Outdoor activities are fantastic for children and important for their overall development, most of us now have really active gardens with a kids trampoline, slide and playhouses but what other activities can we include? Not only is outdoor play an important element of good physical health, but it’s also an opportunity to learn and uncover new information, from growing veggies to discovering our local environment. I have teamed up with an independent college in Berkshire to share some suggestions for outdoor learning activities for children.
5 Outdoor Learning Activities for Children:
- Collect Things: Collecting is fantastic for children because it teaches them how to analyse and categorise different items, while also allowing them to experience the world around them. So, give them a theme and ask them to investigate the garden and see if they can find items that fit that criterion. For instance, it could be objects of a particular colour, size, shape, or texture.
- Go Fishing: Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, and fresh air, whilst doing something fun! Try to select somewhere to fish where we know there will be bites and the wait between catches isn’t too long keeping the children engaged. If you haven’t been fishing before I’d recommend a trip to the fishing store, however, you’ll be surprised how little equipment you actually need for an hour or two by the lake. We all know though that the best part of fishing is taking a photograph with your prize catch.
- Grown Your Own Fruit, Vegetables and Flowers: Encourage your child to plant their own seeds and watch them grow. This will teach them about plants and what they need to survive, while also teaching them to be responsible for something. Gardening also provides you with a chance to talk about where food comes from and eat delicious produce as well, who doesn’t love a homegrown strawberry?
- Make Mud Pies: Believe it or not, playing in the mud is great for younger children as it engages their senses, which helps them develop tactile skills. It helps them connect with nature and can even improve health, by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain.
- Walk Through The Woods: Walking through the woods is a great chance to teach your child about the different species of trees, as well as explore topics like seasonality and global warming. It’s also a chance to practise mindfulness, especially if you ask your child to tune into their senses and share with you what they can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but there are countless other outdoor learning activities for children that you can explore. As well as helping them learn, these activities are also great for ensuring they are getting plenty of fresh air and exercise, while also working on their motor skills.
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