Outdoor Learning and Play

Every day is an outdoor play day at Cosy and Creative Star HQ. But International Day of Play is an excuse to really roll out the leaf strewn, mud splattered, slightly-curled-up-at-the-end red carpet. Here are a few ideas to get your own creative juices flowing – and remember – children still know ‘how to play’ – as adults it’s our...

Outdoor Classroom Day is the perfect opportunity to rethink what learning outside can really look like. It’s no longer just about a grassy patch or a couple of benches — today’s outdoor spaces can be anything from modular buildings, tipis and shelters to log cabins and forest school areas. At Cosy, we believe that any outdoor space has the potential...

Every January, the RSPB invites us all to slow down, look a little closer and notice the wildlife right outside our doors. The Big Garden Birdwatch returns on 23-25 January 2026, offering schools, nurseries and families a wonderfully simple way to help children connect with nature. Taking part is completely free and straightforward. All it involves is spending one quiet...

Thank you as always to our wonderful friend Julia at Creative STAR for writing this post for us. At this time of year, wildflowers are beginning to bloom, one of the best of which has to be the dandelion. It is a sure sign that the soil is warming up and spring has arrived. So enjoy some playful explorations for...

Spring is in the air - and there's no time like the present to get learners involved in seasonal themed sensory play. Here's a round up of our favourite Spring sensory activities to inspire you over the coming weeks! Water Play Flowers, scented water and pouring and mixing - all wonderful ways to evoke the senses while supporting children's understanding...

There is no time like Spring,When life's alive in everything,Before new nestlings sing,Before cleft swallows speed their journey backAlong the trackless track - Excerpt from 'Spring' by Christina Rosetti (Public Domain) Welcome Spring! We're not sure about you but we were very much ready for some wonderful Spring sunshine. There's no time like this buzzy, bustling time of year to...

As the promise of better weather is starting to tease us, it's a good time to think about the outdoor area provision, getting it ready for a new season. We're big believers in sustainable provision so it's less of 'out with the old and in with the new' and more of 'the old can be equally as good as the...

Valentine’s Day: whether you celebrate or not, this creative and colourful occassion is undoubtedly a great focal point for EYFS and KS1 settings. Whether it’s crafting, love heart focused activities, or just a great anchor for understanding the world, we’ve created a round up of our favourite activities over on Pinterest.  As always, head to our Pinterest page for a...

Children’s Mental Health Week takes place every February. Since 2015, it has helped us listen to children and young people. It also helps us talk more openly about mental health. Here at Cosy, we are outdoor advocates. As Charlotte Mason said, “never be within doors when you can rightfully be without”. We believe nature brings back the magic of childhood...

With the chilly temperatures of January comes a wonderful world of icy magic in your outdoor area. With this in mind we've hopped to it with some fun winter mud kitchen activities at Cosy HQ. Here's a lovely idea to work on with your children - icy winter ornaments! A great way to explore the changing properties of water, as...