Outdoor Learning in Winter: What Actually Works for Schools

The weather throughout winter term at school can be unpredictable, and outdoor learning is often the first to suffer. One moment the playing field is frosty, the next it's soggy from the rain. But with the right approach, winter is a fantastic time of year for children to get out of the traditional classroom, explore their surroundings and connect with nature. Let's discuss some practical tips which make outdoor learning work all year round, from short, engaging sessions to having a weatherproof learning space to rely on when the cold or rain strikes.

Here are all the ways schools can make outdoor learning work effectively during the winter months:

1. Consider shorter outdoor sessions

Winter term outdoor learning sessions don't need to be long to have an impact. Many schools switch to shorter blocks of time outdoors, factoring movement into the activities or offering quick discovery tasks, things which keep pupils warm and engaged. This could mean beginning the session with a quick warm-up activity before a team problem-solving challenge which requires moving around, or a short STEM experiment where pupils collect, sort or measure natural items around your school grounds. Even a short outdoor session provides pupils with the benefits of getting outside and connecting with nature, which is proven to have significant physical and mental health benefits. 

2. Invest in a warm, weather-proof & durable base

One of the best decisions your school can make to support quality outdoor learning in winter is to invest in a warm, durable base where outdoor activities or team talks can be sheltered from the elements. Having a log cabin or outdoor classroom allows outdoor learning to continue all year round, no matter how cold or wet it gets outside. 

A log cabin offers so much versatility during winter term. It can become a place for:

A warm, comfortable base

Pupils can head outdoors for 10–20 minutes, then return to the cabin to warm up, reflect, write, or analyse what they’ve observed. This makes  outdoor learning feel manageable rather than something teachers dread organising in colder conditions.

A dry, dependable space when the weather turns

Winter weather is unpredictable. Having an outdoor cabin means outdoor learning isn’t cancelled the moment rain or sleet appears, it can continue. Pupils still feel connected to the outdoor environment, but teachers aren’t battling against the cold.


A purposeful environment for SEND and nurture support
When not being used for forest school or outdoor learning, many schools use their log cabin as a calmer, quieter space for pupils who benefit from 1-1 or smaller group support sessions. 


A central meeting point for team talks and transitions
Instead of competing with the noisy winter wind or rain, teachers can deliver instructions, model tasks, store equipment and organise groups from a dry, organised space. Plus, the circular bench seating in a log cabin is ideal for promoting eye contact and active listening which is particularly beneficial for group or whole-class work. 


A year-round usable learning environment
Because our cabins are handcrafted using FSC accredited Scandinavian slow-grown redwood, they are highly durable and suitable for year-round use. They stay warm in the winter term and cool in the summer term, meaning outdoor learning can take a permanent place in your curriculum.

Having a reliable base for outdoor lessons gives you so much flexibility for outdoor learning and play during the colder season. Taking children out of the traditional classroom and into nature can still happen through all weather types as teachers can have a warm, sheltered spot to rely on. 

3. Have winter-ready equipment

You don't need a large kit list to keep winter outdoor learning sessions running smoothly, just a few practical basics. Clipboards with bulldog clips will make writing on the move a lot easier, and having a spare supply of hats, gloves and scarves can be a lifesaver on colder days when children turn up without them. Waterproof boxes or tubs are good for storing supplies and ensure they're always ready to go, too. (However, with a log cabin complete with a storage extension, you'll no longer have to think about storing your forest school or outdoor learning supplies!). Essentially, a small amount of equipment can really help to keep learning outside manageable. 

4. Make winter the lesson itself

Winter term at school provides a unique opportunity to make the season itself part of the curriculum or outdoor learning activities. From observing frozen water to exploring changes in the trees, there is so much natural winter stimulus to turn into a hands-on learning experience. 

- Seasonal wildlife observation 

The RSPB Big School's Birdwatch is always popular in January-February, and a fantastic initiative to get involved with if your school doesn't take part already! Give pupils the opportunity to spot, identify and count the birds that can be seen around your school grounds.

You can also extend this to spotting any other seasonal wildlife around in winter term, such as insects or looking at any animal tracks which may appear in the mud or ice!

- Material changes

As the season changes, so do all of the natural materials which might appear in your school grounds. Pupils can observe how the leaves change colour and crispen, or see how the mud or water changes in freezing temperatures. These changes provide great opportunities for not only visual exploration, but tactile too. Pupils can explore different textures, such as soft moss, crunchy snow and rough bark.

By implementing the winter season into outdoor lessons, it can really enrich the curriculum and encourage children to observe their natural environment with curiosity. 

Winter outdoor learning activities to try

There are so many seasonal activities which are fun, practical and educational. 

Leaf, conker and acorn collecting

Collecting different items which naturally occur on your school grounds throughout winter is a fun way to let children explore colour, texture and sorting. 

Making bird feeders

A winter term staple activity is to make bird feeders using pine cones, seeds and peanut butter. What better activity than one which benefits the local wildlife. Plus, this can create better opportunities for nature watching and bird observing!

Outdoor story sessions

Of course, outdoor story sessions are best facilitated with a cabin to keep pupils warm and sheltered, allowing them to focus on stories and be fully immersed despite the colder conditions outside. Our log cabins are especially great for outdoor story sessions as their 'hobbit-hut' style make for magical reading nooks. Find out more about our reading nooks here.

Winter cooking & treats

If you invest in a BBQ cabin, you not only have a secure and warm base for outdoor activities, but you also have a sheltered, central barbecue grill unit for safe outdoor cooking! Throughout winter term, this can provide pupils with opportunities like roasting marshmallows or enjoying hot chocolate.

Cutnall Green CofE Primary School share how their cabin has enhanced outdoor learning:

"Everyone can access the cabin and enjoy nature and learning outdoors. We've even used our cabin for stargazing, and we organised a sleepover and all had a campfire in the cabin using the BBQ grill and made marshmallows! The children really loved this experience."

Springfield SEN School highlight the accessibility and sensory benefits:

"it's made it possible for our wheelchair users to take part in forest learning all year round, which has been amazing. Our pupils get a multi-sensory experience from the cabin when learning about bushcraft. We enjoy the sounds of the fire, the smell of the wood, and the different textures of the materials we use to build the fire. What's more, we even get to experience the sensation of taste from the toasted marshmallows. They're a big hit!"
 

Winter outdoor learning doesn't have to be a challenge. With a warm, weatherproof outdoor learning log cabin and lessons tailored for the winter season, your school can continue to engage pupils, support wellbeing, and make the most of getting outside and into nature through winter and the rest of the year. 

If you’re ready to bring outdoor learning to life all year round, now is the perfect time to explore a log cabin for your school. Our insulated, durable school buildings provide a safe, calm and flexible space for learning and support, no matter the weather. 

Contact us today to discuss your school’s needs, or request a pricing guide to browse example project prices and find out more about our cabins. Let's make winter learning something your pupils will actually look forward to!