Early Years Outdoor Play - Why It Happens Every Day

At Pippa’s House, Early Years Outdoor Play isn’t an occasional treat;  it’s an essential part of every child’s day. Whether it’s sunshine, rain, wind, or even snow, our children are outside exploring, playing, and learning in all weathers.

This week alone, many of our nurseries have woken up to a sprinkling of snow, transforming gardens into winter wonderlands. Wrapped up in cosy, all-weather clothing, our children have embraced the change with excitement, crunching through frosty grass, building snowy creations, and discovering how the world looks and feels in winter.

Because for us, outdoor play doesn’t stop when the weather changes; it comes alive.

Why Outdoor Play Matters in the Early Years

The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) recognises outdoor learning as a vital part of children’s development. It supports all areas of learning, particularly:

• Physical Development

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Understanding the World

• Communication and Language

Through early years outdoor play, children are given the freedom to move, explore, take risks, and build confidence in ways that simply aren’t possible indoors.

Mud Kitchens: Learning Through Messy Play

One of the most loved features of our outdoor spaces is our mud kitchens. These open-ended areas invite children to mix, pour, stir, and create using natural materials.

Mud kitchens support:

• Fine and gross motor skills

• Imaginative and role play

• Early maths concepts like quantity and capacity

• Language development as children describe their “recipes.”

And perhaps most importantly, they encourage creativity and problem-solving, all while getting wonderfully messy.

Forest School Adventures: Nature as the Classroom

Our Forest School sessions offer children rich opportunities to connect with nature. From den building and log balancing to bug hunting and storytelling outdoors, children learn by doing.

Forest School helps children develop:

• Resilience and independence

• Teamwork and communication

• Confidence in managing small risks

• A deep respect for the natural world

Whether navigating woodland paths or exploring snowy landscapes, children gain a sense of achievement and belonging outdoors.

Snowy Gardens, Summer Splashing & Everything In Between

Outdoor play changes with the seasons and that’s part of its magic.

• In winter, children explore snow and ice, noticing temperature changes and seasonal differences.

• In rainy weather, puddle jumping and water channels bring science to life.

• During heatwaves, we enjoy water play, sprinklers, shade activities, and sensory cooling experiences.

By playing outside all year round, children learn to adapt, problem-solve, and feel confident in different environments.

All-Weather Clothing = All-Weather Learning

We encourage families to provide suitable all-weather clothing so children can fully enjoy early years outdoor play. Waterproofs, wellies, sun hats, and cosy layers mean children can move freely and comfortably, whatever the forecast.

This supports independence too, as children learn to dress themselves, manage their belongings, and understand how to care for their bodies in different conditions.

The Benefits That Last a Lifetime

Daily outdoor play supports:

• Stronger physical health

• Improved emotional wellbeing

• Better focus and concentration

• Confidence and resilience

• Curiosity and a love of learning

At Pippa’s House, we are incredibly proud of our outdoor spaces and the experiences they offer. Snow, sunshine, or rain, our children are always learning, always exploring, and always thriving outdoors.

Because Early Years Outdoor Play isn’t weather-dependent, it’s child-centred, purposeful, and essential every single day.