Wales Outdoor Learning Week - 22 to 28 April 2024
Join with us to celebrate Wales’ greatest playing and learning space – our natural environment!
Since 2019, every spring, Natural Resources Wales and the Wales Council for Outdoor Learning join forces to organise #WalesOutdoorLearningWeek, a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate how we can all benefit from learning in, learning about and learning for our natural environment.
You are all invited to celebrate your connection to nature and the great outdoors as a week-long series of events returns. Wales Outdoor Learning Week 2024 will take place between 22 and 28 April and aims to encourage and inspire educators, teachers, learning groups and families in Wales to embed nature into school and family life, reaping the many benefits it brings. The theme this year is Ethical and Informed Citizens. What will you be doing?
Who can join in?
Anyone can take part! Whether you are an educator, carer, parent, family member, community member, young person or child, all you need to do is plan to get outside and enjoy spending time in nature during Wales Outdoor Learning Week.
Why should I get involved?
Research from across the globe tells us that being out in the natural environment, connecting with nature is good for us. Wales Outdoor Learning Week aims to support people of all ages to develop lifelong positive learning, health and well-being behaviours. We have produced a set of posters to show the multiple benefits of connecting to nature to help you find out more:
- Being in the natural environment provides well-being benefits
- Being in the natural environment can increase physical activity
- Outdoor learning can improve academic attainment
- The benefits of playing in nature
- 5 ways to boost health and well-being through connecting with nature
What should I do?
It doesn’t need to be complicated or costly. Engage your senses or learn something new. Ditch the screen and take yourself or your family out and about at the weekend, slow down and focus in on what’s growing locally. You could measure tree height or age as part of a maths lesson. If you are heading out to the coast how about looking at sand dune formation or trying a spot of beach bowling? Whether you take a look at what’s living in your garden or pond, or make a piece of natural art, the natural environment is a great place for active play and learning.
Check out our easy to follow family friendly activity ideas available here or peruse our webpages which are packed with cross-curricular learning activities and ideas here.
We’ve also got a range of a short videos to whet your appetite and provide you with some inspiration:
- Pebble towers
- Building a wormery
- Nature fibs
- Nature art
- Minibeast safari
- Scavenger hunt
- Barefoot walking
- Outdoor learning adventure through books
Don’t forget to look after our precious natural environment and behave responsibly whilst you are enjoying spending time in the natural environment, follow the Countryside Code Wales.
See the programme of events and resources for activities on the Wales Council for Outdoor Learning website
Where should I go?
It’s simple, you can take part in #WalesOutdoorLearningWeek in your garden, local park, woodland, beach, playing field, outdoor classroom, nature reserve, common, peatland, field or nature spot. The choices are endless. You can stay local or maybe plan an adventure further afield.
Not sure where to go? Check out our Days Out webpage or visit DataMapWales for inspiration.
When is it again?
Clear your diary and save the dates, Wales Outdoor Learning Week will be taking place between 22nd to 28th April 2024. Plenty of time to think about how you will join in.
How can I share my adventure and join the celebrations?
No matter how big or small, how local, national or global you go, we would love it if you shared your outdoor learning adventures! Use the hashtag #WalesOutdoorLearningWeek to spread the joy!
And it doesn’t stop there. Continue your celebrations and activities all year round. Why not follow the Outdoor Learning Wales X account or join the closed Facebook Group which both offer a platform to keep up to date, spread the word of ongoing projects and facilitate discussions with anyone with an interest in outdoor learning, environmental education and climate and nature education in Wales.