Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to inspire learning and play outside the traditional classroom. At Tikipunga Primary School, the entire day was dedicated to giving tamariki freedom and flexibility to learn through experience, exploration and play in an outdoor setting.

The junior syndicate set up a range of activity stations around the grounds, including swimming, biking, science experiments, art, playdough and loose parts play - designed to engage different interests and learning styles. Students were able to move freely between activities, choosing what they participated in and for how long. This high-trust model encouraged autonomy, creativity and collaboration, and created natural moments of tuakana-teina, making the day both engaging and empowering for all involved. 

“When you’re outside, you don’t feel so confined to a space, you feel bigger” shared Matua Trent, “Tamariki have more space, physically and mentally.” This simple but powerful idea underpinned a day where students were given the opportunity to take charge of their learning through choice, creativity and collaboration. 

Whaea Sophie noted, “We asked the tamariki what they wanted for the day... co-constructing the day was an important part of the process.” From there, the magic unfolded; swimming, biking, science experiments, playdough, loose parts play, art and tuakana-teina interactions blossomed organically throughout the day. 

Giving tamariki autonomy led to some noticeable changes. “Engagement was a lot higher,” said Matua Trent, “the change in environment changes how we teach, how we observe learning and how they interact with each other.” 

Perhaps most importantly, the shift outdoors was a strategy to lift attendance in meaningful ways.   “Mixing it up from business as usual entices them to school” Matua Trent continued, “we’re getting creative about how to get our tamariki here. We want them to want to come to school.” 

There were emotional highlights too, ākonga connecting with peers across different year levels, strengthening relationships with kaiako that will support future transitions and discovering joy in challenges like the biking course.  “The bikes were hard work, and we got a big sweat up!” shared one student with pride. 

And the day resonated with whānau as well, “My child came home on an absolute high. She finished the day in another classroom and appreciated the high trust model of the day—moving freely from activity to activity.” 

Common feedback from tamariki? “That was THE BEST DAY EVER.” 

This Outdoor Classroom Day provided more than just a special event, it was a reminder of what’s possible when learners are empowered, when learning is playful and responsive and when we connect with the world outside the walls of the classroom. 

How might you prepare for an Outdoor Classroom Day?  Need any tautoko? Reach out to your Healthy Active Learning kaimahi. 

Article written by Erin Steel, Healthy Active Learning Project Lead