[The K-12 Outdoor Learning Certification Course] has been one of the best pieces of professional development I have undertaken in my 15 years as an educator…It’s rich with wisdom and resources, and I genuinely wanted to take my time to absorb as much as I could while completing each module.
This Outdoor Play and Learning Course comprises approximately 30 hours of self-paced learning. It is designed to be an introduction to outdoor play and learning in the early years, providing a strong foundation with many practical ideas you can implement in an early years context.
A growing body of research from child development specialists, academic researchers and advocates provides evidence that outdoor active play is essential for healthy child development and illuminates the multitude of health and well-being benefits young children experience when they spend time outdoors. Play is the foundation of how children learn in early childhood and is at the core of what early childhood educators support. The opportunities for play in the outdoor environment are more varied and expansive than in the indoor environment, as children can move their bodies in different ways, use their voices with more enthusiasm and interact with the Land.
This certification will help you gain confidence in facilitating outdoor active play and taking your learners outside in all types of weather. The purpose of this course is to support you in embedding outdoor play and learning into your practice, providing you with skills and tools to help guide you in creating engaging and meaningful experiences outdoors with all children in your program.
You do not need a background in outdoor play to successfully integrate the course materials, this course will meet you where you are at and support you to increase the time you spend outdoors with children in any setting. Curiosity and a willingness to try new ideas is all you need!
The course includes:
Please note this certification course is not currently recognized by a governing body; it is part of our extensive offering of professional development.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
There are 10 modules to help you progress as you develop understanding and begin to implement Outdoor Play and Learning concepts into your professional practice. It will take 30 hours to complete this online certification course.
The 10 modules are:
This course has been created for you by two non-profit organizations with over 30 years of expertise in Outdoor Learning in the formal, informal, recreational, and other educational sectors. It reflects the most up-to-date research, pedagogy, and practice from researchers and practitioners in Outdoor Learning and features the support and resources of more than 100 Outdoor Learning organizations across North America and beyond.
This course has been one of the best pieces of professional development I have undertaken in my 15 years as an educator…It’s rich with wisdom and resources, and I genuinely wanted to take my time to absorb as much as I could while completing each module. Thank you for the amount of time, care and thoughtfulness you have put into crafting this work.
A HUGE thank you for this incredible and inspiring learning experience. I have been busy incorporating new adventures, opportunities, learning, and discoveries for my students outside since day one of this course. Thank you for offering so many wonderful resources, inspiration, and “lightbulb” moments!
This was a wonderful experience! I am so happy I spent time learning and can’t wait to get outside with my students. I think this process was the most beneficial professional development I have ever experienced! It was practical and inspiring! I highly recommend other educators do this course too!
The content, the structure of chapters, and the resources provided were all brilliant! It was clear there was a ton of effort put into building this and plenty of consideration for what and how it was being shared.
Gaining the understanding that I don’t need to be a nature expert, but rather a co-learner with my students, has freed me to focus on building strong foundations through consistent practices. This new understanding helps me create experiences that not only meet educational objectives but also develop deeper connections between my students and the natural world.
I’ve achieved a deeper understanding of the power of nature as a learning tool—recognizing its potential not just as a backdrop, but as an active participant in the educational process. I feel more equipped to create meaningful, immersive learning experiences that connect students to the environment in a holistic way, blending intellectual, emotional, and physical learning.
The course has increased my motivation and reduced my burnout significantly, making me a better teacher in the classroom. My student’s joy in being outdoors and writing and drawing in their nature journals is ample proof.
Learn how to integrate outdoor play and learning into your practice using effective strategies and resources in this interactive online course for early childhood educators. Advanced registration is open now and the course launches on November 3rd, 2025!
