We took our learning beyond the classroom and into the great outdoors for a very special day full of exploration, creativity, and discovery. The children were excited to use the outdoor environment in new and meaningful ways, building on their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

One of our activities involved making leaf rubbings, where the children explored the different textures and patterns found in nature. They carefully placed paper over leaves and used crayons to reveal the intricate shapes and details, sparking lots of discussion about what makes each leaf unique.

We also carried out a fun investigation using our slide. The children experimented with rolling a variety of objects down it, making predictions about which would travel the furthest and fastest. They loved testing their ideas and observing the results, developing their early scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.

To remember our special day, the children created a beautiful collage using their handprints. This memorable piece will be displayed in our outdoor provision area, celebrating their learning and creativity while giving them a sense of pride in their work.

Another highlight was watching the bin lorry come to collect our rubbish. The children were fascinated by the recycling truck and enjoyed observing how it worked, leading to great conversations about recycling and looking after our environment.

We also enjoyed making up our own games using outdoor resources. We enjoyed playing tug of war with a rope and we were very competitive. This game helped us to build our core muscle skills as well as having lots of fun! 

One activity that lots of us enjoyed doing was finding minibeasts in their habitats. We found lots of 'superworms' under logs and also ladybirds on leaves and flowers. We collected minibeasts in magnifying pots to help us observe them closely and carefully, but then we made sure we returned the minibeasts to their home. 

It was a fantastic day that showed just how valuable outdoor learning can be, giving the children opportunities to explore, investigate, and learn in a hands-on and engaging way.