Outdoor Learning Ideas to Teach Climate Change in Primary Schools

Taking learning outside the classroom is one of the best ways to engage children with nature and help them understand climate change in a hands-on way. Outdoor learning makes complex topics more tangible and fosters a deeper appreciation for the environment.

At Our Classroom Climate (OCC), we believe that climate education should be fun, engaging, and accessible for all children. Our OCC Climate Education Programme supports schools in bringing climate topics to life through interactive and meaningful experiences.

Here are some simple outdoor learning ideas to help your pupils explore climate change:

1. Mini Weather Station

Set up a simple weather station in your schoolyard with a thermometer, rain gauge, and wind vane. Track changes in temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns over time to help children understand climate trends and extreme weather events.

2. Tree Carbon Storage Investigation

Teach students how trees help combat climate change by measuring the circumference of a tree trunk and estimating how much carbon it absorbs. This connects science and maths with real-world environmental impact.

3. Bug Hotels & Biodiversity Surveys

Encourage students to build bug hotels using natural materials and observe which insects move in. Discuss how biodiversity is affected by climate change and what we can do to protect ecosystems.

4. Nature Walk & Habitat Changes

Take students on a walk around the school grounds or a local park. Identify different plants, trees, and wildlife, and discuss how climate change could impact them in the future. Compare changes across seasons to observe nature’s response to environmental shifts.

5. Litter Picking & Plastic Pollution Discussion

Organise a litter pick and record the types of waste found. Use this as a starting point to discuss plastic pollution, recycling, and ways to reduce waste in everyday life.

6. Gardening & Sustainable Growing

Plant a school vegetable garden and teach children about the importance of locally grown food in reducing carbon footprints. Compost food scraps to demonstrate how organic waste can be recycled into nutrient-rich soil.

7. Solar-Powered Experiments

Use small solar panels to power fans or lights and show children the potential of renewable energy. Discuss how solar and wind power help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

8. Outdoor Art With a Message

Let children create eco-themed artworks using natural materials like leaves, twigs, and stones. They can design posters or sculptures that share messages about protecting the planet.

9. Eco Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt with a sustainability theme. Include items like "something that absorbs CO₂," "evidence of wildlife," or "an example of renewable energy" (such as a wind turbine or solar panel).

10. Join the OCC Climate Education Programme!

At OCC, we’re helping schools bring climate learning outdoors in a way that excites and inspires young minds. Our resources and activities make climate change education more engaging and impactful for children.

Want to enhance outdoor learning at your school? Contact us today to find out how your school can benefit from the OCC Climate Education Programme!