Green Community Grants 2026
Up to £25,000 for outdoor nature projects. Deadlines in April, July & October.
Read More about Green Community Grants 2026Funding your outdoor learning
There are grants and funding schemes that can help schools and early years settings buy the outdoor equipment they need - including from Muddy Faces.
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PE & Sport Premium
Annual government funding for primary schools in England to improve PE, sport and physical activity for all pupils in Years 1–6.
- Schools with 17 or more pupils receive £16,000 plus £10 per pupil
- Schools with 16 or fewer pupils receive £1,000 per pupil
- Must be spent within the academic year - funding cannot be rolled over
- Can be used for outdoor physical development equipment and resources
- Cannot be used for staff salaries, PE kit, or capital expenditure
- Schools must publish a report showing how funding was spent by 31 July 2026
More info here: PE and sport premium: conditions of grant 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
Browse our range of outdoor resources suitable for PE & Sport Premium spend:
Supporting children's physical development and keeping them active outdoors has a wide range of mental and physical health benefits.
We sell a wide range of resources that support children's regular physical activity and play, in the outdoor learning environment. The products in this section will broaden the range of physical activities offered to all pupils outside.
Local School Nature Grants - Learning through Landscapes
Free grant packages for schools and early years settings in England, Scotland and Wales, funded by players of the People's Postcode Lottery.
- £500 to spend on outdoor equipment from a curated product catalogue
- Also includes a half-day outdoor learning training session for your staff
- Plus a school grounds climate survey and a Climate Curriculum Kit (worth £150)
- Open to all schools and early years settings - early years settings must have at least 5 staff and a dedicated building
- LTL handles all ordering and delivery - you simply choose from the catalogue
- Applications typically open once a year - the 2026 round has now closed. Check the LTL website for details of the next round
- Settings that have previously received this grant are not eligible to apply again
Muddy Faces is a confirmed supplier in the LTL product catalogue - your grant budget can be spent directly on our products.
Early Years Pupil Premium
Additional funding for early years settings in England to support the development of disadvantaged three and four year olds.
- Settings receive an additional £388 per eligible child per year (2025/26 rate)
- Eligibility is based on family circumstances including benefits, looked after status and other criteria
- Spending must be focused on improving outcomes for eligible children
- Can be spent on resources and equipment that support learning and development outdoors
- Settings have flexibility in how they spend it, as long as they can demonstrate impact on eligible children
Muddy Faces resources support outdoor play, physical development and nature connection in early years settings - all areas with strong evidence for improving outcomes for disadvantaged children.
More info here: Early years pupil premium: guide for local authorities and providers - GOV.UK
See also
Check out our news pages for other funding opportunites.
See also
We've gathered a wealth of research on the benefits of outdoor play and physical activity for children's development - useful reading if you need evidence to support a funding application or make the case for outdoor learning in your setting.
Research: physical activity outdoors
Research & reports on the mental and physical health benefits of physical activity and exercise outdoors.
Reports & research documents are, as much as possible, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top
Read More about Research: physical activity outdoors
Research: sport & adventure
Research into the benefits of adventure experiences for children and young people.
Research documents are, as much as possible, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top
Read More about Research: sport & adventure
Research, reports: health, wellbeing
Evidence for the benefits to Early Years & Primary children of outdoor play and learning & spending time in nature.
Arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top
Read More about Research, reports: health, wellbeing
Growing reports & research
Studies, findings and reports into the effectiveness and benefits of growing and gardening projects for a range of different groups.
Reports & research documents, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top
Read More about Growing reports & research
Learning outside research
Evidence for the benefits to children of learning outdoors, to academic achievement of taking the curriculum outside, and research into other aspects of learning outside the classroom.
Research documents arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top
Outdoor play reports & research
Evidence for and reports on the benefits to children of outdoor play.
Reports & research documents are, as much as possible, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top
Research & reports on risk
Balancing & managing risk in play; reports, research, reviews & official statements.
Reports & research documents are, as much as possible, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top
Research: impact of nature
Evidence for the impact on & benefits to children of spending time in and engaging with nature.
Research documents are, as much as possible, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top
Read More about Research: impact of nature
Research: nature connection / deficit
A comprehensive reference section of reports & research into Nature Deficit Disorder and the importance of nature connection for children and young people. Includes opinion pieces and reflections from outdoor practitioners & nature connection experts.
Arranged, as much as possible, in chronological order, most recent at the top.
Read More about Research: nature connection / deficit
Block Play research & case studies
Evidence for and reports on the benefits to children of block play.
Read More about Block Play research & case studies
FS research & reports
Forest School is brilliant outdoor play & learning for Early Years & Primary age children - it develops skills, confidence, well being & nature connection. And here's (some of) the proof!
We've gathered together work by academics & professionals looking into the quantitative and qualitative benefits of Forest School.
The evidence continues to grow & new research continues to be undertaken. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Do contact us if you know of more to add: share@muddyfaces.co.uk
These reports & research are, as much as possible, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top.
Read More about FS research & reports
Mud reports & research
Evidence for the benefits to children of mud play.
These reports & research are, as much as possible, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top