Backyard and Beyond is a kindergarten curriculum designed to support hands-on learning through exploration and exciting, hands-on activities.
This open-and-go kindergarten curriculum turns outdoor spaces into purposeful learning moments. With 20 guided field trips and minimal parent prep, your child builds kindergarten skills through exploration, observation, and hands-on discovery, while learning to recognize God’s design in the world around them.
Backyard and Beyond is a core kindergarten curriculum that supports learning across key areas:
Learning is built around observation, movement, discussion, and hands-on activities rather than seat-based repetition. Skills are introduced intentionally and reinforced through real-world experiences that help children understand and retain what they are learning.
Backyard and Beyond is written to be easy to use and straightforward to teach.
The curriculum is organized to support consistent learning across the school year, with each unit providing:
Most materials are included in the curriculum set, with only occasional household items needed. Daily learning typically fits into 20–30 minutes, helping families stay consistent without rushing.
If a location or activity is not accessible, alternative options are provided so learning can continue without interruption.
Children are encouraged to learn about God through what they observe and experience in His creation.
Biblical worldview tips are provided for family discussions to help guide children to notice God’s order, creativity, and care. Bible references are provided so families can read and discuss passages using the translation of their choice.
Backyard and Beyond provides the materials needed for hands-on kindergarten learning:
You don’t need perfect conditions or a rigid schedule to make this work.
Is Backyard and Beyond open-and-go? Yes. Most lessons can be started immediately, with minimal preparation.
How many copies should I purchase? One curriculum set per child is recommended. Children need their own materials to write, track progress, and fully engage with the activities.
What if we can’t visit every location? Units include options that work even if a location isn’t visited.
What Bible translation is used? Bible references are provided so families can use the translation they prefer.
What does this curriculum cover? Do I need anything else?
Backyard and Beyond is designed to anchor your kindergarten year through hands-on learning and guided exploration.
Families will still add:
For families looking for a phonics companion, Beginnings Reading Curriculum Kit is designed to align naturally with a kindergarten year using Backyard and Beyond.
How long does the curriculum last? The 20-unit curriculum is organized to provide a full year of kindergarten learning, with flexibility built into the pacing.
📄 Click here to view sample
Planner B is available in the Bundle, or separately here.
Backyard and Beyond Kindergarten Curriculum Book – A full-year, structured curriculum with engaging lesson pages that build foundational skills in literacy, math, science, and nature study through interactive learning
Matching Game – A hands-on memory game designed to reinforce key concepts through play
Sticker Map – A fun, visual tool to track learning adventures and exploration
Sticker Book – Reusable stickers and scene pages that enhance creativity and interactive storytelling
I started off the school year with a different, very academically rigid curriculum for my kindergarten age kiddo. Slowly, it was draining all the fun and engagement out of what should have been an exciting time of learning. Thankfully, I found the Not Consumed curriculum. My kindergarten kiddo is sooo excited to do his work and is actually learning! We get out in nature (and can include his big brothers in his special field trips). What a beautiful way for my son to be able to continue on his academic learning journey. I'm so glad we found Not Consumed!
This is a wonderful gem of a learning and teaching all in a cool and sturdy book bag. I got this as an "extra" to keep my little guy busy and he loves it. Ii has become the start of our school day and often the end as well. There is so much to choose from, incorporates different styles of learning, and is visually appealing. I also like how you can start in any season of the year.
I bought this as a fun supplemental to pull out from time to time for field trips, it is great for that purpose but it is also an excellent all in one curriculum as well. It incoporates science, writing, reading, and more. I love that it always asks"what did you learn about God on this adventure?"
My 4 year old kindergartner LOVES the curriculum so far and I must say I do too!
My 5 yo loooooves backyard & beyond. We live in AZ and we started it in the summer so our adventures are on hold until it cools down but he has not wanted to put this book down. He loves learning about nature and it’s helped build his creativity while working on some educational goals at the same time. I love that it has lots of different types of activities/worksheets because then it’s not just a whole sticker book or only tracing letters, etc. A great mix with beautiful illustrations.
So excited for Backyard and Beyond! Using it with my boys as a summer curriculum. They are loving it and enjoy the backpacks, activities, and sticker books. A fun way to explore, learn and review in a relaxed way. Thank you so much for this resource.
I've wanted to get my kids out doing and experiencing the natural world more, but just haven't been sure where to start. This curriculum is gorgeous and will be a great way to hold myself accountable with incorporating more adventure in our lives.
I bought this curriculum so that we can cater to charlotte mason nature idea, but alsp with direction and activities. I love the idea of being outside and enjoying nature together as part of our school day and lessons that come from nature. This is field trip based so that also takes the pressure off me of planning field trips and lessons to go along with it! Looked through the curriculum last night and can't wait to get started this fall!
For me, the real value of this curriculum is the list of field trips and guidance on helping little ones connect to it before and afterwards.
The resizable stickers books keep kids busy for nice long stretches but they are challenging to peel off initially. I appreciate the activities but it still has a very workbook feel to it.
Select the number of participants in each age group: