Why Learning Outdoors Supports Stronger Academic Growth for Your Child (Free Activity Inside!)
- celeste5695
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 6
Sunny days are making their long-awaited debut, which means learning outdoors can finally begin!
After spending so many dark, cold days inside, it feels wrong not to enjoy the sunshine that comes in early spring. Not only is spending time outdoors as a family fun, but it has many benefits for a child's learning and development.
A study done by American Institutes for Research compared students who attended outdoor school with similar students who hadn’t. They measured changes over time using surveys and tests from students, parents, and teachers, and found consistent, measurable benefits tied to the outdoor learning experience. The study found that learning outside leads to:
Stronger Social and Emotional Skills
Children who participated in outdoor education programs demonstrated:
Improved cooperation and teamwork
Better conflict-resolution skills
Increased leadership abilities
Higher self-esteem and confidence
Improved relationships with peers and teachers
Better classroom behavior and problem-solving skills
Increased Motivation to Learn
Students in the outdoor education program showed higher motivation to learn, greater engagement in academic tasks after returning to the classroom, and improved attitudes toward school and learning.
Improved Science Knowledge and Understanding
This study found that students increased their science knowledge scores by 27%, learning gains were maintained 6-10 weeks after the program, and hands-on inquiry based instruction strengthened understanding of ecology and earth science concepts.
Greater Environmental Awareness and Stewardship
Participation in outdoor learning fostered stronger concern for environmental conservation, increased environmentally responsible behaviors (e.g., recycling, caring for natural resources), and a deeper appreciation for humans’ role in ecosystems.
Positive and Lasting Behavioral Changes
Six to ten weeks after participation students continued to show positive social and behavioral gains, and control group students who did not attend the outdoor program showed declines over the same period of time.
What the My Tutoring Partners’ team says about learning outdoors
Sophie Gagnon, a My Tutoring Partners’ team member, has a background in Biology Education. She said that time outside, especially in the sun, naturally reduces stress and anxiety and can make for a happier learning environment.
“Learning outside increases curiosity, motivation, and participation. It may be because of the change in environment, but students are always more apt to be into the lesson when we do anything outside,” Sophie said.
Sophie also shared, “It's a great way to make kids more conscious of the environments around them and to help them be better stewards of the outdoors.”
Outdoor learning activities
Measure the outdoors
Measure how far a ball rolls, the height of a plant, or the length of a shadow.
Hopscotch math
Add, subtract, or skip-count while hopping.
Outdoor reading time
Read a book under a tree or on a blanket
Nature journaling
Draw what you see and write one sentence (or word) about it.
Mindful minute outdoors
Sit quietly for one minute and name 3 sounds, 2 sights, and 1 smell.
“The floor is lava”: Outside edition
“How can we get across this area without touching the ground?” (logs, stepping stones, etc.)
Practice outdoor stewardship
Feeding plants, watering, cleaning up outdoor toys.
Neighborhood clean-up
Bring gloves and collect litter — talk about why it matters.
Recycling sort outside
Sort items and talk about what can be reused.
Download this PDF for a "bingo card" filled with these activities!
We hope this inspires you to throw on some shoes, open the front door, and spend time outdoors with your family—even if only for a couple of minutes. Let the benefits of outdoor learning be your motivation!
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