investigation: Talk about the Sycamore tree’s seeds and
how they fly to the ground. Then have a go at making paper
helicopters using the template (attached Sheet 4) and then change
certain things to see what makes a difference about how long it takes
to drop to the ground.
Paper Plane Challenge: Use the instruction sheet as a guide (attached
Sheet 5) if you are unsure how to build a paper plan, try to make the
‘perfect paper plane’. Have a race outside to see whose flies furthest,
recording results, then compare the planes at the end to understand
why the winners won!
Outdoor Art and Design
Leaf Necklace: Gather leaves and natural resources, then thread them onto a piece of string to make a necklace. Can you make a pattern of shapes, size or colour? Animal Art: Gather natural resources, such as leaves, plants etc. Then
use these to create pictures of animals on the ground in a collage style.
Design a Local Wildlife Area: Go on a walk and find all the natural
habitats where creatures live and plants grow. Imagine you need to
create a miniature wildlife area for other children to enjoy. What
would a good wildlife area need? Using your own paper or the design
sheet (attached Sheet 6), design your perfect wildlife area that could
be used by other people to enjoy and study nature.
Observational Drawing: Pick a natural item, like a leaf, or a scene and
draw it as accurately as you can. Try drawing it again a second time –
can you add any more details and features that you missed the first
time?
Making a Kite: Follow the instructions (attached Sheet 7) and go out
and fly them! (You need A4 paper, paper straws and string)
Natural Paint: From your garden on whilst out on a walk, gather
natural resources. Then have a go at creating your own paint by
crushing leaves, mixing mud and mixing things with water. Try to make
6 different colours or shades, and then paint a picture using them!
Wax Rubbings: find 10 different surfaces that make different rubbing
patterns. Do them all in sections on one piece of paper. You can use
different coloured wax crayons. Mix a little mud with water and use
hands to create a mud wash over the surface for a very rustic piece of
outdoor art.
Outdoor Challenges
Mini Den Challenge: Using only natural resources that you can find
outside, build a miniature waterproof bug den. It can be a maximum
of 20cm in any direction. Then test it by pouring water on it: is it
efficient at keeping out water?
Make a Perfume Investigate the difference in smell of leaves, flowers
and other natural resources between when it is whole and when it is
crushed/torn. Combine scents to create your own ‘nature perfume’
(check with parents before picking berries and leaves in case they are
harmful!)
Memory Game: Either out in your garden or when you’re out on a
walk, gather 10-15 natural items. With one or more people from your
family, put the items in the middle and take it in turns to take one
away while everyone closes their eyes. Can they guess what you took
away? Why not try taking away more than one item? Or giving them
a time limit?
Worry Doll: A worry doll is a little doll that children in South America
often carry around with them; they believe that, if they tell their
worries to the doll then the worries go away.
Gather two small sticks (small enough to fit in your pocket). Tie them
into a cross shape. Then use natural resources such as leaves, flowers
and bark to decorate your doll.
Natural Instruments: Get yourself a stick or something you can use as
a ‘beater’, go outside and explore different sounds that you can make
from their surroundings. Can you find a combination of different
sounds and turn it into a piece of music?
Sheet 1: Tree Identification Cards
Sheet 2: Five Senses Scavenger Hunt
When you’re out and about, why not try to see what you can
explore? Either a draw a picture or write down what you find!
Sheet 3: How to Build a Wormery
Sheet 4: Paper Helicopter Template
Cut along the thick lines and fold along the dotted lines
Sheet 5: How to Make a Paper Plane
Sheet 6: Wildlife Area Design Sheet
Sheet 7: Making a Kite Instructions