It is November, and there is snow on the ground, but all year round, I get asked the same question. It is not about behaviour, curriculum or even risk assessments. It is far simpler.
How do we keep children warm?
I was recently asked about using a parachute, pulled tightly, as a shelter for warmth. I love how creative the practitioners are, and how they take a problem-solving approach, but it was a good reminder to share what works well outdoors and what can work in a pinch, but maybe not every day.
Join me in this blog as we explore staying warm outdoors and what works well, what really doesn’t, and how to know when the weather can win and we stay indoors.
Why Staying Warm Outdoors Matters
Warmth is more than comfort: it’s essential for engagement, focus, and emotional regulation. Any educator has learned about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and physiological needs from the pyramid’s base. Without that, children (and staff) are not curious, they aren’t patient (with themselves or each other), and they won’t learn. So building good routines, safe shelter options and warm-up strategies are simply part of our outdoor pedagogy – not optional extras.
While it would be amazing to imagine that every outdoor space has room for and permission to use a fire for warmth, this is not always the case. We often borrow woodland sites, which come with rules and agreements, and we have to work within the rules to continue using them. So, our strategies need to reflect this and be realistic, while putting the needs of children and staff at the core.
Purpose-Built Group Shelters (Bothy Bags & Group Tents)
Proper outdoor shelters are among the most reliable ways to stay warm and protected. Over the years, I have seen so many options used, from large gardening sheds to polytunnels (and polycrubs) to teepee-style tents and even the old-style army ones. Other sites have parachutes, windbreakers and more. What you select has to be in line with permissions and also reflect how regularly you use the site. If you are only there once a term, there is no point spending money on a system, so some guy ropes and tarpaulins could work. However, if you are on a site weekly or daily, you may choose to invest in a structure. If that is not an option, then setting up hooks around the trees so you can quickly attach parachutes, tarps, and windbreaks can be key. It saves staff time putting them up if all they need to do is attach a carabiner clip.
In my kit, I have a Summit bivy tent. It has proper ventilation built into the structure and allows for upright seating, which in turn maintains airflow. It is visible and also allows good visibility within it. In winter, it is fab because it helps retain warmth as the body’s natural heat warms the air, and it is designed for this purpose. It is an investment, but it is so much more than a warm space for me. It also creates a space for stories, quiet moments, transitions, and support for emotional regulation. It has one more key use: it is an integral part of my first-aid procedures. Should something serious happen, I can gather the children inside where they’re contained, calm, and shielded from any distressing scene. It also reduces the staff supervision ratio at a time when every adult may be needed elsewhere. Using it in fun moments means that, in an emergency, it is not something scary and new, but instead something the children already equate with comfort.
Overhead Shelters (Tarps, Parachutes Hung Up, Canopies)
Overhead shelters are great if you use a site regularly. They offer protection against the weather, and many are also safe to have fires below (please check yours before doing so; some tarps and parachutes are fire-retardant, but many are not). They are ideal for wet days, snack times, and creating a cosy learning space. This can also be enhanced by using windbreaks around the site to help protect.
However, I always remind settings to take them down on weekends and holidays, and if a storm is due. The last thing you want to do is cause a danger or lose an expensive piece of kit because you felt too busy to spend five minutes taking it down.
When we run family sessions, we’ll often tie a rope between two trees and hang a large tarpaulin over it to create a simple A-frame shelter for everyone to sit inside. This creates a simple A-frame or ridge-line shelter that is quick to put up and surprisingly effective. It’s wonderfully cosy, especially with a string of fairy lights to brighten the darker corners. And if the wind is biting, we pull the windward side right down to the ground, instantly turning it into a full windbreak and keeping the whole group much warmer. This is quick, simple and primary-aged children can help you put it up. Of course, if there is a hedge nearby, it can also be on the windward side, providing further protection.
Ground Insulation (Sit Mats, Logs, Crates, Raised Seating)
Of course, even with a great shelter, sitting on a cold, wet ground can be utterly miserable and will undo any good the shelter gives. The cold ground quickly saps heat from bodies. So, using sit mats or foam pads works well. You can buy proper sit mats or use an old yoga mat. I found that sticking one of the foil emergency blankets under it can also help loads.
