Plan and Play
Developed in collaboration with Project Learning Tree® (PLT) and a team of expert advisors, these activities are adapted from PLT’s Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children.

Each activity includes step-by-step guidance, video support, learning outcomes, variations, and more.
Theo Family - looking and pointing at forest
Exploring the Neighbor-wood
Explore a nearby outdoor space to look for signs of how trees are used by plants and animals.
small preschool group listening to book
Sounds All Around
Take a walk—or find a quiet place to sit—and listen to the sounds of nature.
group touching lambs ear plant
Texture Detectives
Explore natural materials with your sense of touch and practice using descriptive words.
children gathering around the garden
Gifts of Green
Take a slow, mindful walk through nature and use your senses to notice trees, animals, plants, and other natural elements.
girls showing off binoculars
Seek & Find
Children build simple binoculars then head outside to search for hidden animals or natural treasures.
young child with armful of pinecones
More from Project Learning Tree®
Activities and resources to engage children in learning about the environment through the lens of trees and forests.

Fast & Fun Outdoor Learning

Explore activities for young children that can be done in a short amount of time, wherever you live and learn. Each activity connects to children's development, so you can see the learning in action.

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preschool child showing off leaf art
Activities
Snow, sand, or mud angels

Outdoor Imprints

Lie down, stretch out, move around, and have fun making patterns, like bird wings or bunny prints, in the snow, sand, or mud.
tummy time in grass

Tummy Time

A blanket on the grass outside transforms tummy time into a fresh air sensory experience and builds strength in babies' necks, shoulders, and backs.
baby in the grass

I See, You See

Gazing at grass, bugs, and up at the sky with your baby nurtures connection, curiosity, and focus through simple moments in nature.
toddler playing with wind chimes

Breezy Babies

Hang wind chimes from a tree and settle in below—watching, reaching, and listening to gentle sounds in the breeze helps babies build listening skills and connect with the rhythms of nature.
two children in the snow with their tongues sticking out

Float and Focus

Catching fluttering leaves, snowflakes, and dandelion seeds floating on the wind is a joyful way for toddlers to sharpen hand-eye-coordination, vision, and reflexes. 
baby & parent looking up at clouds

Cloud Gazing

Turn a breezy day into a playful moment of discovery by watching clouds float by with your baby. 
Baby & parent laying in hammock

Hammock Hang Time

In a moment of calm and connection, sway beneath the trees and watch the leaves dance above you—supporting your baby’s sense of balance as you swing gently back and forth. 
Child pulling weeds, raking, or digging in dirt

Garden Tending

Pull, rake, and dig with purpose in the garden. This activity combines big body movements and care for plants and animals.