Fairytales have long been a way to spark imagination, pass down wisdom, and connect us to cultural traditions. Tell a Fairytale Day, celebrated on February 26th, is the perfect opportunity to bring the magic of storytelling into the outdoors. Taking learning outside not only enhances children’s creativity but also helps them connect with nature in a new and exciting way. Let’s explore some fun, engaging ways to celebrate this enchanting day with your class or group.
1. Create a Fairytale Trail
I always love telling stories as we explore a trail. It takes a little setting up but can be so fun and meaningful. You can do this in a woodland or your school outdoor space, anywhere can be turned into an enchanting fairytale trail. This helps bring a classic tale to life through different storytelling stations. Choose a well-known fairytale, such as Hansel and Gretel or The Three Little Pigs, and set up various points along a trail that represent key parts of the story. At each station, place simple props or crafts that match the scene—a gingerbread house cutout, twigs for building houses, or a basket of goodies for Little Red Riding Hood. As children move along the trail, they can listen to or act out parts of the story, making the experience interactive and memorable. This activity encourages physical movement, reinforces story sequencing, and brings storytelling to life in a playful, engaging way.
For the Three Little Pigs you can start with the family home before moving onto an area with straw, another with twigs and a last one with bricks (construction toys and loose parts work great here) and the children can build a house at each part.
Our members area has a host of books with related activities.
2. Build Natural Fairytale Characters
Encourage children to get creative by crafting their favourite fairytale characters using natural materials. Head outdoors to gather leaves, sticks, stones, and other items from nature. Using these materials, challenge the children to create characters from familiar stories or invent entirely new ones. They can use clay or string to hold their creations together and add details such as faces or costumes. This hands-on activity not only stimulates imagination but also helps develop fine motor skills. It’s a fantastic way to promote teamwork, as children can collaborate on building their characters and share ideas for new fairytales.
Younger children may find it tricky to tie a knot but can they start of holding the string down and then wrapping it around the stick and over the end, holding the string nice and tight. Do this a few times and the end will be held tight. Then, when they want to tie it off can they do a loop around the stick and their finger (on the hand holding the stick) and then thread the string through the tunnel. Of course, you can also double up with and older class and get the children to work in pairs.
3. Write Your Own Outdoor Fairytale
Inspire children to become storytellers by having them create their own fairytales based on the outdoor environment. Start by taking the class outside and encouraging them to observe their surroundings closely. Ask them to use their imagination: a fallen tree could become a dragon, or a cluster of rocks might transform into a magical kingdom. Once they’ve gathered ideas, guide them in writing short fairytales that incorporate the natural elements they noticed. This activity not only enhances literacy and creative writing skills but also helps children see the outdoors as a rich source of inspiration.
Having them then share their tales outdoors adds another layer to this lesson and creates a magic.
4. Act Out a Fairytale in Nature
Bring drama into storytelling by letting children act out a fairytale using the natural setting as their stage. Choose a simple fairytale and assign roles to the children. Once outside, they can use trees as castles, bushes as enchanted forests, and open spaces as the backdrop for their adventure. Acting out a story helps build confidence, improves communication skills, and makes learning active and enjoyable. Plus, it adds a whole new dimension to storytelling when children can physically immerse themselves in the story.
5. Fairytale-Themed Scavenger Hunt
Turn storytelling into an exciting outdoor scavenger hunt by hiding fairytale-themed items around your outdoor space. Create a list of items or clues related to different fairytales—for example, a golden pebble for Jack and the Beanstalk, a red cloth for Little Red Riding Hood, or sticks for The Three Little Pigs. Divide the children into teams and have them search for the hidden items. Once all the items are collected, gather together and use them to retell the stories. This activity encourages exploration, teamwork, and critical thinking, making it both educational and fun.
Why Storytelling Matters
Storytelling is a fundamental part of human history, helping to pass down knowledge, entertain, and inspire. Outdoor storytelling takes this timeless practice to a whole new level by engaging children’s senses, encouraging movement, and fostering a deeper connection with nature. Whether they are listening to a classic tale, acting out a scene, or creating their own fairytale, children develop important skills such as communication, creativity, and empathy.
Tell a Fairytale Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the power of stories in a way that captivates children and connects them to the natural world. By bringing fairytales outdoors, we not only make learning fun but also help children see the magic that exists in their own environment. So, grab your cloak, gather your adventurers, and step into the world of fairytales—where anything is possible!
