Outdoor Science Activities for Preschoolers
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Nature is the perfect classroom, and outdoor science activities help children connect learning with joy. Preschoolers are natural scientists. They love to ask questions, test ideas, and explore the world around them. The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or a big budget to give them hands-on science experiences.
Whether you’re running a daycare, homeschooling, or just looking for fun family activities, outdoor science builds curiosity, problem-solving, and a love of learning. Here’s a guide to making science come alive outside with preschoolers.
Why Outdoor Science Matters
Science doesn’t just live in textbooks. It’s everywhere, in the soil under our feet, the clouds above us, and the plants and animals all around.
For preschoolers, outdoor science:
- Supports hands-on learning: Kids can touch, see, hear, and smell as they investigate.
- Encourages curiosity: Open-ended activities spark questions and creativity.
- Builds observation skills: Children learn to slow down and notice details in nature.
- Connects to daily life: Kids see how science explains the world they live in.
- Boosts mental health: Outdoor time lowers stress and increases focus for young children.
Nature Walk Science
Nature walks are one of the simplest ways to introduce science concepts.
Observation Hunt
Give kids a “science mission” while you walk, find something that crawls, something that grows, something rough, and something smooth. This encourages careful looking and categorizing.
Art Supplies
Collect nature items for art projects such as collages, pictures, or even these nature wands.
Seasons Study
Take the same walk throughout the year and notice changes. In fall, look for colored leaves; in winter, look for bare branches; in spring, notice buds; in summer, see full blooms.
Sound Safari
Stop and listen quietly for one minute. Ask children to share what they hear such as birds singing, leaves rustling, or cars passing by. Record what they say, it’s fun to listen back to all the little voices discovering. It’s easy to do on your phone.
Water Exploration
Water play is not just fun, it’s science in action.
Sink or Float
Fill a bin or water table with water. Give children natural items (sticks, rocks, leaves, pinecones) and ask them to predict which will sink and which will float before testing.
Water Movement
Pour water down a slide, through tubes, or across a ramp. Add small boats, toy animals, or leaves to see how they move.
Ice Play
Freeze water with small toys, flowers, or food coloring inside. Let kids melt the ice with warm water, salt, or by leaving it in the sun.
Plant and Garden Science
Gardening is one of the best ways to teach preschoolers about life cycles and caring for the environment.
Seed Sprouting
Plant fast-growing seeds like beans, radishes, or sunflowers. Check daily for changes and measure growth with rulers or string.
Root View
Grow seeds in clear plastic cups with soil so children can watch roots forming underground. Or grab one of these root view gardens.
Plant Sorting
Show kids different leaves, stems, and flowers. Ask them to compare sizes, shapes, and textures.
Compost Connection
Start a small compost bin and let kids add food scraps. Talk about how worms and microbes turn waste into healthy soil. They can learn to compost with a worm farm as well.
Bug and Animal Investigations
Preschoolers love bugs and animals, and these tiny creatures make great teachers.
Bug Catch and Release
Provide magnifying glasses and small containers for observing insects up close. Teach children to handle them gently and release them afterward.
Ant Watching
Find an ant trail and watch how ants work together. Count how many ants are carrying food or building tunnels. You can also set out a paper plate with different food scraps and see what different kinds of ants like to eat.
Bird Watching
Put up a bird feeder and observe which birds visit. Encourage children to notice colors, sizes, and sounds.
Worm Discovery
Dig in the soil and look for worms. Talk about how worms help keep the dirt healthy for plants.
Weather Science
Weather changes daily, giving children endless opportunities to learn.
Shadow Play
Go outside on a sunny day and trace shadows with chalk. Come back later and see how the shadows moved.
Rain Gauge
Make a rain gauge from a clear jar with measurement lines. Check after each rainstorm to see how much fell.
Wind Testing
Create pinwheels or windsocks from paper and fabric. Encourage kids to run with them or set them outside to see how strong the wind is.
Cloud Watching
Lie on the grass and look for shapes in the clouds. Talk about how some are fluffy (cumulus) while others are thin and wispy (cirrus).
Rock and Earth Science
Even the ground is full of science opportunities.
Rock Sorting
Collect rocks of different colors, sizes, and textures. Sort them by smooth vs. rough, big vs. small, or color.
Erosion in Action
Pour water over sand or dirt piles to see how the landscape changes. Add small toys to watch how water moves soil.
Digging for Layers
Dig a hole together and notice different soil colors and textures as you go deeper.
Mud Kitchen
Mix dirt with water to create mud pies and “recipes.” Talk about how water changes the consistency of soil.
Simple Outdoor Experiments
Preschool science doesn’t need to be complicated. Try these easy experiments outside:
- Volcano Eruption: Mix baking soda and vinegar in a sandbox or dirt pile for a bubbling reaction.
- Color Mixing: Use cups of water with food coloring. Let kids mix colors and see what new ones appear.
- Sun Art: Place leaves or toys on construction paper and leave them in the sun. After a few hours, remove them to see shadow prints. (Make sure your construction paper isn’t fadeproof so it will actually fade in the sun)
- Ball Rolling: Roll balls down different ramps (cardboard, wood, grass) to see which is fastest.
Tips for Successful Outdoor Science
- Follow children’s curiosity. If they’re fascinated by worms, spend more time observing worms.
- Ask open-ended questions. “What do you notice?” “Why do you think that happened?”
- Use simple language. Focus on exploration, not memorizing terms.
- Celebrate the process. Science is about wondering and testing, not just finding the “right” answer.
- Be flexible. Some activities may spark long exploration, while others might end quickly.
Benefits Beyond Science
Outdoor science activities don’t just teach science concepts. They also:
- Build patience and focus.
- Encourage teamwork and cooperation.
- Develop fine and gross motor skills.
- Inspire creativity and imagination.
- Foster love and respect for the environment.
Outdoor science for preschoolers is simple, affordable, and incredibly rewarding. With just a backyard, a park, or even a sidewalk, you can introduce children to the wonders of science. From watching bugs and birds to planting seeds or measuring rain, the natural world is full of lessons waiting to be discovered.
The best part? Children don’t even realize they’re “learning.” To them, it’s just joyful play. By providing opportunities for hands-on exploration, you’re not only teaching science, you’re helping children develop curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of the world around them.
So, grab a magnifying glass, head outside, and let the discoveries begin.
Crooksie and Churro Learn to Count
For a really sweet and fun story about two garden cats named Crooksie and Churro, check out our new book on Amazon, “Crooksie and Churro Learn to Count“. It’s a counting book that talks about emotions and helps kids learn that it’s okay to feel them all.
Beautiful illustrations engage kids as you explore different places in the garden. And there’s even an easter egg in the book, so they can practice their I Spy skills. See if you can figure out what it is! Grab your copy today and come on a garden adventure with us.
Nature with kids
For more ideas on nature with kids, check these out:
