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Special Learning House
Autism resources for exceptional families. Increase communication, learning and fun at home.
January 8, 2021
Outdoor Activities for an Autistic Child (19+ Ideas)
Whether you are a parent, teacher or therapist looking for outdoor activities for an autistic child, you will love this list of outdoor autism activities. If you are considering using outdoor activities as sensory breaks , I would also recommend creating sensory break cards for each activity and using these activities with a visual schedule. If you’re looking for printable autism activities, get your copy of the Autism Activities Workbook Bundle .
Table of Contents
Outdoor Activities for an Autistic Child
(We have included affiliate links for your convenience . You can read our disclosures here .)
Playing outside has many benefits for children with autism including engaging your child in exercise, increasing motivation, increasing interaction and teaching new skills.
Autism Sensory Box
Sensory bins are one of my favorite tools for teaching kids with autism. Use them inside or bring them outside to use them as an outdoor activity.
These are some of my favorite sensory bin fillers :
- Dried beans, chickpeas, pasta, rice, etc.
- Cotton balls
- Shredded paper
- Water and water toys
Related : What NOT to Do with an Autistic Child
Sidewalk Chalk
Sidewalk chalk is easy to bring outdoors. You can have your child draw freely, follow instructions to draw specific items (like sun, dog, flower, etc.), work on writing or even math problems. I really like this easy grip sidewalk chalk. jkfhg
Similarly to the sensory boxes above, play dough is a tool that we typically use inside that can also be used outside. Bring a little tray, play dough and play dough tools with you outside to create a fun play dough activity while also enjoying time in the garden or playground. This homemade sensory dough is the best!
Bubbles are a fantastic reinforcer for kids on the autism spectrum. They seem to have almost universal appeal to little ones (on and off the spectrum). I love these ice cream bubbles!
Gardening is a great activity for having fun, taking a little sensory break outdoors and giving your child or students time outside.
Spray bottle
Toss a spray bottle in your bag before you go out.
Your child or students could benefit from using two different types of spray bottles :
- Plant spray bottle : I love these cute geometric spray bottles for building fine motor strength while also having fun outside. You could have your little one water some plants with this spray bottle as well.
- Finger spray bottle : This spray bottle is really useful as well. Like with the plant spray bottle you can use it to create a fun and stimulating outdoor activity while also building your child’s fine motor strength. Since this little finger spray bottle is a lot more precise, have your little learner spray at something specific, like onto a rock or a dot that you create on the ground with sidewalk chalk.
A classic and a goodie! A frisbee is a great way to build coordination and interaction skills. You can also work on following instructions with a frisbee. I love this personalized one!
Sensory bottles
I love making sensory bottles with my little learners. You can bring a sensory bottle that you’ve made with you outside, or even bring the whole activity outside and make the sensory bottle together outdoors.
Velcro ball toss
Similar to a frisbee, a velcro ball toss will build coordination and interaction skills while providing a fun outdoor activity for your little one.
Water/sand table
I love this sand table. It is collapsable for easy storage and it can be used with sand, water or other sensory materials.
Outdoor play will always be better if a slide is involved!
Use a trampoline outside to encourage your little one to exercise and burn some energy.
Obstacle course
An obstacle course is also a great way to exercise, burn energy and have fun outside. This also a great activity that encourages social interaction if you add a team component to the obstacle course.
Hide ‘n’ Seek
Set up a game of hide ‘n’ seek to work on following instructions, waiting your turn, all while building gross motor skills outside.
Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt for your child and have him or her find a series of items outside. There is a printable nature scavenger hunt in my autism workbooks bundle.
Riding a bike
Definitely include a bike in your child or students’ outdoor play.
Hopscotch is a such a fun outdoor activity. Lead your little learner in a fun game of hopscotch to spend time outside and build new skills.
Yoga for Kids Videos
Check out these yoga for kids videos to get started incorporating yoga into your program.
Pool noodles
Pool noodles are such a versatile therapy tool and a great toy to include when you head outside to play with your child or students with autism.
Tips for outdoor activities
- Use a visual schedule to prepare your child or students for the activities you plan to do outside. You can use a visual schedule leading up to going outside and include “outdoor activities” on the visual schedule, in addition to having a visual schedule specifically showing the activities you will do outside together.
2. Use social stories to explain how to do each activity with your child, step by step.
3. Make sensory cards for your outdoor activities to get the most out of these activities and include them as part of your little one’s sensory break options.
More Autism Learning Resources
- The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
- Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
- Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
- How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
- The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
- Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
- Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
- How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
- Autism Adapted Books Bundle – a collection of 10 adapted books that will help you build communication skills while teaching more than 120 vocabulary words.
- Autism Social Stories Bundle – a collection of printable social stories to help your little learners work on their social skills.
- Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!
I hope you will enjoy these outdoor activity ideas for children with autism. Use your time outside to help your little learner get exercise, burn energy, remain calm and focused, get some fresh air, have fun and learn new skills.
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63 Outdoor Learning Activities Kids will Love
As a parent, and teacher, I try to get my children outside as much as possible. I am always looking for new outdoor learning activities. I was once told that (almost) any activity you can do inside a classroom, you can do outside.
There is a lot of truth to this and with the right materials, you can easily take learning outside. Although I used many of these activities as outdoor classroom ideas for kindergarten, children of all ages can enjoy the activities and ideas.
Whether you are an educator looking for outdoor education activities, or a parent or caregiver simply looking for outdoor activities for kids you will find lots of ideas in this collection.
I have gathered a collection of 63 outdoor learning activities. I hope they inspire you to try an activity outside!
The activities are sorted by subject area for quick reference. Some of the activities are simply ideas of how to bring learning outside. Other activities are specifically centered around nature and wilderness.
All of the activities can be done outside and involve learning! I hope you find some ideas that inspire you!
For a printable outdoor activity, a link to a printable outdoor scavenger hunt escape room is included. Simply print and play!
Outdoor Classroom Ideas by Subject
*Click the link below the picture for full activity description.*
This simple alphabet activity can be done just about anywhere, at any time. It is a great way for kids to practice letter formation and have fun in nature.
With this activity, kids will have fun recognizing their letters and then spraying the letters with water.
For children practicing sight words, have some fun finding, and splashing the sight word with a bucket of water.
Can you find two words/pictures that rhyme? This giant memory game is sure to be a favorite with kids!
This Sight Word Scrub is a great, hands-on, way to learn and practice sight words.
This Beginning Sound, Melt and Break is perfect on a hot day!
Create a nature journal with children to record some of their outdoor experiences.
Sometimes a simple, cozy reading nook is all kids need. Bring their love of reading outside.
You only need a few simple materials, and lots of sunshine, for these kid created works of art!
Get kids moving with a scooter board and some chalk.
Focus outdoor learning with a collection of hands-on activities all in a printable booklet. From STEM building challenges to art projects, kids will love working their way through the booklet and activities.
There are so many outdoor learning activities you can do with these vocabulary vases.
Did you know you can make paint using natural materials? You can with this nature paint activity.
Kids use the nature surrounding them to create these pieces of art. A small amount of clay, paint and lots of creativity is all you need.
Winter Outdoor Education
During the winter months, you can mix the snow into your outdoor education program. It is a wonderful sensory experience for kids to paint in the snow. It’s beautiful too!
Mix a bit of science and art with this exploding paint bombs activity.
How cute are these? This is a perfect outdoor education activity because kids use items they find in nature to create art.
Kids will love getting their hands messy with this outdoor sensory activity.
If your kids like drawing and creating using sidewalk chalk, they will love this liquid sidewalk chalk. It is easy to make and the color is bright and beautiful!
Kids love collecting rocks. Put those rocks to good use with this nature art outdoor learning activity. It mixes a bit of art and math into an activity you can use over and over again.
Keep creating and drawing outside with this homemade sidewalk chalk activity. Our favourite was the rainbow block of chalk!
STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Challenges
This is one of my all time favorite outdoor education activities. With only a few materials children are challenged to build a tent or structure. It is hours of fun!
Teach kids about gravity in a fun, outdoor activity as they watch their superheroes fly!
Add some extra learning during a hike. Learn about compasses and direction.
This activity incorporates a bit of science and math into a human body activity that kids will love.
This solar oven would be great when camping at home! The activity includes lots of science and fun.
Outdoor Learning Activities
Create something for a marble to roll down into a bowl. Kids get their hands on the materials and solve the challenge.
