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Outdoor Play Ideas - Summer
Treasure Walk
Before going outside, sit with your child and make a list together of shapes and colors to hunt for outside, such as: 3 things that are orange, 2 circles, etc. Now go outside and begin your treasure walk! As your child spots items on his list, help him talk about the colors and shapes he sees. When you return home, give him paper and crayons and ask him to draw pictures of the things he saw on his treasure walk.
Rain Painting
Don’t shy away from outdoor play in the rain! Buy some different colors of tempura paint. On a rainy day, have your child shake the powered paint onto a piece of paper. Ask her to walk outside and place the paper on the ground in the rain. Let your child decide when the painting is done, then bring it inside to dry.
A Musical Fence
Use string to attach old pots, pans, and cookie sheets to a fence outside at different heights. Let children use spoons and spatulas to make “music” on the fence band. Talk with them about the different sounds they hear. Remember to provide scarves for those children who would rather dance to the music!
The Life of Trees
Trees are full of life and stories! Ask your child to pick a tree. Now investigate different aspects of the tree with him. Use a magnifying glass to explore the texture of the bark and hunt for insects along the trunk. Put your ear up against the tree. Can you hear water rushing inside the tree? Look along the ground under the tree. Are there any nuts or acorns? Lie on your back and look up at your tree.