Looking for meaningful outdoor education activities that combine nature observation, writing, science, art and Indigenous learning? This six-resource bundle helps elementary students slow down, notice the land around them and explore relationships among plants, seasons, culture and community.
Students participate in outdoor learning through nature journalling, seasonal observation, a British Columbia nature scavenger hunt and Sit Spot activities. The bundle also includes lessons about Sacred Medicines, cedar and Métis dot art.
Use the resources together to create an outdoor education unit or choose individual activities throughout the school year.
Six Outdoor Education Activities Included
1. Outdoor Education Nature Journal
Take writing and reflection outside with a printable nature journal containing four writing prompts and two outdoor activities.
Students observe the land where they live and learn, record what they notice and reflect on their experiences outdoors. The journal encourages careful observation without requiring students to collect or disturb natural items.
2. Indigenous Sacred Medicines Lesson
Introduce students to cedar, sage, sweetgrass and tobacco, which are recognized as Sacred Medicines within many Indigenous teachings.
Students explore the plants, their life cycles and examples of their cultural significance before creating a Sacred Medicines booklet. The resource also includes printable posters.
Students learn that teachings and uses connected to medicines are not identical across all Indigenous Nations and communities.
Explore the individual Sacred Medicines resource.
3. Cedar Tree Inquiry and Tree Ring Project
Students investigate cedar trees, including their characteristics, traditional uses and cultural importance to many First Nations on the Northwest Coast.
They then create a personal tree ring project representing important stages and events in their own lives. This activity connects science, visual art, identity and Indigenous education.
The resource also contains a teacher-guided cedar tea component. This should only be used when culturally appropriate and after confirming the cedar species, preparation method, allergies and applicable school safety requirements.
Explore the individual Cedar Tree Inquiry resource.
4. British Columbia Nature Scavenger Hunt
Take students outside for a no-prep nature scavenger hunt designed for British Columbia environments.
Students search for and observe:
♡ Cedar
♡ Fir
♡ Ferns
♡ A feather
♡ Moss
♡ A spider web
♡ An insect
♡ An item of their own choosing
Students are instructed to observe without touching, collecting or disturbing the natural items they find.
Because several items are specific to British Columbia, teachers outside the province may need to adapt the scavenger hunt to their local environment.
5. Seasonal Sit Spots and I Spy Activities
Help students notice how the outdoor environment changes throughout the year with seasonal Sit Spot and I Spy observation pages.
One activity is included for each season. Students study details such as leaves, trees, colours and other seasonal changes while developing observation skills and a stronger awareness of place.
These pages can be revisited in the same outdoor location so students can compare what changes from season to season.
6. The Four Seasons and Métis Dot Art
Students explore seasonal cycles and examples of how the seasons have influenced Indigenous food gathering, technologies, work and daily life.
They then complete a four seasons tree craft using Métis dot art techniques connected to the visual appearance of beadwork. This activity combines social studies, seasonal learning and art.
What Is Included?
♡ Outdoor education nature journal
♡ Four nature writing prompts
♡ Two additional outdoor journal activities
♡ Sacred Medicines lesson and student booklet
♡ Sacred Medicines posters
♡ Cedar tree inquiry
♡ Personal tree ring art project
♡ Teacher-guided cedar tea component
♡ British Columbia nature scavenger hunt
♡ Seasonal Sit Spot and I Spy pages
♡ Four seasons learning activity
♡ Métis dot art tree craft
Outdoor Learning Throughout the Year
These outdoor learning activities are designed for more than one field trip or special event. Students can return to the nature journal and Sit Spot pages throughout the year, allowing them to notice seasonal changes and build stronger observation skills over time.
The bundle works especially well in schoolyards, nearby parks, forested areas and other accessible outdoor spaces. Teachers do not need to plan a major excursion to make outdoor learning meaningful.
Perfect For
♡ Grades 2 to 6
♡ Outdoor education
♡ Outdoor classroom activities
♡ Nature-based learning
♡ Land-based learning
♡ Indigenous education
♡ Science and social studies
♡ Seasonal learning
♡ Nature journalling
♡ Spring outdoor activities
♡ British Columbia classrooms
♡ Art integration
♡ Year-round outdoor exploration
These printable outdoor education activities give students multiple ways to observe, investigate, write, create and learn from the world around them.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The resources provided here are designed to support the teaching of Indigenous cultures, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. It is important to recognize that these communities are not monolithic; beliefs, traditions, and practices vary greatly from Nation to Nation, and even from community to community. The content shared in these materials reflects my own lived experience and understanding of Indigenous cultures, but it does not encompass the full diversity or richness of these traditions.
I encourage educators to approach these resources with respect, sensitivity, and openness to learning. When possible, please engage with local Indigenous communities or cultural experts to ensure that the information shared is accurate and culturally appropriate for the specific Nations or groups you are teaching about.
These resources are intended to foster understanding and appreciation for Indigenous people.
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