In order to be prepared for activities outdoors, every child should be prepared with a few basic essentials. The basic personal kit can be made with a few basic items. For the supplementary kits, a small amount of additional equipment is required and a list of extra materials is included. Supplementary kits are designed to be used by several students and therefore will reduce the number of kits required.

It is very helpful to have each student make up their own basic personal kit with their name labeled on it so that they are ready to head outdoors at a moments notice. Because weather can play such an important factor in many school ground activities, it is always best to plan ahead, but be ready to move spontaneously. The following activity kits can assist your students in being ready to go outside anytime – in a flash!

Kit A: Basic Personal Kit
One kit for every student (recommended)

• 1 personal waterproof kit bag to store personal equipment in (a small knapsack, extra large zip-lock back, small garbage bag)
• 1 waterproof 'wedgie-board' or 'sit-upon' (see Before You Go Outside)
• 1 personal journal (unlined is best) inside its own zip-lock bag
• 1 fat primary pencil (for drawing)
• 1 regular HB pencil and/or pen (for note taking)
• 1 clipboard (see Before You Go Outside)
• Pack of coloured pencils
• Large bandana (for blindfold games and in case of spills or accidents)

It may not be necessary to provide every student with a full supplementary kit; one kit per two or even three students is generally adequate.

Kit B: Nature Studies
One kit per 2-3 students (supplementary)

• 1 or 2 transparent collecting boxes or jars for small insects and spiders
• Several small plastic bags for collecting plants, fungus, rocks
• String
• Hand lens or jeweller's loop (one per student is ideal)
• Assorted field guides (Birds, Trees, Plants, Insects, Mushrooms)
• 1 Pooter jar or "suck-a-bug" (a special jar with two straws to facilitate collecting small insects)
• 1 metre measuring tape (sewing)

Kit C: Landscape Studies
One kit per 3-5 students (supplementary)

• Magnetic compasses (one per 2 students)
• Long tape measure (15 metres) or trundlewheel (2 or 3 per class is sufficient)
• Spools of coloured string
• Coloured flagging tape
• Graph paper (various sizes)
• Base maps (cadastral) of school grounds and community

Kit D: Time and Change Studies
One kit per class (supplementary)

• Weather instruments (thermometers, rain gauge, barometer, wind gauges)
• Stop watch(es)
• Cloud charts

Kit E: Stewardship Activities
One kit per class (supplementary)

• Gardening tools
• Gardening resource books
• Plans
• Large plastic bin (worm composting)
• Water testing kit (pH test, dissolved O₂, test beakers, aquatic invertebrate field guide)