There’s no question that outdoor activities are great! Not only do they offer a refreshing break from routine but also play a vital role in enhancing the health and happiness of students.
At PGL, we are dedicated to providing enriching experiences that promote growth and wellbeing. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of outdoor activities for students, and we’ll even highlight some of the thrilling adventures available on our residential trips.
The science behind outdoor learning and wellbeing
There’s growing evidence that spending time outside does wonders for both body and mind. Research from organisations such as Natural England and the Mental Health Foundation has shown that exposure to nature reduces cortisol (the body’s stress hormone), lowers heart rate, and improves overall mood. Students who spend regular time outdoors are also more likely to have higher levels of concentration and fewer symptoms of anxiety.
On a physical level, natural light helps regulate sleep cycles, which is particularly important for young people whose brains are still developing. Vitamin D, which is absorbed from sunlight, supports bone health, boosts the immune system, and has even been linked to improved mood.
When students step outside the classroom to learn, they are not only absorbing knowledge from the activity itself but also benefiting from these health-boosting environmental factors. For example, something as simple as an outdoor science lesson on habitats or a short nature walk can combine the health benefits of outdoor activities with real learning outcomes.
Outdoor activities and mental health in schools
Today’s students face pressures from exams, homework, and social media in a way that previous generations did not. Outdoor activities provide a much-needed release from these stresses. Spending time outside can help young people feel more grounded, break negative thought cycles, and connect with others in positive ways.
In fact, three in five teachers say that children respond well to a non-academic setting, and learning outside the classroom encourages curiosity, provides opportunities for practical skills and problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and confidence building.
Group challenges, such as raft building or problem-solving games, not only provide laughter and fun but also reduce feelings of isolation and encourage teamwork. Even more individual activities, like climbing or the zip line, can build self-belief and reduce stress by helping students achieve something they might not have thought possible.
Schools that regularly include outdoor learning often report that students return to lessons more energised, with improved focus and better behaviour. This connection between outdoor activity and mental health shows why the mental benefits of outdoor activities are just as important as the physical ones.
6 Reasons why outdoor activities are so great for students
1. Promotes mindfulness and relaxation
From the sound of birds chirping to the scent of trees and flowers, outdoor activities provide students with an array of sensory experiences. These connections to nature allow them to fully engage with their surroundings and help clear their minds from the pressures of schoolwork or exams, leaving students feeling happier and more refreshed.
2. Reduces screen time
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, outdoor activities give students a chance to unplug from their phones, reducing eye strain and promoting better sleep patterns. More importantly, these activities encourage face-to-face communication and interaction, helping students develop important social skills and interpersonal relationships. Our new THRIVE! programme is designed to maximise these benefits, enhancing students’ physical well-being, social skills, and overall personal development.
3. Improves overall fitness
Physical activity is key to a healthy lifestyle, and outdoor activities give students plenty of opportunities to exercise—whether it’s hiking a forest trail or climbing a rock wall. This not only builds muscle strength, coordination, and balance but encourages a more positive attitude towards fitness and their own abilities. Our PIONEER! programme is a great way to introduce years 3 and 4 into a lifetime of adventure!
4. Boosts self-esteem
Facing and overcoming challenges is a significant boost to a student’s self-esteem. Outdoor adventures, like tackling an obstacle course or hitting a target in archery, build resilience, providing students with a greater sense of accomplishment. Who knows? They might even discover a new passion or hobby that brings them joy!
5. Strengthens relationships
Fun outdoor activities during our UNITE! Or GROW! programmes are brilliant for team building and enhancing relationships between classmates and teachers. Participating in group challenges such as raft building or laser tag encourages cooperation and communication, leading to stronger friendships and a more supportive school environment.
6. Fosters creativity and imagination
Nature is one of the greatest sources of inspiration and creativity. For example, building a makeshift woodland shelter on a MASTER! bushcraft trip stimulates imaginative thinking and problem-solving skills. This not only enhances students’ cognitive abilities but also nurtures a lifelong love for exploration and learning.
The longterm benefits of outdoor activities
The value of outdoor activities doesn’t end when the trip is over. Students often carry the lessons they’ve learned, from resilience and independence to teamwork and leadership, into their everyday lives. For example, a child who conquered their fear of heights on a climbing wall might approach new classroom challenges with greater confidence, while a student who worked closely with their peers during a group task might become more collaborative in school projects.
These long-term benefits extend into adulthood too. Young people who are introduced to outdoor learning early are more likely to maintain an active lifestyle, engage in positive hobbies, and enjoy time in nature. They also build transferable life skills such as communication, adaptability, and perseverance, which are valued both in education and the workplace.
Outdoor adventure lays a foundation for healthier, happier lives, making it one of the most valuable investments schools and families can make in a student’s future.
How teachers and leaders can encourage outdoor learning
Incorporating outdoor learning doesn’t need to be complicated or require specialist equipment. Teachers and leaders can start small with activities that weave naturally into the curriculum, gradually building up towards bigger adventures like residential trips.
Use school grounds creatively – even the simplest outdoor spaces can become a learning resource.
- A short nature walk links directly to science by helping pupils identify habitats, seasonal changes, or local biodiversity. It’s also a chance to spark curiosity by spotting minibeasts, trees, or cloud patterns.
- Measuring shadows at different times of the day introduces practical maths skills such as recording data, understanding angles, and interpreting results. Pupils see how abstract concepts apply in the real world.
- Sketching plants, playground structures, or nearby buildings supports art by developing observational drawing skills. It also overlaps with geography when pupils map or describe the features around them.
Start with simple challenges – these require minimal preparation but deliver big learning outcomes.
- Treasure hunts can be tailored to almost any subject, from practising spelling and vocabulary in English to finding shapes for maths or clues linked to history topics.
- Team relay races encourage physical education while also reinforcing skills like timing, counting laps, or even calculating distances for older pupils.
- Nature scavenger hunts not only build science knowledge (identifying leaves, rocks, or insects) but also promote teamwork and communication as children share discoveries.
Celebrate cross-curricular links – outdoor activities are ideal for blending subjects in meaningful ways.
- A storytelling session in the playground or school field supports English through creative writing and speaking skills, while also drawing on drama through roleplay, performance, and expression.
- Gardening projects link science (plant life cycles, soil types, weather impact) with health education by teaching about nutrition, healthy eating, and the value of sustainable food. Pupils can also use maths to measure plant growth or calculate planting spaces.
Progress to residentials – when pupils are ready, residential trips expand learning beyond what’s possible in school.
- Activities like zip lining and paddle boarding tie into physical education, building strength, balance, and resilience.
- Bushcraft skills connect with history and geography by exploring survival techniques, natural resources, and human-environment interaction.
- These experiences also nurture personal development, leadership, and confidence – qualities that feed back into every subject area.
By building outdoor learning into everyday teaching, schools can normalise it as a valuable part of education rather than an occasional treat. This helps students make meaningful links between classroom learning and the world around them, while developing positive associations with being outdoors that make them more open to adventure opportunities as they grow.
Elevate your students’ wellbeing with a PGL residential trip!
Thanks to our diverse range of adventurous programmes for both primary and secondary schools, we’ve been able to help students reach their full potential and create unforgettable memories. The health benefits of outdoor activities, combined with the mental benefits of outdoor learning, make residentials one of the most rewarding experiences a school can offer.
So why wait? Book your next school trip with PGL today and give your students the chance to enjoy the lasting benefits of outdoor activities for students. Contact us for more information and we’ll be happy to help with your enquiry.
