Playgrounds
Outdoor Classrooms
What is an Outdoor Classroom?
An outdoor classroom is a dedicated learning area that allows for instruction and learning outside. PlayQuest will design an outdoor classroom for your school or community centre’s needs. Your outdoor classroom design could include workstations, seating and tables, outdoor learning equipment, shelters, and a range of custom elements.
An outdoor classroom can optimize focused learning, productivity, collaboration, exploration, and fun!
The Benefits of Outdoor Classrooms For Schools
Outdoor classrooms have many benefits and schools can easily incorporate outdoor learning into a regular school day schedule. Here is how your team and students will benefit from an outdoor learning space.
Improved academic performance: Regular exposure to nature helps children develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills often overlooked when learning indoors. As a result, kids who spend time learning outside score higher on standardized tests than those only taught in a typical indoor classroom.
Improved physical and mental health: Spending time in an outdoor learning environment can improve mood, lower anxiety, and promote physical activity. It helps children self-regulate and can improve behavioural concerns.
Enhanced communication and leadership skills: Through unique outdoor classroom design, lessons and activities can focus on self-led or small group exploration and learning. Collaborating with peers in a relaxed, natural environment helps build self-confidence, communication, and leadership skills.
Learned environmental and community stewardship: Outdoor classrooms for schools help children connect to the natural world. This connection nurtures a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment and the community. Outdoor classrooms help create conscientious kids who will grow into leaders in our communities.
Contact us for a free consultation with a PlayQuest playground specialist in Edmonton, Calgary, Manitoba or Ontario.
Planning an Outdoor Classroom
PlayQuest will work with you to create an outdoor classroom design unique to your organization or school, students, and team. Your outdoor learning needs will vary depending on factors such as the age of your students. Since every project will have different goals, we work together to customize an outdoor classroom to meet yours.
Consider the following elements for your outdoor learning environment:
Shelters: Outdoor classroom shelters can create year-round learning spaces by providing shade and protection from rain and snow. Place your outdoor classroom tables and other learning stations beneath the shelter so you can utilize the learning space year-round. We can construct your outdoor classroom shelters using various materials designed to fit perfectly into your schoolyard’s aesthetic.
Workstations: Outdoor classroom tables and seating options will create practical workstations that make focused learning possible. Your outdoor classroom furniture can include a range of safe and comfortable seating, well-spaced learning areas, and a range of options that minimize distractions for your students. School lunch tables can also be used as an outdoor learning space.
Musical Elements: Who says you must teach music class indoors? We offer a line of musical play equipment that can withstand the elements! Bring music outdoors and create opportunities for musical collaboration and expression for your students.
Customized equipment: PlayQuest can customize your outdoor classroom design to best meet your needs and vision. Ask us about our range of outdoor classroom equipment options that can help enhance your curriculum across all subjects.
Surfacing: PlayQuest uses TrueTop poured-in-place rubber for outdoor learning environments. This eco-friendly product is accessible, attractive, easy-to-maintain, and customizable. You can inlay graphics, like your school’s logo, right into the surface.
See What Other Schools Are Doing
Are you looking for inspiration for your outdoor classroom or outdoor eating area? Contact PlayQuest to learn more about our outdoor learning equipment and classroom furniture, types of shelters, and other products commonly used.
School lunch tables can work, however, outdoor classrooms can be so much more than just picnic tables and we’d love to show you some of the products we offer.
Outdoor Learning With COVID-19
Outdoor classrooms for schools have gained popularity for several years. Now, as we continue to navigate COVID-19, they create a safe and practical solution for in-school learning. PlayQuest designs workstations and outdoor learning equipment to allow children to easily and naturally maintain physical distance. Being outdoors with distance maintained might allow for focused and interactive learning, reducing the time students must wear masks at school.
Start Designing Your Outdoor Classroom
Contact us for more information and a free consultation. We have PlayQuest representatives in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
PLAYGROUND AND PARK ELEMENTS
Contact us if you are just starting your project. We provide grant writing services, educational presentations, preliminary designs, project budget estimates and site evaluations that will make the planning and fundraising process much easier.
Call us to get our team working for you.
