How to Design Outdoor Learning Spaces For Early Learners

In many traditional preschools, playgrounds are the focal point of the outdoor environment. These spaces often feature slides, swings, and ladders for children to run, climb, and be active on.

But outdoor areas offer far more than traditional play equipment. Bringing art, pretend play, reading, and other activities outdoors extends learning beyond the classroom. In the Gryphon House book Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning, author Rachel A. Larimore highlights the value of natural play spaces. Like traditional outdoor play, these spaces support gross motor development. But they also introduce flexible, ever-changing challenges that engage children cognitively, socially, and emotionally.

In this article, we’ll explore outdoor learning spaces that blend movement, nature, and hands-on exploration. Together, they foster deeper, more meaningful learning outside the classroom.

Beyond the playground: 6 outdoor learning spaces to spark discovery and exploration

Creating outdoor learning spaces means rethinking how children engage with the outside world. With thoughtful design, these spaces become extensions of indoor learning centers. They offer children new ways to explore, create, and discover through direct contact with nature.

The following outdoor spaces transform traditional playgrounds into immersive learning environments for children.

1. Reading nook

An outdoor reading nook allows children to escape high-energy play and settle into a book. They can dive into nature-inspired books, like Backyard Bugs, or simply observe the world around them. Add paper, clipboards, and pencils for children to journal about their stories or experiences in nature.

Here are a few tips for designing a welcoming space for young readers:

• Choose a low-traffic area away from loud or active play zones.
• Look for natural shade from trees, or add a sunshade or a large umbrella to block direct sunlight.
• Use logs, large rocks, or plants to define the space without completely closing it off.
• Add weather-resistant pillows, wicker furniture, and cushions to keep children comfortable while reading.

An outdoor reading nook shows children that literacy can happen anywhere, even under trees and surrounded by nature.

2. Dramatic play center

Outdoor dramatic play transforms pretend play into a meaningful, sensory-rich experience. Children can make noise, move freely, and get messy in ways that indoor spaces don't always allow. At the same time, they're building social-emotional skills like collaboration, problem-solving, and role-play.

Like an indoor dramatic play center, your outdoor space should connect play to real-world experiences. Children might “cook” in a mud kitchen, act out family life in a playhouse, or mix potions in a “science lab.” The key is offering open-ended activities that spark their creativity and imagination.

Use these tips to create an outdoor dramatic play center that strengthens children's sense of wonder:

• Create a flexible, open-ended space. The center shouldn’t be overly structured or box children into rigid play experiences.
• Provide easy access to natural materials. Stock the space with water and loose natural materials, like leaves, rocks, and flower petals.
• Opt for durable, washable surfaces. Things might get messy, so choose outdoor furniture that can withstand extreme temperatures and daily use.
• Incorporate tools for open-ended play. Items like buckets, kitchen supplies, and pretend food bring imaginative play to life outdoors.

Pretend play isn’t limited to indoor learning centers. Browse the rest of our dramatic play collection for more furniture, tools, and materials designed for outdoor use.

3. Nature learning center

Time in nature invites deeper discovery, exploration, and learning for young children. Ruth Wilson, PhD, author of Learning is in BLOOM: Cultivating Outdoor Explorations, recommends providing daily or near-daily time in natural environments. According to Wilson, children learn about nature by interacting with it, not by hearing about it or watching it on a screen.

Nature-based learning is most effective when it encourages open-ended activities. These activities should spark imagination, creativity, problem-solving, and persistence. To start, consider incorporating these elements into your nature learning center:

• Small garden or greenhouse where children can plant, water, and track growth.
• Nature observation area where children can watch insects, birds, or changing weather.
• Loose parts area with sticks, rocks, leaves, and pinecones for building and creating.
• Digging zone where children can explore soil, roots, and underground discoveries.
• Simple compost bin to observe decomposition and sustainability in action.

