Inside: 5 Outdoor Learning Activities for Children. Collaborative post.
Outdoor learning is meant to be fun and engaging, especially when your child is involved. Let them have heaps of fun with a range of activities you should keep handy for sunny days or days where your child is complaining of boredom. In this guide from a grammar school in Surrey, we explore 5 outdoor activities you can try with your child to make them enjoy learning.
1. Hopscotch
A classic for hundreds of years is hopscotch, where you grab some chalk and draw onto the pavement in squares with different numbers of them. The aim is to throw a stone or bean bag into the first number and jump in. The winner is the child that reaches the end of the hopscotch line first. You can also vary the shapes of the squares or even use circles instead of squares.
2. Water play
Blow up an inflatable swimming pool, grab some buckets and cups to fill up with water, or bring out some water guns. These are all fun and exciting for children, but it also shows children how water behaves in different environments. Pouring water will change as the weight differs in the cup for instance, and water is pressurised in a gun as it’s released.
3. Sandpit activities
A child can learn a lot about the consistency of sand, even in building seaside castles. It’s about showing your child what forms sand can take when water is added or removed from the equation, which can test a child’s understanding of states of matter. Children can make all sorts of shapes and sculptures from wet sand and fill up cups and spades with dry sand.
4. Gardening
Gardening is great for a child’s awareness of their fine motor skills, and they’re also learning about the greatness of growing your own produce. Get your child involved in the entire process – from planting the seeds to seeing the flowers or crops grow over time. They’re also learning about what a plant needs in order to grow, from the process of photosynthesis to foods that help them bloom.
5. Make a campfire in the garden
For those chilly nights a night with your child roasting some marshmallows and having hot chocolate will make them see what’s fun about camping, but without putting together the whole experience. Melting marshmallows over a fire can show your child how fire works to melt things and make them taste better, and you’re showing your child a fun recipe they can make at home.