Some days it’s just too hot to stay indoors. If you have access to a nearby patch of ground, why not take your students outside? A change of scenery can do wonders for engagement and creativity. Here are ten outdoor activities that require little or no preparation. (See also: Spring and Summer Activities.)
Scavenger hunt
A favourite outdoor activity of mine. Prepare a list of items for your students to find in the area. Agree on a meeting point 30–45 minutes later. Once everyone returns, go through the list and have students explain where they found each item. For extra fun, ask them to take photos as evidence.
Tip: See the full Scavenger Hunt post for a sample list and printable version.
Taboo
Prepare slips of paper with words for students to describe (or use a pre-made Taboo list). Instead of playing in teams, give each student 2–3 slips and let them sit in a circle. One by one, they describe the word without saying it while others try to guess.
You can also bring a tablet and try Picture Taboo if it’s not too sunny.
Stand up if you’ve never…
This is my favourite ESL game and works very well in an outdoor setting. Students have to think of three things they have done, which nobody else has and then challenge the others to stand up if you have never … If the student is the only one standing then they get a point. You’ll need a pen and paper to keep track of the score. For a fuller explanation see this post.
Cup of conversation
Before going outside, give each student three slips of paper and ask them to write one interesting discussion topic per slip. Place the slips in a cup.
Outside, sit in a circle. Each student draws one slip and starts a short conversation on that topic.
More ideas in the full Cup of Conversation post.
Eye spy
No explanation needed for those who grew up on long car journeys. But just in case:
One student says:
“I spy with my little eye something beginning with S.”
The others try to guess: sun, sandals, spider, etc.
It’s ideal for younger learners, but older ones can get weirdly into it too. If a round drags on, have the student give extra hints (“it’s above us” / “it’s moving”).
Word association
Another quick and simple game that can lead to a lot of laughter. Students sit in a circle and the first student says any word which comes to mind. The next student must say a word which somehow relates to the previous word. For example, orange, apple, snow white, Disney, Hollywood, Tom Cruise, Scientology, etc. After a while stop the game and see if the students can reconstruct the words used but in a backwards order from where the game ended.
Poker face
You’ll need a pack of cards or some slips of paper to play this game. Deal every student a card, making sure that one of the students receives a Joker. Tell the students that whoever has the Joker must lie, they are not allowed to tell the truth. Now go around the circle with each student trying to identify the liar by asking a question to the student they suspect. After a while, the students should be able to hone in on the liar. See the Poker Face post for a slightly more detailed explanation.
How many sounds can you hear?
The students will need a pen and paper. Have your students sit quietly for one full minute. They must listen carefully and write down everything they hear: birds, traffic, wind, someone sneezing, your stomach growling…
Afterwards, compare lists. Who heard the most?
I’m going on a picnic and I’m taking …
Students suggest items to bring. You say yes or no, based on a secret rule (e.g., everything must start with “A” or be an animal or contain double letters).
Eventually, students figure out the rule and take over the game. You can vary the rules endlessly: colours, syllables, number of letters, rhyme schemes, etc. See this slightly more detailed explanation.
Alibi
A longer, more involved activity—but great for intermediate+ students and perfect for the outdoors.
A terrible crime has been committed. The police (your class) are on the case.
Put students into pairs and explain that one pair is guilty. The others are innocent—but everyone needs a solid alibi. Each pair must agree on:
- Where they were
- What time they arrived and left
- What they were wearing
- Specific details to support their story
Now, interrogate each pair. One partner leaves the circle. The other is questioned. Then switch, and question the second student—without letting them hear their partner’s version.
When all pairs have been interrogated, the class votes: Which pair is lying?
See the Alibi post for a more detailed explanation.