Home learning resources

Activities for lockdown learning from Spring Into Action

Excellent range of learning & creativity resources focused on climate emergency and social injustice. Episode 7, released July 2020, features articles on soil and carbon (including our own dorodango mud ball activity), as well as really good resources on racism, anti-racism and climate justice. Set up by Walthamstow based artist and educator Poppy Flint for the group Learning for the Future Watham Forest.

Adventure at home

“We’ve created some adventure-themed activities specifically for young people to do from home. We hope the videos will be entertaining as well as help young people understand how much value adventure and the natural world can bring to their lives.” From BeVenturesome.

Canal & River Trust learning bundles

"We’ve moved from a face-to-face learning programme to a digital one and will be sharing activities that encourage children to watch, read, do, play and create as they learn about our canals and rivers from home or school – bringing the magic of our waterways to you!"

Corona Times Journals

From the Children’s Parliament – written by young journalist aged 8-14. “Helping adults to understand the impact that the coronavirus is having on children’s lives.” 6 produced so far (as at summer 2020), and ongoing … editions have looked at learning at home and being online, health and wellbeing, and learning in lockdown and the return to school.

Council for Learning Outside the Classroom eduation resources

CLOtC have gathered this comprehensive list of organisations providing resources that “can be used to help keep children learning (and make it fun) whilst schools are closed.”

Coronavirus: 141 free resources for home learning

“In a bid to help teachers and parents with the school closures and the coronavirus, there are lots of free resources out there to assist with home learning. We have compiled a list for you.” List compiled by TES.

Countryside Classroom Home Education Hub

“A wealth of free, downloadable resources to help with teaching and learning at home on the themes of food, farming and the natural environment. We have resources for all ages, on a wide range of topics, and for use indoors or outdoors. Our full bank of resources are available here, but we have also selected some that we think are especially relevant to home education, and will be adding to these in the coming weeks.”

Curiosity Box: 10 nature adventure ideas for families

“It’s great for our physical and mental health and something grown ups and kids can enjoy together. Getting out in nature is a great way to fill our lives with wonder and joy! Here are my top 10 nature adventure ideas for families:”

Also has a Coronavirus Toolkit with “child-friendly Coronavirus information from reliable sources.”

Dig School

“Dig School is a new online programme of lively extra-curricular in-school and home-school based workshops themed around archaeology. Week by week, participants can enjoy developing new knowledge, ideas and transferable skills for life and learning, including excavation. Dig School has been created to support educators delivering engaged learning during the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 20 workshops available, with workbooks and teachers notes.

Dream Big At Home from the Woodcraft Folk

Weekly challenges. Weekly programme of live workshops, storytelling and virtual campfires – connecting children and young people online and continuing a sense of community and connection while we are physically apart. Educational activities to do at home – games, craft ideas, things to try indoors, in your garden or on a walk, and a chance to learn about big ideas from climate change to social justice.

FSC #Fieldworklive

In April/May 2020 the Field Studies Council ran a series of 10 live fieldwork sessions in collaboration with Encounter Edu. Aimed at different age groups, to help build geographical and scientific enquiry skills in a range of inspiring locations. Recordings of the sessions are available to watch on the website.

Forest Skills with Ed Stafford and Steven Hanton

"A series of free lessons in outdoor skills for families and children every weekday during lockdown ... Each day at 10am (after Joe Wicks!) Ed or Steven will teach half an our or so of stuff that you can do with you children that all involve being outdoors or engaging with nature. We really hope that this gives teachers, parents and kids something to look forward to each morning that then might lead to ideas for fun adventures in the garden or nearby park in the afternoon!"

Junior Forester Award Family Handbook

'Aims to give children and young people an insight into the skills needed for a career in Forestry as well as equipping them with the practical ability to assist in woodland management in their schools and local communities.' Includes a wide menu of activities grouped around six themes, with practical tasks and a course booklet to record and reflect on achievements. From The Royal Forestry Society.

Learning Through Landscapes outdoor learning online support

• Free virtual forums to guide families and educators on outdoor learning
• Two groups on Facebook – one for families and one for educators and teachers
• FREE weekly outdoor learning and play activities and training guides
• Tutorial videos – downloadable resources – learning plans – Q&As
• Weekly newsletters for parents and carers teaching their children from home, and learning professionals working remotely
• Plus webinars and online training sessions for early years educators and trainers.

Little Forest Folk Youtube channel

Regularly adding new things to do outdoors plus lovely story time videos.