Stock the space with tools that encourage close observation and hands-on exploration. Items such as magnifying glasses, specimen boxes, and binoculars help with collecting and inspecting discoveries. For more active exploration, include garden tools, buckets, and a child-size wheelbarrow.

A well-designed nature learning center sparks wonder and deepens children’s connection to the world around them.

4. Art center

Outdoor art spaces invite children to create freely while connecting with nature. They can paint what they see, use natural materials, and explore art in a new setting.

In Learning is in BLOOM, Wilson notes that encouraging children to share their ideas through drawings, sculptures, and paintings honors their unique way of experiencing the world. An outdoor art space lets them express themselves through media inspired by their surroundings. Think nature-inspired paintings, leaf rubbings, and collages crafted with found materials.

Ready to transform your outdoor space into an open-air art studio? Here are a few tips to get started:

• Position the art center near nature for inspiration. Children can observe trees, flowers, insects, and landscapes as they create.
• Choose an easy-to-clean setup. Incorporate materials that can handle water, paint, and natural elements.
• Provide both standing and seated options. Consider outdoor easels for painting and art tables for detailed work.
• Stock the area with a variety of art supplies. Add sidewalk chalk for drawing on the pavement. Supply clipboards, paper, crayons, and markers for quick sketches and observations. Provide natural materials—like leaves, flowers, and twigs—for collage work.

Outdoor art centers encourage bold creativity, hands-on exploration, and inspiration from nature. Take a look at our outdoor art collection for art tools designed for messy, hands-on fun.

5. Block play

Outdoor block play turns block building into a holistic, gross-motor experience. Building, moving, and reconfiguring large outdoor blocks fosters spatial awareness, problem-solving, and persistence. Plus, being outside lets children design in ways that aren’t always possible indoors.

Here are ideas for an outdoor block play space that keeps children active and engaged:

• Choose an open area with space for large structures. A flat surface helps with stability, whether it's a paved area, compacted dirt, or short grass.
• Consider how the block area connects to other outdoor spaces. Children might expand their structures to include dramatic play or nature elements.
• Combine blocks with natural materials, like logs, stumps, or large rocks. Combining these elements adds new building challenges that encourage collaboration and shared problem-solving.
• Keep block storage close by for easy access and cleanup. This makes it easy for children to grab what they need while supporting smoother transitions.

Outdoor block play gives children space to build big while strengthening cognitive and gross motor skills.

6. Sand and water play

Outdoor sand-and-water play does more than give children the freedom to get messy. It also offers sensory-rich exploration that supports early STEM learning. Children experiment with cause and effect, test theories, and solve problems as they pour, scoop, measure, and build. This type of play also supports emotional regulation. The calming, repetitive movements help children settle, reset, and focus.

Here’s how to bring sand-and-water play outdoors:

• Add a sand-and-water table or a toddler-friendly table to start. Include cups, funnels, scoops, and measuring to enhance their play.
• Make the area accessible for many children at once. Use clear boundaries to help contain the mess while still giving children space for creative exploration.
• Keep the space flexible. Offer activities that encourage free play, where children direct their own experiments.
• Incorporate found materials. Mixing rocks, sticks, leaves, or flowers into sand or water lets children observe how different materials interact.

With outdoor sand-and-water play, children can experiment, get messy, and tinker with science through nature. Browse a range of sand-and-water tools to maximize their play and exploration.

Extending learning beyond the classroom walls

Outdoor learning spaces go beyond traditional playgrounds. With the right design and tools, they create opportunities for children to learn, explore, and get creative outside the classroom.

The key is creating spaces that inspire open-ended exploration and connection with nature. As Ruth Wilson, PhD, reminds us, children learn about nature by interacting with it. These outdoor learning spaces make that interaction joyful, meaningful, and deeply engaging.

Ready to create inspiring outdoor learning spaces for your program? Start small by introducing one or two spaces that fit your outdoor area and reflect children’s interests, and then build from there. When you’re ready, explore Kaplan's outdoor learning collection. You'll find materials, furniture, and tools built for outdoor exploration, discovery, and play.