If you are using a site more regularly, or on your own grounds, plastic crates, tree stumps, logs, etc., can all be comfortable to sit on. And, a waterproof layer also makes a huge difference no matter what you use.
Warm Clothing Layers (What Helps Most)
Dressing for the weather is the foundation of staying warm outdoors, and good layers make all the difference. Start with a breathable thermal base layer to keep heat close to the body. Avoid cotton next to the skin, as it holds moisture and can cool children down. Then add a cosy mid-layer, such as fleece or wool, for insulation. A waterproof outer layer protects against wind and rain, and accessories matter just as much — hats, mittens (far warmer than gloves), neck warmers and thick socks all help children regulate their temperature. We will explain this to parents, but often forget about it ourselves when dressing. Good quality layers don’t need to cost a lot. I particularly love the sets from Decathlon and Mountain Warehouse.
The key is layers that can be added or removed easily as they move, explore and play. When children are warm and dry, they’re far more comfortable, focused and able to enjoy every moment outside.
I often hear staff talking of warm bodies but cold feet. But they are just wearing a single pair of cotton socks. If I am outdoors, then wool socks are my best mate and make the most significant difference, because if my feet get cold, I am cold. My go-to brand here is Pairs Socks, a fab Scottish business.
It is also important to have spares, from socks to hats and layers. If we get wet, we lose heat quickly, so being able to switch mitts or into something dry makes the world of difference. For me, spare kit isn’t a nice-to-have; it is an essential.
Warm Food & Drink
Fuel for our bodies is also essential if we are outdoors for any length of time. Warm snacks and drinks don’t just boost morale; they help maintain body temperature, especially during longer outdoor sessions. Flasks of hot chocolate or diluting juice (squash), soup, and warm water are easy to carry. They can also help us warm porridge, soup packets, etc. Always remember a thermos for staff and children as well. They must stay regulated. Staff often move around less than children, so that thermos can be key.
Warm-Up Routines & Movement Breaks
And talking of moving, routines and movement breaks are also essential. Gentle movement is one of the most effective ways to regain warmth, especially for groups that have been sitting. Action songs, like head, shoulders, knees and toes or movement challenges like 5-star jumps, are simple but effective. Ensure staff are also taking part, it keeps them warm too. Tig, scavenger hunts, stretches or animal movements are all fab fun ways to keep us all warm. Keep it playful and not punitive.
Soft Comfort Items (Blankets, Ponchos, Wraps)
During winter, or colder spells, I will also have a couple of blankets in my kit. They are small, take up no space, but create a real sense of cosiness and security outdoors. I have a set of around 15, but I only take 2-3 out for my average group (unless I am doing something that involves sitting for more extended periods). They are lightweight and easy to pop into the washing machine and the tumble dryer after use, so I don’t mind if they get a tad muddy.
Knowing When NOT to Go Out
Outdoor learning doesn’t mean suffering through unsafe weather. Sometimes staying inside is the wisest, safest choice, and that’s still a valid outdoor learning practice. If the winds are on a weather warning, or even just about 25 miles an hour by beech trees (there is a reason they are called widowmakers), then I will not be outdoors in a woodland. If it is very icy, do I want to risk it, or is there something else I can do? Though saying that, under trees tends to still be slip free in ice. If I have the awful trio of wind, rain and cold, then I really do measure up whether we need to go out. That weather makes everyone miserable.
If you are a teacher delivering curriculum-based outdoor learning with your class, you can choose whether to go out. No one is forcing you. And, if you have followed us for a while, you will know we always talk about the importance of looking after yourself.
It is ok to use indoor time, and it is not a failure. Use your professional judgement.
Holding the Balance
Outdoor learning is about comfort, curiosity, and connection. With the right warmth strategies and proper boundaries, children can thrive outdoors year-round. We don’t stay in because it is raining, cold or windy; we assess and we progress. We dress for it and remember the old saying, There is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate clothing. The goal is joy, safety and learning. Flexibility makes outdoor learning sustainable, and always remember, warmth is a form of care.
