Why Nature is the Best Classroom: How Outdoor Classrooms Inspire Kids to Learn Through Exploration
At Oke, we believe that some of the best lessons don’t happen between four walls. Nature has a unique way of sparking curiosity, inspiring young minds, and teaching in ways that standard classrooms just can’t match. Our outdoor classrooms are designed to be places of discovery, where tamariki (kids) get to explore, ask questions, and learn by doing—and it’s as beneficial for teachers as it is for kids!
1. Exploring the Great Outdoors – A Classroom Like No Other
Imagine a classroom where the ‘walls’ are trees, the ceiling is a blue sky, and the desks are patches of grass or a garden bed. In an outdoor classroom, kids can feel the soil in their hands, spot bugs hiding under leaves, or see a plant they nurtured grow tall. For them, each lesson becomes an adventure, where they’re not just hearing or reading about something—they’re right there, experiencing it!
Teachers, too, love the change of pace that outdoor classrooms bring. Instead of guiding students through screens and worksheets, they’re working alongside them, observing and exploring together. This shared experience helps teachers see kids’ strengths and interests in new ways.
2. Lessons You Can’t Find in Textbooks
Outdoor classrooms are packed with real-life lessons you won’t find in any textbook. Tamariki learn about plants, animals, weather patterns, and the life cycle—all by witnessing them first-hand. They see how sunlight, water, and soil work together to grow food, and they experience the responsibility of nurturing a garden. These are the kinds of lessons that go beyond words; they’re lessons of experience, patience, and respect for nature.
Plus, these outdoor spaces naturally encourage kids to get curious. What kind of bug is that? Why do plants grow better in some areas than others? Why do we need bees? When kids are surrounded by nature, their questions flow, and their curiosity leads to more hands-on learning.
3. Building Confidence Through Exploration
There’s something magical about the sense of accomplishment kids feel when they’ve grown a plant from seed or spotted their first worm. Nature doesn’t just teach academic lessons; it builds resilience and confidence. Our outdoor classrooms give tamariki a safe space to experiment, make mistakes, and try again.
For teachers, outdoor classrooms open up new ways to support kids’ growth. They can encourage kids to take risks, ask questions, and think creatively. Learning outdoors also makes space for physical activity and movement, which helps kids engage more deeply and helps teachers break out of the usual routines.
4. Creating Lifelong Connections with Nature
One of the biggest goals of our outdoor classrooms is to help kids develop a lifelong connection with the environment. We want them to leave with a love for the outdoors, a respect for our land, and a sense of responsibility for looking after it. By learning in nature, kids begin to see themselves as part of it, and that connection often stays with them as they grow.
Teachers, too, often find that time in the outdoor classroom helps them recharge and remember why they got into teaching in the first place. Watching tamariki discover, learn, and grow—well, that’s a feeling like no other!
Final Thoughts
At Oke, we’re excited to keep building outdoor classrooms that allow kids to explore, learn, and grow in their own unique ways. We believe nature is the best teacher, and every child deserves the chance to learn from it. Whether it’s spotting bugs, growing veggies, or just feeling the sun on their face, these outdoor classrooms make learning something to look forward to every day.