last year, I found out I was moving up to second grade after six years in first—& with that change came a big opportunity. I had been hoping for years to move into one of the trailers out back & finally got the chance. not only did this move give me a fresh start, but it also gave me the push I needed to finally create something I had been dreaming about for a long time: an outdoor classroom.

the trailer I moved into was tiny, & while that came with its challenges, it also came with a perk—a stretch of grass just outside my door that felt full of potential. I knew right away that this space could become something special.

Why an Outdoor Classroom?

before I ever gathered a single stump or cable spool, the idea for an outdoor classroom had been growing in my mind for years—& it all came to life when I switched to second grade.

I’ve always believed that learning should be hands-on, meaningful, & active. the more students can explore, create, & make sense of their world, the more engaged they become. & honestly, with how much screen time kids are getting these days, I wanted to give them a different kind of space—a place to move, to connect, to imagine.

I knew that an outdoor learning space could offer something the indoors just couldn’t: the chance to be kids. to get messy. to collaborate. to breathe fresh air while learning math, reading, or just being in the moment.

Getting Started: Dreaming Up the Space

turning an unused patch of grass into something meaningful didn’t happen overnight, but with a little vision (& a lot of imagination), I saw what it could become.

the area behind my trailer wasn’t much to look at at first—just a patch of grass between three trailers & a couple of raised beds that garden club used. but when I looked at it, I envisioned a mud kitchen, a work area where students could write or draw, & space to sit, read, & play.

more than anything, I wanted students to feel connected—to nature, to each other, to their learning. I wanted it to be a space they looked forward to being in. a space where we could bring any part of our day—work or play—& make it feel a little more magical.

What’s In My Outdoor Classroom

here’s a peek at what makes up our outdoor space—it’s simple, practical, & full of possibility for play, learning, & connection:

• wooden cable spool tables
• tree stump seats
• a mud kitchen built from thrifted & donated materials
• yoga mats & foam puzzle pieces for comfy seating
• nature tools, clipboards, magnifying glasses, & loose parts
• plastic bins with outdoor play items like hula hoops & jump ropes

nothing is fancy. nothing is perfect. & yet, it works—beautifully.

The Set-Up Process

the beauty of this classroom is that it came together with a mix of resourcefulness, community help, & a whole lot of thrifting.

a friend with an electrical company gave me the cable spools. another friend with a logging business donated 20 stumps for seats. I thrifted every pot, pan, & plate for the mud kitchen, & pieced it together with Facebook Marketplace finds, a cabinet that was being tossed, & a sink donated by our alternative ed program.

the actual setup came together pretty quickly once I had everything. I arranged, rearranged, & learned what worked through trial & error. I set it all up myself, but the help from friends & the community made it possible.

How We Use the Space

from morning meeting to mud kitchen masterpieces, this space has become an extension of our classroom—& a favorite part of the day for so many of my students.

we start almost every day outside with morning meeting, sitting in a big circle on yoga mats. it’s such a calm, grounded way to begin.

we also read outside, enjoy snack time in the sun, reset after lunch with some quiet time journaling, & have choice time out there—where the mud kitchen is always the most popular spot. we go on nature walks in the trails behind our school, & it’s not unusual to find a group of kids lying in the grass reading together.

there’s something about the outdoor space that brings out the best in them. they work together, solve problems, help each other. whether they’re moving stumps or creating pretend meals, they’re collaborating & communicating in ways that feel natural and joyful.

Challenges & Lessons Learned

like anything in teaching, this space has come with its fair share of lessons—some I expected, & some I’ve learned along the way.

the biggest hurdle? Maine winters. I’m still figuring out how to make outdoor learning more sustainable during the colder months. & storage has been a challenge—I’d love to eventually have a small outdoor shed for materials.

but if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: outdoor learning doesn’t have to be complicated. it can be as simple as holding morning meeting outside or bringing a math lesson to the grass. start where you are, with what you have.

Advice for Other Teachers

thinking about creating your own outdoor classroom? here are a few tips I’d give any teacher looking to start small & dream big:

• start with one routine—morning meeting, read-alouds, or snack outdoors
• repurpose what you already have before buying new
• ask families or community members for donations
• thrift materials, check Facebook Marketplace, & get creative
• remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful

if I could do it again, I think I’d bring others along on the journey sooner—sharing the vision with my school community, looping in families, & inviting collaboration from the start.

creating this outdoor classroom has been one of the most rewarding parts of my teaching journey. it’s a space where my students can slow down, connect, & experience learning in a way that feels real & memorable. it doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful—just intentional. if you’ve ever dreamed of taking learning beyond the walls of your classroom, consider this your sign to start small & see where it leads.

---

Grab the Free Guide:

Outdoor Classroom Starter Checklist
ready to take your classroom outside but not sure where to begin? I’ve got you. I put together a free printable checklist filled with simple ideas, must-have materials, & easy tips to help you get started—no Pinterest perfection required.

click here to download the free guide