What's on August & September

WHAT'S ON • INSPIRING DATES • COURSES & TRAINING

Making the most of summer outdoors🌿

August and September offer plenty of opportunities to get outside, explore local places and enjoy seasonal events. From Playday and National Allotments Week to Big River Watch and Take a Child Outside Week, this time of year invites us to notice, explore and connect with the natural world around us.

Whether you're planning activities for children, spending time with family, or looking for fresh inspiration in your outdoor setting, outdoor environments continue to offer rich opportunities for exploration, creativity and wellbeing throughout late summer and into early autumn.

Below you'll find dates for your diary, along with courses, conferences, free CPD with LtL and events to inspire outdoor play, learning and nature connection.

Save the date!

FSA Conference, 25-27 September

The Forest School Show, 26-27 September

A new gathering for practitioners and outdoor educators, bringing together the Forest School community alongside the FSA conference, with workshops, talks and plenty of opportunity to connect and share practice.

Muddy Faces will be there too – come and say hello.

Muddy Faces can support your conferences, courses & events

Are you running a conference or event in 2026/2027?
We can send catalogues, raffle/giveaways & other free gifts for delegates.

Do you deliver Forest School training, or other outdoor play or learning courses?
Join our Trainers Community.

• discounts for you & your students in the Muddy Faces shop
• free event listings on our website and links in our newsletter
• catalogues & other free gifts for your events

To find out more send an email to clare.ruskin@muddyfaces.co.uk

There are loads of inspiring outdoor events on our website!

You'll find conferences, annual events, special days & campaigns with a focus on nature, the outdoors and wellbeing. Plus courses, training and workshops for every level - from those just starting out to seasoned practitioners.

August

• 5 August
  Playday
• 10-16 August
  National Allotments Week
• 12 August
  Elephant Day
• 29-30 August
  International Bat Night

Editor's Pick!

Play Day, Wednesday 5 August

This year's theme: Play – here, there, everywhere!

Celebrating children’s right to play wherever they are. From parks and pavements to school grounds and neighbourhood spaces, everyday play helps support children’s happiness, health, wellbeing and sense of belonging.

Visit our Outdoor Play pages for guides on creating & developing an outdoor setting, and research, benefits & ethos of outdoor play.

Proud to be Playday Champions!

We're passionate about play and are proud to be official supporters of Playday.

September

• All month
  Big River Watch
• 7-11 September
  Zero Waste Week
• 8 September
  International Literacy Day
• 14-20 September
  Recycle Week
• 18 September
  Youth Mental Health Day
• 18-27 September
  Great British Beach Clean
• 19 September
  International Talk Like A Pirate Day
• 19-27 September
  Maths Week Scotland
• 21 September
  International Day of Peace
• 21-27 September
  FSC Forest Week
• 21 September – 21 October
  Seed Gathering Season
• 23 September
  Autumn Equinox
• 24–30 September
  Take a Child Outside Week
• 25-27 September
  FSA Conference & Forest School Show
• 26 September
  European Day of Languages
• 27 September
  World Rivers Day

A selection of upcoming training, courses & workshops with an outdoor focus.

Find more in the training & courses section of our events calendar.

Forest School Training

Find out more about Forest School training and view our list of trainers signed up to the Muddy Faces Trainers Community here.

• Forest School Leader: Level 3 training here
• Forest School Assistant: Level 2 training here
• Other Forest School-related training & CPD (including 1st Aid) here

Free Outdoor Learning CPD this summer

High‑quality, fully-funded outdoor learning CPD for school and nursery staff, from Learning through Landscapes.

🌿 27 August: Stirling
🌿 24 September: Winchester
🌿 15 October: Bristol

Find out more and request your tickets here.