Living Streets free resources & activities

“Walking & staying active during lockdown. This page is for all teachers, school staff, parents, carers and all families with children of primary school age #WalkingFromHome. We will be releasing new resources and fun activities on a weekly basis, so keep coming back for more.

National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

'Welcome to the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative’s free library of ideas and resources designed to support you in using the outdoors for learning during the pandemic and beyond ... guidance for education stakeholders as they consider options for safely returning students to in-person schooling.' (US)

Nene Park - Lockdown Learning

'The Nene Park education team have been busy adapting some of our curriculum linked outdoor learning activities for families to enjoy in their own gardens, local parks or greenspaces during the latest lockdown.' Activity notes & sheets to download for free, donations welcome.

Outdoor Classroom Day

“Whether you’re looking for play ideas to do at home, outdoor lesson ideas for school, or guidance on making time outdoors part of every child’s day, you’ll find it here!”

Play Scotland Home Play Pack

“This pack was created to support children and families in Scotland to stimulate their imagination, creativity and play time during these challenging times. Free pdf download.

Playful Learning Outdoors in June

“To support our colleagues returning to on-site instruction in June (2020), we’ve put together this list of ideas … we have been advised that a focus on social and emotional learning is preferable this last month of school and that being outside is recommended as much as possible.” Megan Zeni (US).

Rep it Out! Games for social distancing

"Each of the games ... allow for proper distancing and don't require any shared equipment. Games are organized by age group and spaces where they can be played. Each link will take you to online game rules, a downloadable pdf, and a video which explain how to set-up, play, and modify each game.
You will also find general resources on how to organize play spaces, safely transition young people to and from these spaces, and get their attention." From Asphalt Green, sports & fitness centres in New York.

STEM Outdoor Learning Tasks

“A range of STEM Outdoor Learning activities! Easily adaptable to suit a range of ages and stages!” Nice bright colourful activity inspirations created by primary school teacher Nicola Orr. on TES.

Sustrans Outside In

Subscribe (free) for 'four weeks of fun and educational resources and activity ideas for families ... activities include videos, games, weekly challenges, themed activities and more ... The four-week activity pack is full of cycling, walking and scooting themed fun.'

Teaching Sustainability: Planetary Boundaries

A lovely list of indoor and outdoor creative ideas “to teach children to be more resourceful, less wasteful and more environmentally-aware (and wildly creative to boot).” From Big Dreams Little Footprints.

The Thinking Child FREE Outdoor Numeracy and Literacy Resources

Resources created by Sue Dixon of education consultancy The Thinking Child, hosted by Creative Star Learning.

Virtual Nature School

'A range of resources that empower parents and carers to proactively engage children in outdoor play learning, whether it's in the garden, outside the home or in a nearby park.' Podcast, daily inspiration, themed provocations, newsletter and more. From Claire Warden, Living Classrooms.

Wilderness Foundation Wildtime

Three zones: mindfulness, creativity and reflection, “to keep you focused, fit and entertained, to help look after the mental and physical wellbeing of you and your family ... we’ve also pulled together some inspired indoor activity ideas (even if we do say so ourselves!) to help you engage with nature in the best way you can, through videos, photos and fun for all the family."

Woodland Trust nature activities for kids to do at home

“We’re all going to be spending a lot more time at home in the coming weeks and months due to the coronavirus crisis. With schools now closed, we know many families are looking for ideas to keep children entertained. To help, we’ve pulled together some simple, nature-based activities you can enjoy together at home or in your garden.” A growing series of blogs posts.

WWF Learn to Love Nature: educational activities to enjoy from home

“Whether you are a teacher looking for inspiring and enriching content for your students, or a parent seeking ways to make the most of time at home with your children, we want to help.
We've provided a series of themed content that encourages young people to connect with nature and learn more about our amazing planet. Here you'll be able to access our popular educational materials, find links to insightful webinars with WWF experts, and get creative with our fun 'make-it' activities.”

WWT Home Learning Hub

"Whether you’re a teacher or parent looking for learning resources, or just want some things to do as a family, we have lots of materials and activities. Perfect for outdoor or indoor fun at home." Activities, 12-week home learning programme, quizzes and Learning Zone resources for teachers.

100’s of wonderful outdoor & nature-based ideas from around the world-wide-web

Creative Star Learning has gathered this very comprehensive list of resources "to support educators access outdoor ideas and materials." If it isn't here, it's there!