Kids create their own javelin and use it for a STEM activity! A easy way to get kids outside learning and moving.
More STEM and Hands-On
If your kids are interested in birds and their nests, this inquiry project is a perfect hands-on outdoor learning activity.
Kids love playing with ice especially if there are tiny treasures inside to dig out. Perfect for fall!
Kids create their own balloon rocket with this science experiment.
Outdoor learning activities do not have to require lots of preparation. Sometimes, just giving children materials and watching what they create results in amazing learning.
What if you simply gave children a collection of fabrics?
Outdoor learning is not limited to the warm months. Kids love being outside in all weather. This building activity can be done year round.
Teach kids about friction!
Create balloon rockets, then test and race them outside.
Small world play is a favorite with young children. This frog habitat is a great way for kids to learn about frogs.
Outdoor Learning Activities – Science
Can you do anything to make ice melt faster? Watching ice melt has never been this exciting!
Trap, inspect and learn about bugs right in your own backyard!
What lives in dirt? Kids discover all of the living things in the dirt.
Kids learn about photosynthesis in a way they can understand and see!
Kids explore their senses as they work through an outdoor scavenger hunt.
A simple sound hunt activity encourages kids to become aware of their surroundings.
Outdoor Learning Activity Printable
Help kids recognize various leaves and try out some fun experiments.
With this activity kids record what they find and explore with their senses.
Learn how to identify various clouds with this activity.
How many nests can you find? Mix math with science with this nature hunt.
Go rock pooling with children with this outdoor learning activity kids will love.
Where do all the animals go in winter? This fun outdoor scavenger hunt leads kids to find animals in their “natural” habitat.
Show kids how sunscreen protects their skin from the sun with this experiment.
Find and spray number activity!
Outdoor Learning Activities Math
Make a regular hike or walk through the forest even more engaging with a free printable scavenger hunt . There is lots of math mixed in as children are challenged to find twigs the length of their hand and stones smaller than their fingernail. The sheet is printable, and free!
A number scavenger hunt will get kids excited about numbers as they hunt to find the numbers in order.
This Outdoor Number Order Sort is a great, hands-on way to increase number recognition.
Test kids memory skills with this memory match game using various materials found in nature.
Get kids moving with this simple outdoor learning activity that incorporates a bit of math and physical education.
Keep kids moving with these field day activities to do outside.
Match and represent numbers using rocks in this hands-on outdoor learning activity.
Challenge children to search for all of the beautiful patterns in nature.
Being able to sort by seeing the differences in objects is an essential skill. Try out this outdoor education sorting activity.
Outdoor Learning Activities Sensory
If you are planning a camping trip, this printable escape room is a perfect activity to take with you. Simply print and play and to add to the excitement of the trip. Simply print ahead of time, and use materials you (likely) already have with you.
This is one of my favorite outdoor education activities! Let kids get a bit muddy as they “bake” with this sensory activity.
If you are looking for an active game, this is a great way to get kids moving outdoors.
Kids explore their senses with their feet with this bare foot sensory activity.
5 days filled with outdoor learning activities, such as “Campfire Day”.
Leaf Weaving works on fine motor skills for little hands.
Kids love playing with cookies cutters and play dough, but used outside with snow creates a whole new sensory activity.
Instead of throwing out paper, recycle and create this seed bomb.
Outdoor Learning Activities – Social Studies/History
Children learning about World War 1 will be engaged with this outdoor learning activity for WWI.
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Outdoor scavenger hunt escape room.
Escape rooms are very popular right now! Take the fun of an escape room outside to your own backyard with this printable backyard escape room. No special materials needed, simply print, set up in minutes and play!
Earth Day Printable Flip Book
Celebrate the earth with a collection of Earth themed activities. Ideal for classroom use or homeschool. Click image for more information.
Outdoor Learning Choice Board
Looking for a printable collection of outdoor learning activities that you can do at outside at home or school? Download the free choice board from Hands-On Teaching Ideas. Once you subscribe you will be able to print the choice board right away. You will also gain access to the Free Library, filled with resources.
More Kids Activities and Hands-On Teaching Ideas
Looking for more hands-on teaching ideas? Below are a collection of favorite and most popular activities, including science experiments, escape room puzzles and STEM challenges.
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