Spring has sprung! In this post, we are sharing creative and simple outdoor activities! Below we also outline ways to expand on typical outdoor play ideas, as well as the benefits each activity can hold for your child.
Sandbox Dig
A DIY sandbox/bin can be a pretty inexpensive base for spring and summer activities. After filling a container or sandbox with sand, there are many different themed activities you can use! For example, you can fill the sandbox with animals, dinosaurs, cars, letters, numbers, etc. Each theme offers a new opportunity to build your child's vocabulary and introduce new play schemes. Additionally, your child may prefer the texture of dry rice or kinetic sand to actual sand. If you are worried about your child ingesting the sand, you could also use cheerios or another edible snack!
Tie-Dye
There are limitless possibilities for tie-dye uses with your child! Depending on their developmental level, they can practice labeling colors, collaborating with you or a sibling, in addition to using their fine motor skills. You can adjust how much independence your child has by determining how much of a project you'll provide help with. It can be helpful to talk about the steps beforehand; for example, you might say, "Since the dye can be really messy, we will work on our t-shirts outside. You can choose as many colors as you'd like for your shirt, but I might need to help you put it on your shirt. Would that be okay?"
I have utilized tie dye even with very young clients, and I have utilized a choice board of colors and patterns that they could point to or verbally mand for. This project turned out to be a lot of fun (though messy!), and we all wore our tie-dye shirts at the end of our spirit week.
Playground Games
If you can go to a playground or utilize a swing set, it can be a great way for kids to build confidence and gross motor skills! Without realizing it, kids are working on climbing, bi-lateral movements, jumping, balance, running, and more. On a playground, kids can also work on turn-taking and trying new things, which targets their social skills and confidence. The playground also provides opportunities for imaginative play and problem-solving skills with new equipment.
Racing Games
Sometimes kids need a little help structuring an outdoor activity beyond "go play outside." A race or obstacle course can be a great solution! You can experiment with different racing rules (hop on one foot, crawl, cartwheel, etc.), and you can encourage your child to design their own obstacle course! Racing can allow\ kids to work on winning and losing, using coping skills, and working on different gross motor skills. Try using a timer to limit competition between kids and encourage them to beat their own time!
Creating an obstacle course can encourage creativity and provide safe opportunities for risky play. You can also help your child play the obstacle course by prompting them to solve problems as they arise; for example, you could say, "now that you're on the swings, how will you get across to the slide? I wonder if you could reach out for the railing!"
I hope these ideas inspire you to get outside and get creative!
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