Embracing the Winter Months and Christmas Outdoors with Early Years Children
Published on 21/10/2025 in Early Years
The quote “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” by Alfred Wainwright is one of my favourite quotes as it emphasises that if children are happy and warm in the colder months, they will be able to make the most of spending time outdoors. Winter can offer a variety of sensory experiences such as smelling the pine trees, noticing the sparkle of the frost or seeing droplets on blades of grass. Moments such as these, help to build up memories of the outdoors and develop an understanding of how to care for the natural world as they grow older.
Nature decorations
Create and nurture a connection with the outdoors and plan some Christmas crafts that incorporate seeing the magic of nature, whilst also helping to stay sustainable. Making your own decorations to hang on the tree can be a lovely way to join Christmas and the outdoors together. Try out these beautiful, easy to make decorations to treasure as a keepsake for years to come.
You will need:
How to make the decorations:
Get wrapped up and head outdoors to collect some nature finds for the decorations. Choose smaller leaves and anything that will make a nice impression in the clay. Try to avoid berries which can potentially be poisonous or harmful.
Roll out the clay onto a flat surface (we used the logs from Hope Education). Press the Christmas cutter into the clay and remove any excess with the clay tools.
Using the nature finds, decorate each Christmas shape. Press the nature gently into the clay, but not too hard. You can also make pattern imprints with the nature.
Use a tool to make a small hole at the top to allow string to be threaded through at the end.
Allow to dry fully until hardened. If you want to protect further, you can brush over a layer of pva glue onto the decoration.
Thread a small piece of string into the hole and tie.
Hang the decorations onto a tree.
Benefits of making nature clay decorations linked to the EYFS Framework
Not only is this activity fun for children, it has many benefits for their development.
Communication and Language:
When outdoors, children’s language can be enhanced as they are introduced to new vocabulary when choosing their natural materials for the decorations. For example, describing the textures as bumpy, rough or smooth or the colours of each piece they choose such as dark green or frosty white.
Educators can offer open ended questioning to inspire awe and wonder about the outdoors or what happens if items are pressed harder into the clay.
Physical Development:
This activity can help both fine and gross motor development. Collecting the nature items outdoors encourages moving their bodies, stretching, and potentially climbing, all of which help to develop coordination and balance. When making the decorations, the rolling, pinching, pressing and threading clay strengthens finger muscles and hand–eye coordination, supporting all of those skills needed prior to writing.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
Manipulating the clay can be a mindful activity which can help to soothe and regulate as the clay is manipulated in the children’s hands, giving a sensory input.
When working with others in a group situation, children can collaborate and share their materials. Understanding when to wait their turn and discussing the positives of each other’s creations can boost children’s development in this area.
Understanding the World:
Using nature and heading outdoors to find it themselves, connects children with the natural environment around them. Collecting items outdoors encourages observation and curiosity about the changing seasons, such as why some leaves have fallen, how pinecones might open up, or what happens to the clay when it dries. There is no greater way to learn about nature than being immersed in it and having a first-hand experience.
Expressive Arts and Design:
Children can explore the texture, shapes and patterns when creating the nature clay ornaments. They will use their imagination to decorate and make choices about the colours they will use.
In Early Years, every outdoor adventure and creative experience can nurture the whole child. Head outdoors today and make the most of the season of winter and all that it offers within the Christmas period.