Creating An Outdoor Learning Space

**Collaborative post**

Over the last few months, families all over the world have been homeschooling, at least in part, for the first time. Many of these families never thought that this would be something they’d have to do. Some of them have loved it. Others can’t wait for schools to reopen. Some families have taken to it really well. They’ve enjoyed learning new things and spending more time at home together. But others have found it exceptionally challenging, and have a hard time fitting teaching in around work and other responsibilities. 

But, for all, it’s been an experience, as well as a learning curve. Whether you’ve enjoyed homeschooling or not, you may have learned a lot. Watching your children learn new things and develop their skills can be thrilling. Seeing them soak up new knowledge is a treat, and you might want it to continue, long after they’ve returned to school. 

The good news is, our children are learning all of the time. They learn every time they do something new, and we won’t stop being a part of that when they are back at school. No matter how old your children are, you can learn together at home, and now summer is upon us, in the garden. Creating an outdoor learning space can be a wonderful way to enjoy an exhilarating summer together.

The Importance of Spending Time Outdoors

Time outdoors is something that many of us spend the winter looking forward to. We can’t wait to learn outside, play outside and even eat our meals outside. There are many advantages to all of this time outside.

Exercise

You are more likely to exercise if you are someone that enjoys time in the fresh air. You might go for long family walks, or spend time gardening. Even walking to your garden, instead of sitting on the sofa, is exercise. 

Bonding

When we’re inside, we’re surrounded by distractions. Even if we’re spending time doing things together as a family, there are distractions. Phones ring, TVs are on, radios blare out. There’s always something else that we need to do. 

In the garden, most of us are more at peace. The distractions might not be far away, but they don’t seem to bother us as much. That’s part of what makes time outdoors a great way to bond with our families. 

Vitamin D

Spending time outdoors is the best way to get a vitamin D boost. Vitamin D has many advantages and can improve both your physical and mental health. 

Creativity

Being outside, surrounded by nature, can help us, adults and children alike to feel more creative. We’re inspired by everything around us, and often do our best work when we’re outside, or have recently been outdoors. 

Productivity

Being outside in the fresh air can also boost productivity by helping you to feel more alert and energised. This can help to create a positive learning environment for your family. 

Appreciation

Kids today often spend so much time on tablets and computers that they find it hard to appreciate the world around them. Most of your home learning may be done using devices. Getting outdoors is an easy way to remind them that there is more to life. 

With all of these benefits in mind, let’s take a look at some ways that you can create an outdoor learning space. Whether you hope to use it for homeschool, or just to have fun doing something different with your family. 

Welcome Wildlife

There’s a lot that we can learn from wildlife, and welcoming it into your garden opens up many different learning opportunities and experiences. You could do this with a bird feeder and food from Little Peckers, with a pond, an insect hotel, and with plants and flowers which encourage bees and insects. 

Include Comfortable Seating

If you want to be comfortable learning outdoors, you need to be able to get comfy. You might not be able to do this on lawns or hard decking. Seating options are a great way to give your garden new functionality. Add a table and chairs for work, crafts and outdoor eating, and perhaps softer, more cosy seating for afternoons reading in the sunshine. 

Add a Shaded Workspace

Sunshine is fantastic. But, sometimes it’s too much when you are trying to work or focus. Bright sunshine can also mean that you can’t take laptops and other devices outdoors if ever you need to. 

Adding a shaded workspace, perhaps with a covered area, or just a large parasol, means that you can work in the garden, even on sweltering days. 

Make the Most of Colour

Colour is inspirational. It can boost creativity, help us to relax and make us happy. Your garden is the perfect space to experiment with colour, from adding pretty flowers to painting your fences, decking and shed alternative colours. 

Let your kids play with colours too, with outdoor chalks and paints. You could even give them their own little area to plant in and enjoy. 

Remember the Importance of Learning Through Play

If you want to carry on with some form of homeschooling, even after COVID-19 has passed, then your priority might be learning. 

But, it’s important to remember that children, especially younger ones, learn through play. If your garden suddenly becomes too much like school, it will lose all of its appeal and benefit. Fill it with toys and opportunities to have fun. Include different textures and materials, as well as plenty of things that they can use to build dens. Remember to make sure that young children can play safely, without you having to constantly hold their hands.

Consider Outdoor Storage

With so much going on, your garden could quite quickly become messy and unorganised. Adding outdoor storage can help you to keep things neat and tidy, allowing you to make the most of learning opportunities in your outdoor space. 

An outdoor learning space might be educational, but, even more importantly, it’s fun. It will make learning more enjoyable, and help you to teach a wider range of skills and knowledge, which your children may not experience at school.