In three years, more than 120 educational institutions in Vilnius have already used the opportunity to move lessons from indoor to outdoor classrooms. Since last year, kindergartens have also benefitted from funding for outdoor classrooms. Within two years, 27 kindergartens and 7 kindergarten-schools will have enjoyed non-traditional learning spaces. This year, EUR 510,000 in total was allocated for installation of outdoor classrooms. Kindergartens joined the project last year and have the opportunity to install outdoor classrooms, including this year.

“The enthusiasm of kindergarten communities is really encouraging. When I visit the institutions and see how smartly they use these outdoor classrooms, how children and even parents like to gather in them, what interesting exhibitions and lessons are organised there, I am glad that we are not wasting time and money in organising these competitions. They really pay off,” Vilnius Deputy Mayor Donalda Meiželytė says.

The outdoor classrooms are used for kindergarten community celebrations, nature lessons, exhibitions, parent meetings and activities of children who do not take day naps, as well as for reading lessons and for children with special needs.

“The community of Kindergarten–School Volungė community, which already can organise activities in the outdoor classroom, joyfully welcomed the arrival of the dome and together with the children chose the name “Bubble of thoughts” for it.

“The symbolic name reflects the place where ideas are born, creativity flourishes and community strengthens. Education in the dome takes place every day, according to a pre-arranged schedule. Around 100–120 children take part in daily activities here. There are various project activities, knowledge quizzes, art, science and language lessons, and integrated English, religion and ethics lessons for primary school pupils as part of “Schools Without Walls” concept,” Edita Kaniavaitė, Kindergarten–School Director says about the new space.

Vilnius Nursery–Kindergarten Jurginėlis uses the outdoor classroom for inspiring STEAM education – in this space, children naturally explore, construct and develop connection with the environment. Three times a week, creative workshops are held here, where up to 20 children engage in construction and modelling using LEGO bricks and secondary raw materials. The outdoor classroom is used extensively for targeted, experiential education in various cognitive areas.

In 2022, funding for the fitting out of outdoor classrooms was allocated to 35 schools of Vilnius Municipality, in 2022–2023 this funding was provided to 73 and in 2024 – to 50 schools, and this year the 36 schools are benefitting from it.