The impact of outdoor learning and playtime at school – and beyond

Project Dirt, working with Learning Through Landscapes, asked teachers who have taken part in Outdoor Classroom Day about the impact of taking children outdoors.

The results are encouraging as they show that there is a fast-growing number of schools worldwide that recognise how important outdoor learning and play is for children, teachers and whole schools, as well as parents and the community.

Key findings include:

  • 68% of teachers (55% in the UK) want more time for children to play outdoors.
  • 87% of teachers (81% in the UK) want more time to take lessons outside.
  • One fifth (22%; 19% in the UK) of teachers told us that they have increased playtime since taking part in the campaign, and two fifths (44%; 38% in the UK) have increased time for outdoor lessons.
  • 97% of teachers worldwide (99% in the UK) believe that outdoor playtime throughout the school day is critical for children to reach their full potential
  • 88% of teachers globally 84% in the UK) said that children are happier after playing outdoors, and 89% said the same when they learn outdoors.
  • 79% of teachers globally (76% in the UK) said that the weather stops children playing outdoors.
  • 1 in 7 of respondents worldwide (14%; 16% in the UK) said that nothing prevents children from playing outdoors.

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Thank you for supporting Outdoor Classroom Day!

Thanks for joining the movement we can’t wait to see what you get up to on the day! Please share this with your colleagues and friends to help us make it possible for every child to get outdoors to learn and play every day 🙂 Check out the resources tabs for ideas for the day – and to make learning and play part of every day!

Wohoo! Top marks for signing up!

Thanks for joining the movement we can’t wait to see what you get up to on the day! Please share this with your colleagues and friends to help us make it possible for every child to get outdoors to learn and play every day 🙂 Check out the resources tabs for ideas for the day – and to make learning and play part of every day!

Thank you for supporting Outdoor Classroom Day!

We’ll send you a newsletter shortly. Time to play is critical for every child – share your moments with us by tagging #OutdoorClassroomDay and make every day a day to learn and play outdoors!